Editing Lambeth Conference (section)

===Fourth: 1897===
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*Presided over by: [[Frederick Temple]] (having been convened by Archbishop Benson)
*194 bishops present

This conference was held a year early because of the thirteenth centennial celebrations of St. [[Augustine]]'s arrival in Kent. The first event was a visit by the bishops to the Augustine monument at [[Ebbsfleet, Thanet|Ebbsfleet]].  A special train was run by the [[South Eastern Railway (UK)|South Eastern Railway]] that stopped at Canterbury to collect the cathedral clergy and choir. A temporary platform was built at Ebbsfleet for first class passengers; second class passengers had to alight at [[Minster-in-Thanet]] and walk the remaining 2.3 miles. After an act of worship the party retrained and proceeded to [[Richborough]] to visit the Roman remains and take tea. There is no station at Richborough, perhaps a second temporary one was created. The bishops then travelled back to Canterbury to be ready for the opening service of the conference on the following day. The arrangements did not go well and the Dean of Canterbury complained of 'the appalling mismanagement by the railway authorities'.<ref>''The Times'', London, issue 35246, 3 July 1897.</ref>

One of the chief subjects for consideration was the creation of a tribunal of reference, but the resolutions on this subject were withdrawn due to opposition of the bishops of the [[Episcopal Church in the USA]], and a more general resolution in favour of a "consultative body" was substituted. The encyclical letter is accompanied by sixty-three resolutions (which include careful provision for provincial organisation and the extension of the title archbishop "to all metropolitans, a thankful recognition of the revival of brotherhoods and sisterhoods, and of the office of deaconess," and a desire to promote friendly relations with the [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern Churches]] and the various Old Catholic bodies), and the reports of the eleven committees are subjoined.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=111}}

[[Randall Davidson|Davidson]] chafed under the arrangements for the conference in which he had played no part and determined to write the final encyclical himself. There were a number of unfortunate phrases in his draft to which many bishops objected but he refused to accept amendments on the day of its presentation. However, he reconsidered overnight and announced the following morning that he had changed the draft as requested. A bishop who rose to thank to express gratitude for his change of mind was rebuked with the words, "Sir you may thank me all you wish, but you must thank me in silence".{{sfn|Stephenson|1978|p=108}}