The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-18
BISHOP LAWRENCE
Continued from First Page,


and abroad were helping the move
ment.
Bishop Lawrence Speal:s.
Bishop Lawrence, after being in
troduced by Bishop Brown. stated
that he was pleased with the sympa-
thetio atmosphere that greeted him.
and he felt gratified that the prospects
for q generous response here were
good. He stated that the 1rst clergy
relief fund was started about six
years ago. and ssso.ooo was collect
ed in a campaign to raise 100000.
The first plan. however. was found
not to be satisfactory. and in 1913
the present church pension fund was
established The speaker stated that
the interest on the money collected
in the first campaign was being dis
tributed to all the clergy over sixty
four years of age. and that when the
100000 wanted for the present
movement Is raised, the courts will be
asked to turn over the amount al
ready collected on the old plan o
the new fund.
The average salary Of the Episcopal
clergy, Bishop Lawrence stated, is
$1,000. This he says works against
the usefulness of the ministers when
they have to give their thought to the
future care of their families during
their old age, and the question of a
livelihood for them looms large before
them. The fear that they will suffer
|saps the clergyman of the proper
courage. destroys his usefulness and
efficiency. and lessen his self-respect
Mental Attitude Al-Important-
TT is the mental attitude that
makes people bear sacrifices" Bishop
Lawrence declared. and II is on the
mental attitude that 1t depends
or poorly. Thus It IL, II the clergy
were assured that IN their old age
thev will be properly care for, not in
8 charitable way. that their widows
and children will not suffer want. they
will face their work with courage.
. grit and serenity that will make
them more efffcient in their pastoral
labors."
The speaker cited instances of the
police. of members OF the army and
navy, who face death. never finching,
because they have acquired the habit
OF thought that whatever happens to
them. their families will be provided
FOR. 1t will be the same with the
clergy. he stated, in that they will
give themselves entirely to the spirit
uaI uplift OF their congregations, I'M
hampered with worries and care for
the future.
1t LIS for the laymen. DR.. Lawrence
stated. to introduce into their reia-
tons with the clergy the same oppor-
tunities for efficient work that they
have introduced in their ONCE and in
dustries. by making the pensioning Of
the clergy possible. 1t rests with the
saymen to accomplish the great move
snent which has been started, and
which must be completed by March /.
next
1t Is the plan now to raise IS, 900. 900
to take care of all accrued liabilities
This will enable the officers Of the
church pension fund to pay the clergy
men who will be eligible to the PEN
sion before there Is an accumulation
of pension premiums under the plan
which will be operated OF this
amount about s3.5o0,000 has been
Saised. and as the fund will be started
on March ! OF next year. the balance
must be subscribed by that time.
To Raise &250,Ooo In virxiaia-
To do this a general committee has
been organized in Virginia. with sew
eral subcommittee. who have charge
OF raising At least s25o.oeo in Virginia.
The ministers In ali the Episcopal
~
date. yet to be decided explain the
pension fund from their pulpits. and
lay speakers will be sent to all Of
the churches to arouse interest in the
movement These speakers will be
started out shortly. and continue I'M
I'll the final date.
Beginning on March /. Bishop Law
renee explained. each church when
making up its budget at the first Of
the year. will in addition to it's pas
tors salary. include a pension premium
OF seven and one-half per cent of the
salary, which viii be forwarded to the
Church Pension Fund. In New York.
This will accumulate yearly. and be
safely invested. when minister
reaches the age of sixty-eight he is
be paid an annual amount equalling
80 per cent of his average salary for
the last ave years Widows OF the
clergy Will be paid pensions according
to the number OF children and their
ages. This would not be charity, the
speaker said. but on account OF the
method in which II Is worked out, II
would be all of the congregations
which the pastor served, continuing
their tribute to the men who had
worked among them.
Prominent Laymen Speak.
After Bishop Lawrence's address.
Oliver J. Sands and John Stewart
Bryan spoke In advocacy Of the move
ment. Mr. Bryan stating that Virginia
has been a vital force in the Episco-
PAL Church. and that II must take 4
large part IN taking care OF the min
listers OF that church.
Yesterday afternoon at the West
noreland Club. Bishop Lawrence spoke
before about seventy five business
men of the city at luncheon. and ex-
planned the movement. After the
speakers in all the churches in this
city and throughout the State. canvas
sers will start out to see all the. mem
bers of the church.
Many prominent Episcopalians from
all sections OF the State were in the
city yesterday and attending the meet
ing held yesterday afternoon. at the
Westmnreland Club. and last nSrht N,