Honolulu Republican, Volume IV, Number 493, 10 January 1902 — MANY SIGN EPISCOPAL REGISTER [ARTICLE]

MANY SIGN EPISCOPAL REGISTER

Members, of Second Congregation Enroll Themselves With Bishop Willis. * • OTHERS STILL CHUHCH MEMBERS SITUATION SAME AS IN POLITICS WHEN VOTERS ARE ENROLL ED BEFORE ELECTION. Sole Desire of Bishop to Present an Undivided Congregation to His Successor—Members Held to Promised Allegiance to Constitution of the Episcopal Church. l.ast night the time limit given to members of St. Andrew's Congregation to sign their names to the register. preparatory to voting in the election for wardens, etc., closed, and those members who have not regist3ied w ill not be entitled to vote. They will not lose their standing as church members, however, in any way or form. "It is perfectly clear." said Bishop Willis last night to a Republican reporter, “It is exactly the same as in political affairs. There are thousands of citizens in the United States who do not register for elections and do not vote; hut they do not lose their standing as citizens. It is exactly the same in this case. Members who have not registered will lose their vote. but. as far as their standing in the church is concerned, that remains the same as before. Held to Promised Allegiance. “Fifteen or sixteen years ago the conditions then prevailing gave reason for the existence of a Second Congregation. but when we in the Synod accepted the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and as the congregations were fully represented, they are now. through those representatives responsible for the promised allegiance to the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Everybody must abide by it as they promised to abide by it.

Dual Congregation Inadmissible. "Tim constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Chur' h does not allow the existence of a dual congregation inside of the same church, and as a consequence it is ray aim to deliver this church into the hands of the coming Bishop as one church with one congregation. This was the reason for the notice which was given some time ago. and which caused such consternation in the Second Congregation. It has been thought and represented that this was a new motion by me. it was not. It was simply the pointing out by me of the logical consequence based on the action of the Synod and no new motion by Bishop Willis. Purpose of the* Synod. "The Synod was called for the purpose of carrying through the resolution made two years ago to bring this diocese into union with the Protestant Episcopal Church upon invitation being received to do so. This resolution was unanimously carried and tae Synod also accepted the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Churcn. ! -tated simply that the constitution would go into effect on the first of the year as was natural. Notices to All Clergy. "The notice concerning the licenses of the clergymen was not for Honolulu alone but for the clergy all over the islands. It was also pointed out to Mr. Mackintosh that he could receive a canonrj- in the church and would be able to perform such services as he. holding a responsible and important government position, was free to perform. It is clear that, as Mr Mackintosh is bound by his government position frcm nine till two o'clock on week days, he would not be able to perform a service at 11 o'clock on a week day. as there i often occasion to. Delay Not Necessary. “You are aware that a letter was sent from the Second Congregation asking me to defer action until an

answer could be had from the presiding bishop, to a le<ter which was sent him asking for his judgment in that matter. I have sent an answer to that letter addressed to one of the wardens Mr. Davies. In this letter ! state that I am perfectly cognizant of the fact that the presiding bishop will answer them that this diocese is out of his jurisdiction and will be so un> til April 1. It is natural that Ido not defer action Sought Undivided Congregation. ‘ That the registration did not take plare right at the h ginning cf the year was simply because a grace was riven. The House of Bishops looks to me to put the constitution into working order here as far as it is possible and I intend to pursue the course of action I have started on and endeavor to hand to my successor an undivided congregation according to the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Second Members S'gn. “The registration of names closed tonight and although I can not precisely state the number of names registered. I know that quite enoueh have signed-to carry on a successful election. Among the names sign- d are a number from the Second Congregation, If they had ail registered they would easily have carried the flection and Mr. Mackintosh would hav? a canonry in the church As it is Mr. Mackintosh has declined the offer as he of course would not be the head of a congregation."