The record-union., 1897-10-13
THE episcopal CONVOCATION
YESTERDAYS SESSION-BISHOP
GRAVES ADDRESS.
Important Matters Considered
Reception to the Bishop
Last Evening.

Al ST Paul's Church yesterday the
annual convocation of the Protestant
FpiscoUal Church for Northern Califor-
MIA. assembled for a two-days' session.
The clerical delegates to the conven-
ton are Right Rev. Arson r. Graves,
Revs. J. Avery Shepherd, Santa Rosa;
William BoIlard, Vallejo; T. II. Gilbert,
Red Bluff; John T. Shurtliff, Clover
dale: John Partridge, Petaluma; Will
lam Leaoock. Eureka; w. L. Clark, Be
nicia: Caleb Ben-Ham, Napa; A.
George, Eureka; a. A. McAllister, Z.
S. N, Mare Island: Frank Thompson,
L. s. n, Vallejo; James Cope, Corning;
w. II. Stoy, Marysville; ]. II. Water
1ran, Benicia; E. J. II. Van Deerlln,
Grass Valley; c. /. Mel, Sacramento;
Edwin Johnson, Woodland; J. w. Ham
ilton, recently of Petaluma; c. c.
Pierce, Placerville, and Rev. Brevard
Sinclair recently of this city.
Bishop Graves, coadjutor to Bishop
Wingfeld, presided, and Rev. James
Cope of Corning was chosen Secretary.
Prior to the regular meeting he cele-
brated Holy Communion, assisted by
Rev. John Partridge Of Petaluma as
Gospeler. and Rev. William Bollard Of
Vallejo as Epistler.
BISHOP GRAVES ADDRESS. =
The Bishop begun by a touching al
1usion to the illness of Bishop Wing
field, and then announced in detail his
Episcopal acts since beginning his work
in the Jurisdiction of Northern Califor-
mia The number of persons confirmed
by him during his visitation Of ten
cres
of eighteen to each clergyman in the
jurisdiction, and a number twice as
large as the average for each clergy
man IN the Episcopal Church in the
United States.
In speaking Of the missionary work in
the jurisdiction, the Bishop instanced
the branching out of the work in vari-
Gus localities from certain centers, and
said that in a country like Northern
California every self-suppOrting parish
ought to be a center Of missionary ef-
fort. The rector, with his lay readers
and helpers, should realize that the
parish extended half way to the next
one in every direction, and should feel
a responsibility for the souls which can
be reached in all that district.
Bishop Graves strongly advised the
ish vestries and delegates to the con-
vocation.
Speaking Of the Episcopal fund, he
said that only $1,437 40 had been ae-
cumulated during the twenty three
years existence of the missionary dis
1rict, or an average of only some $50
a year. Two hundred years would be
required. at this rate of progress to ac-
the General Convocation had been told
that it would require twenty-three
years TO become a self-supporting dio-
cese. it is quite certain that it would not
have been set apart as a separate juris-
dicti9n.
So Ear as he could learn, nothing had
been done toward providing a fund for
clergymen who had grown old and help
less in the service. He knew of one
clergyman who had become old and
blind and is wholly without means.
There should be provision made for all
such cases.
In home mission work the church had
done fairly well. 1t is an important
branch of work and should be prose-
cuted with diligence and eamestness.
He urged that more money be raised for
X.
out funds many needful things must be
neglected. Referring to parish organi-
cations and missions he said:
Il find in many places parishes have
been regularly organized with wardens
and vestTymen, where there is no ade-
quate means of supporting a rector
More than half our parishes are in that
condition to-day. Often a majority of
o7-es haro
members Of the church. 1 consider this
premature organization unfortunate in
several respects. They are obliged
either to share with some neighboring
parish the services of a rector, or re-
ceive missionary aid
Il advise, therefore that missions
be not in too great haste to organize as
parishes, and that some of our feeble
3parishes consider whether it would not
he better to drop their parish organiza-
ton and reorganize as a mission In
those that remain parishes I would ad-
wise that two or three godly women be
elected to serve with the men in the
.vestry."
When the convocatfon had been fully
organized a recess was taken for lunch,
which was served in the basement by
the ladies of the parish.
On reconvening Bishop Graves ap-
pointed Rev. William Leacock. Rev
Edwin Johnson and H B. Martin of
LOOMS, as a Committee on Credentials.
Rev. John Partridge, Rev. W. L. Clark
and a. A. Van Noorhies We're appointed
a committee on the Bishops address.
The Treasurer reported 81, ,437 in the
endowment fund
r. w. Bush of Woodland was reap
pointed Treasurer of the jurisdiction.
The following additional committees
were appointed:
Parochial Reports and State of
Church-Revs. J. H. Waterman and
William Bollard; A y. Van Voorhies.
Union Of New Parishes and Missions
-Revs. w. L. Clark and Caleb Ben
Ham; .. r. Couglan.
Assessments and Finances-Revs.
John Partridge and J. T. Shurtliff; A.
c. Tufts
Examining Chaplains-Revs. John
Partridge. c. L. Mel. e. J. Van Deer
bin and \. George
W. B. Lardner of Auburn was reap
pointed Chancellor of the jurisdiction
Much of the afternoon session was
consumed in discussing subjects re-
ferred to by Bishop Graves IN his ad-
dress.
It was resolved to take some decided
- n