Gloucester County Democrat., 1911-10-19

forth of its energies for some specific
needs of the parish.
The Junior Branch of st. Kathar-
ines Guild is just a little group of
little girls, organized on May End,
1908. But since that time out of
funds raised from dues of two cents
week, and the proceeds of one en-
tertainment, they have provided flow
ers, palms and candles for the Al
tar; they have paid some expenses
of printing, coal and choir music; and
they met the cost of insuring the
church building for four thousand dol
lars for five years. Early in the past
summer the vision of this little Guild
was broadened by a visit to two chari-
table institutions in Philadelphia.
The Guild left at these places gifts
that seem small in themselves, but
they represented Guild work in pre-
pairing them, and they are giving
pleasure to i'll and crippled children
who are being cared for by the
Church. / trust the ST. Katharine's
Juniors, by the memory of those so
much more needy than ourselves, will
be inspired for good work this Win
cOis CFCA III littlS ways.
When familiarity does not go So
far as to breed contempt, according to
the old proyerb, it does produce in
difference or at least unconsciousness
of relationship and obligation. In
most parishes the sight is so familiar
OF the choir in its place in the per-
formance of its duty, that the people
are trained into unconsciousness of
any obligation for services rendered
freely and without cost: services with
out which the worship of the Church
would have little beauty and attrac-
tiveness. We are happy here in hav-
ing music that compares favorabIy
with that of R4ahy larger parishes.
and | wish now plainly to declare our
obligation to the organist whose sal
ary is so merely nominal as to be no
salary at all; and to the choir-mas-
ter and the men and women of the
choir, together with the Crucifer and
the Acolyte, all of whom give time
and toll freely that our worship may
by SO much be more worthy of our
God.
st. Luke's Guild, afterward and
now named st. Mary's Guild, was or
ganlzed on November 18th, 1903, and
surely Its career of usefulness since
mas abundantly refuted the old super
stitlon of the 18th day of the month
as an unlucky time for beginnings. 1t
is gratifying to detail the amounts of
money raised by this Guild from wear
to year. They are: $202.75; $4,000:
S212.35; 1913 II; 17O.59: S155. 80.
S153.72; S187I70; a total of 1854 .79:
that is an average of $206.S4 a year
1or eight years. Dues and entertain
ments have combined to produce this
income. Out of it the Guild has pro-
vlded many things for the Altar and
services: bread and wine for the
Blessed Sacrament, candles. altar
linens, confirmation wells. palms and
mowers. 1t made an appropriation
for the building fund, and another as
stipend for the first Priest in charge
OF the Mission; another for insur-
ance of this building; and still an
other for part of the expense of rem
ovatlng the basement. The Child
has assumed a fixed responsibility of
$500 year for the payment of wat
er rent; for the organist's salary. and
the stipend offered the parishiouer
who SO faithfully cares for the church
building This last item, be it re-
membered is also so nearly nominal
that we gratefully acknowledge the
work of this parishioner as indeed
labor and offering of love. sI had
rather be door-keeper in the House
OF My God than to dwell in the tents
OF ungodl1ness. And beside all this
may not the Rector express his own
great obligation to St. Mary's Guild
and its individual members for MANY
attentlons and courtesies. for MANY
provldlngs of things needed; for large
rulnlment OF practical ministry. The
meetings of the Guild for combined
work and sociability are pleasant
memories of last Winter. which
hope will be repeated for the season
now at hand. And let me say CRATE
fully to St. Mary's Guild. as in their
several degrees to all the other or-
sanlzatlons; that it and they have
become indispensable to the practical
lie OF the parish. They are themselv-
es the argument for their continuance
and increase in good works.
such is the story of our brief past.
and the outline of what we now have
as both outfit and argument for our
sroWtn IN grace, and progress in the
practical service of God. With it ali.
remember what was said at the he
ginning of my words to-day. Re-
spect for authority is our truest wis
dom because it is the chief condition
OF good guidance and control LET
us go on with our worship and work
under the authority of the Church
without self-assertion or self-seeking:
without unworthy rivalry one with
another. For we know that Gods
guidance is sure, night and day. We
know His protection is between us
ana our enemies. He will tell us
When to stand till and when to go for
Ward. because above all He is the
controller and Guide of all our. spirit
ual life. At His Altar will He ravaa,
to us all that we have to believe and
do q