The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-21

eases impeded the spiritual growth o
church-members. But despite all hindrance'
the statistics before us furnish good GROUND
for encouragement and hopeiulness. It Is {
matter OF surprise no less than gratitude
that our beloved Bishop, disabled for a sea
son by sickness, has been able to make sc
many visitations in the Diocese, and the
number Of persons confirmed exceeds oil
reasonable expectations. Rarely in our his.
tory have so many candidates for holy or
ders been reported.
The report of the Committee on Parochial
Reports shows considerable decrease in
the amount OF contributions from the
parishes of the Diocese, which, however
much to be lamented,, is hardly matter OF
surprise under the circumstances OF gene.
raj business depression, which has affected
all interests, secular as we'll as religious.
But, thanking God and taking courage from
this exhibit, your committee, looking for
ward to the future, are constrained to call
attention to the work and claims OF that
great agency for good amongst US the Dioce-
san Missionary Society. Hampered hitherto
by utterly inadequate means, and always
embarrassed in its efforts to propagate
the Gospel, the Executive Committee
during the past year found itself sorely
pressed in redeemins its pledges to
the faithful men who, under its auspices,
are now cultivating the waste places OF
this diocese The unusual eXigency was
promptly met by extraordinary devices.
But the work of this Society, continuous in
its operations and constantly increasing in
its vast proportions, cannot be done sue
cessfully-cannot be done at abby spas
modic, intermittent effort. 1t must be sus-
tanned, encouraged, promoted 10y some we'll
devised and promptly-eXecuted plan OF sys-
tematic beneficence, giving it God-SDecd in
our prayers. We must also ill its treasury
not only freely but regularly with our aims.
1t is earnestly hoped that the proposition Of
the committee will be cheerfully responded
to by the Diocese in every parish, and that
its receipts for this year, instead OF the
paltry sum Of $4,000 or $1,000, will even eX-
coed the amount asked for and so impera-
lively nccdctt-viz., $4,000.
Prominent among the benevolent objects
which demand our sympathy is the work OF
the brotherhood. 1t is more than benevo-
lcncc-it is a sacred duty; and did we sus-
tain it as we might, and as we should, it
would speedily become not only an efficient
agent Of relief to the bereaved families OF
our deceased clergy, but comfort to the
| living minister in the promise which it gives
and an element OF strength to the Diocese
in the inspiration which it furnishes to Ia
borcrS in this vineyard. Your committee
feel in fullest measure the Importance OF the
subjects referred to its consideration from
the address OF our Bishop.
No evil OF the present day is more fearful in
its ravagcs than the vice OF intempcru1cc. 1t
stalks boldly through the land and Stays its
victims by thousands. Pcrmeating modern
society. it enters unbluShingly the sacred
portals OF the Church. 1t needs to be ar
rested by the stron" but gentle hand OF dis.
ciplinc. The time has evidently come when
the Church-God's agent for the worlds re.
gencration-inust asset herself in dealing
with this monster. No timid policy will
serve her purpose. She must teach her
children to shun the bad example Of the So
cial glass to avoid rs very gates OF hell the
grog-shop and the Dar-room. Moderate
drinking in private, under whatsoever pre-
| teXt-hcrc lies the common danger. The
first step taken, the descent is very easy.
| The Church must therefore recognize its
mission rs great temperance society, and
in respect Of strong drink make its motto
those words Of the apostle, "Touch not,
taste not, handle not.'
Less abhorrent in its forms, but not less
peryersvc and destructive OF true religious
life. is the spirit OF acorldliness. Insidious
and seductive, its virus poisons the very life
blood of the SOUL and threatens the speedy
extinction of all genuine spirituality. 1t is
fast becoming the reproach OF the Church
that in distinctively worldly and ungodly
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES which arc not in
nocent, but rcprehenSible and lurtful-her
irreligious. Ofttimes-to their shame be it
spokcn-c hurch-mcmbers urc leaders where
they shonid not be led. Your committee, in
speaking OF these things, would emphasize
the godly admonitions OF our Bshop-urge
upon all who profess and call themselves
Christians the solemn words OF the apostle,
"Be not conformed to this world -
But in depressing the great sin OF world
nd in f,oninr 10 from
its faint, Christian pastors, especially in
their instruction of the young, must be sec
onded by Christian parents and sponsors !;
for it is a painful truth that not unfrcquently
the teaching Of the Sunday school and pull
pit is counteracted and contradicted by the
stronger influence and example Of the home.
Hard as it may sometimes be to draw the
line sharply between the lawful and unlaw-
full, between the permissible and the mex
pcdient. and dangerous and harmful rs
may be the indiscreet exercise of discip-
line, it cannot be questioned that, con-
fronted as the Church is by a bold and spe-
cious worldliness, she owes it to herself and
to the souls OF men not only to make her
protest against all forms OF ungodliness, to
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all lons-sutfcr-
ing. but also on occasion to vindicate dis
tinctly the good name OF her Lord.
Your committee do not deem it necessary
10 speak at length in this place OF eXtraya-
CANT decorations and Of light and unchurc!l-
ly music, which tend to sensationaliSm in
worship. The Church in this Diocese has
repeatedly testified devotion to the polity,
doctrines, and usages OF our fathers, and