A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 30

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From the Bishop's address:

Church Workers' Conference.

Monday, June 4th. This was devoted to a conference of

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Church workers, at which I presided in Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, and made the opening address, and admin- istered the Holy Communion. The programme had been pre- pared by the Rector, Rev. Dr. Neilson, with great care and judgment and he was happy in securing the co-operation of his neighbors, both clerical and lay. Addresses were made by the Rev. Messrs. Gravatt, Thomas and Willis, and admir- able papers and addresses were furnished by various mem- bers of their congregations. I cannot but think that the public exercises of a conference like this, supplemented as it was by a social reunion, in the enjoyment of a most cordial hospitality on the part of Dr. Neilson's congregation, must be productive of great good.

Thursday, 17th. In the absence of the Bishops of Ohio and Southern Ohio. I attended, by special invitation, the com- mencement exercises of Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, and was delighted with all I saw and heard. Under the vigor- ous administration of President Pierce this Institution bids fair to enter upon a new career of usefulness. A large part of our Diocese is near enough to Gambier to make it a very convenient college home for our boys, and I am glad to know that quite a number have availed themselves of its privi- leges in times past. Our two trustees, the Rev. Mr. Young and Mr. Joseph DuBois, both of Wheeling, attended the meeting and received a cordial welcome.

Sunday, April 10th, Easter Day. Ascension, Hinton. It was a great pleasure to meet this congregation in their new Church building. With great energy they set themselves to the work of reconstruction, and after calling out their own strength they received aid from different parts of the Diocese to the extent of $577.87. This cordial response on the part of a large majority of our congregations. many of which were no stronger than the point they were helping, forcibly illustrates how we could continually be mutually helpful in a great many ways. The truth is, that to buy a lot or build a Rectory or Church any small Mission, involved

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in all difficulties of its inception, ought to be able to depend upon the sympathy and the practical support of all the Church organizations of this Diocese. The tax upon them would be very light. The help and encouragement to the smaller Churches and Missions very great. There is hardly a year passes when there are not at least four or five of such instances of greater or less urgency in which help could be given that it would seem by all rules of interest and Brotherhood and obligation ought to be given, and which, would greatly advance our Church work and greatly promote the common spirit of the Diocese.

Summary.

I must confess to a certain hesitation when I come to sum up, in a few cold figures a statement of the work to which I have given my time and best energies during the year. It seems such a hard way of stating the case, as if the machine had been set in motion and then checked at the delivery of such and such a tale of bricks. It seems such a material way of dealing with Spiritual things, or at least with that which ought to represent Spiritual things. So many visits, so many sermons and addresses. So many persons confirm- ed. What does it all amount to? Well, it may be anywhere along the line from a great success to a stupendous failure. I make up the record, and then dear friends with thankful- ness to God that it has been given me to labour another year uninterruptedly in His vineyard, and in this part of His vine- vard, that He has given me so many opportunities of guid- ing and counselling others. I pray that His blessing may be upon all that has been said and done in His name, and that all of it, however, faltering and unworthy it be, may be taken up and worked into His precious plan of good for this Church and Diocese. During the year I have paid 182 visits to 112 places in West Virginia, and have besides on official business of various kinds paid 32 visits outside the State. I have held 255 services of which 42 were at points outside of West Virginia. On the various occasions I have

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delivered 291 sermons and addresses. I have attended 71 public and private meetings of various kinds, and on 75 oc- casions confirmed 308 persons, consecrated one church and ordered two Deacons Priests.

Deputies to the General Convention: Rev. Geo. A. Gib- bons, Rev. S. S. Moore, D. D., Rev. J. Brittingham, Rev. B. M. Spurr, Mr. Jos. Trapnell, Mr. W. S. Laidley, Mr. B. M. Ambler, Dr. G. A. Aschman.

Alternates: Rev. Jno. S. Gibson, Rev. C. C. Pearson, Rev. W. H. Neilson, D. D., Rev. R. D. Roller, D. D., Gen. Wm. P. Craighill, Mr. J. Howe Peyton, Mr. L. E. Sands, Mr. W. G. Peterkin.

The Bishop reported, that he had appointed Rev. B. M. Spurr, Archdeacon of the Diocese.

Council of 1899. Huntington.

The Twenty-Second Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Huntington, Wednesday, June 7th. Present twenty-six of the Clergy and twenty-eight of the Laity.

From the Bishop's address:

St. Paul's, Weston.

The first days of June (1-5) were spent in attendance on our Twenty-First Annual Council in St. Paul's Church, Wes- ton. The occasion furnished opportunity for the members of the Council to see and enjoy the beautiful new and com- modious Church, which through the joint labors of the Rev. Dr. Lacy, the late Rector, the Rev. Mr. Burkhardt, the pres- ent Rector with cordial support and co-operation of the whole congregation had been recently completed. The to- tal cost has been about $11,000, and at this time all was provided for save about $2,000. Since then I understand that more than half of this has been paid. Not only is the new Church larger and more beautiful and substantial than the old, but it has accommodations for the Sunday school and for work in various departments which prove to be most helpful, if not absolutely necessary. It is gratifying to

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find increasing attention paid to these things, as our con- gregations begin to realize that for the successful prosecu- tion of our work something is needed beyond the mere audi- ence room for Sunday services.

During the Council, we had our usual missionary meetings, which serve in such a marked degree to keep "the great commission" more distinctly before us. The Rev. Win. Cabell Brown, represented the work in Brazil, which has since been wonderfully strengthened by the consecration of the Rev. Lucien Lee Kinsolving as its first Bishop. This relieves me of all further responsibility for the official conduct of the work. I am glad under such favorable conditions to lay down the commission which I have held since the spring of 1893.

Sunday, February 19th, 1899. A. M. and P. M., Trinity, Morgantown, confirmed six. I was glad to find the Episcopal Hall, under its new Warden, Rev. Thos. E. Winecoff, in good condition, more and more winning for itself the confidence of the University authorities and of the whole community. It would be gratifying if our Church people through the State realized somewhat more their responsibility in the matter, and that it was their part by sympathy and co-operation to stand by the Hall. We have not had all the patronage we had a right to expect, partly no doubt because parents have not thought much about it, and partly also because they have not been disposed to exercise that authority over their sons which would prevent them from following college friends off to some boarding place, where they might be freer from wholesome supervision and restraint.

Each year's experience confirms me in my judgment as to the importance of this institution, and I find that others are looking forward to the establishment of similar Halls.

Notwithstanding all our efforts to the contrary I fear that many of the boys still regard the Hall as a mere boarding house, and have heretofore allowed themselves a freedom which has been beyond their true liberty, and has very much complicated the problem of administration. Such matters

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will, however, we trust, soon regulate themselves and our increasing experience in the internal management of house- hold details will secure continually more efficient and help- ful service towards the great objects of the Hall. The War- den has devoted himself with zeal to the work, and unites with me in a cordial desire to make this Institution in every way helpful to our young men at college, and not the least instrumentality a great State University may gladly foster, for advancing the cause of true Christian Education, and elevating the tone and temper of our young men throughout the State.

Summary.

150 visits paid to 90 places in the Diocese. 28 visits paid to points outside; sermons and addresses, 244; services and meetings other than above 53.

Confirmed 247 of which number 137 were presented in fields distinctly missionary.

The total number confirmed since the organization of the Diocese has been 4,658. Being an average of 211 per year for the whole term, or 180 for the first eleven years and of 243 during the second term of eleven years.

It may seem to some that with such a number of confirm- ations that our communion list ought to be much larger than it is-the reports this year show about 4,300 communicants, -but we are apt to forget the large losses year by year. Leaving out of view the losses for the year just past, which at this time of writing I cannot determine,-it appears that under the head of losses by death, removal and names erased the total for 21 years sums up 3,824. No doubt but that a good many of these removals, are only from one church to another, in the Diocese, our reports do not show to what ex- tent this is true, but after making all due allowance for this it must be evident that year by year losses to the Dio- cese are very considerable.

The Sheltering Arms Hospital.

This Institution, though not formally connected with the

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Diocese is of interest to us all, not only because we all unite, through our Thanksgiving Day offerings, in its support, but because such work so truly illustrates the genius of our religion and the spirit of the Master. How better than by caring for such an Institution, can the church show that she heeds the Master's words, not only to preach the Gospel, but to heal the sick.

During the past year 144 patients have been cared for. The number of inmates on May 19th, the date of annual meeting, being 25. The physician in charge and the nurses and the matron have devoted themselves with commendable faithfulness and efficiency to the discharge of their delicate and difficult duties, and to them is due our gratifying meas- ure of success.

The Institution has been carried on during the past year at an expense of about $4,300, and we have been enabled by gifts and otherwise to make a substantial improvement, in heating all the buildings with hot water, at an initial ex- pense of about $1,500, and an annual saving henceforth in fuel and service.

Although the income last year was not quite equal to the expenses, yet by virtue of special gifts mentioned above, and of a convenient surplus from the last year, we have been . enabled promptly to meet all our obligations and make a fair start on another year.

The total number of patients cared for up to May 19th, (since the Hospital was opened) reaches the large number of 780; and all who have in any wise helped in this work may feel the greater satisfaction when they reflect that the gen- eral condition of the patients has been such, that in their own humble homes, they have, as a rule, been without the possibility of such comforts and conveniences as alleviate sickness and pain, and make recovery sometimes, even possi- ble. Only those acquainted with the manner of life of most of our patients, can estimate the vast amount of suffering relieved, and the great good done in such care of patients,

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as has resulted in their speedy restoration to health and strength, and consequent ability to resume work for the sup- port of their families.

I trust that our people will not grow weary of this charity, but that they will continue, on the day when they assemble to thank God for mercies vouchsafed to them, to show their thankfulness, in part at least, by remembering the Shelter- ing Arms, with gifts of money and provisions and clothing. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again."

The continued progress, if not the very existence of our Diocesan life is dependent upon the faithfulness and energy with which our various churches, large and small, face their duties. Human nature is the same all the world over, and there can be no doubt but that a habit of dependence is fostered by continual aid, there can be no doubt but that there is often practical imposition on the Diocese by those places that receive aid. The sentiment seems to prevail that as the public money is going "we might as well have our share of it," and this judgment is confirmed by instances that might be cited of the most rapid and abnormal develop- ment on occasion. Just here is the problem, how to throw this responsibility just where it belongs without working hardship in the case of faithful men. I believe that just as one of the greatest political heresies is, that under the in- fluence of which the people look to Congress and other pub- lic bodies to legislate them into prosperity, so one of the greatest troubles we have in the church is the habit of look- ing to the Bishop and the Diocesan Committee and the Gen. eral Boards to assume our own part of the burden we ought to bear. There ought to be a far more resolute putting of our own shoulders to the wheel, and an honest pride in being independent, at least there ought to be a greater readiness than appears, to take up from time to time more and more the matter of our own support and cease to be pensioners on the Church's bounty.

GEN'L JOHN H. OLEY.

GRACE CHURCH, KENOVA.

GRACE, KENOVA.

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Bishop Coadjutor.

Since the Canons require that before an election of a Bish- op Coadjutor, the Bishop of the Diocese shall consent in writ- ing to such election, and that also, in such consent shall state the duties which he assigns to the Bishop Coadjutor when duly elected and consecrated. I hereby formally give my consent to such election and specify as the official duties which in general and for the most part I desire to assign to the Bishop Coadjutor. Visitations, confirmations and or- dinations as may be agreed upon from year to year, such oc- casional offices as the laying of corner stones, and the con- secration of churches and chapels, attendance on the convo- cations, and other general Church meetings, visiting vacant churches, and such other work as it may seem to me possi- ble and expedient to put in his hands.

Let me say further that it is only fair to the Presbyter you may elect, and just to the Diocese, that he should have full knowledge of the condition of our work and the purpose for which we seek to secure his services.

We cannot penetrate the darkness of even the near future and tell how it will be next year or the year after. Still it is proper to state distinctly that it cannot be said that the Bishop of this Diocese is unable by reason of old age, or other permanent cause of infirmity, to discharge his Epis- copal duties, but that we do what we do, on account of the extent of the Diocese. It is a move not so much to maintain the existing work as to extend it. No doubt different the- ories prevail as to the exact work which a Bishop ought to do. If any man thinks that his ministry is fulfilled simply when all the organizations, large or small, strong or weak, are visited, he may have a perfect right to his opinion, but in my judgment such a man, whatever his qualifications, is not the man we are looking for, for Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of West Virginia. We want one who is willing and glad to do pioneer missionary work, to go out through the length and breadth of the State, and seek and search

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for our scattered people, and lay foundations upon which perchance others will build; we need a man who will have ready sympathy for the missionary; though in the smallest and most unpromising field, and will show a large patience and a wise discretion in laboring in places where the church is but little known, and where perhaps only his successor will see it established.

It is my earnest hope that with such division of labor, as an additional supply of mental and physical strength will make possible, that not only more places may be regularly visited, but also more effective work may be done everywhere all over the State. When the Bishop has more time at his disposal than he can now possibly command, he can cultivate closer personal relations with the people, and so bring his personal as well as his official infinence to bear upon the churches, for the maintenance and advancement of the work. In other words, when the Bishop appears to the people more in the character of a chief Pastor rather than of an occasion- al visitor. I believe that his power for good will be greatly increased and all his efforts made more effective.

In regard to the general question of a Bishop Coadjutor, I do not propose now to discuss it at length. Without any request from me, and I may say very unexpectedly, this mat- ter was brought up at the last council, and it was with great unanimity determined to make application to the Church for permission to elect a Coadjutor. This permission has now been obtained, and so far the way is open before us.

The movement, though not inaugurated by myself, has my cordial approval, and will receive my hearty support. I fear, however, that owing to various unforseen circumstances and a little hesitation to vigorously and promptly push so large an undertaking, that the Diocese does not find itself in the financial condition it expected. After a good deal of pre- liminary general discussion, the Committee on Assessments reported that $500 could be depended on from current re- ceipts for the salary fund, and the Council undertook to in-

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crease its Permanent Fund from $4,000 to $20,000. Had this been done promptly, and the money so placed as to be now yielding an income, the amount so realized, together with the surrender by the present Bishop of such part of his salary, as after conference might be agreed upon, would have enabled the Council to proceed at once to an election. As it is, I cannot tell what is the best to be done. I trust the whole subject will receive your most careful consideration, and that the great Head of the Church,-the Master, to whom we all stand or fall,-will in such wise guide us that we may do that which shall best strengthen the Diocese and advance His kingdom.

Conclusion.

So far is the record for the year, and yet how incomplete and unsatisfactory all such records must be. We may omit things of greatest moment, and put down and emphasize what has but little value. There is however no escape from such incomplete and unsatisfactory record; it is the best that we can do in this line, and something seems necessary to round out and mark the successive stages in our work.

Entering upon our twenty-second year, we have as it were passed our majority as a Diocese, and now have our work more distinctively than ever before us. What has been done in these years past has been done often amid very great difficulties, and that too with but few resources. To give our- selves the proper equipment of Churches and Rectories and such like necessary things has been for us an exacting task, and yet by the good hand of God upon us, we have managed to get together and spend in this way not far from $400.000 or an average of $20,000 per annum.

This work, as a rule, has been well done, and done once for all. It is now part of our plant. We have the use of it, and ought to reap from it great advantages in our work year by year. If for their local needs the congregations, large and small, have made such noble provision during the past twen- tv-one years, shall we not hope for the Diocese, of which

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they are all an integral part, that they will now be ready to desire more liberal things, and that we shall be able with the greater vigor to carry on all our general work. We have many tokens of God's favoring hand upon us,-not only in the growth of our communion, both in numbers and influ- ence, but in its general activity in Christian work at home and abroad, and that during all these years of labor and of aspiration we have been at unity among ourselves. Surely such things are to be taken as the evidence of God's blessing. We thank Him and take courage. We go out to the work of another year pledged to a more hearty co-operation with one another, and a more faithful and constant service for the master. The time is short. Let the one life we have be given to Christ, and we shall keep it unto life eternal."

Bishop Coadjutor.

The undersigned, members of the Special Committee ap- pointed to memorialize the General Convention or the Bish- ops and Standing Committees of the various Diocese, re- spectfuily report that on August 10th, 1898, we sent to the Bishops and Standing Committees a petition for their consent to the election of a Bishop Coadjutor for the Diocese of West Virginia, in the following terms, viz:

PARKERSBURG, W. VA., 189 ..

Your consent is asked to the election of a Bishop Coad- jutor for the Diocese of West Virginia. The ground, upon which this application is made, is the inability of the Bishop of West Virginia, by reason of the extent of his Diocese, to discharge his Episcopal duties.

The Annual Council of the Diocese, in session June 1-4, 1898, appointed the undersigned a committee to present this request, with the reasons therefor, to the Bishops and Stand- ing Committees of the Church.

The Diocese of West Virginia embraces the entire State. It has an area of 24,780 square miles and a population, ac- cording to the census of 1890, of 762,794. The increase in

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the preceding decade was nearly 145,000. It is believed that it has been larger during the present decade, so that a mod- erate estimate would place the present population at 900,- 000. Its distribution over the Diocese is more general than in many other Dioceses of larger territorial extent. In many sections of the country settlement has followed the lines of railways, and broad regions, to which these have not penetrated, are little settled, if at all. But the people of West Virginia are widely distributed over the entire State. There are 55 counties, of which the least populous has nearly 5,000 inhabitants and the most populous fewer than 45,000. There are no large centres. Wheeling, the largest city, has only about 35,000 people, and only three other towns con- tain as many as 10,000 each. These conditions impose upon the Bishop constant travel and long journeys in his minis- tration to those under his care, while, owing to the geograph- ical configuration of the State and its physical features, this travel is tedious and often difficult. The greater portion of the surface is mountainous and is traversed by many bold streams, which cut their way far back into the upland regions. Railway construction is difficult and, except for the three great trunk lines, which cross the State, few roads have been built. Save upon the western border, in the valley of the Ohio, there are no completed roads, connecting these lines. Hence it is often necessary for the Bishop, in the discharge of his duties, to take wearisome journeys of considerable length over poorly constructed mountain roads. The extent of travel required to cover the field may be inferred from the fact that the clerical and lay delegates in attendance upon the recent session of the Council, which met at the most central point probably in the Diocese, averaged a journey of about 500 miles each.

Within this far-reaching territory there are now about 4225 communicants. The clergy officiating therein number thirty-six. There are seventy-six churches and chapels and many points, as yet unsupplied with either, where services

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are held, regularly or occasionally. The Bishop enumerates 152 places, which he regards as needing regular Episcopal care to the extent of one visitation at least in the course of each year. There are also other places which he has vis- ited occasionally and to which he feels that more attention ought to ge given than he has been able to give. For these reasons we ask your assent to our petition. We request you to send your reply to Rev. S. Scollay Moore, Chairman of the Committee, Parkersburg, W. Va.

Respectfully, S. SCOLLAY MOORE, Chairman. JOHN S. GIBSON, W. S. LAIDLEY, JOSEPH TRAPNELL.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 30

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