A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 31

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USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 31

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With this petition we sent also the accompanying tabu- lated statement prepared by the Bishop of the Diocese and showing its growth under his administration:

Diocese of West Virginia.

Contributions to

Diocesan Missions.

Total Money

General Contri-

Diocesan Contri-

Expenses.

Number of Com-

municants.

Teachers and

No. Sun. Schools.

REPORT OF 1878.

24,645 8q mi. population (1870) 442,000.

Field.

Diocesan.

Convocation

General

Am. Church

Mission Soc.

Rectories.

Contributions to

Expenses.

$ 254 $12310 $ 364 $1152 $10749

878|14 14 clergy. 24 churches & chap- $ 9400 $ 650 . els, 20 other points.

300 $200 $10550 10 $ 834

REPORT OF 1898. 24,645 sq. mi., population, (1890) 760,448.

657

14033

714

2299

11020

1186

Convocations. EASTERN CONVOCATION 3,670 sq. mi. 86,496 pop. 1100 19 10 clergy. 19 churches & chap- els, 14 other points.

4289

525

400

700

300

6214 10

867

339

8356

686

7625

451

262

CENTRAL CONVOCATION. 5.870 sq. mi. 175,951 pop. 5 8 clergy. 8 churches & chap- els, 17 other points.

4050

450

...

4600

344

1183

37708

1284

4245

32179

1308

NORTH WESTERN CONVOCATION 4.055 sq. mi. 184,048 pop. 1409 14 8 clergy, 20 churches & chap- els, 17 other points.

9025

575

300

250

10160

1535

437

11672

358

1455

9859

873

KANAWHA CONVOCATION. 5.300 sq. mi. 192,067 pop, 091 16 6 clergy, 16 churches & chap- els, 23 other points.

4070

700

100

500

5370

517

291

11361

188

898

10275

407

509

NEW RIVER CONVOCATION. 6,750 sq. mi. 121,856 pop. 9|6 clergy. 14 churches & chap- els, 26 other points.

3254

575

100

350

4279

231

$2907 $83130

$2583 $9583 $70958 1

4225

4271|63 38 clergy. 77 churches & chap- els, 97 other points.

$24698 $2825 $800

$1400 $900 $30623 31 $3494

Of the 38 Clergy 4 are not canonically resident, but are laboring In the Diocese.

375

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

SALARY FUND.

Raised.

butions.

Parochial

Scholars.

Diocesan

Total.

THE DIOCESE.

1277

.....

100

& Parish.

Board.

376

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Special Council. 1899. Clarksburg.

The special Council, called primarily to elect a Bishop Co- adjutor, met on July 26th, 1899 in Christ Church, Clarksburg, The Bishop presided and the Rev. J. Addison Ingle, of our China Mission preached the sermon.

There were present twenty-eight clergy, all entitled to vote save one; and fifty-eight layınen, entitled to vote.

On the sixteenth ballot, the Rev. W. L. Gravatt, Rector of Zion Church, Charles Town, received a majority of all the votes cast by each order, and on motion of Rev. Mr. Gib- bons, the election was made unanimous.

The Council of 1900. Shepherdstown.

The Twenty-Third Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Shepherdstown, on Wednesday, June 6th, 1900. Bishop Pe- terkin presided. There were present, besides the Bishop Coadjutor, twenty-four of the Clergy and twenty-seven of the . Laity.

From the Bishop's address:

As to Election of Bishop-Coadjutor.

It is with no ordinary pleasure that I meet you today, my Brethren and Friends, at this our twenty-third Annual Coun- cil, for I cannot but feel that since we last met, we have entered upon a new and most hopeful period in our Dioce- san life. The great problem of securing proper Episcopal services for a widely extended, sparsely settled and rapidly developing Diocese-a problem that has confronted us most seriously during the past few years, has at length been hap- pily solved. The deliberations of the twenty-first and twen- ty-second Annual Councils, were happily consummated in the special Council, meeting in Christ Church, Clarksburg, on Wednesday, July 26th, 1899, at which time the Rev. W. L. Gravatt, Rector of Zion Church, Charles Town, was chosen Bishop Coadjutor. This election was reached by the abso- lutely free and untrammeled action of the Diocese, in de- pendence upon that Divine guidance which is still realized

RT. REV. WILLIAM LOYALL GRAVATT, D. D.

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IN WEST VIRGINIA.

in the Councils of the Church, and I heartily congratulate you upon it. No choice could have been more grateful to me personally, none, I believe, more acceptable to the Dio- cese, or having larger promise of usefulness. As the Dio- cese has of its own motion, and without pressure from me, taken this important step, I may properly say that I think they have shown both wisdom and courage; wisdom in mak- ing provision for a growing work before its increasing bur- den resulted in the disability of the Bishop, and courage in undertaking what larger and stronger Dioceses have deemed beyond their power. We now need to bend our energies to the work before us, that the happy result may justify so unusual a measure. Until such time as we can get closer to the primitive model of small Dioceses, measurably with- in the capacity of one man to oversee, we shall need such helps as Bishops Coadjutor, even for those not physically disabled, that they may be something more than confirming machines and traveling agents. Will you not pray for your Bishops, Brethren, that they may be wise and faithful in every relation and service, helpful to clergy and people, and in all things ensamples to the flock.

Wednesday, July 26. Attended special Council in Christ Church, Clarksburg, called to elect a Bishop Coadjutor, and transact such other business as might be brought before them. This Council proved to be the largest ever assembled in West Virginia; there being present 27 clergy and 58 lay- men entitled to vote; and I am sure they feel under great obligations to the Rector and congregation in Clarksburg, for · the cordial welcome they extended, and the hospitable pro- vision made for their entertainment. The session was mark- ed throughout by manifest interest and equally manifest good feeling. The Council was in itself distinctly encourag- ing. Considering the condition of our congregations as wide- ly scattered over a very large territory, so that attendance was on the part of clergy and laity accompanied often with great personal sacrifice, we may properly count that attend-

378

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ance as large and enthusiastic. As the balloting through the hours of the afternoon and evening showed, the result, at length reached, was no forgone conclusion, but one to which we may feel that we were divinely led in the careful and intelligent use of our judgment and experience. We thank God and take courage, consecrating ourselves anew to the work which the good Lord has called us to do in this part of His vineyard.

Rev. W. T. Leavell.

Sunday, November 5. In Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesville ; preached a sermon memorial of the late Rev. W. T. Leavell, for many years the Rector of this Church, and the oldest pres- byter in the Diocese. As was to be expected on account of his age (83) Mr. Leavell had not been strong for some years, but with wonderful energy and unfailing interest he had kept up his work to within a few months of his death. As his judgment and decision were largely instrumental in form- ing the Diocese, so his hopeful spirit and ready help were a constant source of strength. We all looked upon him as our Father in the Church, and we thank God for the good example of this His servant, who now rests from his labors.

Consecration of Bishop Gravatt.

Friday, November 10. By appointment, in Zion Church, Charles Town, took part in the consecration of Rev. William Lovall Gravatt as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of West Virginia. The Bishop of Virginia presided, and he, with the Bishop of Washington and myself were the Consecrat- ors. The Bishop of Lexington and the Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia presented, and these all, with Bishop Penick, united in the laying on of hands. The Bishop of Lexington preached the sermon. Thus in not quite twenty-two years after my own election in Zion Church, the same building, though greatly improved and beautified, witnessed the con- secration of a well learned and godly man to aid me in the growing work. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.

379

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

Conference of Foreign Missions.

Saturday, April 21. Saturday, 28. As an appointed Dele- gate, during these days I attended the Ecumenical Confer- ence of Foreign Missions in New York. Such meetings are well calculated to raise the tone and temper of the whole church, and inspire thoughtful earnest minds everywhere with a more intense desire to advance the Master's King- dom. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of this great gathering, as many men of widely different church politics, and various confessions of faith met day after day, was their manifest thorough loyalty to Christ, the Common Mas- ter of us all. The spectacle of so many men and women from all parts of the world, and representing so many dif- ferent organizations, and such a varied constituency, cor- dially uniting in brotherly consultation. that they might profit by each others' experience in the mission field, and sus- tain one another by the deeper realization of their Christian fellowship, and gain sneh knowledge of the conditions and prospects of the general work as to enable each factor to be most judiciously placed and most efficiently used, was in ev- ery way helpful and inspiring.

What we all need to learn, far more than we have ever vet done, is that the making Christ known upon earth is not only a duty but the paramount duty of the Christian church today. Too often the case is that the churches, as well as individuals, have it in mind to do something more in the mission fields, when they have satisfactorily met some local need, which though pressing in a certain sense, i. e., gratifying to the taste and perhaps comfort of the peo- ple, has after all really but little to do with the coming of the Kingdom. Would it not be well, sometimes at least, to weigh over against the comfort and satisfaction to be de- rived from new carpets, and better organs and stained glass windows and frescoed walls, and embroidered hangings and jewelled plate, and all that sort of thing, the immediate vressing duty of the Church to carry the Gospel to the pres-

380

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ent generation, so rapidly passing away. I fear that our people generally do not greatly care much for the coming of the Kingdom-do not greatly pray or labor for it; and I say this because whatever people may give or do, some marks of proper concern are entirely wanting. Compare, e. g., their interest in secular matters with that which they manifest for the Kingdom of God. Do you not suppose that the most, if not all, of our 3,000 families in the Diocese, take one or more secular papers to keep them abreast of the times in local matters, and the great march of events throughout the world? But how few of them, comparatively, take any proper means to inform themselves about the condition and progress of Christ's Kingdom, and the loud calls for labor- ers to go into His vineyard?

I do not know how many of our 3,000 families take any of our church papers, but the General Secretary of our Board of Missions tells me that only 25 copies of the Spirit of Missions were taken in West Virginia last year. I must confess that I was both mortified and grieved at the state- ment. Such number is utterly inadequate to inform our peo- ple, as they ought to be informed, as to the great campaign, and to guide them in any way of helpfulness. If to embue men with the missionary spirit you must acquaint them with the missionary enterprise, how can you expect under the con- dition of things I have described, that our people can know what God is doing for the world, and hear His calls for their service?

I suggest that the clergy make more and determined, persis- tent efforts to increase the circulation of the Spirit of Mis- sions ; and further that the elected and appointed members of the Missionary Council, from the Diocese, constitute a stand- ing committee which shall have under consideration the whole question of our more cordial co-operation in the general Mis- sionary Work of the Church at home and abroad, and by such methods and agencies as may commend themselves to their judgment, that they seek to stir up the wills of our people to

381

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

a more determined and Christ-like purpose, and call forth their energies for a more faithful and self-sacrificing service.

Summary.

I have paid 114 visits to 89 places in the Diocese, and had 35 services and meetings outside. Sermons and addresses 175, confirmed 88. I may add that the number confirmed by the Bishop Coadjutor has been 146, making the total number confirmed since the organization of the Diocese 4,892, which is perhaps rather more than the present number of our com- municants. Some persons have expressed surprise that our number of communicants should not be very much larger, but they fail to realize how great the loss is year after year by death and by removals. In the years of our Diocesan life this loss would amount to no less than 3,000.

The Special Fund.

In making report of my special fund, I can only call atten- tion to what I have, time and again so often said before, that although its work is quietly done, I believe that there is none more effective in its general results. It is designed to meet those special emergencies, for which no other pro- vision is made, and so with the intimate knowledge I get in regard to necessities of all kinds, from the fact that I am behind the scenes. I make appropriations as needed directly to supplement small salaries or deferred payments, to meet extraordinary expenses, travelling or otherwise, to have needful printing done, and helpful literature distributed, to help build and improve Rectories and Churches, to help the Diocesan Missions, or the Sheltering Arms Hospital, to assist young men studying for the ministry, to supply va- cant churches and to do many other things that touch our work, as occasion may require.

Offertory.

It is gratifying to believe that the general scheme for the offertory, which I have been putting forth in gradually per-

382

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

fected form, from time to time, during the last few years, is growing in favor. As I have frequently said, the details are more or less immaterial-the great principle is what I desire to see accepted and applied, and I am convinced, from my experience and observation, especially during the last year, that the plan is steadily gaining ground. On further consideration it will be found to commend itself, not only because on every Sunday without regard to their attend- ance on services, it rallies to the support of the designated object the whole numerical strength of the Diocese, as com- pared with the half, or third, or fourth, or less part now reached, but also because by putting the responsibility of the local maintenance of our services where it belongs, that is on the Church officers, it encourages, if not compels them to such active and thorough work as must tend to the in. crease of their interest and the constant development of their efficiency. The business interests of the Church should not be made dependent on the chances of a public meeting, any more than any other business interest-it is not good business to make them so. The officers who are from time to time appointed or elected to superintend and provide for the finances of the congregation, ought to know their con- stituency-they have six working business days in which to approach them, and secure their co-operation. In this way they can do it more decently and effectually, so that when we assemble to worship Almighty God we shall be able to confine ourselves to that worship, and not take advantage of the occasion to pay up our dues for certain things we have bargained for, under the colour of having our alms as well as our prayers, go up for a memorial before God. So we are to call out our whole strength for the benevolent and aggressive work of the Church, and so we are to train up our people to an intelligent and business-like administration of their affairs.

Diocesan Missions.

The general subject of our Diocesan Missions will be

383

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

brought before you by the report of the Committee, which will in due time be read. Nothing demands your more de- liberate and careful consideration. The great problem be- fore all missionary Boards is "How to extend needed help to weak congregations, and at the same time develop that self-help which the congregations themselves must exercise for their proper growth, and which the exigencies of our ag- gressive work imperatively demand?" There is danger of error in both directions. We may err if we adopt a too liberal pol- icy, and on the other hand we may err if we are too economi- cal and exacting. As far as we, in West Virginia, are con- cerned, I believe we have erred rather in the first than in the second direction; that is, our policy has been too liberal, rather than too exacting. Not that we have not had large encouragement in our work, and have been permitted to see such development, in certain places, that they have grown out of their dependent condition, and become themselves centres of influence and power, but for all that, there is much to be desired, and since in more cases than one, when we have been able to bring to bear a proper pressure upon a congrega- tion it has risen up wonderfully to a conception of duty, and shown an ability to perform it, we cannot but think that there is in other cases not yet fully tested, still great room for improvement. There can be no doubt, but that the fact that there is a fund to assist weak congregations in caring for their Pastor, creates an undue dependance upon it. The question comes up in the mind "Why should not we share in the general distribution?" and so, some look to this fund who ought to depend wholly on their own exertions, and some cling to it long after they have grown out of such infant con- dition as made their first dependence natural and even neces- sary. Here is room for great searchings of heart.

There can be no doubt but that our Diocesan Missionary work is the chief thing which, as a Diocese, we have to attend to. With us aggressive work is to be diligently followed, not only on its own account, which perhaps would be sufficient

384

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

reason, but also because necessary for maintenance as weil. The difficulties and hindrances of many kinds, in the way of the successful prosecution of our Diocesan Missionary work, cannot be understood or appreciated by the mere casual ob- server, hardly by the majority of even the most interested and intelligent of our people. It is so exceedingly hard for most people to rise above the consideration of their own local needs, and assign themselves and their work their proper relative place in the general scheme. The problems we have to do with are varied. They relate to men, and money, and co-operation, and the further and very difficult matter, al- ready alluded to, how to help congregations without making them dependent, and practically allowing them to impose upon the Diocese by shifting upon it burdens they ought themselves to bear. As an illustration of what I mean, I may tell you that I have heard only in the last few months of a certain Church officer saying to another, "We will not con- cern ourselves much about the salary of our minister because the Missions Committee will pay the most of that." Such a remark was hardly fair or generous. Perhaps the spirit it indicates may be altogether exceptional. I hope it is, but on the other hand it may be a straw indicating which way the wind blows. I am convinced we would have a more hearty co-operation if our congregations would learn to look more beyond their own limits, and accustom themselves to consider interests other than their own. In the distribution of Mis- sionary money, and in the arrangement of services, no place stands alone. Other places are to be considered and provided for, and it is just possible that in such distribution and ar- rangement. the individual congregation which has necessarily a rather narrow horizon, is not absolutely the best or most impartial judge of its own relative position or importance. Forgetful of this, congregations sometimes make unreasona- ble demands-demands for independence, for increased ser- vices, for resident pastors, while they are still very far from self-support. They see their own needs very closely-perhaps

REV. JOHN SMITH LIGHTBOURNE.

CHURCH AND RECTORY, BLUEFIELD.

REV. CLAYTON A. CHRISMAN.

HEAVENLY REST, PRINCETON.

385

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

better than any one else-but they do not see other needs which press with equal and it may be superior demand upon the Diocese, which is to care for all.

We must by some means try to strike out more decidedly than ever before for self-support, and the people must be taught, that except under very unusual circumstances, they cannot expect the General Church or the Diocese to provide them with church buildings or with services and pastoral care, so far beyond the capacity of the congregation, the de- mands of the community or the promise of the town. By what methods we can most surely secure that efficient work- ing of our system, which we all aim at, is food for thought and demands effort and prayer in our Parishes and Convoca- tions and Councils. We need wisdom and zeal, for the work is great.

I cannot tell you how much I feel that the Diocese is strengthened by the presence in the field of the Bishop Coad- jutor, and his hearty co-operation with me, and with all the Clergy and people in our common work. Give us time to ma- ture and develop our plans, and adapt them to the varying conditions of the work; time to bring the Convocations more into the line of aggressive work, time also to extend and strengthen our personal acquaintance with the Laity as we meet them on visitations less hurried than in the past, and we believe that more than ever our Diocesan organization will prove in every way aggressive and efficient. We desire everywhere to stir up personal interest in the work com- mitted to us, and to fix upon all a sense of their personal re- sponsibility for it. In no sense are Bishops, or even the Bishops and Clergy the Church, so to limit your conception as to invite failure. The divine rule is to every man his work, and so we pray for all estates of men in God's Holy Church, that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve Him.

Twenty-two busy years have sped away since I came to West Virginia to be your Bishop-twenty-two busy years,

386

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

and but few are with us in our Councils now who were with us then. Still the succession of workers is maintained, and by God's good hand upon us the work goes bravely on. Dur- ing all these years, I have tried to give myself wholly to the work and with increasing gratitude to my dear people, Clergy and Laity, the yoke has been easy and the burden light. We are not called upon to make formal expression of our feel- ings in the family circle-mutual confidence and affection is something taken for granted-still I often wonder whether there ever was a more happy ecclesiastical family than this we have here in West Virginia; and I ask myself, was there ever a closer relationship, a more helpful and affec- tionate association between a Bishop and his partial people. During these twenty-one years I have stood to you in the responsible position of leader, and, with the memories of these years fresh in our minds, I have found it in my heart to say these words of grateful acknowledgment to all those who with me have borne the burden and heat of the day.

But now we turn our eyes to the future. It is big with promise, and loudly calls for increasing and united effort. With wise forethought, you have provided a helper with me to go in and out among you, to share my labors, to direct and counsel and lead. Brethren, pray for us, work with us, for the Kingdom is yours, as well as ours. In your cordial co- operation we shall find a constant inspiration, and so we shall at the close of the day come to the Master bringing our sheaves with us.

Summary of Bishop Gravatt's Report.

Visits made, 112; sermons and addresses, 113; confirmed, 146; baptized, 7; buried, 3; married, 2; admitted to priesthood, 2; churches consecrated, 1.

Incorporation of Churches.

The Rev. Dr. Roller presented this report:

The Committee appointed at the last Council to confer with similar Committees from the various religious bodies

387

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

in the State as to the question of such State legislation as will enable us to care for our Church and religious funds, respectfully report :

That the Joint Committees have had several conferences, the result of which has been the preparation of a petition to the Legislature of the State asking for the omission of the clause in the Constitution which prohibits the incorporation of Churches.

Whereupon the Rev. Dr. Moore offered the following, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolred, That this Council approves the action of its Com- mittee and concurs with the representatives of the other religious bodies, in the petition 10 the Legislature to submit to a vote of the people a proposition to strike from the Con- stitution the clanse prohibiting the incorporation of Church- es; and continues the Committee heretofore appointed for further action in this matter.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 31

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