A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 29

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Just along these lines there is great laxity of practice. I might say also, that while it may never have been determined precisely what the term communicant legally and technical- ly involves, I should think we could hardly avoid the con- clusion that in its analysis it must mean one who communes. And the Rector of the Parish must in the exercise of his responsibility as in the sight of God, finally determine whom he can properly call communicants in his charge. It would seem then that the Rector and the Treasurer are the two persons. and the only two persons who can authoritatively pronounce upon the qualification of electors and Vestrymen, and it would seem as if the simplest way to discharge this duty was for them to give a list of all such to the three judges of election.

The main trouble, however, often arises after the election, from the failure on the part of those elected to attend Ves- try meetings, or to take any part in the administration of the Church, and the trouble is frequently carried over from year to year by the re-election of the old Vestry, simply because no one cares to take the responsibility of turning down one who has served it may be for many successive terms; and so it comes to pass that we have a number of Vestrymen who are mere figure-heads, and indeed worse than that, because they not only will not themselves attend meetings, but by their membership they increase the diffi- culty of securing a quorum. In my judgment there ought to be no relaxation of effort to get a Vestry meeting regular- ly, from time to time, as may be determined, and if, with- out suitable excuse tendered, any one be absent for so many

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consecutive meetings, then his name ought to be dropped, and the remaining members ought to have the option, wheth- er to fill the vacancy, or to accept the reduced number, if not less than three, as a complete organization. If one will not by active interest advance the cause of the Church, he ought not to be allowed simply by his neglect to hinder it. To continue on the Vestry month after month, and year af- ter year, one who has ceased to be even a casual attendant, or who is openly and avowedly a member of another relig- ious organization-one who can not or will not attend the Vestry meetings, is calculated seriously to hinder the pro- gress of the Church and to bring the administration into contempt. In my judgment there ought to be regular stated meetings of the Vestry-quarterly meetings at least, but better bi-monthly or monthly, and if these official bodies were continually purged of careless and neglectful members in the manner suggested above, or sonie other suitable way, which ought not to give offence, we should have a much more effi- cient administration of our temporalities, than we now en- joy. If in any given Parish you could not find enough per- sons sufficiently interested to keep up such an organization, there could be no better evidence that the congregation did not deserve a parochial organization and ought to be rele- gated to the position of a mission. I have heard Rectors complain that they could not secure a Vestry meeting dur- ing the year; such failure formally reported to the Council ought in itself to be sufficient to void the charter. When we secure such a body as a Vestry ought to be, with stated meetings, then we can bring them up more and more to something like a proper realization of what their responsi- bilities are, and get them to assume more entirely the tem- poralities of the Church, relieving the ministry from their frequent serving of tables, that they may give themselves continually to the ministry of the word and to prayer, and releasing the offertory also from the heavy charges that are now put upon it for current expenses, and so leaving it free

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to meet the demands of the missionary and charitable work of the Church.

The Council of 1895. Charles Town.

The Eighteenth Annual Council met in Zion Church, Charlestown, on Wednesday, June 5th. Present twenty-two of the Clergy and 37 of the Laity.

The Diocese made an assessment upon Parish and Mis- sion Stations, for the Bishop's salary and Contingent Fund, for the current year ($3,445.00).

A Permanent Committee was appointed to consider the question of the Division of the Diocese; the Committee of the last Council having reported that they could not find any practicable method of support for a new Diocese.

From the Bishop's address:

The Rev. Dr. Nelson.

"Saturday, 27th. Took part in the funeral services of the Rev. Dr. Kinloch Nelson, one of our profes- sors at the Theological Seminary of Virginia. I had stopped off to spend a day with him, and to visit the Seminary, when he was taken ill and died in a few hours. Dr. Nelson was my life-long and valued friend and had served the Church and the Seminary with fidelity and success. Without guile and without pretense, he bore the fair flower of a stainless life, and showed himself a work- man that needeth not to be ashamed. The Trustees will miss his steady, faithful services, and the students, both of the Seminary and High School, his ready sympathy and earn- est work for their good. May the many men he has helped to send out into the ministry be ever faithful to the truth which he taught them.

The Annual Councils.

Virginia Church Councils have long been different from others, in that they have been held to represent more than the mere business of the church. This, however needful, can hardly be made attractive to many persons, and does not

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tend greatly to spiritual education. I have, however, been apprehensive for some years that the old custom was weak- ening in its hold upon our people. I cannot tell why, unless it be under the influence of that restless desire for change which seems measurably to affect us all, and that distinctive- ly modern notion that all time is lost except that which is em- ployed in the outward activities of our organized efforts. I have so far as I could, resisted the innovation which has shown itself among us from time to time, to make our annu- al Councils simply a gathering for the transaction of routine business, and I find myself sustained in this effort by the action of the councils in other Dioceses. Outside of Virginia they are beginning to see that there has been wisdom in our time honored custom, and are casting about for such adaptation of it as may suit their own condition and cir- cumstances. So you will find at a recent convention in the Diocese of New York, there were special arrangements made for purely religious services, over and above all the business sessions. Such was the feeling in regard to the helpfulness of these services that it was declared that the day and hour marked an epoch in the history of the Diocese. The editor of the Churchman in calling attention to this change of their usual programme said: "It is of the greatest importance that the Annual Convention of the Diocese of New York should be the supreme opportunity of the year for the con- sideration of great questions, and the quickening of the spir- itual life. The experiment made this year has proved most encouraging, and it may well be that it may be suggestive to others who have felt the need of something to lift their own Diocesan Conventions with greater efficiency and value."

It is not too much to say that we Virginia Churchmen have from time immemorial been working along these same lines, and have found our annual meetings to be precious seasons of refreshing and revival. I do not think we need any com- mittee to give us a programme, or suggest topics for dis- cussion. Let us continue to assemble in the Church, as has

REV. DALLAS TUCKER.

PARISH HOUSE, CHARLESTOWN.

OLD ST. GEORGE'S, CHARLES TOWN.

ST. ANDREWS, ON MOUNTAIN.

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been our wont, for divine service, and to hear the preaching of the word, not only transacting faithfully the matters of business which properly come before us, but claiming the promise that where two or three are met together in Christ's name, they shall have Him present with them.

Death of Maj. A. T. Laidley.

Just as I am finishing this address, the news comes to me of the death of the venerable Maj. A. T. Laidley, of St. John's Church, Charleston. Maj. Laidley was identified for many years with the church in Virginia before the division, and was one of those who early saw that the formation of a new Diocese in the new State was urgently needed in the interest of church extension. Since that time, although in- firmities of age have been growing steadily upon him, he has always shown the liviliest interest in every department of our church work. Of singular simplicity of character and devoted loyalty to the Master and His Church, he has been in his daily walk and conversation an epistle known and read of all men. Who can, through years, have witnessed his touch- ing devotion to his church, and not have recalled to mind as applicable to him, David's words: 'I had rather be a door- keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' We are the richer for the good examples of all those who depart in the true faith of God's holy name. As the Fathers in Israel are called to their rest, let the sons cheerfully take up their work, knowing that by God's good hand upon us our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord.

Deputies to the General Convention: Rev. S. S. Moore, D. D., Rev. J. Brittingham, Rev. R. R. Swope, D. D., Rev. R. D. Roller, D. D. Messrs. B. M. Ambler, W. S. Laidley, Judge Frank Beckwith, Genl. W. P. Craighill.

Alternates: Rev. W. H. Neilson, D. D., Rev. Jno. S. Gib- son, Rev. W. L. Gravatt, Rev. G. A. Gibbons; Messrs. E. J. Lee, Dr. G. A. Aschman, Mr. J. D. Logan, Mr. J. H. Strider.

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Committee on Parochial Reports.

The Rev. B. M. Spurr presented the following report from the Committee on Parochial Reports:

We your committee on parochial reports, respectfully beg leave to submit the statistics hereto attached, also to bring to your careful attention the following items:

That whilst there are many reports that are carefully drawn and completed, it is deeply regretted that men with the standing which the clergy should have, should deem it of too small importance to make either correct or decent look- ing reports.

In at least two items of our general summary-based on the reports-we are convinced that the increase is simply the result of fuller reports, and not an actual large addition of property, that is, that we have not added thirty churches and chapels during the year; but if we have the number reported now, we had most of them in 1894, the result being simply obtained from more accurate reports.

Again, our summary shows a decrease of twelve in the number of teachers from last year's report, which may or may not be true, because your committee know of several schools of which we have no report whatsoever.

Further, that whilst we report a large increase of schools they are reported as having been run without expense, a most unusual example of Christian benevolence.

We deplore the fact that many of the brethren having sev- eral places in charge, refuse or have not done their plainly indicated duty of making a proper summary, according to the plainly printed directions found at the foot of the print- ed report blanks.

We wish now to call your attention to a very few of the inaccuracies, so that you may judge intelligently of the act- ual condition of the reports.

One clergyman reports, that he has no church building, and yet is in possession of 120 sittings, which we are left to infer he stores in the rectory, so as to have them handy

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for the open-air services which he evidently conducts in true apostolic fashion.

One brother enjoys quite a pension, for he reports a good salary received, a considerable communicant list, but has no services during the year. This would lead us to expect the brother to be slick and well filled, but instead he looks weary and worn. We infer his conscience is troubling him.

A reverend brother reports, that he has a Sunday school of 770 females. We have always known that the ladies were largely in the majority in both Church and Schools, but we are surprised that this good brother has coralled so large a number of the fair sex; but we are very much dis- turbed when we notice that he has only 200 sittings for the divine ones, and sincerely hope that we are correct in sur- mising that he has borrowed the 120 sittings which the afore mentioned brother has stored in the rectory.

In at least three parishes marvelous things have occur- red during the year.

First, One reports that last year they had 11 communi- cants, have added 7 during the year, but that they now have none. We conclude this to be simply a matter of "Transla- tion."

Second, Another says, that they never had a communicant before, that none have been added during the year, but that they have 90 now. His cry is evidently "Eureka."

Whilst a third brother's care-worn look of anxiety is fully explained, when we notice that he reports himself as a mis- sionary in charge of two Churches and 278 chapels without any assistant or means of lightening his burden.

From these and many other items which might be given, we believe we rightly conclude that the Council should take some action which would promptly end such a display of in- capacity, if from carelessness-in-excusable; whilst if from lack of knowledge, easily remedied.

We therefore move, That each clergyman make it a mat- ter of honor and do his level best to make a proper and ac- curate report according to the demands of the canon.

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Council of 1896. Moundsville.

The Nineteenth Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Moundsville, Wednesday, June 3rd. Present twenty-seven Clergy, including Rev. Lucien Lee Kinsolving, of the Brazil Mission, twenty-five laymen.

From the Bishop's address:

Old Zion Church, Etc.

Monday, July 1st, '95. In company with Mr. Gibbons I visited the old Zion Church, North River, and preached. This was my second visit to this old Church. The first was made on September 13th, 1894, and I have reason to believe, as I said in my address to the last Council, that it was the first occasion of our service held there for sixty years. On this second visit a Prayer Book with suitable inscription was left upon the desk, not only for our own use on future oc- casions, but to act the part of a missionary in one of the waste places where we cannot have the voice of the living preacher. Monday, 16th. Addressed a meeting of the Wo- man's Auxiliary in the Chapel of Zion Church, Charles Town and at night confirmed one in St. John's Church, Harper's Ferry, after sermon by the Rev. Mr. Gibbons. This visit was of special interest to me, as I felt it would be the last service I should hold in the old Church which, in its restored condition, the congregation had been using for about fourteen years. After some conflict of opinion and many natural regrets at the severing of old associations, it had been de- termined that the time had come to part with the old St. John's, and put up a chapel in a more eligible location. In my address to the Council of 1883, I find the record of the Consecration of this Church on Friday, December 1st, 1882, accompanied by this statement, "This building which was never in a condition for consecration before the war owing to a debt upon it, was during the war entirely dismantled; literally nothing was left of it save the walls and the roof." The total cost of repairs was about $1.000. In returning now

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to the original plan of putting up a chapel on a more eligi- ble lot. we find that our labor of restoration has been by no means lost, because selling the old Church for $500, the re- maining $500, spent in the work of restoration really rep- resents the reut for fourteen years-a result that is in every way satisfactory. I believe the building of a chapel in a more accessible place than the site of the old Church will have a marked and immediate effect upon the progress and stabil- ity of the congregation.

Council of 1897. Point Pleasant.

The Twentieth Annual Council met in Christ Church, Point Pleasant, Wednesday, June 2nd. Present twenty-eight clergy and thirty laymen.

St. Paul's Church, Sistersville, was admitted as a Parish. Limits, Tyler county; name Tyler Parish.

The Woman's Auxiliary reported $174 raised for Diocesan Missions.

On motion the Rev. Mr. Spurr was appointed with two laymen from each convocation, to visit each Church which receives assistance from the Missionary Board, and make a house to house visitation, in order to secure a more adequate support for the minister.

A committee reported, that in their judgment, it was not expedient to attempt to revive the Brotherhood.

From the Bishop's address:

General Missions.

As is well known the Board of Missions has had the gen- eral subject of the better and more regular support of our missions under advisement for a long time. The deficits of the past two years have naturally had rather a depressing effect upon the Church, and although they have been hap- pily overcome, still, in the failure, as yet to put the work up- on any better basis, or to adopt any better system than that which has prevailed in the past, the Board does not feel safe from a recurrence of such deficits in the future. They are

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continually embarrassed by the fact that while they have to make definite pledges and contracts with their missionaries, they have no fixed income with which to meet these obliga- tions, and they can not but feel that oftentimes pressing lo- cal demands-Diocesan and Parochial-tend to reduce the contributions to missions far below what they ought to be, and what the Board has a right to expect them to be.

Under these circumstances the Board earnestly desires to have the more cordial co-operation of the whole Church, and to this end seeks to create and diffuse through the Church such a sense of personal responsibility as will result in larger, more regular and more general offerings for Mis- sions. They do not think that this subject has received, in time past, quite the consideration it deserves. After all, the Board is but the agent of the Church, appointed to at- tend to details for which the whole body cannot possibly ar- range; and it is hardly generous or fair for the Church to leave it to administer so large and complicated a trust, with- out more definite instructions upon the particular points of the pecuniary obligations it should incur to carry on its work. The Board feels that it is comparatively powerless in the presence of so many and such pressing local claims as are continually before the Church-both diocesan and par- ochial. They are, therefore, seeking to enlist as their most efficient auxiliaries those regularly constituted authorities, whose more decided interest and help would, we believe, re- vive our mission work in all the Churches.

The difficulties in the way of formulating a definite plan, which should admit of general application, have been very great. Perhaps the best that could be done has been done, and I desire now formally to make it known to the Diocese and request their cordial co-operation.

The Board of Managers presents the following plans as at least a step, towards the solution of the Missionary problem.

"Resolved: That the Bishop and Convention or Convoca- tion of each Diocese and Missionary District, be requested

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to constitute, in such a manner as they think best, an Auxil- iary Board of General Missions to act in behalf of this Board within their own limits and whose duty it shall be in the behalf of their respective Dioceses or Districts to notify this Board, before the time of its annual appropriations what sum they expect and will endeavor to contribute for the next fiscal year."

It is for this Council to determine what they can and will do in the premises. Missionary zeal is in danger of being smothered, under the pressure of local needs. After all, many of these are of very secondary importance. If our en- thusiasm for Church extension, our desire to be co-workers with Christ in hastening the coming Kingdom were but equal, to that we have to promote the comfort and beauty of our Churches, we would exercise more self denial in order that the Lord's work be not hindered. The Churches generally are far more ready to receive than to give help, and yet, the Master has said it is more blessed to give than to receive. I want to remind you of what many seem to forget, that we ourselves have been such large beneficiaries of the general Church, to the extent of about $35,000, during these nineteen years of our Diocesan existence. Does not loyalty and grat- itude to the Church and the Master, loudly call for our more hearty support of that administration which has been and still is holding up our weak hands and strengthening our feeble knees, and ought we not to have a high ambition to help to extend to others the blessings we ourselves have so plentifully enjoyed?

I want to add yet this word, that while recognizing these principles we must not be impatient about the details which alone can make them effective.

We recognize faith as the great principle, and the constrain- ing love of Christ as the great motive power for this mission work with which we are entrusted, and we pray God mightily to increase our faith, and to pour His love in larger measure into the hearts of our people everywhere. Meantime we ask

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them all, and beseech them in the name of the Lord Jesus, as brethren engaged in a common work, to come to the help of the Lord against the mighty; to strike hands with us in a more cordial and intelligent and binding co-operation, that we may make the most of the opportunities God is now so graciously giving us, and that this our missionary work may be done not only zealously, but so decently and in order, that while it may be evident that we are laboring with both hands earnestly to extend the Kingdom, it may be equally evident that in all our administration of these sacred trusts we are providing things honest in the sight of all men.

Mr. E. I. Lee.

Since the last session of the Council, the Diocese has ex- perienced serious loss by the death of the late. Edmund I. Lee, of Shepherdstown. He always represented his congre- gation in the Council, and generally was sent by the Diocese as a deputy to the General Convention. He was also a mem- ber of the Standing Committee and a trustee of the Theolog- ical Seminary and High School. In the discharge of all these duties, as in all the relations of life, both public and private, he was foremost in every good word and deed, a knightly Soldier of the Cross without fear and without reproach. I have taken occasion elsewhere to express for myself and for the Diocese our high appreciation of his character, and ser- vices, and our profound sense of the loss we have sustained by the removal from our midst of so good a man and so faithful and earnest a laborer in the cause of Christ.

Bishop Newton.

While I am preparing this address the news is brought me of the sudden death of the Rt. Rev. Jno. B. Newton, Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia. It is but a little over three years since I took part in his consecration, and I had indulged the hope that he might be spared for long years to bear up the weight of that great Diocese, and ease the burden from the shoulders of Bishop Whittle. But in the providence of God

BRUCE CHAPEL.

CHRIST CHURCH, POINT PLEASANT.

REV. J. HOWARD GIBBONS.

REV. ROBT. UPSHUR BROOKING.

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this was not to be. In the prime of his life and the full tide of his powers, his Master has called him to lay his work down and come up higher. Justly loved and honored, not only by his own people, but by all in the .community, he has left to the church in the three Virginia Dioceses a bright example of simple Christian character, devotion to his Mas- ter, and faithful work. May we all be ready even as he was, for in such an hour as we think not the Lord will come.

Council of 1898. Weston.

The Twenty-first Annual Council met in St. Paul's Church, Weston, on Wednesday, June 1st. Present twenty- nine clergy, including Rev. Wm. Cabell Brown, of the Bra- zil Mission, and thirty-four laymen.

The Rev. Dr. Roller, offered the following preamble and resolution which was adopted.

Bishop Coadjutor.

Whereas, The strain is too great upon our Bishop, by rea- son of the overwhelming duties and cares required by the large extent of territory, and increasing number of places requiring Episcopal supervision and administration in this Diocese; therefore,

Resolred, I, That this Council seriously and earnestly con- sider the question of a coadjutor Bishop for this Diocese.

II, That this subject be made the special order of the day for Thursday at 3 p. m.

III, That the Committee on Assessments be requested at that hour, to state, 1st, How much of the Annual Episcopal Fund can be relied upon for this purpose, beyond the pres- ent requirements. 2nd. How much more, if any, can this fund be made to yield for this purpose, and 3rd, To make any recommendation they deem advisable to carry out this object.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 29

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