The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-19
CHURCH MISSIONS CONSIDERED.
Bishop Nelson's Address to the Com
ventiOn Last Night.

Bishop Nelson's Address to the Com
ventiOn Last Night.
The convention resolved itself into
missionary rally last night A special
musical programme of missionary hymns
had been prepared by the ladies' choir
guild Bishop Nelson presented his re-
port on diocesan missions and reports were
received from workers in the field.
From the Ginning of From Green
lands Icy Mountains until the bishop
pronounced the blessing, not word was
spoken that did not bear on the extern
sion of the church in the diocese. There
was large congregation and considerable
interest was manifested in the proceed
ings.
Bishop Nelson stated that the multi
plicity of small churches has not been a
source of weakness 10 the diocese. The
record of many missions established at
an increased cost to the self supporting
parishes of but $500 per annum is a le
cord to be justly proud Of. The number
confirmed In mission stations is larger
in proportion TO the outlay than in the
parishes and the aggregate local Offer
ings Of the missions the past year for the
support of the clergy ministering to them
the parishes. The organic growth, in
many instances, has been marked, and
positive. Through the mission stations
the church is not only winning adherents
but making good earnest Christians and
developing men and women of whom even
now there are many who in capable and
loving service are the peers of the no
blest churchmen.
In undated efforts to instlll the prin-
IL l.u1- ktcfa aF 20
suits have been obtained Very few new
stations have been essayed, owing to the
limit of the elasticity of financial ability
having been reached To increase the
financial status of this work the bishop
urged that every rector of a parish In the
diocese give one Sunday in the year his
duties for that day to be by the bishop
assigned in certain mission stations. lie
desires also that the assistance of one
layman be given in every parish Tor that
day the entire expenses to be borne by
the treasurer of missions.
The pledged offerings for aggressive
missionary work of the diocese, the
bishop showed, have decreased In seven
years from $4,744 to $2,79S. Larger sums
than in preceding years have been ex-
pended in many parishes on local church
improvements. Old debts have been great
ly reduced and the parochial reports 90
not indicate financial adverstty as would
affect gifts for church extension in this
way
Rishop Nelson expressed the fear that
the decrease in contributions was due to
a prevalent opinion that the missions are
an incubus that the diocese has more
churches than can be looked after that
they require too much outlay. Missions,
he held, are to the contrary source OF
strength.
Comparing 1891 and 1898, he showed that
in the former years there were twenty
seven stations with thirteen to fifteen mis-
sionaries to whom was paid in salaries
Ss.129 The missions contributed $500; the
parishes, $4,74, and there was unexpended
at the close of the year. $l,6l4.
There are at this time forty-six mission
stations of the same order, with nine mis-
sionaries, whose aggregate salaries are
$780, Local receipts are 1921, with ad-
ditlons locally contributed of $1,llO, making
a total of 1866. Church pledges were CIV
en- as 2798 No surplus exists. Exclud-
ing all partly self-supporting parishes and
all parochial missions and those supported
by invested funds and societies, there are
nineteen more missions, sustaining six less
clergy, being administered with $1946 less
income and 2,020 more paid IN salaries
This Is due to the great Increase in the
contributions from the missions them
selves.
Rev. Wyllys Rede of Atlanta followed
urging the adoption of the plan suggested
by the bishop, and giving information as
to the success it had achieved in other do
ceses Mr. Trezevant, of the Board of
Missions, presented some deductions from
the treasurers report. Rev. John F. Mil
bank of Waycross urged the prosecution
of the mission work. citing what has al
ready been accomplished, and urging that
men be sent out who can understand the
people and be understood by them. Mr.
Milbank's talk was one of the brightest
Of the day.
Rev. w. NJ. Walton Of Atlanta read re-
port on the work In that archdeaconry.
The pledges of the various parishes for
MISSIONS will be taken this morning.