Evening journal., 1918-05-15


he and his family try to live we'll they
are only doing what their parshion-
ers expect; and II they get into dim
cullles in trying to serve God and
Mammop, II is because we force them
TO II. No sensible young man can be
expected 20 undertake work under con-
ditions plainly impossible. When we
call men TO official positions in the
church. we are bound TO provide them
with means Of fulfilling conditions
which by custom and expectation, we
ourselves impose"
Bishop Kinsman in the course OF his
address reported St. Johns Baptist
Church, Milton. to the convention as
parish unable TO support rector
without missionary aid. and asked that
ii be reduced to the status OF an Or
ganized mission in union with the con-
vcntion.
Under the heading of "Date OF the
Annual Convention Bishop Knsman
said.
Date OF Annual Convention.
THE change made by General Con-
ventiOn in our fiscal year cOmpels vari-
Gus changes in our customs 20 adjust
church-buslness TO the identification OF
the fiscal with the calendar year. All
who have had the duty Of making re-
ports TO be presented at this conven-
tion have felt the anomaly Of having
10 omit all reference to church activ-
ties since the 3ist OF last December,
and of having TO defer reports Of what
has been done during the past four
months until the convention meets in
"a f.F
IL is plainly desirable that the annual
convention should not fall long after
the close OF the working year for
which reports have to be made. In
view OF this a number OF doceses, for
merly holding conventions in the late
spring have changed the date OF meet
ing IL Is possible that we should
do the same | urge that the matter
be considered at this time; and should
IL seem wise 10 make a change, am
Of.the opinion hat the best date would
be either the last Wednesday in Janti-
airy or the FIRST Wednesday in Febru-
airy, that Is. a day long enough after
December 3lst TO allow for making OF
careful reports, and early enough not
to conflict with the beginning OF Lent
Our present date Is convenient In
many ways; among other things, 1t Is
convenient TO have the convention meet
when we may expect pleasant weather.
In years past this was an important
consideration when the convention had
10 be entertained for several days in the
smaller places. The time has come,
however, when the work Of our con-
vention will, except In rare instances be
transacted In a single day. This does
not mean that the church Is doing less
work than in years past. The fact Is
that, as years go by, we do more and
more. But we do the work in different
ways. Formerly the annual convention
was the one time In the year when
ehurchmen had opportunity to discuss
and lnaugurate church work, and Of ne
cesslty their deliberations lasted for
several days. Now we have frequent
meetings in the interests OF church ac-
tlvitles, missionary, educational, social
national; we have all kinds OF ways OF
getting TO work without waiting for
initiation by the annual convention
which instead OF being the one event
Of the ecclesiastical year is now but
one in a series. It's usual duties now
consist OF the hearing OF formal re-
ports Of electing olilclals, and OF keep
ing up to date our regulations for nor
NAL activities, responsibilities which
will usually be discharged by session on
a single day. Hence there would seem
TO be no insuperabie objection TO ap-
pointing this day at any time when re-
ports and elections can most cOnven-
iently be made.
"The date OF convention is determined
by the constitution, and hence can only
be changed by the usual method OF
making a constitutional alteration.
am not urging that this be made, as a
matter on which my own opinion is al
ready formed merely that the adyisa-
bility Of change be discussed. ] think,
also, that it might well be considered
whether the election OF wardens and
yestrymen might not be held on a flxed
day In January instead ~ on the NOV
able date, Easter Monday
The Bishop also called attention to
the subject Of electng delegates 10 the
provincial Synod or General Conven-
ton, aud urged that IN selecting dele
gates the diosecan convention sfe 90 Il
that at least part OF the delegation
consists Of experienced men. and that
10 not fail 90 send back any one al
ready charged with special response
bilitles for any part OF the Synod's
continuous work.
Bishop Klnsman also referred TO the
dissatisfaction expressed over The form
Of paronhial report used this year in
obedience 10 The requirement Of The
General Convention. He recommended
that a committee be appointed 10 col
lect opinions as TO the form OF reports
and 10 make definite suggestions as TO
changes which would better adapt the
form OF report for such a diocese as
Delaware.
The bishops official acts included the
following from May Q to December 81,
1917:
Celebration OF Holy Communion, 63;
other services, 46; sermons and ad-
dresses. 80; baptisms, 4 marriages, 3,
and burials. 3.
From January to May -. 1918: Celc-
bration OF Holy Communion, AZ other
services, G. sermons and addresses, az;
Marriages, ,, and burials, 2.
Combinations.
There were 1856 combinations in the
diocese from May 1877 10 May 1918, the
greatest number being % at ST.
Andrews and % at Emmanuel, Whining
/ ton
Besides the Forbes Fund and Rodney
Fund OF which the bishop is trustee, he
holds two special funds. The first being
deposited in the Wilmington Savings
Fund Society, the second In the Artisans
Saving Bank Wilmington.
For a Diocesan Girls School $4,000 ;
for decoration of Christ Church Della
....s., Rff.. lI0~ og