The Washington times., 1906-05-09
BR|CKLAYERS' PAY
MORE THAN RECTORS'
Bishop Satterlee Makes Plea
for Rural Clergy.
ANNUAL CHARGE TO CHURCH
Corporate Communion of Washington
Diocese Begins at ST. Johns,
Georgetown.

The Rt. Rev. Henry Yates Satterlee.
Bishop of Washington, assisted by
the ArchGeacon of Washington, Rev.
r. p. Williams, Archdeacon Innis La
Roche, and the Rev. Frederick Howden,
rector Of St. Johns Church, George
town. celebrated the annual corporate
communion of diocesan clergy IN open
ing the eleventh annual convention of
the Episcopal diocese Of Washington.
at 1880 this morning.
II was an inspiring scene when the
long line of vested ministers led by the
choir boys Of Saint Johns Church. fled
out of the parish han and entered the
vestibule of the church marching up
the middle aisle TO the chancel. At the
foot Of the chancel steps the long pro-
cessiOn parted and Bishop Satterlee
passed up to the altar between the lines
of clergy. The bishop wore his usual
robes of office and his doctor of divinity
hood. He was followed by the presbyters
in the order of seniority. A striking
feature of the procession was the
bright colors Of the doctors hoods
many of the clergy wore. Every minis
ter of Washington was in line and the
country parishes We're represented.
The business session of the conven-
tion opened at ? o'clock and this even
ing a missionary rally will be held at
which Bishop Sattorlce. the archdeacons.
and the diocesan missioner, the Rev. w.
J. D. Thomas. will speak. Informal dis
cussion viii be allowed after the formal
remarks.
Bishop Satterlee gave his annual
charge to the churcn In Washington.
saying in part:
Growth in Number of Communicates.
Brethren of the Clergy and Iaity:
The celebration of the tenth anniver-
sary of the diocese saw not n single
vacant cure. The list Of our communi-
cants has grown from 1886 in 1896 to
17,S49 in 1906. The number confirmed
during the period have been IO.247. The
number Of bsptisms for the same period
have been about Is. 461. The total funds
collected for all purposes during this
ten years have been about S3.94S, ,466. 50. !"
Bishop satterlee here spoke Of the
splendid gift that had freed the National
Cathedral OF So. Peter and Paul, the
monun ental work of the diocese. from
debt on Thanksgiving Day. and stated
that through this munifcent gift the
work Of the cathedral has been sudden
" advanced many years. In reporting
on the Bishop Of Washington's fund,
he said:
'The fund is managed by very able
hnanciers and busines men, combined
with some Of the principal clergy OF the
diocese, and I earnestly commended It
10 the people.
"I am glad to report that all the do
cesan organizations are in a healthy
condition" he continued. 'and that their
work is growing steadily. I would call
10 the attention Of our churchmen that
the next meeting of the Congress of
Church Clubs will take place IN Wash
ington before our diocesan convention.
and hope we will give them a cordial
welcome I would also remind you that
the great international convention OF the
brotherhood Of Saint Andrew will be
held IN the city of washington just be-
fore the meeting Of the general conven-
ton In 1907.
'-Of the clergy who were present at |
our first annual convention all but
twentyrfour have either resigned or
died. and today among the rectors out
side of the city of Washington there are
but five in charge of the same parishes
as in 1898. and in the city but seven.
Plea for the Rural Clergy.
Turning from the city to the country (
parishes the work that has been done |
by the diocesan missioner. the Rev. w. |
j. D. Thomas, and our faithful parish |
priests in rural districts far surpass |
in every way the record of previous |
years. The only cause of distress TO me !
at the present time is that these zeal !
Gus and self-denying clergy are not ade- |
quately supported by the diocese in |
such a way as to relieve them from the |
burden of pecuniary anxiety. With /
shame and humility. I am obliged TO say |
that the average salary received by a /
country rector in this diocese is less /
than one-half what the average brick 1
layer receives. II the stipend of our /