Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-01-28
MISSIONS ARE THE
GREAT THEME
Convention EnthuSed Over
the Home Work.
Laymen VIII Be Enlist
ed to Greater Extent
Than Before.

| At no previous diocesan convention
in Georgia has the spirit of home mis-
sions been so thoroughly in evidence
as at the one now in progress. The
missionary spirit dominates all of the
proceedings. A spirit of unanimity
that those who have been attendants
at such conventions for many years
say has never been equalled pervades
all Of the proceedings. There is no
! division of sentiment as to the nee
essity and importance of this great
work, and a rising tide of enthusiasm
promises to bring rich results in in
creased income, in greater personal
service on the part of the Iaymen of
the church, and a more aggressive
attitude on the part of the clergy.
| The committee on missions, to which
was referred the report of the Board
of Missions, made a strong report yes
torday morning, through its chairman,
Rev. Geo. s Whitney, Of Augusta.
Said the committee:
Full OF announcement.
after digesting our information
with as much care as possible we re
joice to be able to say to this con
vention that the whole situation in re-
gard to the work of church extension
in this diocese Is full Of announcement.
While a year ago many points were va
cant, now all are filled and well
filled, and the salaries have all been
paid to date. The payment of the
stipend has been possible for two rea-
sons: First, the far-seeing generosity
of the late Mr. Dodge has endowed
the diocese with a sum which Yields
about $4,000 for missionary work.
Without this we would practically
have no missions Second, the mis-
sions themselves have already under
the inspiration and leadership of their
new priests, developed a larger meas
ure of self support than ever before.
If they fulfill the promise of which
they have given good guarantee this
year will see a tremendous increase
in such self support.
The One Drawback.
But the one discouraging featura
Of the situation is found in thel "a
that the parishes and miss5isz 49, %
diocese have given R3,s,ne R3a,,,. -iH over
$4,000 to diocese Il ,5155dns. The to-
tai disbursenga q the parishes and
organized missions Of this diocese, as
reported in the journal Of 1909, are
$61 ,432 The $4,000 given for mis-
sions is a little over three per cent
of our total expenditures. This is a
very bad showing. If it be the duty
of a Christian to give one-tenth Of
his income to the Lord, is it too much
to expect that we get far enough ont
our parochiaIism to give at least six
per cent of our total parish income for
diocesan missions? OF the amount
asked there still remains unpaid 1862
and some points have given nothing
How the priests and laity can over
look this primary duty with easy con
sciences we cannot say Last year
we forgave the dalinquents and wiped
out the old score. We cannot keep
on doing this. 1t is too hard on those
who do fulfill their obligations and
too hard on the bishop. What are
you going to do about it?"
Gonoy.oI Missionary VE-ou4oJ
The committee recommended that
the payment OF this voluntary appor-
tionment be made a primary obliga-
tion, debt of honor, coming before
any and every other class, even in
some cases before parish obligations.
The hope was expressed that the time
is not far distant when the diocese
will be able to establish a general mis-
sionary who can spend his time work
ing at the smaller points, in holding
parochial missions, and in assisting
the bishop in covering the field IN
til then a plan was suggested for
series of services in parochial mis-
sions by the clergy of the diocese.
The committee closed its report with
these words:
"Our whole country is being stirred
by the missionary spirit and every
thing possible must be done to carry
the current of this enthusiast 10
our own people,
10 Raise $4,000 for 1910,
AT the close of the report the copl-
mittee introduced the following reso-
luton:
"Resolved, That the Board of Mis-
sions be authorized to apportion the
sum Of $4,000 for diocesan missions,
on the same basis as last year.
This resolution opened the way for
the general discussion on missions.
Rev. Charles T. Wright of Albany, ex-
pressed regrets that his parish was
among the delinquents and pledged
his efforts toward the prompt payment
hereafter of all apportionments. Rev.
Samuel B. McGlohon, Of Savannah,
spoke briefly on the rising tide Of mis-
sionary spirit and Rev. Richard E.
Boykin, of Brunswick, voiced the sen
timents Of many with regard to the
enlisting Of the laymen. Bishop
Reese believed that the scattering Of
information was essential to the awak-
ening Of the parishes to fuller sense
of their duty, and urged committee
on publicity 70 rthe collection not only
Of mere statistical facts, but the dis
seminatfon Of matter that would ac-
curately depict conditions and serve
- innart . stimnlus that would be far