Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-16
DIOCESAN coSyoc4TIoy.

DlOCboAN CONFOCATiONs
At st. Paul's Church. georgetown Hon.
Edward L. Martin of Seaford Wants to
See the Sussex Churches Open the Year
Around.
The annual convocation OF the Do
ceso of Delaware began last Monday in
ST. Pauls Church, Georgetown. The
attendance was large. The Rev. A. r.
Walker preached the convocation SER
mon. His subject was missionary
Work" and his text Mark I, 8.
Bishop Coleman was the celebrant at
Tuesdays opening Of the services.
The bishop was assisted by the Rev.
Charles E. Murray of St. Andrews, this
city.
Clerical and lay delegates were present
from oil the parishes of the State at the
business meeting that followed. The re-
port of the treasurer, Joseph Swift, was
handed over to the auditing committee,
Messrs. Bartlett and Ralph. Mr.. Swift
was reelected secretary and treasurer
Of the diocese.
The Rev. P. B. Lightner made an adj
dress in which he alluded to the relative
advantages of the Wilmington clergymen
in their advantages Of the daily meetings
with the head of the diocese at Bishop
stead, as compared with the difficulties of
being present that the down State clergy
have.
A resolution sincerely regretting the
departure of the dean of the diocese, the
Rev. I. Gardiner Littell, ID. D., was
passed. The Rev. I. Ashton Henry of
Trinity Church, this city, was elected to
the vacant office.
The Rev. Charles q. Murray was APP
pointed on the mission of conveying to
the Rev. John M. McBim, who has been
member OF the diocese OF Delaware
for 3S years, an individual invitation to
attend the convocstion.
The Rev. H. NJ. Bartlett Of christina
made an important address on the SUBJ
ject, 1.-THE Relation Of the Individual to
Missions" Hon. Edward L. Martin of
Seaford made a vigorous and pointed
address on the duties Of laymen in this
particular.
In the afternoon session the Rev.
Lewis W. Gibson, D. D., of Dover, spoke
on the topic, 1.-THE Duty and Value of
Self-help in Missionary Parishes" The
speaker animadverted strongly on the
growing habit of the forming of par
ishes before adequate support had been
provided for the ministry. The result
always was that help had to be looked
for outside the parish. The parish
should be self-supporting. The speaker
asked for the recognition in this drec.
ton of the doctrine of tithes. Another
point that DIR. Gibson condemned is the
custom of electing non-church members
to position in the yestuy. A pre-require-
ment Of their election should be that
they are communicates.
William j. Fisher, choirmaster of st.
Johns Church, this city, bad prepared
paper on the subject of 1.-THE contribu-
ton for the support Of the church es-
Enlistment. He wac unable to be
present and the reading of the paper
was committed to the Rev. H D. Speak
man. Mr.. Fl. er is definitely for the
regular 1.-THE contribution by oil church
men. There is now in this country
society having this end in view. The
paper aroused considerable discussion.
The comments showed general agree
ment with Mr.. Fishers views.
In regard to the subject of "Lay
Organization, the Rev. p. B. Lightner
and +. Tatnall Warner were the
speakers. Both Of them showed the
value of church clubs. "The Brother
hood of ST. Andrews" was discussed by
the Rev. George Dame of Smyrna and
Charles M. Curtis Of this city. "Work
Among Boys" was the topic taken up
by the Rev. G.. j. d. Peters Of Lewes,
who has given great deal of attention
to the subject.
In regard to Sunday.school work, the
Rev. George s. Gassner Of Delaware
City, spoke on the "Relation OF and
Duty OF the Church to the Sunday
school," The Rev. Martin B. Dunlap
and Charles A. Cook of this city spoke
on allow to Increase Interest in the
Work" "The best Methods of Teach
ing" was discussed by the Rev. Kersey
j. Hammond Of this city.
At the closing session the Rev. Eugene
Griggs spoke on the subject Expression
of Christian Life in Worship;" the Rev.
Charles Hayden, "In Church Work."
and the Rev. George M. Bond of New
ark on the topic, "The Development of
Character"
On "Church Clubs" the Rev. P. B.
Lightner of New Castle presented a
paper filled with wit and wisdom, which
was well applauded, rs was also that of
D. Tatnall Warner Of Wilmington on
the same subject,
After o short service a most fitting
climax was reached In the addresses on
"The Christian Life. "" The Rev.
Eugene Griggs of Laurel, taking as bis
subject "The Christian Life in Wor-
ship" strongly emphasizing the need of
deep and true reverence. The Rev.
Charles A. Hayden spoke of the various
kinds of work among Christians, and
the Rev. GeorgeM M. Bond on the iFor.
nation of Character" That the de-
J velopment of the Christian was to grow
more Christlike, more like His character.
After the last speaker, the bishop
commented in most feeling manner
upon the remarkable impressions which
the convocation made upon the minds of
all as to the brotherly feeling which was
evident among the clergy and lAity, the
large attendance of both, the high char
acter of the papers presented, and the
hospitality of the good people of George
town and its rector.
After the blessing the large congrega-
ton dispersed, and the convocation of
: 1898 was at an end,
i