Bishop’s Address
The Rt. Rev. John Watrous Beckwith
2nd Bishop of Georgia
Given at St. Philip’s Church in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14^th, 1884

Brethren of the Clergy and Laity:

April 6th, 1883. I consecrated Calvary Church, Americus. The Rev. Mr. Winchester preached the sermon, and I was assisted in the services by Rev. Mr. Winchester and Rev. Mr. Beckwith.

April 13th. Whit Sunday. I held morning service, assisted by the clergy, administered the Holy Communion and made an address in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

April 20th. Trinity Sunday. I held morning service, assisted by the clergy; baptized two infants, administered Holy Communion and made an address, in the same Church.

June 3d. I held morning service, assisted by the clergy, and made an address in the same Church.

June 13th. I performed the marriage service in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

It may be remembered that at your last meeting you were good enough to suggest that I should take six months rest for the benefit of my health. In July and August I visited Chicago and other places in the West, and, in company with the Bishop of Minnesota and others, went into Canada, on the North shore of Lake Superior. I am thankful to say that I recovered so rapidly from my throat trouble that I was able to hold several services during my two months absence, and on September 2d, I was again at home and held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Beckwith; made an address, and administered Holy Communion in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

September 9th. I held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hunt, and preached in St. Philip’s, Atlanta.

September 11th. I received the letter dimissory of Rev. C. W. Freeland from the Diocese of Connecticut.

October 3d. I attended the opening services of the General Convention in Christ Church, Philadelphia.

October 20th. I attended the consecration of the Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. D., as assistant Bishop of New York. The services were held in Grace Church, New York.

November 4th. I held morning service, assisted by the clergy; preached and made an address in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta. In the afternoon of the same day, I read the funeral service, assisted by Mr. Beckwith, in St. Luke’s Cathedral.

November 8th. I confirmed, in private, one, in Atlanta. November 11th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Wingate; preached, confirmed eight, and made an address in St. Paul’s Macon. In the evening I held service, assisted by the missionary in charge, the Rev. Mr. Winn, and the Rev. Mr. Winchester; confirmed six, and made an address in St. Barnabas Mission, Macon. Since my last visit to this mission, the Master has come and called to Himself Mrs. I. C. Plant, a Mother in Israel, a noble Christian woman, true hearted, single minded. Her time, her energies and her means, she devoted to the Master and to His Church. She had been identified with this mission from the day of its foundation, and its unusual success was largely due, under God, to her care and energy. Would that her example might be followed in every Parish in this Diocese. It is a noble illustration of what God will do, even when one individual is willing to devote to his Church a fair proportion of her or his gifts.

November 17th. I said the burial service, assisted by the Rev. Geo. Macaulay and Rev. C. M. Beckwith over the body of the Rev. Geo. W. Wilson, in St. Peter’s Church, Rome.

November 18th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Geo. Macauley, and Rev. J. B. Kennard; preached, confirmed three, and made an address in St. Mark’s, Dalton.

November 25th. I held service, assisted by the missionary in charge, Rev. J. B. Kennard; preached, confirmed two, and made an address in the mission in Cedartown.

November 29th. I performed the marriage service in St. John’s Church, Georgetown, D.C.

December 2d. I held service, assisted by Rev. Dr. Williams, and made an address in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

December 9th. I held service, assisted by Mr. Waller, Lay Reader; preached, baptized two infants, confirmed two persons, and made an address in St. Thomas, Thomasville.

December 13th. I held evening service and preached in the Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge.

December 16th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Pond; preached and confirmed five in St. Paul’s, Albany. In the evening I confirmed, in private, one, and baptized, in private, one infant.

December 23d. I held morning service, assisted by the missionary in charge, the Rev. Mr. Denniston; preached and confirmed one in the Presbyterian Church, in West Point.

December 2uth. Christmas Day. I held morning service, assisted by the Clergy; preached and confirmed seven in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta. On the same day I administered the Holy Communion, in private.

December 27th. I held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Beckwith; confirmed one, and made an address in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

December 30th. I held service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Leman; preached and administered the Holy Communion in St. Luke’s, Hawkinsville. In the evening I held service and made an address in the same Church.

January 3d, 1884. I ordained to the Priesthood, in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta, Rev. T. M. Nelson George. The candidate was presented by the Rev. E. C. Weed. I was assisted in the laying on of hands by Rev. W. C. Williams, D. D., Rev. E. C. Weed and Rev. C. M. Beckwith. I preached the sermon.

January 6th. I held morning service, assisted by Rev. Wm. Holly, the Rector; preached, confirmed three, and administered the Holy Communion in St. Andrew’s, Darien. In the evening I held service, confirmed three colored persons, and made an address in St. Cyprian’s, Darien.

January 13th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Lewis; preached, confirmed ten, and made an address in St Mark’s, Brunswick.

January 17th. I performed the marriage service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Williams and Weed, in St. Paul’s, Augusta.

January 20th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Winchester, and Rev. Messrs. Wingate and Winn I preached, confirmed eight, and made an address in Christ Church, Macon. After the service I confirmed one colored person, in private. In the afternoon I confirmed two persons, presented by Rev. Mr. Winn, and in the evening I held service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Winchester and Winn; confirmed five, and made an address in St. Barnabas Mission, Macon.

January 23d. I transferred Mr. Geo. E. Benedict, (Postulant,) to the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

January 27th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Hunter, and preached in Trinity Church, Columbus. In the afternoon I held service, confirmed four, and made an address in Trinity Chapel. In the evening I held service, confirmed sixteen, and made an address in Trinity Church, Columbus.

February 2d. I held evening service, assisted by the missionary in charge, the Rev. Mr. George, and the Rev. Mr. Stoney; preached and confirmed three, in the Presbyterian Church, Sparta. The same day I confirmed, in private, one person, in Sparta.

February 3d. I held morning service, preached, confirmed four, and administered the Hold Communion, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Stoney, in St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville.

February 10th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Weed: preached and confirmed twenty, in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville.

February 11th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Weed and Walker; preached and confirmed two, in the Mission at Belair. In the evening of the same day, I baptized one infant ill the Church of the Good Shepherd, Summerville. On the 7th of this month I received notice from Rev. W. C. Williams, Mr. Z. D. Harrison and Mr. Thomas E. Walker, Financial Committee of the Corporation of the Diocese, that they had made a special deposit to my credit, in the Atlanta National Bank, of ten bonds of the State of Georgia, of $500.00 each, and $12.26 in money, being the amount in full of the Legacy of $5,000.00 left by Mrs. Mary G. Harrison, for the building and support of a Church for the colored people in the City of Augusta.

February 17th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Boone; preached and confirmed sixteen in Christ Church, Savannah. On the l8th, I confirmed, in private, three, presented by the Rev. Mr. Boone.

February 20th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Andrew; confirmed two colored persons, and made an address in St. Augusta’s Mission, Savannah.

February 22d. I held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Freeland, missionary in charge, and Rev. Messrs. Boone and Strong; confirmed fifteen, and made an address in St. Matthew’s, Savannah. It was a great pleasure to mark the growth of this Mission under the energetic working of Mr. Freeland. I trust it will not be long ere his efforts will be rewarded by the building a new Church, worthy of the Mission and its future.

February 23d. I held morning service, assisted by the missionary in charge, Rev. Mr. Dunlop, and Rev. Messrs. Boone and Andrew; confirmed nine colored persons, and made an address in St. Mark’s Mission Church, on the Ogeechee.

February 24th. I held early morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Strong, and Rev. Messrs. Boone and Freeland; confirmed twenty eight, and made an address in St. John’s, Savannah. At eleven o’clock I held service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Strong and Rev. Mr. Pinkerton, and preached in the same Church. In the evening, I held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Andrew, and a number of the clergy; confirmed twenty-five colored persons, and made an address in St. Stephens’, Savannah.

February 2oth. I gave canonical consent to the consecration of Rev. Alfred A. Watson, D. D., as Bishop of East Carolina.

February 27th, 28th, and March 5th, 6th. I held services and made addresses in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

March 9th. I held morning and evening services, assisted by Rev. Mr. Andrew; preached twice, and confirmed four, in the Court-house, in Waycross. Here a new mission is about to be established. The field is very promising, and I have reason to believe, that very soon, regular services will be held there, and a new Church built upon the lot which has already been secured through the devotion and energy of a few faithful women.

March 12th. I lectured in St. Luke’s Cathedral, Atlanta.

March 15th. I held evening service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Davis, and made a short address in Emmanuel Church, Athens.

March 16th. I held service, preached and confirmed ten, in same Church. In the evening, I held service, assisted by Mr. Davis; confirmed five, and made an address in St. Mary’s, Athens. During the same evening I held a short service and made an address in a private house in Athens.

March 19th, 20th. I lectured in St. Luke’s Cathedral.

March 28d. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Williams, and Rev. Mr. Walker ; preached and confirmed fifteen in St. Paul’s, Augusta. In the evening, 1 held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Walker, and Rev. Mr. Williams; preached and confirmed eighteen in the Church of the Atonement, Augusta.

March 26th, 27th. I lectured in St. Luke’s Cathedral.

March 28th. I held evening service, assisted by the missionary in charge, Rev. Mr. George; preached and confirmed one, in the Church of the Mediator, Washington.

March 30th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Knowles, and preached in the Church of the Redeemer, Greensboro. After service. I confirmed, in private, one person.

March 31st. I held evening service, assisted by the missionary in charge. Rev. Mr. George, and preached in the Church of the Advent, Madison.

April 2d, 3d. I lectured in the Cathedral.

April 6th. I held morning service, assisted by the missionary in charge. Rev. Mr. Kennard ; preached and confirmed three, in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cave Springs.

April 7th. I baptized three children and performed the marriage service in St. Luke’s Cathedral.

April 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th. I lectured in the Cathedral.

April 13th. Easter Day. I held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hunt, and preached and confirmed, twelve in St. Philip’s, Atlanta. In the evening I held service, assisted by the Rt. Rev., the Bishop of Minnesota, and the clergy; preached and confirmed twenty seven, in the Cathedral. It was our great happiness to have Bishop Whipple with us on Easter Day. His coming is always a joy to us, and we cannot but hope that it may be his pleasure to favor us with his presence and cheering words in the future.

April 14th. I confirmed two, in the Cathedral.

April 15th. I confirmed one, in the same Church.

April 20th. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Dowe; preached and confirmed three, and made an address, in St. George’s, Griffin.

April 24th. I attended a meeting of the Bishops, in the Chantry of Grace Church, New York City, and took part in the election of Rev. Wm. Jones Boone, as Missionary Bishop of China, and Rev. Land D. Ferguson, (colored Priest) as Missionary Bishop of Africa.

May 4th. I baptized one adult and three children, held service, assisted by missionary in charge, Rev. Mr. McConnell; preached, confirmed four, and administered the Holy Communion, in Ascension Church, Cartersville

May 8th. I transferred to the Diocese of Connecticut, Mr. Wm. T. Elmer, (Postulant)

May llth. I held service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Leman, Deacon in charge; preached, confirmed six, made an address and administered the Holy Communion, in St. James. Marietta.

May 12th. I confirmed four, in St. Luke’s Cathedral.

On the 29th of April, the Rt. Rev., the Bishop of Minnesota, did me the favor to baptize four children and one adult, and confirm three persons, in St. Thomas, Thomasville.

I have received notice from the Wardens and Vestry that the Rev. R. C. Foute resigned the Rectorship of St. Philip’s Church, on February 20th, 18S4. The Wardens have also informed me that the Vestry has asked Rev. Jas. G. Armstrong, D. D., Rector of Monumental Church, Richmond Virginia, to take charge of the Parish, and that the Doctor has consented to do so and to be with us by the 15th of June. I am glad to say that when upon several occasions, during the years that are past, I assisted Parishes in other Dioceses in their efforts to induce Dr. Armstrong to be their Rector, I little thought that the good fortune, which I intended for others, was in store for a Parish in my own Diocese.

My traveling expenses during the year have been only $60.00. This simply means that the officers of the various railroads in Georgia have, in their great kindness, sent me annual passes. I think that this should be considered as a contribution by the railroad officials of several hundred dollars to the Diocese, and should be acknowledged as such.

During the past year the Rev. Samson D. Laney, (Deacon,) and the Rev. George W. Wilson, (Priest,) of this Diocese, have passed away from us and entered into rest.

For many years Mr. Laney had taken no part in the practical work of the ministry; his days were spent in quiet seclusion in a village near the City of Columbus. He led a quiet, Christian life, beloved of his family, and respected of his neighbors, and in a good old age he was gathered to his Fathers.

Mr. Wilson had been with us only some three years. He came to us a stranger, a Northern man, from a Northern Diocese, and with the opinions and sentiments natural to one who, as a soldier in the lute civil war, had done what he believed to be his duty against the very people among whom he now came to minister as a Priest. He brought with him the credentials of the Church. In the minds of Church people these are the highest of all testimonials, and, therefore, he was received as God’s officer sent to deliver the Master’s message to undying souls. Nor was he unfaithful to his trust. Upright, honest, brave and true, he went in and out among his people, delivering the message patiently and fearlessly, and striving in his daily life to illustrate the truth of the doctrine he taught. His devotion as a Parish Priest and the love of his people for him as a man and minister, were a noble proof of the power of our mother, the Church, to banish from the hearts of her children the prejudices and the bitternesses even of bloody civil strife. When they kneel before her altars, they are the children of a common father, members of a common household of faith, and loving each other for the sake of that great love which sent the Only Begotten Son to die that they might be saved. His services will long be remembered, and in his death many feel that they have lost a true friend and a faithful spiritual guide.

In the month of June last, the Church and the State stood as mourners, in a common grief, beside the grave of the Hon. Charles J. Jenkins. The fame of Gov. Jenkins is and will remain a part of the glory of the State of Georgia, while his private life as a Christian gentleman must ever be held among the precious treasures of the Church. For many years he served the State in her Legislative halls, at the bar, on the bench, and as her chief executive. Prominent among the politicians, distinguished among her statesmen, he passed through times of high political excitement and the years of fierce civil strife, with a record as free from the slain of injustice to others as it was unblemished by any suspicion of corruption or any accusation of selfishness. The duplicate in gold of the great seal which the State of Georgia presented him as evidence of her appreciation of his faithfulness and courage, is, at the same time, a witness to that uprightness and manliness in private life which found natural expression in public acts of purity, of self-forgetfulness and unflinching performance of duty. As a member of this Convention he brought to bear upon questions touching the welfare of the Church, that wisdom and ripe experience which distinguished him in the State. In his daily walk and conversation he was ever the courteous, gracious gentleman, p .re in thought as he was refined in expression; rebuking wrong ofttimes by a grave and serious silence more eloquent than words, and encouraging the right by a frank and hearty approval which increased self respect by giving it the strong argument of his sanction. Independent in the formation of his own opinions; considerate, in their expression, of the ignorance or the sensitiveness of others; entirely fearless in the discharge of duty, his manliness was never so attractive as when, with a child’s simplicity, he spoke of heavenly things, and, with a child’s unquestioning faith, he thanked God for the blessings which had filled his life, and looked forward to the future in the confidence of a certain hope T)a«ed upon the unmerited mercies of the Saviour whom he loved and worshipped. Glorious, indeed, would Lethe future of Georgia if her young men would take him as their model. Thankful should we he, my dear brethren, that such a man, next to his God, loved the Church, and that, in her teachings and under guidance, he found that peace which passeth understanding and that rest which remaineth to the people of God.

The general condition of tie Church in the Diocese is good. I know not whether it is a law of Diocesan Church life, or simply an effect of poverty, but certain it is, that the tendency of Church growth, strength and activity, is towards the centres of population. Contact of mind with mind, the ease and frequency of interchange of thought, the facility with which combinations are made and assistance given, the enthusiasm begotten of a loving emulation, the wisdom gained by observation, and the advantages derived from the experiences of others; these are causes, the constancy and potency of which, seem well nigh sufficient to make a law of growth. Under such influences, apparently, the Church is rooting her self strongly, and making herself felt in the cities among the poor as well as the rich ; among the ignorant as well as the cultivated, and among the vicious, as well as the virtuous. At the same time, quite a number of our missionary posts, and some few of our missionary Parishes are vacant. There are places where the contributions are so small, that, when added to the amounts appropriated by the Board of Missions, the sum is still entirely inadequate to the support of a minister. The remedy for this—if remedy there be—I must leave to your wisdom. The problem has thus far defied my solution. Dalton, Gainesville, Madison, Washington, Sparta, Americus, Thomasville and Bainbridge, are vacant. The reports of the Deans will give you lull information as to their condition. On St. Simon’s Island, in Eastman and Waycross, Missions will soon be opened, and arrangements have been made for services there, which, I believe, will make no additional demand upon the finances of the Diocese.

If now, I should attempt to give a brief statement of the condition of the Diocese, I would say: Growth, strength, activity in the centres; comparative weakness in the extremities. If we realize that we are all one body, this should not discourage us. If any of the members suffer, the entire body should sympathize. If the heart be healthy and strong, it should all the more gladly distribute its life blood to the members which are dependent upon it. Under such circumstances the centres will rejoice to give of their abundance, that the weaker places may be strengthened and the entire body rejoice in abounding life and strength. I may be mistaken, yet I do not hesitate to record my belief, that we have nearly, if not quite, reached a point when all the Parishes of this Diocese are willing to do their utmost to aid the Church in her missionary work. In the past, we have had differences and dissensions; I believe they are things of the past, and in the past I trust they will remain until the dust of ages shall cover them, and they shall be forgotten forever.

The Appleton Church Home, under the loving care of Sister Margaret and her associates, continues patiently and unobtrusively to do its good work of blessing orphan girls. During the past year, six new children have be»n received, and two more are daily expected, and seven have been provided with homes, where they are supporting themselves. There are at this time twenty-two orphans in the Home. Last year the Parishes contributed $216.63; this year they have contributed $419.65. Add to this, contributions from individuals or Parishes sending children, $348.00, and the total contributions of the Diocese amount to $767.65. Some few of my clerical brethren have thought that the amounts contributed by “individuals and Parishes sending children,” should have been mentioned as Diocesan contributions in my report last year. I have done it in this report; not because I am convinced by their arguments, but because I am influenced by their wishes. The increase in the contributions of the Parishes shows a growth in the interest felt in this work of love and mercy. The Central Society, organized at the suggestion of the last Convention, in the congregations of Christ Church and St. Paul’s, Macon, has done noble work during the past year, and will, I trust, send a separate report to this Convention. The influence of this organization is being felt throughout the Diocese, and if the members will not weary in well doing, good results will soon follow, and the Home will become, as it deserves, the valued and trusted agent of the Diocese for caring for the friendless and homeless. By resolution of the Convention, a collection is to be taken in every Parish for the support of the Home, on Whit Sunday, which, this year, falls upon the 1st day of June. I respectfully beg my brethren to have it in mind, and by due notice, give the congregations the opportunity of helping us to care for these, the Lord’s little ones. We are greatly need of one or two faithful women to aid the Sisters in this work. Will you not, my dear brethren, bear this in mind, and assist me to find earnest-minded women who are willing to give their lives to this work for the blessed Master’s sake?

In October last, as you are aware, the General Convention met in the City of Philadelphia. Nearly one hundred years before, viz.: in 1785, in the same city and in the very Church in which our opening services were held, the General Convention was organized. It is strange to notice how men have forgotten the history of that organization, and under the influence of a national government which did not exist until 1789, have adopted views as to the powers of the Convention which seem to have been unknown to those who formed it. The preface to the Prayer-book lays down the principle that national independence includes ecclesiastical independence, and so, when the colonies became independent of the English Government, the Church was freed from the authority of the English Church. More than this, when the colonies became independent of England, they also became independent of each other. They became Sovereign Slates, each State being an independent Republic, with its Constitution, Legislature, judiciary and chief executive. This carried with it the independence of the Churches in the individual States, and upon this principle they acted. In 1783, the Church in Maryland issued its ” Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Liberties.” In 1784, Connecticut obtained from the Scottish Bishops the consecration of her first Bishop, and when invited to become a member of the General Convention, in 1789, declined to do so until certain changes should be made in the Constitution, which changes being made that independent Church became a member of the Convention by simply signing the Constitution. So soon as it was possible the Church in each State organized an independent government with a Constitution, Legislature, (or Convention,) Ecclesiastical Court and Bishop, (or Chief Executive.)

The States, for mutual protection, etc., etc., organized a Confederation with written articles of agreement and a Legislature, (or Congress.) It was under this Government our fathers in the American Church lived at the time they organized the General Convention, and this seems to have been the model which they followed in forming the Church government under which we live.

Under the Confederation there were written articles of agreement; in the Convention, a written Constitution. Under the former there was a Congress of one House; under the latter a Legislature of one House, (for the Bishops did not sit as a separate House until 1789.) Under the Confederation there was no Supreme Court, and there is no Supreme Court in the Church. Under the Confederation there was no Chief Executive or President of the United States; in the Church” there is no Chief Executive. Under the Confederation the State Courts were without appeal and the Governors were the only executives; in the Church the Diocesan Courts are without appeal and the Bishops are the only executives. It is very observable that while each Diocese has its Constitution, Legislature, Courts and Executive—thus forming a distinct and complete government, the General Convention has only a Constitution and Legislature. Just so was it with the States under the Confederation. As the States confederated for the purpose of mutual protection, etc., and in their articles of agreement gave to Congress such powers as were deemed needful to accomplish such purpose; so the Dioceses formed a union for the distinctly declared purpose, (set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution in 1785.) “of maintaining uniformity in doctrine, discipline and worship in the said Church,” and in order that such uniformity might be preserved, they declared ” that there shall be a General Convention,” and to this Convention they gave a Constitution bestowing such powers as were deemed needful to accomplish such purpose. Given, therefore, Dioceses with Constitutions, Legislatures, Courts and Executives on the one hand, and a General Convention, (created by the Dioceses for the specified purpose of maintaining uniformity in doctrine, discipline and worship, and for that purpose alone,) with only a Constitution and Legislature on the other hand; and the question to be answered is: How can such a Convention have supreme power over such Dioceses; and how such power can be shown .” to rest in the General Convention by reason of its inherent sovereignity?” For the maintaining the above mentioned uniformity the Convention is supreme by virtue of powers bestowed upon it for that purpose by the Dioceses which created it; but to be supreme in other matters and to claim inherent sovereignity, seems to me to be an imagination as unwarranted by history as it is contradictory of sound reason.

When the States, under the Confederation, found by experience that they could not live under a government which has justly been styled “a Mummy clad in robes of State,” the Congress did not attempt to mend matters by claiming supreme power and arguing about inherent sovereignty; they frankly acknowledged that the Government as existing, was unequal to the necessities of the times; they called a Constitutional Convention, and in 1789, produced the Constitution of the United States. This new Constitution was submitted to each sovereign State; each State, acting for itself, accepted it, and thus the present Government was formed. The Church did not follow the example of the States, she was satisfied with her Ecclesiastical Confederation, and though men may call it, if they like, “a Mummy, clad in robes of State,” it is the only Government we have, and while it lasts, the Dioceses should be faithful to it in its efforts to maintain uniformity in doctrine, discipline and worship: and it should be faithful to the Dioceses by respecting their rights and being content with its own powers.

The time of the General Convention which met in Philadelphia in October last, was largely occupied in an examination and discussion of “the Report of the Joint Committee on the Book of Common Prayer.” It has long been felt by many Church people, that our services needed “enrichment.” and flexibility, and this committee was appointed, in 1880, to report such additions and changes as might meet this need. “The report is exceedingly able, and after being fully discussed, and quite a number of changes being made, was adopted. The General Convention, which will meet in 1886, will take final action upon it, and if then adopted, its use will be obligatory upon the Church, in the United States. It is very much to be hoped that the report as adopted by the Convention, will be published, so that the Dioceses may hare an opportunity of examining it before its final rejection or adoption. It is impossible, in this address, to give you any adequate idea of the changes and additions proposed by the committee. The Doctrines of the Church have been sacredly guarded, many new prayers and thanksgivings have been added, new services have been introduced, to be used at the discretion of the minister. The Morning and Evening Prayer, the Litany and the Ante Communion, can be used as separate services. The Confirmation service has been so enlarged as to form a suitable separate service, without being, as it now is, an addition to the Morning or Evening Prayer. Some changes have been made, for the better, in some of the Rubrics, especially in the Rubric before the Apostle’s Creed. This astonishing Rubric, whose history I think it may fortunately be said, no man knoweth, did absolutely authorize Churches to omit a clause in the Apostle’s Creed. It is an evidence of what men can do, and of what Churches can endure, and live. Taking it for granted that this report of the committee will be accessible to all, I can only urge upon you the importance of obtaining copies so soon as you can, and giving the work such patient examination as will enable you to decide whe her the action of this Diocese, in 1886, shall be left entirely in the hands of your representatives, or shall be guided by your instructions.

Some months since, I received from the Lord Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, an invitation to be present in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the month of October next, at the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Consecration, by the Bishops of Scotland, of Samuel Seabury, D. D., first Bishop of Connecticut, and first Bishop of the American Church. It was with profound regret that, in thanking his Lordship for his very cordiAl invitation, I felt compelled to state to his Lordship that circumstances beyond my control, seemed to render it necessary that I should deny myself what, could I have accepted the invitation, would have been one of the greatest pleasures of my life.

Now and then, during the years that are past, I have called the attention of this Convention to the troubles which threatened the Church from the writings of men of science whose teachings attack the foundations of our faith. These writers think now that our religion has no more substantial foundation than an ignorant belief in ghosts and the unsubstantial stuff of which dreams are made. At first, Christian writers made the mistake of answering argument with abuse; then came a time when scientists grew proud of intellectual achievements, thought it wise to speak scornfully of religionists. Gradually the Christian world waked up to the importance of the impending crisis; the great scholars moved to the front; quarrellings and reproaches were sent to the rear, and now the giants are in the field, the battle is joined, and the thoughtful intelligence of the age looks on, and with anxiety awaits the issue. It is a glorious thing to live in these days. As I read, first one side and then the other, I cannot but thank God that I am a member of our ancient branch of the Church Catholic. Her banners are all upon the outer wall; her leaders, with one hand, do their work to build up the walls of our Jerusalem, and with one hand they hold a weapon—the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. What is our duty? In this great struggle for the faith once for all delivered to the saints; in this mighty battle for the undying souls of men, what can we do? The answer is simple; the work is vast and overwhelming. Our duty is, in season and out of season to preach “Christ crucified.” He may be a stumbling block to the Jews) for they hope to see the sceptre restored to Judah. He may be foolishness to the Greeks, or Gentiles, for they demand a wisdom which can be examined by their reason and analyzed by the chemistry of human experiment; but we know that to them which are called, He is the power of God and the wisdom of God; and our challenge to the world is: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether He speak of Himself.” God help us to be true to this. Our appeal is not to human wisdom, but to experience; that experience which brings knowledge as the result of obedience. Yours respectfully,

JOHN W. BECKWITH.