Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-13

an Individual is moved from time to time 70
give something. AS body we give moth.
ing. One potent reason for this state OF
anairs is that we do not realize our cor
porate strength. There is no such thing as
a muster roll of the men of the church
NO appeal can be made to the whole
body of the American churchman to unite
IN corporate act OF Thanksgiving to God
LOT our religious blessings, because no one
SHOWS VINO compose the body. We ought
TO secure the names of all men in any yqay
connected whether ss communicates or &C.
easional worshipers) with the parishes and
congregations throughout the church.
why not at once begin the work of prepar-
ing a muster roll of the church? If the
work OF compiling the list were success
Iuliy accomplished, the work of a personal
appeal would be relatively easy matter
he board of missions, acting under the
inspiration of resolution introduced by
Mr.. George c. Thomas at one of tho Sos
sions of the board of missions in Roston
answered this question by appointing a
committee with authority to formulate a
plan OF campaign and put 1t into execu-
ton The COMMITTEES consists of the Right
Rev David H. Greer, chairman: Mr. George
:, Ihomas treasurer. and Mr.. George w.
Pepper, secretary. The secretary's office
is l43s Land Title building. Philadelphia.
This central committee has addressed a
letter to every bishop of the church with
in the limits of the United States. asking
for his cooperation in making the plan
operative within his diocese or missionary
district Each bishop is asked TO appoint
district committee of eight persons.
clergymen and laymen. It is suggested
that the deputies to the late general con-
vention be named as committeeman, unless
the bishop prefers to select other persons
Each district committee is expected to or
ganize for work, and to engage in an
~
OF the state campaign committee of a no.
litical party. The central committee will
furnish to the secretaries of the district
committees leaflets, printed statements of
the plan and such other documents as are
needed to enable each district secretary
to communicate with the rector of every
parish and the minister of every congrega-
ton in his jurisdiction. AS the result of
this correspondence the clergy either
through their own efforts or with the helm
OF selected laymen, will prepare and trans
init to the secretaries of their respective
district committees, parochial or congre-
gauonai list of all men connected with
the church, either as communicates, bap-
tized members of the church, or occa-
sfonal worshipers. duplicate of each To-
cal list Will be sent by each district COM
mittee to the central committee, so that
the central committee will gradually accu-
mulate the material from which a cata-
1ogue or card index of the men of the
church can be made up.
Meanwhile under the direction of each
district committee parochial agency con-
sisting either of committee or single
person, as may be determined after con-
sultation with the rector will have begun
in each congregation the work of interview
ing the men upon the list. Each man will
be asked in q face-to-face interview at
some time between now and the autumn
of 1907, to unite in a great missionary
thank offering to be presented when the
general convention meets at Richmond in
that year, as an evidence of gratitude for
the blessings of three hundred years OF
English Christianity. 1t is a coincidence
that just three centuries will have elapsed
since jamestown was founded in 1907 and
the holy communion was first celebrated
in England on cur shores. What better
time can there be than this to give sub
stantial proof of our appreciation OF our re-
ligtous privileges. What gift can be more
acceptable to Cod than a free will Offer
ing to be devoted TO the work of church
extension in this and other lands?
'In meeting our apportionment We are
meeting our share of the debt Incurred
In keeping the church alive. 1t is now
proposed that we shall do for religion
what thousands of Americans are doing for
ducation-give freely of our means from
some higher motive than the mere dis
charge of a financial obligation"
The result of this movement VIII doubt
less he looked forward to with more than
the ordinary interest by members OF all
denominations.