The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-06

clergy. administering confirmation, preach- ing the Word, and at his discretion cele- brating the sacrament of the Lords Sup per"
 Canon 15, section II, subsection i and il read as follows:
 70 It shall be the duty of ministers of this church who have charge of parishes or cures to be dligent in instructng the children in the catechism and from time to time to examine them in the same publicly before the congregation. They shall also, by stated catechetical lectures and instruction, inform the youth and others in the doctrines, polty, history and liturgy of the church. They shall also instruct all persons in their parishes and cures concerning the missionary work of the church at home and abroad, and give suitable opportunities for offerings to maintain that work.
 "QD It shall be the duty of ministers to prepare young persons and others for confirmation: and on notice being received from the bishop of his intention to visit any church, which notice shall be at least one month before the intended visitation, the minister shall announce the fact to the congregation on the first Sunday after the receipt of such notice; and he shall be ready to present for confirmation such persons as he shall judge to be qualified
 
 of the names of those to be confirmed"
 On entering upon a new year I desire again to remind the clergy and laity of the diocese that your bishop, being a general officer, can do only the work of a general officer; save in so far as the church determines the detailed work of his offce Your bishop can lay out the general plans of work and determine the campaign for action; but rAr inc ha nla yvh hIy1 fha church has trusted and ordained as of ficers in her army, and the men who compose the file and rank to carry to successful issue the general plan and campaign, or to frustrate the same The bishop can claim credit for no work that is successfully done in his field. Without the earnest faithful and un- tiring cooperation, and the loyal sup port of the clergy and laity each and every plan formulated by the bishop must of necessity end in ignominious failure. Whatever good standing this diocese has attained in the mind of the general church, and whatever work has been carried to successful issue is due, under the blessing of God, to the in- creasing interest and untiring labor of my brethren of the laity as well as the clergy. You have done the work; yours is the fruit, and in the end yours shall be the reward.
 During the year that has passed one of the bishops of tue church has gone to his rest.
 Of our own diocesan clergy we have lost one On the 18th day of June, 1908, in the city of Selma, the Rev. w. A. Stickney closed his life's work, and en- tered into rest. Mir. Stickney was one of the oldest of our clergy; and, though fnfrm for years, he never lost his in terest in the active work of the ch urch When I last saw him his mind was clear his faith was strong, and with full confidence he looked forward to the rest that remaineth for the people of God.
 The Apportionment.
 It is with great relief that have learned of the increased interest in the app portionment to the general board of missions. My brethren, there has never been any reason why the diocese of Alabama should fall below the amount asked of her for the support of gen. eral missions. Frankness compels me to say that where opportunity has been given our people have never declined their privilege in this respect. l hope when we go to the next general conven-
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