The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-18
STATE OF CHURCH
SHOWN IN REPORT
Committee Discusses Conditions
as Compared With Those at
Last Convention.
REFERS e TO MANY MATTERS
Capital and Labor, Sunday OBJ
servance, Temperance and
Other Questions.
REFERS TO MANY MATTERS

ftl IN tne House OF deputies yesterday
morning the committee on the state OF
the church. the Rev Or. Matthew
Brewster. OF Alabama. chairman, sub
mttted Its report. which was adopted
along with resolution that 1t be
sent to the House OF Bishops with the
request that they issue pastoral let
ter to the members of the church. This
report is always a matter OF much
Interest to Episcopalians throughout
the world. After giving the figures
quoted at length in another place. the
report, by way OF comment, went on to
say:
I'VE rightfully record our conviction
that for want OF uniform system Of
registration and tabulation In pnro-
chial and diocesan reports there is
want OF accuracy in many OF the
Items. 1t Is known that estimates are
sometimes given inste ad OF the exact
report The communicates are enum-
Grated according to various interpre-
tations given the word commitment
that similar varieties OF usage inyali-
date the figures regarding parochial
and Industrial schools. Thirty two
dioceses and missionary districts have
failed to report the whole number
OF baptized persons. so that the item
OF 759.Oi7 given above Is very far
short OF the fact.
Lack of Information.
I'VE note further the lack Of infor-
nation respecting the number of min
listers who have died and OF persons
suspended or deposed from the sacred
ministry which. under the canon, Is
made part OF the summary required.
we respectfully submit that tho
order OF deaconesses. being by canon
recognize and regulated. the num-
bar OF women holding this Office ought
to be the subject OF enumeration and
report, as are the orders of the sa-
cred ministry.
I'VE invite your grateful recogni-
ton of these facts. Moro priests were
the preceding triennium: there are
nearly 400 more clergy than three
years ago. including eleven bishops.
twenty-one more postulants for or
ders, and 14S more lay readers: over
GOO more parishes and mission sta
lions. There are 7a3 more churches;
there are 23l more rectories: 1856
more baptisms; there are 1850 more
combinations, and 67.is7 more COM
municants.
Financial Reports.
The financial reports show over a
quarter million dollars more in paro-
chial offerings. for religion. charities
and education. We rejoice to note
an increase of nearly 100000 for ex-
FRA diocesan objects. an increase OF
over S13i.000 for clerical education.
There are nearly three and a half
million dollars invested for the en-
dowment of the episcopate; this ex-
ceeds the sum last reported by nearly
100000. There Is s7.6s0.750 invested
for the support of parishes, an In
cent. while the invested fund for the
relief of clergy and their widows and
orphans shows an increase OF saT5.-
boo. being now over two and quar-
ter million dollars. or s2.2e1.s2e.os.
The endowment OF hospitals. or.
damages and other institutions of the
church are greater by $5.250.0oo The
invested wealth OF the church is over
$s.o0o,ooo more than 1T was three years
ago.
Decrease Shown.
I'VE regret to report that the num-
Der of deacons ordained during the
past tnree years was less by twenty
two: and that the number OF candi-
dates for holy orders is less by forty
one than 1t was three years ago. This
presents to the church most serious
condition. and one which calls at once
for action upon the part of both lay
men and clergy. We believe 1t should
be made the subject Of prayer upon
the part OF all members OF the church
that the Lord of the harvest may send
forth more laborers into. His harvest,
and that the church should be gather
ed together in bringing the claims OF
the sacred ministry. or the call of God
to the work among men to the atten-
ton Of our young men.
The clergy are to keep before the
mind OF the church the call to the sa-
cred ministry by the proper observance
of the Ember Days at the four sea-
sons. and also upon the third Sunday
In Advent, when the church has ar
ranged for the ministry to be brought
to the attention OF the people. Not
only is this TO be matter OF sermons
and church seasons, but each clergy-
man is to feel the necessity Of bring