The Washington herald., 1907-12-28

dates for the ministry As one sign Of
the times. the bishop Of Maryland in a
pastoral called attention 10 the fact that
with l23 clergymen, $50 congregations, and
$500 COMMUNICATE members, there had
been bat one recruit for the ministry In a
year.
81. James Church. Washington. Rev.
James W. Clark. rector, is a contributor
TO the society's funds.
At the last meeting of the clericus Rev.
II. Allen Griffith was elected president for
the coming year.
Mr.. Griffith being asked for the inevita-
BILE few words. replied that, in the words
of Mr.. Gompers, he was glad labor had
its day. and that the workingman was
being recognized. He also wittily and
aptly quoted the president OF a country
town debating society. TO the effect that
ne would "endeavor 70 be unfair TO all
and impartial to none"
The next meeting viii be at ArchdeacOn
Williams rectOry on Indiana avenue.
The apportonment for general missions
shows that $1,000 is asked from Wash
ingtOn diocese. which. on basis Of 1896
COMMITMENTS. is s. cents1 per communi-
cant. As the total amount raised for the
year was $2S6. 1852. this does not seem
an unreasonable apportionment. but in
these times of great financial stringency.
il may turn out 20 be too weighty an
undertaking to raise it.
During the week this sum has been APP
portioned among the rectoTs Of parishes,
it being the intention that each church
-,
rector. Doubtless, with a view to making
good their assessment they are 10 have a
missionary mass meeting in Baltimore on
January 5. 1t will be held in the Lyric
Rev. DR.. r. F. AIsop. of Brooklyn. a
brother of Mr.. Edward Alsop, OF this
city. Will speak on Some Impressions OF
Our Missionary Work in the Far East"
and Archdeacon Stork will talk of general
missions. The archdeacOn has given the
best contribution in the world 10 mis-
sionary work. He has given himself. He
was dean Of Dallas. Tex. but resigned to
become a Missionary in Alaska.
A successful colored work is going on
in St Philips Chapel, Aquaseo, Prince
George County. The minister in charge
is the Rev. E. H. Oxley who is himself
a colored man from the British colony of
Trinidad. where the great feet has been
this week. Mr.. Oxley has aroused the inter
est and even enthusiasm Of the people. and
they are now engaged In building an adj
dition to their chapel in the shape of a
quite substantial tower and spire There
is also, in connection with the chapel, =
very commOdious parsonage. Altogether,
the condition OF the work shows what
latent possibilities the church possesses
for the doing of this portion of her
work.
The ending Of the year directs atten-
ton to the state of the church compared
with its condition at this time in previous
years.
The records show that there are 5,424
clergy in the church, a gain OF forty
three over last year.
There are 43S candidates for holy or
ders, a gain of four only.
The increase In communicating is re-
ported as 25,522, which Is considerably in
excess Of that reported for several years
past. and raises the percentage of in
crease 10 a fraction over per cent,
whereas in preceding years It had not
been much over per cent In the
financial exhibit most satisfactory
showing is made. the increase in contri-
buttons amounting TO more than half
million dollars.
There is q decrease in the number OF
Sunday school teachers and children.
At the present time of the former 1872
are enrolled. and Of the latter 437. 26s. On
the other hand, the quality of the work
done in the Sunday schools is probably
much better than heretofore. During the
year only two bishops have died. the
bishops of Springfield and Delaware.
II is noteworthy that Bishop Coleman s
entire estate. not large because Of his
constant benefactions in his lifetime, is
bequeathed to religious and charitable
purposes Even 5000. 20 be used during
lifetime OF Mr.. and Mrs. Alexis Du Pont
Coleman. is 10 revert to the church on
their death. Bishop Mackay-Smith, for