Year: 1867

Address by Bishop OdenheImer.1


Notwithstanding the number of meetings and
other entertainments advertised for last even
ing, q large audience assembled at Grace
Church, to listen TO an address by Bishop
Odenheimer, on the proceedings of the recent
Conference of Bishops, at Lambeth Palace,
England. After appropriate religious services,
which we're participated in by several minis
ters, the Bishop announced, as the foundation
of his remarks, the words OF the Psalmist Da-
vid;-"Behold, how good and how pleasant it
is for brethren to dwell together In unity" 1t
was with these attractive words that he greeted
his hearers. It was from there, two months
ago, that he took leave of his people and asked
their prayers for him in his journey across the
ocean. Now be had come back safe, and he
desired to thank them for this cordial reception.
Two months did not seem long, but in that
time he had listened to words of fraternal
love from Bishops of England Scotland, rre-
land, Asia, Africa, etc. He never expected to
witness such a gathering of eminent men. They
had come from all quarters of the earth at the
solicitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to
whom he paid fine tribute as kind-hearted
and noble man. They first invoked Gods
blessing on their undertaking. The Conference
was called that good might be done. 1t was
not competent to make declaraJlOnS, out IL was
calculated to bind us together in peace and char
ity. 1t had stirred bishops in every part of the
world to show their faith in the Church; that they
were one in spirituality, notwithstanding there
might be diversity OF opinion. The Conference
was composed of men of great learning and
standing, and yet meekness of wisdom charac-
teriZed them all. There were l0rdly men
there-men whose names are mixed up with
the politics of England-but they were men
OF God Notwithstanding; they were true
hearted. He mentioned the names OF several
of the bishops who attracted special attention,
and said he could not say too much il praise of
the Archbishop of Canterbury, who presided, ,and
made the opening address, which was very fine.


The place Of meetlng-Lambeth Palace-is
full Of rich and varied associations. 1t dates
back to the twelfth century. The hall in which
they met was formerly the armory of the Palace.
Its walls are now adorned with portraits of
various bishops. But the chief place of interest
was the chapel. Here Bishop White was conse-
Grated; here also were consecrated the three
bishops who lald the foundation of Episcopacy
in the United States. The influence that these
three bishops had exerted for the good of the
Church in this country was alluded to in gloWing
terms. The beneficial stream that had gone cut
from that chapel had indeed swollen into ma
jestiC river. Feeling allusion was made to the
character of Archbishop Parker, whose body
rested in the chapel. After resting there for
awhile, both the body and that of the Protestant
Church had been rooted out. But the times
have changed, and since the Reformation the
body of the Archbishop had been brought back.
He exhorted his hearers to pray for the perpe-
tuity of the Church, for if the heresy OF anti
Christ should ever overrun England again, both
the Church and the body Of the Archbishop will
be cast out.


The results accomplished by the Conference
were referred to in high terms. 1t did not do
what some thought it would do-consider dis
puted dogmas. 1t is not do what 1t did not in
tend to do. 1t was called for the purpose of
drawing brethren together in fraternal friend
ship, so that all might be one; where all sat as
equals, Notwithstanding the difference OF station
or learning. II unanimously adopted the pas
toral letter which declares what it has DONE
He regarded it as the most important gathering
of ecclesiastics since the days OF the Reforma-
tion. Christian peace and unity had been pro.
NOTED. The Conference closed with the eucha-
rist, and the members took their departure from
the table of the Lord.


The Bishop spoke for nearly an hour with
great animation, and closed by some kind words
of eXhortation to his hearers, hoping that they
would cherish peace, good will, and fraternal
charity, in order that the prayer of our Master
may be fulfilled that "yOu all may be one." If
we do not always approve of the method by
which union is to be attained let us love one
another.-Ne,Oarb Com. Advertiser, 3lStWN.