Evening star., 1949-10-08
Episcopal Convention
Closes With Plea for
Educational Crusade
By Cospor Nonnes
Stor Stoff Correspondent

W SoSPoi t>ouuGS
Star Stoff Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 8.-The
Protestant Episcopal Chuch in
the U. s. A. closed its Seth gen.
eral convention here yesterday
with an appeal for its member
ship to support a crusade for
better Christian education in
order to overcome "our religious
illiteracy."
The appeal, made in the tradi-
tional pastoral letter from the
bishops which closes each general
convention. declared. 1--WE have
been contaminated by the secular
humanism Of our time: we have
assumed that the flower of
Christian living would xemain,
despite our neglect of the root of
Christian civilization. We have
forgotten, or never fully under
stood. those mighty acts of God,
revealed in Bible, creed, sacre-
ments and the church. by which
He has made himself known to
man in facing power"
Asserting that the materials
and methods of religious educa-
ton are now available, the state
ment said, only the response of
the whole church can make the
program effective. No longer can
we face the dangerous rivals to
the Christian faith now ag-
gressively at work in the world
and be unarmed against them.
Only truer and deeper convictions
can overcome wrong convic-
tions."
Makes Appeal on 4 Points.
Describing the church as one,
holy, catholic and apostolic. the
letter made an appeal to its men,
bers on each of these points.
Much has been accomplished
In recent years in the great work
for unity on the national and in
ternational level" it stated. 1--WE
call upon all the people of the
church with charity in their
hearts to work for unity on the
local level. Through cooperation
in civic affairs. fellowship, study
and prayer, we can in our day
create that atmosphere in which
further steps can be taken"
A knowledge of Christ and a |
zeal for him so that belief in
Gods service as "the greatest
service" and in church member
ship as "the greatest thing in
human life" was stressed in the
letter.
Stating the word catholic" in
its "commonest meaning tells us
that we belong to a universal
church intended by God to carry
the truth to all men," the state
ment urged its members to free
ourselves from that parochial-
mindedness which does not see
the Lords will for His church."
The church's mission. it went on.
is to bring "all men into a right
between God and
man, and between man and
man"
The way in which you best
ccn SHOW your love of Christ Is
discharge to the fullest extent
>ssible your membership in the
, cal parish" the paper said.
Practical Steps Suggested.
It suggested four practical steps
trough which the church may
come "the central fact in our
IVES:
/. First, we call our people to
prayer, not only as individuals.
but to united prayer in groups and
congregations. Our congregations
should be called together to pray
that God may give peace in our
time, that good will among men
and nations may become a reality,
and that law and order may pre-
vail in times of industrial strife"
2. Second, we bid you work
for greater unity and true
brotherhood beginning in each
local church and community and
reaching out across all the bar
riers which separate U.s."
3. Thirdly, we ask for vigorous
evangelism as we recognize that
any human being who does not
know or believe the gospel of
Jesus Christ is one whom God
wants in His church."
1. Finally, our position forces
us to new concern about
stewardship .. we commend to
you the ancient biblical principle
of tithing (giving of 10 per cent
Of ones income to the church,,
and we urge you to give at least
half of such 1.-THE directly through
the church" -
Schools as Aid to Education.
A resolution, introduced by the
Rev. Charles w. Lowry, rector of
All Saints Church. Chevy Chase,
Md, defending released time for
religious instruction in the public
schools ION a voluntary basis" as
not violating the traditional
position Of separation
Of church and state was passed
by the convention.
In presenting his resolution, DR..
Lowry declared the recent Su-
preme Court decision barring the
use Of school buildings for re-
ligious education in what has be-
come known as the "Champaign,
ILL.,, case" was a symptom and
q symbol of the possibility of an
emerging secularism in demoniac
form. There is a possibility OF
secularism becoming gale which
will have as one of its specific
purposes the reduction Of the
status of the church to repelled
and irrelevant Sect"
Ob1ectors' Measure Defeated.
The House of Deputies refused
to approve a resolution indorsed
by the House of Bishops urging