Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-06-12
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION
SESSIONS OF THE DIOOEsES OF
DBLfWIRE.
BISHOP CoLEMAN'S ADDRESS
RsSUMB OF the WoRK FOE THE
PAST YEAR.


NRw CASTLE, june 4.-'The convention
of the Diocese of Delaware reoonvened
soon after O'Clock.
Minutes OF the morning session were
Fead and adopted.
Dr.. Martin explained that the report of
the board OF trustees was not complete,
owing to the unavoidable absence OF the
secretary, and asked to have his report
Incorporated with that of the board of
trustees.
Bishop Coleman appointed Messrs.
Jusiiss and Douglass a committee to
audit the report of the treasurer.
On motion of MIR. Cummins, the cleo
tion Of standing committee was pro-
ceeded with, and Nr. Nowland and the
Rev. Mr.. Bond were appointed tellers.
After the msmbers OF the convention had
voted the tellars retired.
The following, submitted by the Rev.
y. B. Lightner, was adopted
To the greater emphasizing of the spirit
ual character OF the meetings of this body
be II as tie sense I the convention.
Resolced, That all the members be charged
to conGlder the great Importance OF their
coming to the holy communion at these
times aud so to prepare themselves 1 4 an
tlcipation OF It, and further be 1t
Reso!Ued, That the vestries be instructed
40 far Us practicable to select their depu-
ties from those who come to the holy COM
munion.
Tho committee appointed to audit the
treasursr's accounts reported that they
were correct.
An interesting address was delivered
by the bishop. The Meeting Of the con-
vention in this venerable parish he said,
suggeated timely reflections on the age
ROd perpetuity of the church herself.
This ia not the gathering of society
whose existence dates from yesterday,
nor Of one that was begun as an expert
ment Its age is ooeval with Christianity
and tho promise OF its continuance
divine. We come together in our annual
conventions with the advantages which
accrue from accumulated wisdom and
experience and buoyapt with the hopes
that are born Of reliance of Coda own
integrity. True, the prospects of our
earlier days may not in some quarters
have been entirely realized, but these
locel Rnd temporary dissppointments in
no way invalidAta our historic claims nor
our faith in His promises. Human frail-
tiles End unfaithfulness ere sometimes
permitted to delay the accomplishment of
divine designs, but these in Gods own
good TINA must eventually be fulfilled.
The review which we are permitted to
mako of the past yeOr of our diocesan
history reveals many evidences ofii and
growth Tor which we have good reason
% BIS very thankful.
A detailed account of the church build
iag and improvement enterprises Was
given and oommendstory mention was
made of tha Church Olub and Of the gift
OF hous3 for the use OF the els.erhood.
Proposed work for tne ensuing year was
reviewed and statement Of the o-iina-
tions during the year inst ended was
Piyen. The cortltMations numbered 253,
Dnring the year the following were re-
oeived into the diocese: The Rev. j.
Howell GEara, the Rov. William II. Mot
felt, the Rev. Charles NJ. Armstrong ami
the Rev. Henry l.. BraddOn. Algo the
following were transferred; The Rsy.
William A. Alrich. the Rev. j. Il. l..
Hgnes, the Rev. Edward Owen and the
Rev. ID. d. Smith.
Continuing The bishop said in part |.
Our own ranss have been uub.oken by
death. Tho rectnrs OF Dover aud Clay
mont have been bereayed of children,
pnd know that can assure them Of the
sympathy Of the whole diocese. We re-
strength of tho highly -ssteemei reotors
OF st. Andrews, Wilmington, aud OF New
Castle, and congratulate them on their
retutn 20 the work in which they are
greatly Interested In response 10 need
that was felt by number OF olergynen,
there has been established duting the
yssr what is keown as tbe Clerical
Brotherhood of Delaware. / shall
ia fgla al kha ~
OF the diocese will from tina to
time, as opportunity cfers, come and Join
what l gn glad 10 know chn truly be
called a brotherhood. Brethren, think
you will agree with mo that the record l
have been permitted to lay before you
today 10 an encouraging one, and yet
there remains great deal to 5e done in
the deepening aud purifying OF our own
tpiritual life and in unselhah labors for
the good OF others. 10 the city of Will
mington alone our stsf Of clergy ought
to 10 doubled TO ksep pace with the
growth OF population and 80 occupy
fields already neglected too long. And
ia other places there is need OF additional
clrrgye.eo. 10 obtain them and TO
put into operation other agencies
means considerable increase of ps-
cuuiary contributions, but no more than
we may with reason expect. There IL
in tho diocese sutfi1iency OF means for
the supply OF our needs. What we most
need il that they shall be oonsacrated to
the Masters use. And what we need in
this connection in the application to
church work, whether in the diocese OF
parish, of what are called and recognized
as business principles. II amazes me
oftentimes to see with what forgetfulnesf
or violation of suoh principles some lay
men undertake to attend TO the necessary
and priv legged work Of the church. simi.
lar conduct in their own temporal
affairs would insure instant damage
iif not destruction. Church busi
ness will not run OF itself
Ii needs the came prudenos, courage
perseverance and minute cireumspecttor
as are freely bestowed upon what deem
the outside matter of earthly care GnC
gain. Nothing has cheered me more thar
TO snow that request, that have fire.
ouantly made, for remembrance OF th'
work and myself In the intercessions
the people has been complied with and il
many instances by the children OF tn
congregations. crave q still wider ant
more frequent remembrance. Let n
eRree together in our petitions and on
Father will give us more than we hay
dared in our moments of enthusiasm t'
hope.
On motion of DR.. Fowler the SUM o
$50 was appropriated from the income o.
the disabled clergy fund to the use o
Eunioe, daughter Of thelate Rev. William
4 Ellis.
Tho tellers for the election of stand
Ing committee reported that the numbel