hundred and fifty being granted by the Diocesan Church Building Fund, the balance being raised by the missionary and his few devoted parishioners." After many services given at Kewanna, through his care the work has assumed a permanent shape. Hamlet, Bourbon, Argos, and Walnut have also been visited. He is trying to bring order out of chaos at Kokomo, and will resume services there. He concludes: "To sum up. Whereever we go the people are glad to receive us, and I am convinced that with two men, well sustained, who have the experience and persistency necessary, and, above all, whose hearts are in the work, the number of the parishes in our Diocese could be more than duplicated in five years. For this we hope, and work, and pray." The Rev. Robert C. Wall sends in a noteworthy report from the mission at Hammond, to which Rev. Dr. Kemp has referred. We need but glance at the figures to see what earnest work has been done and how bright is the outlook. Upwards of a hundred Sunday services, besides those during the week, have been held since his incumbency. Fourteen have been baptized and nineteen confirmed. The amount contributed during the year reaches a total of $1,554.00. Of this sum, $48.08 were given for purposes outside the mission. Eligible lots have been bought on which to erect a church. The minister in charge has also given a number of services at East Chicago. Missionary services have been held at different points by Rev. Dr. Jenckes, Rev. J. Hilliard Ranger, Rev. Frank W. Henry, Rev. Edwin G. Hunter, and by others of the clergy, doubtless, but whose reports I have not received. Though many places have been visited, old parishes revived, and new missions established, there are important points which remain to be looked after, and, if possible, frequent services be arranged for. Angola, county seat of Stuben county, has a population of sixteen hundred. There are several Church families here. A mission has been organized, and they desire to secure a lot, build, and have services. Columbia City, county seat of Whitley county, has a population of twenty-five hundred, and ten communicants. This place comes geographically under the fostering care of Fort Wayne. Greenburgh, county seat of Decatur county, has a population of twenty-five hundred, and several Church families. Shelbyville, county seat of Shelby county, a population of fortyeight hundred, and twelve communicants. This will be cared for by the Rector of Christ Church, Indianapolis. Salem, county seat of Washington county, a population of eighteen hundred, and two Church familes. Petersburgh, county seat of Pike county, has several earnest communicants wishing services. At Mount Vernon, Posey county, the ladies' guild is working hard to secure a lot. In Tipton, Hartford City, and Portland, there are several Church families. In Decatur, Adams county, there is a good nucleus for a mission. At Seymour, Mrs. Prof. Holiday is meeting a Sunday-school of twenty-five children. Just to refer to a matter of statistics, we find that the expenditures of the Diocesan Board have been, in round numbers, since last Convention, something over $2,600.00, and the receipts, nearly $2,800.00. This is almost $300.00 more than was raised last year. Had Crawfordsville, Connersville, and several other places been filled during the entire year, we should have a small deficit to meet. To carry on the work for the next year, as at the present time, with these places filled, it will require at least $3,500.00. Would that it were possible to raise twice this amount. The impression we must gain from these reports is that there has been commendable earnestness on the part of the missionaries, and encouraging results; that there has been done much extra-parochial work by those whose cures are already exacting; that the clergy seem to have caught the missionary spirit of their leader, and are willing and ready to do all in their power to minister to congregations unable to support a clergyman, to open up new fields of labor, and to spread the cause of Christ and His Church in this great State of Indiana. We should feel grateful that this is so. It evinces zeal on the part of the husbandmen, and is also a recognition of the fact, that the work of our Diocese is essentially missionary in its character. And yet, as we think of the many square miles which are embraced within the boundaries of this vast commonwealth, the immense and fast growing population, being called hither by the many natural resources of the State, the scores of towns of fifteen hundred and upwards where the Church is not known, or scarcely known, we must feel that the work has hardly begun; that there are possibilities almost overwhelming in their scope and importance. Were the pressing needs of the immediate present met, we should see the lists of our clergy doubled, and in each Convocational district a general missionary going from place to place, gathering the scattered flock, and preparing the way for the upbuilding of the Church. Yet, with our present instrumentalities we must struggle on, feeling that whatever earnestness and zeal we may show are not without their fruits. We may be doing little more than breaking up the fallow ground, removing the stones, eradicating the thorns, and planting a few seed here and there, working for the future, as well as the present, and the encourging accounts which come from many quarters are harbingers of the good harvest of many fold, which our beloved Diocese will at one time reap, if we faint not, neither are weary. Respectfully submitted, for the committee, JAMES D. STANLEY. The Bishop, after a few remarks, introduced the Rev. Charles Morris, who was followed by the Rev. Walter Scott, Rev. F. J.Mallett, Rev. Otway Colvin, and Rev. W. H. Morris, each of whom spoke earnest words in behalf of missions. The offerings of the congregation were then received for Diocesan Missions. After suitable collects, the Convention adjourned. DAVID BUEL KNICKERBACKER, ATTEST: Willis Stangle Secretary. President. |