The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-21
T|TH|NG PLAN POPUL AR
Episcopal Convocation Discusses
That Method of Subscription.
DEFINING ACOMMUNICANT
Report of the Committee on State of the
Church Shows Gratifying Condi-
tion-Plans to Keep Young Men
in the Church.

and meeting of the clergymen was
held after adjournment to formulate a
plan of action. The statement was
made that the members of the clergy, in
all probability without exception, now
give a tenth of their incomes to relis-
ious work, and that there are a num-
ber of instances where laymen and
their families follow similar practice.
The speakers said that it would be
good idea to interest laymen in the
work of popularizing the tithing meth
cd of church giving, and after the ad-
journment of the convocation for the
day there was meeting of the dele
gates at which preliminary steps were
taken toward an organization to pro-
mote the object sought
Another subject of much interest that
was discussed was the definition of a
Communicates The convocation
adopted this resolution:
Resolved, That for the purpose of
enumeration the term communicate
shall include:
"First-All confirmed persons attach
ed to the parish or mission who have
communicated at least once during the
year covered by the report.
"Second-All confirmed persons who
have failed to communicate during the
year for lack of reasonable oppor-
tunty.
"Third--An persons admitted to COM
munion who have not been confirmed
but are ready and desirous to be con-
firmed."
The committee on the state of the
church, which consisted of Rev. Alfred
Brown. Rev. Charles Quincy and J. S.
Bennett, made it's report during the
afternoon. 1t said: "A comparison of
the gains and losses shown in the tab
ulated report of the parishes and mis-
sions gives, on the whole, very crafty
ing results. There is one feature If
our state which explains easily what
might be a disappointment, here and
there, and that is that a large portion Of
our population is engaged in mining,
and that miners end their families are
frequently removing from camp to
camp.
"On the spiritual side we have the
following gains: Adult baptisms, y
more than last year; combinations,
seven more, and communicates, nearly
100 more. On the same side we note
diminution in infant baptisms of 65,
and in children in Sunday schools of d
like number.
I'VE would respectfully suggest that
all members of a parish or mission
should be active where parents are neg
ectfu in the good work of bringing the
little ones to holy baptism.
Also that the Sunday school. in the
estimation of your committee being sec
ond in Importance to no portion of our
! work, may be considerably strengthen
ed and pupils retained by the organiZa-
tion of Junior auxiliary. RESPONSE
| hility and work attract rather than re-
pei, and are powerful incentives to
young as well as old.
"On the side of the temporalities, we
have a splendid showing in general Of
| ferings. The pledges made last year
| for general missions was $1,000 and the
| offerings amounted to $780, the epis
| copate fund is raised to nearly $4,000;
| the value of church property has in
| creased by $10,057; debts to the amount
of $4,000 have been paid off; offerings
| for diocesan missions have been in
| creased by $53S and for general missions
| by 5000 over those of last year.
| Last, but not least, we have the
great pleasure of noting the building
| and opening of three new churches
| viz: St Thomas. Wibaux: st. Pauls,
| Hamilton, and St Andrews, Center
| vile. OF these the two former are paid
for and the third has a debt which can
be easily controlled.
THE bishop, in his address, has
| brought before the convocations sub
| ject to which your committee would
call special attention-the lack Of
| means to place men in at least dozen
| points that are ready to harvest
| Assured, as we are. that We have
very much to encourage us in results
4 attained, we would urge on all members
| of this convocation more work and
more prayer, that the weak places may
! be made strong and that the strong
may be made stronger"
| The report of the committee appoint
ed the day before to prepare an outline
of way to retain young men in the
| church, the committee consisting of
Rev. S. D. Hooker, E. C. Day and
| James A. Bennett, was read, discussed
| and adopted. The report said:
I'VE find that a good deal is being
| done in different places to get hold Of
| and to retain the boys in the church.
| But the different organizations and eff
| forts are so varied and diverse in char
| acter and in methods of working that
| 1T would be difficult matter to bring
! them all under one central organiza-
! ton. And yet your committee feels that
| this is a matter of so great Importance
to the church. and that the advantages
| of systematic organization are so un-
! questionable. that we think steps
should be taken toward a united effort
| on the part of all the clergy looking
toward some general organization in
| which all the local organizations can
| be represented.
| In Great Falls DR.. Warren has a
| banjo club numbering % which seems
| to be successful. They have erected a
building costing $400, in which they
maintain a gymnasium.
| In Fort Benton Rev. Mr.. Robins has
| similar club, which Is a marked sue
cess. They have reading room. bill
| lard table, gymnasium. etc, and the
| club numbers many members.
In Kalispeil, Rev. Mr.. Cloves main
tains boys club which numbers IS
members. They meet at the rectory
| and are a great help in the church
| work.
In Helena there is a young COM
! municants' lodge, numbering 3S mem
bers. which seems to be accomplishing
excellent results among the young COM
| municantS.