Bishop’s Address of 1873

BISHOP’S ADDRESS.
The Rt. Rev. John Watrous Beckwith 

BRETHREN OF THE CLERGY AND LAITY:

May 9, 1872. I held evening service with the. Bishop of-Tennessee, assisted by several of the Clergy, and confirmed one in Trinity church, Columbus.

May 10. I received letter dimissory of Rev. Edward Denniston from the Diocese of Tennessee. On the evening of the same day I was present at a missionary meeting held in Trinity church, Columbus, and made an address.

May 12. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Dr. Williams, of Rome, in Christ church, Savannah. In the evening held service, assisted by Dr. Williams, and preached in the same church.

May 14. Received notice of the deposition from the sacred ministry of Josiah F. Curtis, Priest, of the Diocese of Kentucky.   

May 15. Held evening; service in Christ church, Savannah.        

May 18. I deposed, in accordance with Canon 5, § 1, Title II, of the Digest, from the sacred ministry, John M. Mitchell, D. D., Priest, of the Diocese of Georgia, in Christ church, Savannah.

May 19. Held morning service and administered the Holy Communion, assisted by Rev. Chas. Coley, in Christ church, Savannah. In the evening held service in the same church, assisted by Mr. Coley and Rev. Dr. Williams, and preached.

May 20. Held morning service in the same church.

May 21. Hold morning service in the same church.

May 22. Held evening service and baptized three children in same church.

May 23. Baptized in private one child in Savannah.

May 24. Baptized in private one child in Savannah. Baptized two children same day in Christ church, Savannah.

May 26. Trinity Sunday. Held morning service and administered Holy Communion in Christ church, Savannah. In the afternoon of the same day I performed the burial service in Savannah. In the evening I held service and preached in Christ church, Savannah.

May 29. Held service and baptized four children in Christ church, Savannah.

June 1. I gave my canonical consent to the formation of the new Parish of St. Matthew’s, in Savannah.

June 2. Held service and administered Holy Communion in Christ church, Savannah. In the evening of the same day I held service and preached in the same church.

June B. Received notice of deposition from the sacred ministry of Wm. H. Milburn, Priest, of the Diocese of Vermont.

June 5. Held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. E. Weed; baptized one child; confirmed one adult, and addressed the candidate in the church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta. In the evening I held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. William H. Clarke, and Rev. Mr. Weed; confirmed five, and addressed the candidates in St. Paul’s, Augusta.

June 7. Held evening service in Christ church, Savannah.

June 8. Performed the burial service in Savannah.

June 9. Held morning service and preached in Christ church, Savannah. Held evening service in the same church.

June 12. Held service and baptized three children in Christ church, Savannah. Performed the burial service the same day.

June 13. Buried one person in Savannah. Also the same day I confirmed in private one colored man, and administered to him the Holy Communion, in Savannah.

June 14. Held evening service in Christ church, Savannah.

June 16. Held morning and evening services in the same church.

June 17. Baptized in private one child.

Jane 19. Held confirmation service in St. John’s, Savannah ; confirmed six, and addressed the candidates.

June 21. Held service and baptized one infant in Christ church, Savannah.

June 23. Held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. C. Dowe, and Rev. Dr. Benedict ; preached ; confirmed six, and addressed the candidates in St. George’s, Griffin.

June 24. Confirmed in private one in Griffin.

June 25. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. R. W. B. Elliott; baptized one child, and preached in Newman.

June 26. I attended an interesting meeting of the “Brotherhood of St. Philip’s,” in Atlanta.

June 28. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Drysdale, and preached in LaGrange.

June 30. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Macaulay, and Messrs. Elliott, Thomas and Drysdale; preached; administered Holy Communion, and confirmed four in St. Luke’s, Atlanta. In the evening of the same day I held service, assisted by the same Reverend brethren; preached; confirmed thirteen, and addressed the candidates in St. Philip’s, Atlanta.

July 2. Held morning service, assisted by the Missionary, Rev. Sam’l Pinkerton, and preached in the Court House in Cartersville. I rejoice to state that the few churchmen in this flourishing town are determined to build a church. The ground has been purchased and the building is in process of erection. Their means are small. The opening for the church is such as to commend this good work to the hearty sympathy and aid of all good churchmen.

July 3. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Pinkerton, and preached in Kingston.

July 4. Held morning service, assisted by Mr. Pinkerton, and preached in the Court House in Calhoun.

July 7. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Dr. Williams, and Rev. Mr. Gibson; confirmed twenty-one; addressed the candidates, and administered the Holy Communion in St. Peter’s, Rome. The same day I confirmed in private one in Rome. In the evening I held service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Williams and Gibson, confirmed one, and addressed the candidates in St. Peter’s, Rome. I had made appointments to visit Cave Springs and Dalton, Marietta, Madison, Greensboro, Washington and Athens, but my health utterly failed me, and by advice of a physician I re-called my appointments and left the State in search of rest and strength.

July 10. I reached the University of the South and was present at the regular meeting of the Trustees. Such has been the improvement in every respect of this church institution, that I heartily commend it to the Diocese. Great as has been and is its success, its deserts are, I think, greater still. As an institution for the training of the minds, souls and manners of boys and young men it is, I think, unsurpassed in this country.

Aug. 4. I administered the Holy Communion, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Geo. Wildes, in Christ church, Riverdale, New York.

Aug. 18. I read morning service, but was too sick to preach, in the Glenn House in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Aug. 25. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Dr. Conrad, of New York, and preached in the “Profile House,” in the White Mountains.

Aug. 25. Received letter dimissory from the Diocese of Kentucky of Mr. R. C. Foute, candidate for Deacon’s and Priest’s Orders.

Aug. 28. Received letter dimissory from the Diocese of Illinois of Rev. Wm. H. Williams.

Aug. 29. Received notice of deposition from the sacred ministry of James Kent Stone, Priest, and Wm. Maurice Salt, Deacon, of the Diocese of Western New York; also of Charles S. Stick, of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

Sept. 1. Administered Holy Communion, assisted by the Rector, in Christ church, Riverdale, New York.

Sept. 15. Held service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hooper, of New York, and Rev. Mr. Howse, of New Jersey, and preached in Christ church, Riverdale.

Sept. 18. Upon request of the Bishop I gave letter dimissory to the Diocese of Tennessee, to the Rev. Alex. I. Drysdale, Deacon.

Oct. 6. Held service, assisted by the Rector, preached and administered Holy Communion in Christ church, Riverdale.

Oct. 20. Held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Dr. Potter, and preached in Grace church, New York.

Oct. 25. Received notice of deposition from the sacred ministry of Jesse A. Penniman, Priest, of the Diocese of New Jersey.

Oct. 31. Received notice of deposition from the sacred ministry of Wm. Wallace Hibben, Deacon, of the Diocese of Indiana. I attended a special meeting of the House of Bishops, called to elect missionary Bishops to Africa and Niobrara. The Rev. Jno. Gottlieb Auer was elected for Africa, and the Rev. Wm. Hobart Hare, D. D., for Niobrara.

Nov. 1. Received notice of the rejection, by the Bishop of Ohio, of application for candidateship for Holy Orders, of Robt. L. Anderson.

Nov. 3. Held service, assisted by the Rector, preached and administered Holy Communion in Christ church, Riverdale. The same day, with consent of the Rector, I baptized, in private, one adult.

Nov. 5. I gave canonical consent to the division of the Diocese of North Carolina.

Nov. 10. Held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Atkins,  and preached in St. John’s, Georgetown, D. C.

Nov. 17. I attended a meeting of the Savannah Convocation and delivered an address in Christ church, Savannah.

Nov. 18. I took part in the services of this Convocation, in St. Matthew’s church, Savannah.

Nov. 19. I again took part in the service of this Convocation, held in St. John’s church, Savannah, and preached.

Nov. 20. I performed the marriage service, with consent of the Rector, in the church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta.          

Nov. 24. I held service, preached and ordained to the Diaconate Reverdy Estill, Wm. P. Kramer, lately a preacher in the Methodist church, and Robt. C. Foute, in St. Peter’s, Rome.  The candidates were presented by the Rector, Rev. Wm. C. Williams, D. D. The same day I confirmed in private two in Rome. The evening of the same day I held service in St. Peter’s, Rome, assisted by the Rector and the Rev. Messrs. Estill, Kramer and Foute, confirmed eleven and addressed the candidates.

Nov. 26. I held service, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Williams and Pinkerton, preached and confirmed two in the church of the Good Shepherd, Cave Springs.

Nov. 27. Held morning service, assisted by the missionary, Rev. R. C. Foute, and Rev. Dr. Williams, and confirmed one in St. Mark’s church, Dalton. In the evening held service in the same church, preached, confirmed thirteen and addressed the   candidates. This is a noble young Parish. Since Mr. Foute has been called to another field, the Rev. Mr. Pinkerton has been giving the Parish occasional services.          

Nov. 29. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Elliott,   Guilford, Hunt and Estill, preached, confirmed twelve and addressed the candidates in St. Phlip’s, Atlanta.           

Nov. 30. Administered the Holy Communion, assisted by Rev. Dr. Williams and Rev. Messrs. Elliott, Guilford and Estill, in St. Philip’s Atlanta ; after which I laid the corner stone of the new St. Philip’s church. This promises to be a most imposing building, worthy of that rapidly growing congregation, and of that flourishing and enterprising city. May the Master bless them in their good work.

Dec. 1. Held morning service, assisted by Rector Rev. Mr. Eppes and Rev. Mr. Pinkerton, preached and administered Holy Communion in St. James’ church; Marietta. In the evening held service, assisted by the same brethren, preached and confirmed four in the same church.

Dec. 8. Took part in the afternoon, service in St. John’s, Savannah. In the evening of the same day held service in Christ church, Savannah.

Dec. 15. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Lucas, and preached and administered Holy Communion in St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville. In the evening of the same day held service and preached and confirmed seven in the same church.

Dec. 18. Held evening service and baptized one child, by request of the Rector, in St. John’s, Savannah.

Dec. 20. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Coley, and delivered an address in Christ church, Savannah. This service was held at the request of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign parts; its object was to join all the churches of the Anglican Communion in prayer for the increase of Missionaries.

Dec. 23. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. H. K. Rees, preached, and confirmed five in St. Paul’s, Macon. In the afternoon I consecrated St. Barnabas Chapel, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Benj. Johnson, and Rev. Mr. Rees; delivered an address, and confirmed five in St. Barnabas chapel, Macon. This chapel is, under God, a monument to the faithful zeal of a few devoted christian women, who, for years past, under the guidance of their energetic Rectors, have labored among the poor. It only shows what can be done when the Laity become the active co-workers of the Rectors. In the evening of the same day I held service, assisted by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Rees, preached, and confirmed two in Christ church, Macon.

Dec. 25. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Coley and Stanley; delivered an address, confirmed ten and administered the Holy Communion in Christ church, Savannah. On the same clay I received the letter dimissory of Rev. Charles Ritter from the Diocese of Louisiana.

Dec. 29. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector and several of the Clergy; preached; confirmed ten; addressed the candidates, and administered the Holy Communion in St. Paul’s, Augusta. In the evening I held service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Clarke and Kramer; preached; confirmed five, and addressed the candidates in the Church of the Atonement, Augusta.

Jan. 1, 1873. Compelled by circumstances over which I had no control, I accepted the Rectorship of Christ church, Savannah.

Jan. 4. I confirmed in private one in Savannah.

Jan. 5. Held service and administered Holy Communion, assisted by Rev. Mr. Coley, in Christ church, Savannah. In the evening held service and preached in the same church.

Jan. 10. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Denniston, and preached in Zion church, Talbotton.

Jan. 12. Held service, preached and administered Holy Communion, assisted by Rector Rev. Mr. Hunter, in Trinity church, Columbus. In the evening held service, preached, confirmed eight, and addressed the candidates in the same church.

Jan. 14. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Boone ; preached; confirmed six, and addressed the candidates in Calvary church, Americus.

Jan. 15. Held morning service and administered Holy Communion, assisted by Mr. Boone, in the same church. In the evening held service in the same church and preached.

Jan. 16. Held evening service, assisted by Mr. Boone, and preached in the public hall in Cuthbert.

Jan. 17. Administered the Holy Communion and delivered an address in the same place. There is a fine opening here for the Church.

Jan. 19. Held morning service; assisted by Mr. Boone, and administered the Holy Communion Paul’s, Albany. In the evening held service in the same church, preached, confirmed four and addressed the candidates.

Jan. 21. I met the Savannah Convocation, held evening service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Brown, Benedict and Stanley ; preached; confirmed two, and addressed the candidates. in St. Thomas’ church, Thomasville.

Jan. 22. Held morning service, assisted by the same brethren, baptized one infant and administered the Holy Communion in the same church.

Jan. 23. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Stanley, and preached in Quitman.

Jan. 24. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Dr. Benedict and Rev. Mr. Dunlop, confirmed one and delivered an address in Valdosta.

Jam. 26. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Ritter; preached; confirmed seven, and addressed the candidates in St. Mark’s church, Brunswick. In the afternoon of the same day I laid the corner stone of the new church of St. Mark’s, and made a short address. In spite of many difficulties the energetic, self-denying Rector of this Parish has pushed forward the Work of building this church. Such devotion deserves success, and I doubt not, under God, will soon achieve it.

Feb. 2. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Chas. Coley, delivered an address and administered the Holy Communion in Christ church, Savannah. In the afternoon I held service at St. Augustine’s mission, Savannah, for colored people, assisted by Rev. J. Robt. Love, colored Deacon, in charge, and made an address. In the evening I held service; assisted by Rev. Mr. Stanley, and preached in Christ church, Savannah.

Feb. 7. I attended the funeral service of the Rev. Samuel Minns, colored Priest, of the English church, from the Diocese of Nassau. Mr. Minns had been for some time resident in Savannah, engaged in teaching and giving services to the Parish of St. Stephen’s. He was buried from that church. I was assisted in. this service by Rev. Mr. Stanley, of Savannah; and by a clergyman of Florida.

Feb. 9. Held service and preached in, Christ church, Savannah.

Feb. 16. Held service and preached in Christ church, Savannah: In the evening I held service in the same church.

Feb. 23. Held service and preached in Christ church, Savannah.

Feb. 26. This day being Ash Wednesday, the regular Lenten services began with morning prayer and an address. Each week day (with the exception of some five or six days, when I was occupied with funerals or was absent doing Episcopal work,) I held service in the afternoon, assisted by Rev. R. C. Foute, assistant minister of Christ church, and delivered an address in Christ church, Savannah, preaching every Sunday.

Feb. 27. I performed the marriage service in private.

March 9. Christ church, Savannah, received a very acceptable visit from the Rev. Messrs. Chandler and Rogers, who presented the claims of the Board of Domestic Missions. At the evening service a collection was made for domestic missions.

March 12. I performed the marriage service in St. John’s, Savannah.

March 20. Gave letter dimissory to Rev. Wm. H. Williams to the Diocese of Rhode Island.

March 21. Received notice of removal of Mr. Brooks Baker as candidate for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Albany.

March 30. Held evening service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Stanley, confirmed eight, and addressed the candidates in St. Matthew’s Parish, Savannah.

April 1. Held evening service, assisted by the Rector, Rev.. Mr. Clute; preached; confirmed thirteen, and addressed the candidates in St. Andrew’s church, Darien.

April 4. I received the letter dimissory of Rev. Alex. J. Drysdale; from the Diocese of Tennessee.

April 5. I confirmed in private one colored person, and administered the Holy Communion, assisted by Rev. Mr. Love. Held service in the afternoon, assisted by Rev. Mr. Love, confirmed eleven, addressed the candidates and administered the Holy Communion, at St. Augustine’s mission chapel, Savannah.

April 10. Received letter dimissory of Rev. Edward McClure, from the Diocese of Louisiana.

April 13. Easter Day.—Held early morning service at 7 o’clock in Christ church, Savannah. At 10-1/2 a. m. the Ante-Communion service was said in the same church. Twenty-two were confirmed by me. I addressed the candidates and administered the Holy Communion, assisted in the services by Rev. Mr. Foute. In the evening I held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Dr. Benedict and Rev. Mr. Philips, of the Diocese of Florida, preached and confirmed thirteen in St. John’s, Savannah.

April 15. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Clarke, Weed and Kramer, confirmed eight, addressed the candidates and administered the Holy Communion in St. Paul’s, Augusta. In the evening I held service, assisted by the same brethren, confirmed seven and addressed the candidates in the church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta.

April 16. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Clarke and Kramer, confirmed eighteen and addressed the candidates in the church of the Atonement, Augusta Mr. Kramer is working admirably, and God is blessing his labors with great success. While in Augusta my health again railed me, and I was compelled, by advice of a physician, to forego my appointed visits to Washington, Greensboro, Rome, Newnan and LaGrange.

April 20. I held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Drysdale, and Rev. Mr. Lucas, preached, confirmed twelve and addressed the candidates in Emmanuel church, Athens. The interior of this church has been much enlarged and greatly improved in both appearance and comfort. I believe that the vacancy caused by the death of the venerable Dr. Henderson has been well supplied, and I anticipate for the Parish, under God, a successful and blessed future. In the afternoon, at the request of the Rector, I baptized one infant in Emmanuel church. In the evening I held service, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Lucas and Drysdale, confirmed twenty-six and addressed the candidates in St. Mary’s chapel, Athens. The same evening, I gave my canonical consent to the organization of the new Parish of St. Mary’s, Athens, of which the Rev. Mr. Lucas is now Rector. The success of this mission, now St. Mary’s Parish, has been wonderful. It is eminently a Lay work. Would to God that we had more laymen who, appreciating their responsibilities to God and man, would give of their time, talents and means for the spread of the Gospel among the poor.

April 22. Held evening service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Knowles, and preached in the Church of the Advent, Madison.

April 24. Held evening service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Elliott, Mr. Estill, his assistant, and several others of the Clergy, confirmed twenty-one and lectured in St. Philip’s, Atlanta.

April 27. Held morning service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Dowe and Rev. Mr. Thomas, preached, confirmed thirteen and addressed the candidates in St. George’s, Griffin.

April 30. I received letter dimissory of Rev. Joseph S. Atwell, colored priest, from the Diocese of Virginia. Mr. Atwell is now Rector of St. Stephen’s church, Savannah.

May 4. Held service and administered Holy Communion, assisted by Rev. Mr. Foute, and delivered an address in Christ church, Savannah. In the evening held service and preached in same church.

May 11. Held service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Dunlop, missionary, preached, confirmed twenty-one colored persons and administered the Holy Communion at the Ogeechee mission. The missionary of the Savannah Convocation, Rev. Henry Dunlop, is laboring faithfully and with marked success among the colored people of this mission. Many who, since the war, have wandered away from the ancient fold are returning, and the influence of the church is being widely felt for good.

May 15. Received letter dimissory of Rev. W. M. Guilford, from the Diocese of Alabama.

May 18. Held morning service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Foute, and preached in Christ church, Savannah. In the afternoon held service, assisted by the Rector, Rev. Mr. Atwell, and Rev. Mr. Elliott, confirmed six and addressed the candidates in St. Stephen’s church, Savannah.

In the death of the Rev. Dr. Henderson, on the 2d of December, the Church in Georgia has suffered a great loss. He was a saintly man: gentle, loving, hind. I knew him well and loved him much. He was a thorough scholar and a faithful Parish Priest. His life was a living sermon. In imitation of his blessed Master, he went about doing good; and in his charities he obeyed that Master’s command, “let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” The poor rise up and call him blessed.

The number of confirmations since the last Convention is larger than during any year of my episcopate, except one. Had it been in my power to devote my whole time to the Diocese, I doubt not the number would have been by far the largest ever recorded in the history of the Diocese. Some of the small Parishes, too poor to support a Rector with a family, and unable to procure the services of an unmarried man, have been, during much of the year, without services : some of the most promising missionary fields have suffered from the same cause : add to this the fact that some of the larger Parishes have had troubles calculated to cause depression, and you will, I think, be prepared to appreciate truly the importance of the above statement as to the number of confirmations. I am profoundly impressed with the belief that the Church in this Diocese was never so vigorous and never before exhibited such a spirit of aggressiveness for the good of souls as at this time. Where she has heretofore seemed to exist by the toleration of the denominations around her, she now stands challenging examination, and claiming her rights as a pure branch of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church,

Thoughtful men are examining those claims without prejudice; the old idea that the Church is a Sect is passing away; men are learning that the Church of God is a divine institution, and therefore must be ancient and apostolic; they are remembering that St. Paul uttered an anathema against angel or man who should preach any other Gospel than he had preached, and are understanding therefore that the Faith is fixed and unalterable, and cannot be changed or added to either by a Provincial Council, calling itself universal, or by a Bishop, though styling himself, infallible. The result is what we had a right to expect, viz : The Church is growing, steadily and permanently. Divine in her origin; and bearing with her the promise “that the gates of hell shall not prevail against her ; she has only to be true to her Divine Head by teaching His doctrines fearlessly in love; holding fast to the faith once delivered to the Saints; maintaining the Apostolicity of her ministry; declaring that her sacraments are not mere forms, nor mere signs, but real means of real grace; laboring zealously among the poor and needy, and the glories of her future no man can prophecy ! Earnest souls longing for rest, searching for truth, desire pure, positive doctrine, and an ancient, durable institution. The Church is such an institution, and such are her doctrines ! Our duty is to be faithful to both.

The missions of the Diocese need your careful consideration. Missionary work is aggressive work. When the Church ceases to be aggressive she will stagnate; her mission is, as God’s instrument, to save souls. The quiet life and peaceful worship of the well-to-do Parish is very attractive, I know, and yet it may be but a repetition of the history of Sardis, having “a name that thou livest, and art dead.” The Parish can no more afford to neglect mission work than the man can to neglect physical exercise: it is necessary to its life! We have devised plans, we have passed resolutions to meet the missionary difficulty, and yet it still threatens us. While I am ready to act with the Convention in any plan your wisdom may propose, still I would most respectfully suggest that we have a plan which, if thoroughly worked, would settle forever this difficulty about Diocesan missions–I refer to the use of mite-boxes. If the Convention can induce the Parishes to use these boxes, our missionaries will be well cared for and the vacant fields will soon be supplied—the experiment of the last year proves this, I think, beyond a doubt.

“The Appleton Church Home” numbers now nineteen orphan girls, in the care of one “Sister.” We are greatly in need of the services of one or two faithful women to aid “Sister Margaret” in her noble work.  If I could find one more Christian woman to undertake this work, I would be able at once to obtain a perpetual increase of the income of the institution. The money has been promised so soon as the additional “Sister” is obtained. I beg you my brethren to aid me in this matter. I wish that you all could see this Home and examine its work. I believe that you would rejoice with me that God put it into the heart of its generous founder to build it in our midst.

I have mentioned the fact that small Parishes and missionary fields are deprived of the services of the Church, because of their inability to support a married man and the difficulty of finding unmarried men.  This is a serious matter; absolutely hindering the growth of the Church. Such being the case, I am sure you will pardon a few words of advice which I desire to offer the candidates for Holy Orders, and the Clergy who are beginning their ministry. Advice is an inexpensive gift, and for that reason has many generous givers, and for the same reason is not often valued. When advice, though based upon the careful observation of nearly a score of years, conflicts with our ambition or wishes, we are apt to make the advice contemptible by calling it “old fogyism,” and then dismiss it because it is contemptible. Trouble and regret, in after life, is the revenge which Truth takes for such treatment.

Young men, just ordained, if gifted with any of those talents which make men popular, are apt to receive “desirable calls!” This is especially the case when churches are most numerous and wealth most abundant. A Parish large enough to demand all of a young man’s time, and more than all of his ability, gives him “a call,” and because it seems desirable he accepts it. He could not, I think, do a much more unwise thing! It matters not how thorough may have been his training in the seminary, his clerical education is still very incomplete; he has, as yet, studied but little in the great school of experience; and without a knowledge of men, he must be rarely gifted if he does not soon discover that his theological learning is of but little use to him when he tries to influence men in their daily lives, in their business, their pleasures, their vices and their troubles. In his new work he finds his time fully occupied, and an incessant demand made upon his mind to meet the wants of his people—consequently he has no time for self-improvement: Ere long he finds himself unequal to his task, and, as a rule, leaves it for a smaller charge, and, in smaller charges, spends the rest of his life. Had he been wise; he would have refused “the desirable call” and begun his ministry in a Parish small enough to give him time to study and to write sermons, and having shown himself faithful here, he would, in due time, by God’s good Providence, be called to larger fields, and, when called, would be equal to his duties. The future usefulness of many a promising young man has been sadly impaired by his undertaking too large a work in the beginning of his ministry. I earnestly advise those of my young brethren, who desire to spend lives of ever increasing usefulness in the Church, to devote the first five years of their ministerial life to small Parishes: Much observation satisfies me that this is best for the Church and best for the man.

Of another matter I desire to say a word. If a young man undertakes too large a work, he gradually falls back into a smaller work; if he begin with a small charge he should go forward to fields of more extended usefulness. If in his large work he have the cares and expense of a family, then when compelled to take a smaller Parish he only increases his troubles and his poverty; if in the small work he begin with a family, then he begins with poverty; poverty gives but little time or heart for mental improvement, and while his expenses need a large Parish, his experience and ability cannot command one, and therefore he remains in poverty! I consider marriage in a young clergyman, before he has had experience in Parish work, before he has accumulated a goodly number of carefully written sermons, before he has proved his usefulness and made for himself a reputation for faithfulness and ability in the Church, to be, in perhaps the majority of cases, simply suicidal! You rarely find a business man with a salary of $500 or $1,000 encumbering himself with a family; his income is too small and too uncertain. While I much fear that my advice will not be considered as applicable, still I venture, most earnestly, to give it. I urge my young brethren, until they can support a family, to avoid matrimony. If life is to be long, there will be time enough for the joys of a home when you can endure its expense; if life is to be short, it is simply heart-breaking to think of the distress and poverty which await those who will be left.

I desire to ask your attention to a matter of, I great importance to the Church in Georgia and in the entire South. I commend it to your most earnest examination.

The population of this State is over one million, of this number about four hundred thousand are colored people. Does the Church owe a duty to this people ? If so, how can she best perform that duty? There is no difficulty as to the first question, the Church does owe them a duty;—the second is full of difficulty. I do not propose to discuss it: my desire is to induce you to think of it. Notice this fact—the colored population of Georgia equals, by census of 1870, in round numbers, the population of Nebraska; Oregon and Washington mission; Colorado mission, including Wyoming and New Mexico; and Nevada mission, including Arizona. In these missions there are now four Bishops, Why should not the Church send a missionary Bishop to these four hundred thousand colored people?

If a careful examination of this matter should lead you to the conclusion that the Church can in this way beat prepare for and meet her duties to these people, we may be able to convince others and prepare the way for some action by the Church at its next general Convention. If St. Paul was sent to the Gentiles and St. Peter to the Jews; if we send Bishops to the whites in America and a Bishop to the Indians, why should we not send a Bishop to these colored people?

A communication has been received by me from the Secretary of the General Convention touching certain proposed alterations of the constitution, which will be laid upon the Secretary’s table. I have been informed that my taking charge of Christ church, Savannah, has caused anxiety in the Diocese, lest the duties required of me as Rector may interfere with my ability to attend to the wants of the Diocese. I am fully aware that I cannot faithfully perform the labors of both Bishop and Rector, and though I any greatly attached to the people of Christ church, because of their unflagging sympathy and kindness, I cannot but feel that the permanent good of that venerable Parish will be most certainly secured when it has a Rector who can devote his entire time and energies to its work. There were two causes which induced me to accept this position. First: the condition of the Parish—depressed, disheartened, almost paralyzed as it was by the troubles which had been inflicted upon it, it called upon me to help it ; christian men, whose judgments I esteem too highly the Parish to cast aside its despondency and renew its vigor. What I would gladly do for any Parish, I could not decline to do for the mother Parish of the Diocese. I will have great cause to be thankful if God will vouchsafe to use me as an instrument to accomplish so much good. The second cause was that at the time I accepted the Parish my necessities required such a stop. In doing this, I made special agreement with the Vestry that full time should be allowed for my visitations of the Diocese. I find the labor to be beyond my strength. The Parish will, I think, soon be independent of me, and I hope then to see it in abler hands moving forward and fulfilling the grand mission upon which God has sent it.

And now, my dear brethren of the Clergy and Laity, commending you to the keeping of the Great Head of the Church, I pray you be earnest, devoted, laborious in the great work of saving souls by spreading in and through our Holy Church the kingdom of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

JNO. W. BECKWITH,
Bishop of Georgia.