Year: 1879

SSNfN mSofOH-

 Bishop Spalding has addressed the following pastoral letter to the Epis- copal church in New Mexico and Ari- Zona:

 To the members of the Episcopal Church:

 My Dear Brethren.-HavIng beenI appointed Provisional Bishop of this jurisdiction; and being unable at pres ent to make visitation, 1 address toI you this Pastoral Letter:

 As you are not living in communi- ties where Missions organized could offer self-suppOrl, and as the Domestic Committee of Missions have been em- barrassed for want of meaus, and as two attempts 10 supply you with al Bishop have only resulted ID failure, itI has been impossible, as yet, to initiate and carry on church work in such manner and to such extent us was de- sirable You have felt, at times mol doubt, that the church, your Spiritual Mother, was neglecting you; but iG isI believed that new day Is dawnIng Railway communication across the tw oI Territories is expected in the near fu- lure, your valuable resources will at- tract large immigration, permanent and promising towns will doubtless spring up, the church, will it is hoped, be reused to her duty. You will have a Bishop of your own, and working body of faithful Missionaries, and per manent and strong foundations will be laid for Christian education and the institutions of the church of God. Let us D. ay and labor for this end.

 In the meantime what are we to do ?l Our purpose is to begin work at the two principal towns In Arizona ss soon as the necessary arrangemenIsl can be made. Our one missionary who have been laoOring for four years in New Mexico should be supported by the addition of one or more clergyl as soon as possible. We must be ore pared to take advantage of the new openings for the Church on the line off the railroad as il progresses south wards. The chief permanent centersI should be chosen, the work made strong in them, and developed, and ex- tended from them. AL favorable points, where there are even few church people, suitable persons willing to act as lay readers will be duly licensed when properly recommended. The Christian father should do this in his family and he may call In hls neigh bors to worship God on the Lords Day. Whenever It is practicable tOI gather few children in A school house or private room, a Sunday-schOol should be established Any earnest Christian man or woman can do this, making the prayer book familiar by Use, and teaching the Church Catech- ism, the Collect, and the Gospel.

 The appropriation of the Domestic Committee for the current year is not more than sufficient to support two missionaries. IL is intended to support three and to pay the travelling eX-I penseS of the missionaries in reach:ngI visiisIOns. We must labor under diff faculties and discOurasements, but if we can get the work well in operation, and show encouraging results this year, !, we can doubtless secure a larger ap- prOpriatiOn hereafter. We must work in faith that the cause of Christ and his church shall not fail for lack of means, and we must show our faith by our works.

 1 am forced to look to you 10 con- tribute tO the work according to your ability. Without your earnest cooper ation success is impossible. If you will give as generously as possible out of your abundance or your penury for the support of such ms .iOnarIes as may be in the field, sending your offer ing to me, or regularly to the Rev. II. faithfully applied to the object. It is impracticable to keep a missionary in any place where a considerable par. of his support cannot be raised, nor can there be any healthy growth unless selfsupport be cultivated to the utmost extent possible. They to whom the services of the church involve no cost, generally care little for them.

 Finally, let me exhort you to faithful ness in your vocation and ministry as Christians. Your prayers and aims must be relied on to bring down bless ings upon yourselves, and to ensure the establishing of the church in your midst. Do all you can tor the cause Of Christ by a holy walk and converse tion, by word and deed, by prayers and offerings Let family prayers be maintained in every Christian house bold Let the services of the church he read on Sunday wherever two or three can be assembled. Work earn estly for the increase and prosperity of any mission formed in your town or neigh borhood See that your children be taught the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and what ever belongs to a Christlan's faith and duty. I shall be glad to hear from you in regard to points where services are needed, and will arrange, whenever practible, for the visit of clergyman. I hope to be able next fall to visit per sonally the principal points of the jurisdiction. Praying God to bless you in all your dearest interests as con nected with his church and the welfare of your souls I am faithfully and truly your, JOHN F. SPALDISG,

 Provisional Missionary Bishop. nr,-r, Tor Eohruarrr on 1870