The Alaska daily empire., 1917-01-13
Bishop Lawrence Write of Farewell Assurances from Convention
 Delegates.
,.<nowI,doed prevIously. .sfsO.5O

The General Convention of 1916, on October 20. definitely incorporated the pension system into the law of the i Church. On that day both Houses agreed upon a Canon (Cauon 56), ! erecting the Church Pension Fund into a formal administrative arm of the General Convention. and in so far as the authority of the General Con. .vcation extends, impressing the Pen : sion system administered by the . Church Pension Fund upon every par ish and other ecclesiastical organi- zation throughout the length and { breadth of the American Church.
 Pension Canon Adopted
 The salient features of the Canon Iare:
 The Church Pension Fund is to be Ithe administrative agency Co assure support to the clergy when disabled ! by age or infirmity and to the widows and orphans of deceased clergy, along lines of the pension leg!sla- ton of the General Convention Of 1913.
 Assessments Authorized
 The Church Pension Fund is to have the authority, ia accordance with the canons of each diocese, to |Ievy an asses z5ment on every parish and other ecclesiastical corporation, based upon the salary of its clergy ! Iu other words. the parishes, etc. must pay the National Church tax for the privilege Of enjoying the ser vices of clergyman, the taN to be | the amount necessary to enable the ! National Church through the Chucc1 Pension Fund. 10 support the clergy man in old age or disability and his family after his death.
 Safety Measures ! The Canon definitely puts the Pen ! sion system upon the reserve basis that is. the money is to be received first and the pension granted after wards. The other basis, the cash ] disbursement method, of granting pensions first and collecting the money to pay them afterwards, would 1 be disastrous Co the Church.
 The minimum pension of $500, is explained to apply only to those clergymen who are ordained or re- ceiyed al the usual age, who remain "ia the continuous office and work of the ministry" and for whom the ! assessment system has been carried out. Otherwise the Church Pension Fund could not remain financially sound.
 Leaving the Convention
 "As we bishops pack away our robes and shake hands, the thought rushes over one, Shall l see you ] again." Which of us will be at the next Conyention?"
 Who can repress a throb of emo : tion as he sees Bishop Rowe walk up the street, knowing that his des- tination is the ice bound rivers Of Alaska to the camps of the Soga Es- ! kimos. or Brent picking up his robe ! case and heading for the M0ros un- ! der the equator; or Roots on his long journey across the Continent, the Pacific and into the heart Of China,
 "A hand is laii upon my shoulder as I leave the Church. Bishop" | the voice says. You can depend on ! us. As soon as l get home we will 1 get a few strong men together and organize for a vigorous campaign for the Pension Fund. l turn and face a Southern Bishop.
 "A Bishop from the Pacific Slope | comes up. Bishop, we shall move in ! the campaign just as soon as I get back. IL is going to do us lots of good; for l expect to call into the work strong men whom I cannot in- ! terest in missions. The Pension sys- tenn will appeal to them, and before We get through we are going to raise a round sum and what is even better we are going to raise 9 new group of Church workers.
 The General Convention has been wonderful for it's fine and united spirit.
 "The Church Pension Fund haj done it's part; it has turned the eyes, sympathies and activities of the Church upon one great practical en- terprise which touches every clergy man and layman.
 From now oh until March l, the campaign will move at a high pace; it must move if we are to succeed, and succeed we must"
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