Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-24

tory. and Of these 233 are colored. In
q year Of drought and scarcity the con-
tribuiions have not fallen of, and for
diocesan missions have greatly in
creased. Numbers and material growth
are not only the best measure Of true
prosperity, but we feel gratificd that
the spiritual has kept pace with the ma
terisi prosperity. At no time in the
history Of the Church has more faith
full and hard-working band Of clergy
lsbored for her advancement, nor, we
believe, has the Gospel been more
clearly and fully presented to her peo-
pie. While preaching salvation by
Christ only, and urging their hearers
to be careful to maintain good
works, they have taught that the
fruits Of righteousness, which are
by Jesus Christ to the praise and
glory Of God, can only be brought
forth by the aid Of the renewing, sane
tifying influences of the Holy Spirit.
No other foundation, indeed, can be
laid than Jesus Christ; yet we can
only be built up on our most holy faith
by the constant assistance Of the Holy
Spirit. In vain do ministers urge their
hearers to greater esrnestness in re-
Ggion unless they teach them that God
will give his Spirit to them that ask
Him to help their in6rmitics and en-
able them to do what, without Him,
they cannot do.
Our diocese, with her bishops and
clergy, may Justly claim to have ever
contended earnestly for the faith once
delivered to the saints 4; and that love
which is the bond Of perfectness has in
marked degree united the Church in
Virginia. This has been and is at once
her glory and her strength, and we pray
that His spirit may increase more and
more and be perpetual. United in this
faith and love we shall finally stand !;
divided we must surely fall.
We observe with satisfaction that the
ranks Of our clergy are in great mea-
sure recruited from her own sons, who
have been trained, like Timothy, in the
hereditary faith of their parents, and
with filial love naturally know and care
for her needs. 1t is chiefly from her
sons, reared in pious homes, that the
Lord Of the harvest calls and sends
forth laborers into His harvest. In
such home was Bishop Meade nur-
tured and prepared for his great work.
We read that Hannibal father made him
at the age of nine years swear before
the altar love to his country and indy
ing hatred to Rome. So Christian
parents should bring their sons to the
altar and make them swear eternal love
to Christ and His Church, and .undying
warfare against all the enemies of the
truth. For lack of this early dedica-
ton to the Lord, the Church lAments
the fewness of the candidates for her
ministry.
In this connection we urge the i'm
portance of family worship. We fear
the fire has gone out on many family
affairs; the business and the pleasures
Of the world have been so pressing that
10 time is taken for collecting the fami-
ly together and uniting them in the pre-
sence of God, thus offering an scccpta-
BILE morning and evening sacrifice.
Those who, like Joshua, determine - as
for me and for my house, we will serve
the Lord may expect a blessing on
their children's children. A family
thus united on earth NAV become
family in Heaven-no wanderer lost.
In his address the Bishop has spoken
of the great Importance and encourage
ment Of the work among the colored
people. This work increases with every
year, rs is shown by the large number
Of candidates for the ministry and by
the large number confirmed. The build
ing of churches for their use the ever
widening field which each year opens
to US, so that We can almost hear
the voice of the Master saying,
~ have set before thee an open
door,; the earnest zeal and de-
votion Of those engaged in it, are
all proofs Of Gods favor and an earnest
Of its future success. We believe that
the more intelligent and thoughtful Of
the colored race will turn to the Epis-
copal Church to find in her compact and
effective organization, in her large and
generous sympathy, in her orderly and
NacorOuu IN atboJc .rJ - 10, ,,ct.,,o
tive and educational liturgy, the best
and fullest answer to the needs of
these people. The successful work
ing of the Bishop Payne Divinity
School at Petersburg is ground Of en-
couragement in this department of the
Church's work it promises to give us
pious and educated colored ministry.
Without such = ministry we can hope
for no great improvement among them.
All who feel an interest in the welfare
Of this people should remember this
institution, not only in their prayers,
but in their offerings. This work must
be done by those among whom they
live; the responsibility is laid upon
us; we cannot shake it of, and we
should not wait for aid from without.
Without considering other important
parts which have been often brought
before the Council, we close with the
prayer that the Lord our God may be
with us as He was with our fathers, and
that He may never leave us nor forsake
US.
RESPONSE TO THE WEST VIRGINIA
DIOCESE.
Judge Shelley, from the special COM
mittee appointed to prepare reply to
the greeting from West Virginia, pre-
sented the following, which was adopt
ed:
Resolrea, That the Council of the
Diocese of Virginia desires to express
its cordial and grateful appreciation of
the centennial greeting so eloquently
and efiectually rendered to the diocese
on yesterday by the Bishop and other
deputies from the Diocese Of West Vir-
ginia. In this the hundredth anniver-
sary Of the orderly reorganization Of
the Church in her borders in 1855, the
mother diocese, with warm heart aud
just maternal pride. returns the greeting
Of her daughter, and rejoices to point to
her * ma Of bar ;auaIc aud sbo bnr,