The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-08
THE SOCIETY or ST JOINS MISSION
Frotestnnts who have Taken Vows of ObedI-
ence, CeIibacy, and Poverty.

There is now In progress at Mt. Calvary
Episcopal Church. corner OF Lutaw and Madison
streets. mission or fsligi9us revival Which IS
nnd Torbert OF the Anglo American order of ST.
John the Evangelist; similar mission is TO DO
lnangurated at 81. pnuls Church by the Rev
Fathers Grafton and Hall Of the same order.
The Society OF St. John IN the Episcopal Church
would seem 10 be OF mewhnt similar character
SO far as its special adaptation TO mission work
and the simplicity OF its rules Of living are con-
eerned. to the Society Of Jesus in the Roman
Catholic Church. The missions conducted by
the society have been very successful elsewhere.
and are very interesting, The society was
formed In 1865 in the parish OF Cowiey. Eng
land. OF which parish the vicar ut that time was
Father Benson. who is now the head OF the
order Three other clergymen united with him
in the eslnbshment OF the order. VIZ: -
The Rev. Father Grafton now OF the Church
q, Nth9 Advent IN Boston; the Rev Father
Father Prescott, now Of st. Clements. Phiadcl-
phia. The Rev. Father Prescott was ut that
time rector OF Christ Church in Westhaven,
Conn; the Rev. Father Grafton was assistant
pastor Mt St Pauls. In this city the Rev. Father
ONeill was without a charge. These three
ministers. with the Vicar OF Cowley. constituted
themselves society. all having taken VOWS Of
celibary. obedience. and poverty. They lived
together IN the house as one family wearing
black robes OF the coarsest CLOTH dscardng all
Injuries adopting the simplest and severest
mode OF life; uncarpeted floors. plain food.
nothing but the bare necessaries. the first three
ministers obedient 10 the Vicar IA Superior or
neau OF Tue lhInll{. + or several years, ull iou.
the order had only these four members. They
adopted no constitution. intending 10 let the
constitution grow NJ with the society. ODE
dtence To the Superior was the sole guide. In
1871 others came into the order. Meantime the
Vicar OF Cowley retained his Office and per-
formed his duties under the Bishop the same
as before. The change only affected their do
nestle life Indeed, it Is said. the order had
the blessing OF the late Bishop OF Oxford. who
presided over the diocese Of which Father Ben
son s parish WAS part. In 1871 Father Ben
son came 10 America 70 take part IN some work
being CONDUCTED by the Rev. Father Prescott
toward establishing the Society of Evangelist
Fathers here
Church OF the Advent in Boston. and in 1875
Father Prescott was elected rector Of 81. Glenn
ents. Philadelphia The order has now. after
an existence Of fourteen years. about twenty
members. 81. Clements and the Church of the
Advent are the only churches in this country
in charge Of priests Of this order. The church
at Cowley. in the diocese OF Oxford is another
and there Is one in Bombay makipSs four
CHURCHES ~ me world whlch are IN Charge Of
list. There are various missions. however.
Three sslonarles are now working at Judson.
IN india. They have also a college in India. at
Silotiya. The membership includes. besides
eeiisr,SSymen , OF English American, and lrlsh
% %ns H5@Sd GEHy he order hn1o2 40
years Of age. Novices are taken into tho family
when they are OF age. The preparation neces;;
study and training OF not less than three years
Some Of the clergymen OF the order when
they first went into IT, We're men Of cons derable
private means, but rs membership Involves the
con OF poverty. the money all goes for
more than another. They are not allowed to
use amy money except to provide the necessaries
OF life. They do not own the clothes they wear:
everything belongs TO the society, and from II
they receive food shelter, ana clothing. No one
has cent that he can call his own. They re-
ceve no personal benefit from the salaries from
their parishes.
Whether they are working in their own par-
lshes or whether they 20 out 10 other parishes
10 work, they are not allowed 10 receive any
thing but their expenses. though donations may
be mAdc 10 the society. Their needs are pro-
Vlded for In the simplest way Any clergyman
OF means, upon going into the society may take
his money with him for the society's use or he
may bequenth It 10 his friends. The furniture
Is scanty and plqin. A single chair a wash
stand, "a table. and bed comprise tho suite OF
each bedroom.
In the matter Of taking charge Of parish.
tho clergyman OF tho order must have the per-
mission Of their Superior in the order. Whom
ihey Ake chhfge OF parish however, ihelr re-
the same as though they were not members of
the society. Tho superior cannot give orders
that conflict with the orders Of the Bishop OF
the diocese.