Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-07-06

teen OF the Lay members of that Convention
are no longer living, and not one Of the sur
wing Clergymen is now in the Diocese.
AT present there are twenty Clergymel
economically resident, eighteen of whom ar,
hectors OF Parishes or performing regula
duty as Assistants or Missionaries To thi
number three will trust be speedil,
added.
The number of Communicates reported
to the General Convention in 1S4l was thre,
hundred and thirty-nine. Present number
between twelve and thirteen hundred.
There have been ordained nineteen Dea
cons and twenty Presbyters. Seven of oul
Clergy have since the date referred tc
rested from their labors, and nine Others
who had during this period been connected
with the Diocese but had afterwards re.
moved, are also gone.
have, within the limits of the Diocese,
confirmed two thousand and seventy six
persons. From 1915 to 1852 the spirit.
ual condition of the Diocese; so far as a
Judgment can be formed from the classes
presented for this apostolic rite, was Ian.
gushing and depressed. In the year lS47
only twenty-five received the laying on of
hands. The number gradually increased
from that time till the breaking out of the
war, reaching in 1860 one hundred and
torty-four. Then check was given to
Church growth, the effects of which were
most felt in 1868. Since then the increase
has been steady, and the present wear has
witnessed larger in-gathering than anv
preceding; Let us, brethren in the minis
Try, do all that in .us lies so to impress
Christian truth and duty upon those who
apply to us for this ordinance, that our
confidence may be strong, that all who re-
eeiye it are indeed added unto the Lore"
During my Episcopate have laid the
corner-stones of five, and consecrated TO the
worship OF God seventeen Churches. Tbir.
teen new Churches have been built-one
has been acquired by purchase one that |
found incomplete has been finished two
that were virtually abandoned have been
renewed. and re-occuped. Five Others have
been enlarged, and five more repaired. Two
of the Churches built are in place of old
edihces. The others are new Parishes or
Chapels Two ancient Churches have fal.
len into disuse
The number of Parishes is now 26-
and OF Church Buildings in use %.
Ii comparison could be made between
the amount of contributions for Parochial
Missionary and Charitable objects, the ad.
vance would appear very much greater than
is shewn by other statistics Unfortunately
the early reports are so defective that suc6
comparison cannot be fairly instituted. A
ten-told increase would seem to me NOT To
be an exaggerated estimate.
but the most affecting consideration con-
nected with this review is the thought
that so many immortal souls have gone
from tins earthly scene to learn the issue
OF their probation, and to enter upon an
Interchangeable eternal state Comparatiyelv
few OF the worshipers and hearers. whom
on my early visits was wont to find in the
house OF God, now meet NV eve How
many Of them are now in that world where
the earthly interests that 50 much eneross
us US here are lighter than the air we breathe
ihey have gone, either to bear witness to
the fidelity and truthfulness of those who
spake unto themfn the name of the Lord
or to curse their unfaithfulness and NEGLECT
Let us, dear brethren, be warned and ami. |
mated by the conviction that the summons |
will ere long sound in our ear, mGive an
account of thy stewardship" Cody and
earnest men have preceded us in our work
and have finished their course. Within
these walls Presstman and Freeman exer.
cised their useful ministry, and other dear
and honored brethren, Brinckle Cadlo
Harold, Lewis and Hood were a short
Tune ago our associates in the great and
holy work. Their task is done We are
spared still to labor little longer in tbe
vineyard of the Lord. May our reioicing
ana confidence when called from the field
be this-the testimony of our conscience
that in simplicity and godly sincerity, mot
with feshly wisdom, but by the grace of
God we have had our conversation in tbo
world, and more abundantly toward the
household of faith.
At the close of the address, the Rev.
Mr.. Coleman offered the following Resolu.
ton, which was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote:
WHEREAS, In the good providence of God.
tne Right Reverend and beloved Bishop of this
Diocese has been permitted to complete tween.
ty-nve years Of his Epscopate therefore. be it !
hesoIued, That this Convention hereby ex
presses its grateful sense of the numerous TO-
kens OF Divine favor which have accompanied
his extended and faithful labors, and we most
earnestly trust that his life may be spared 10
us for many years, and that God may pour upon
MN all rich blessings, and grant him a con
unuance Of the same success which has at
tended his oversight of this Diocese during the
long and prosperous period now ending.