Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-19

Boston, April 1S-The Church needs
constructive criticism on the part of
It's constituents, Bishop William
Lawrence OF the Episcopal diocese of
Massachusetts said in an address
today before the annual diocesan
convention. Bishop Coadjutor Char
les 7. Slattory and Sulfragan Bishop
Samuel G.. Rabcocli discussed phases
OF the Church activities while Bishop
Lawrence reviewed briefly the events
of the year.
Speaking from the experience OF
80 years as Il bishop, he said
Every act of our national admin
istration ut Washington is subject
to the analysis or commentator of
lhe people through the public press.
We need more OF that l.. the church
Anyone who writes to q church
paper in criticism Of actions of our
boards is liable to be suspected OF
disiQyai'y or ut al events of running
the risk OF unscttlinE the people S
confidence and thus decreasing sub
Scrlp'ions. OF course public critic
should DC sure of his facts. | believe
now ever. That the national council
should know what people are think
me- and that criticism or approval
should come more fully out into the
open"
Bishop Lawrence urged con-
servatiNc policy in church financing.
ana said that only W such a plan
could tic confidence of the strong
business man he gained.
Il sec no reason why this church
Should have a privilege granted to
10 other organization with which /.
at least. am familiar. of funning into
debt again and again. and of appeal
NE to the church to wipe out the
debt with the hope or confidence
that 1t will not happen again: and
repeat the experience every few
years he said.
referring to the general convention
Oh the Episcopal church held last year
IN Portland. Orc. the bishop said it
was "conservativcly progressivc: a
healthy frame oS~mird." and added:
! ne revision of the prayer book has
taken mp too much time in the later
conventions important. as the subject
IS The world is moving fast. moinen-
tous problems are before us in the set
- ih' NJ vi NNltn inc tDUftn ought TO
lake a NOR" active part than she docs
now. At all events. the discussion Of
these problems, the clearing Of our
minds as to where we stand in relation
TO them. and what VIC should do or not
no. Is essential to the spiritual leader
ship Of tho church
rs 10 church unity the convention
faxed somewhat. laid out some rather
large programs of organic or eympa-
.H'l'c unity, and. as usual. did very
HttlH othor churches may wonder
provided they think about us at AID
why we talk so much and do so little
IN church unity. The chief reason. in
MY judgment. is that we are not agreed
among ourselves as to what arc the
essentials OF unity and what church
Unity really is"
puflnS the year. Bishop Lawrence
IepoFted HN92 candidates We're con-
hiincd in the diocese. He gave the
number of clergy economically resident
III the diocese as PSI and the parishes
and missions 20o.
Bishop Coadjutor Slattcry. discuss
ing the work of the Church Service
League, said one of its aims was to
.,N'uce people III the church to have
nc same thorouchness Of knowledge
s anouI christianity that electricians
nave about electricity.
certain experience of the church
"Nh!n the last year" he added. shows
. we need of n laity with intelligent
.N'ofmaton about tho life and charac-
YER OF our Savior. It has been dis
.ou'aslnG TO hear people say that if
o gave ones assent to Christianity
o"e should conform to all the rules as
o,, man conforms to the rules of his
,'No or lodge. with evidently never a
,"'ousht that Christianity must be expe-
rienced and cannot remain outward
aHu formal That is not loyalty which
a.ers tihc-hoN" formulate and ex-
e'S no conviction within the honest
"''tu and tn" loving heart.