Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-15
EPISCOPAL SESSION
HEARS DR.. FREEMAN
Bishop AssaiIS Lobbying by
Church as Injurious to
Prestige.

Appointment of committees, reports
| and open forum discussions marked
this mornings session of the annual
convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Diocese of Washington, which was
opened in Epiphany Church last night
by Bishop James E. Freeman, who
administered a rebuke to church lobby
lists and predicted that the mixing OF
church and state must inevitably result
| in damage to the church.
The bishop said the church had lost
prestige and signally weakened its in
| fluence" whenever it had attempted
through organized effort, to direct and
control political action.
THE pages of history disclose the
sad and tragic story of confusion and
discord where church and state have
been in conflict. If the church lowers
dictator in the concerns of legislative
action or the choice of political cand1-
| dates, it loses the respect and conf
dence of right-thinking men"
Secretary Is Reelected.
Rev. H. Allen Griffith, Soldiers Home
chaplain, was reelected secretary of the
diocese at this mornings meeting, which
was held in st. Stephens Church, Six
tenth and Newton streets.
Bishop Freeman announced the fol-
lowing appointments: Permanent as
Sistant secretaries, Rev. E. Pinkney
Wroth, Rev. w. R. Moody, j. L. Johns
and o. r. Singleton; committee on
rights of clergy to seats, Rev. M. F.
Minnick. Rev. j. j. Queally and Rev.
/ E. M. Thompson; committee on lay
representations, H. L. Bryan, G. M,
Hustled and DR.. H. M. Bowen, and the
~ l1Ytci
ness, Rev. George F. Dudley, D. D., and
Rev. Robert Johnston, D. D., D. c. L.
Among the reports submitted and ap-
proved were those Of the standing COM
mittee, the treasurer of the diocese, the
state Of the church. on canonS, church
pensions, the trustees of church char
tiles and the board of examining
chaplains.
Bishop Freeman's Address.
THE maintenance of any organ
lied system designed to coerce legis-
lators or to dictate legislation, State
or national is utterly foreign to a
right conception of the church's func-
tion," Bishop Freeman declared last
night at the opening session Of the
convention in Epiphany Church.
We have condemned, and rightly
so. the influence brought by organized
Hobbies to affect legislation in the in
terestS of certain corporate bodies that
are seeking a selfish advantage" he
continued. 1T is really reprehensible
for the church, or any of its chosen
agencies, to use like methods.
Whenever the church, through or
ganized effort, has attempted to direct
and control political action" he said,
land thus has departed from its spe-
ciflc spiritual functions, it has lost
prestige and Signally weakened its in
f1uence. Its place as the conServer of
things ethical and spiritual is undis-
puted. 1t has to do with principles
rather than policies. If it lowers it's
standards to become an autocratic die
tator' in the concerns of legislative ac-
ton or the choice of political candi-
dates, it loses the respect and conf
dence of right thinking men. Not in
frequently in recent years has it in
dulged In the discussion of matters
economic and political and set forth
conclusions that were unSound, uneco-
nomic and unwarranted by the evil
dence submitted.
Critical Hour for Church Cited.
1.-THE dictum of washington, no en-
tangling alliances may well serve the
church in its present critical hour"
Bishop Freeman continued. THE page
of history discloSes the sad and tragic
story of confusion and discord where
church and state have been in conflict.
We are not unduly apprehensive that
the stability or calm Judgment of
our people will be seriously disturbed
by these sporadic demonstrations Of
miSdirecJed zeal; our deepest concern
is that within vast bodies of our people,
especially our youth, they may produce
impressions that will affect reverence
and respect for the church as an in
Stitution. Our age Is unwilling to see
the church involved in political debates
and discussions, and those who indulge
in such practices disqualify themselves
as religious leaders. Unfortunately the
chief sufferer in these matters is the
church itself.
THAT a political campaign should
again revive the bitterness and con-
tentionS of party strife, and that in GER
tain quarters 1t should be made the oc-
casion for harsh and ungenerous judg
ments, has shocked the sensibilities of a
vast majority of our people. We cannot
believe that this spirit is to prevail, nor
! can we believe that it represents the
opinion Of more than bare minority
of our people. Nevertheless, 1t contains
a solemn warning that must be needed,
| else 1t may constitute a menace to those
high ideals and purposes for which this
great republic stands.
Higher Aims Stressed.
ITO higher ends must the church ad-
dress itself, if it is to hold its place of
power and influence as the conserver of
the noblest and best interests of the
State and Nation. We are living in a
new age of better understanding and
klndl1er judgments. The ties of fellow
ship are more closely knit and better
spirit is abroad. To halt the progress of
this spirit or to seek to impair in any
wise its growth, is to do violence to the
highest and best interests of life"
Bishop Freeman was outspoken re-
garding other topics of widespread in
| terests. Touching on the Book of Com
mon Prayer, adopted at the recent
General Convention of the Episcopal
Church, he declared that claw and
loyalty alike" demand strict adherence
to its forms. 1T is not for any individ-
! ual bishop or priest" he asserted, Ito