The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-11
Interesting Statistics OF
Years Work.
HEALTHY GROWTH SHOWN
Gain Made OF More Than Five HUI
dre1 Commandments.
CHOICE OF COADJUT0R BISHOP.

The approaching convention OF delegates
of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of
Rhode Island. which is TO be held at the
Church OF the Redoemor on tuesday,
Oct. 49, for the purpose OF oleoting a
coadjutor bishop. has aroused consider
able interest among RELIGIOUS denomina-
tions in general and Episcopalians in
particular, and the present time is. there
fore, "a lifting opportunity to present 20
tho public brief sketch Of tho strength
ami influence of tho Protestant Episcopal
church in this state.
The diocese at this time contains 63
parishes with 90 churches aud chapels,
some OF these being missions supported
~ the larger parishes. such as Calvary
Church, situated on Orchard avenue, be-
tween Wayland and Butler avenues,
which has been in charge of Mr. George
Il. Hazard, IA lay reader. The mum ber of
lay readers in the state is ~. while the
clergy nun ber 10
Tho following statistics with regard TO
tho work of tho church will give an idea
OF the progress which has been made.
During tho past IL months 9l0 infants
and PAP adults have beon baptized, 67S
persons have received the rite of con-
flrmation. 3o3 marriages have taken place
and 57I funerals. while the number of
567 over the mum ber Iep )rtod the previous
year.
Eight thousand four hundred and fifty
sunday schools receive regular Instruction
from 1000 teachers, giving on an average
fraction over eight pupils to one teacher.
The total amount OF contributions for
she support of public worship figures up
tn Sl66. S37. g. for pnrochial, missionary
and charitable purposes. SO. 1872. 33; willis
the total receipts for missionary purposes
amount to s6l, 30l. 49,
It. stephens church In this city. of
which Rev. DR.. Fiske is rector, has tho
largest number of baptisms of 6Dy church
in the diocese, besides having contribut-
ed the largest amount for diocesan, chnri-
table, and domestic missionary purposes.
Grace church. Providence. has the
largest amount Of communicates. con-
1rmations, and also tho largest Sunday
school.
The Church of the Messiah leads in tho
mum Der Of marriages and funerals, while
OLD St..Ichn's ON North Main street oxcols
in contributions for missionary purI oses.
One of the most remarkable features Of
the work of an individual church and
congregation. however. is that which is
recorded of ST Stephens in this CITY. On
Christmas Day next the parish will have
omDletci it's eleventh year of the cele-
bration of tho daily eucharist, and at
lHO DeSlUHluE Ol AuNcub inc tDlrtppntD
vuar of daily mathis ana eyensory. This
is cause for sincere congrstulation to
the rector. DR.. Fiske, and his assistants,
and ohuTonmen throughout the diocese
are unanimous in their expressions of
The various clubs. social and otherwise,
in the different parishes are another
cause for thankfnlness. and the work
among young mon done by the several
chapters of tho brotherhood of St. An
drew in connection with the parishes,
and with tho appreciation of the Bishop
Of the diocese, has met with marked
success
The appointment OF tho coad tutor |
bishop will do away with the Office of |
ana faithfully executed by Rev. w. |
i. Tucker, ID. D.. aud IL Is yet hoped |
that sufficient funds may he raised in |
order TO retain tho reverend gentleman |
at his post. The bishops advanced age |
however. compelled him to ask for the aid |
Of coadjutor. ana 1t is thought that the |
iiocess could not well afford TO raise |
sufficient funds In order TO pay the salary |
Of an archdcacon as we'll.
DIR. Tucker has been archdeaoon for |
the space Of four years and the mission |
ary work Ct the diocege has bCcn most |
ana efficiently managed and |
iircctei by him during that time. and |
1ause of regret Is felt throughous the |
diocese at his compulsory discharge.
That tho Episcopal church is gaining
ground. however, and accomplishing "a |
yeat work for the good Of the state and |
people. the statistics given above viii |
readily prove. and the credit ana glory of |
t can be rightly placed to 5isAop, Clark. |
who despite his great age, is prominent |
IN every good work. and who. it il hol cd, |
may be spared many years TO come TO rule |
over the diocese which he has so ably and |
directed for Sd long.