tory within the Central Deanery is not calculated to arouse much enthusiasm or to give us much encouragement. In this territory of over 11,000 square miles there is an estimated population of about 1,100,000. Here are some of the strongest and most prominent commercial and manufacturing interests of the State. And here the See city of our diocese, with a population of about 175,000 souls, a wealthy district, full of business life and activity, and giving strong support to fraternal societies, social and intellectual clubs, political and miscellaneous religious interests; yet only reporting last year about 2.980 communicants of the Church. Our review reveals an increase in five years of only about 280, although 875 had been confirmed during this time. The parishes at Terre Haute, Anderson and Lafayette reported an increase, combined, larger than this, yet losses reported from other parishes cut down the total gain to the number given. We certainly trust that the reports for this year will show a reasonable advance. In 1893 we reported 1,211 communicants in Indianapolis. In five years this number had been increased by fifty-three, and yet there were reported for the time 413 confirmed. We can not estimate, at any time, the real strength of the Church by the number confirmed. It is only when all conditions are considered and comparisons are made that we can know just what we are doing and how we stand.

I might continue at length to give the results of my review and analysis of the work of the Church in the deanery, but such would probably serve no real purpose beyond a passing interest. But there is one thing that impressed us in this study of the records, and that is the contrast, of the enthusiasm on the part of both clergy and laity, of our conventions and convocations, with the apparent drag and lack of zeal and interest during the year to the general interests of the Church. Here are twenty-three counties out of the twenty-nine in this Deanery from which only about 400 communicants are reported in the 650,000 of population, and in fifteen of these we have no services. These facts should strike home to our souls the conviction that we have not yet risen to the reasonable measure of our responsibility. And they raise the question, Have we yet risen to the full measure of our possibilities? We realize how little we have done, and yet when we compare the present with ten or twelve years ago we feel that we have made advance. To carry on the work in this deanery, yea, in the whole diocese, we need a large increase in our missionary force. This can not be had without money, and for the money we must look to the parishes and missions that now feel that they are doing all that they can. The whole problem of our Church work is a difficult one to solve. I have no plan to propose beyond the suggestions offered in my report for last year.

I have not found it possible during the year to make as many visits at points in the deanery as there were opportunities offered and, as I feel, should have been made. It has been our custom heretofore to have three

meetings of convocation. But this year it was thought best to omit the Spring meeeting and to advance the time somewhat of the fall meeting. These meetings were unusually interesting, chiefly because of the attendance of some of our thoughtful laymen, who prepared eminently practical papers upon subjects of interest to all. If more of our laymen would take more of an interest in the meetings of convocation and would enter more fully into the practical work of the Church and evidence a sense of the need of a "push altogether," we feel that the time would be short before we could record a great advance in Church interests in Indiana.

The first meeting of convocation was held in St. Paul's Church, Richmond, October 11th and 12th. The opening sermon was by the Rev. A. J. Graham, of Indianapolis, and was a vigorous exposition of the value or the personal element in Christian work. The sermon ad clerum was by the dean, who sounded a warning against some present dangers, and urging the need of unity and of steadfastness in meeting them. An impressive and instructive meditation was given by the Rev. C. H. Schultz upon "The Contemplation of God;" valuable papers were read by Mr. LouisHowland upon "The Church and Society," by Mr. M. Nicholson upon "Church Advance in Indiana," and by Mr. C. E. Brooks, Treasurer of the Diocese, upon "Our Diocesan Financial Problem." The dean read a review of Dr. Mortimer's "Catholic Faith and Practice." The Bishop closed the convocation with a lecture upon "The Lambeth Conference." There were nine of the clergy of the deanery present and the Rev. Mr. Bamford, Secretary of the Southern Deanery.

The next meeting of the convocation was held in Muncie, February 8th and 9th. The attendance of the clergy was good-there being twelve present. The services and sessions were well attended. The Rev. G. A. Carstensen preached at the opening service a forcible sermon on the necessity of discipline and denial in every Christian's life. The sermon ad clerum was the Rev. W. II. Xanders and was an eloquent exposition of the power of the gospel, especially as manifested in the work of the christian ministry. The "quiet hour" was conducted by the Bishop. Interesting papers were read by the Rev. Mr. Sulger on "The Personal Obligation to Keep Lent," and by the Rev. F. O. Granniss and Judge Winters on "Obstacles to Church Growth in Indiana.” At the closing service addresses were given by Rev. Mr. Carstensen and Rev. J. H. W. Blake on "Work and Worship" as means of grace. At this convocation a desire was expressed that the first meeting of next year be held jointly with the Northern Convocation if convenient and satisfactory arrangements can be made.

There have been several changes in the clerical force during the year. The Rev. J. T. Chambers, ministering at Connersville, has gone to a southern diocese. Services have been continued by the General Missionary, the Rev. T. H. Yardley, who entered upon his work in the Dio

cese in January. Mr. Yardley not having sent any account of the work and the prospects of the parish, we are unable to reports its present condition.

The Rev. H. C. Eastman, of Newcastle, accepted work in Oklahoma this Spring. The mission is vet without regular clerical services. We have not been able to get a report and can not therefore give information of its outlook.

The Rev. C. H. Schultz, of Crawfordsville and Greencastle, accepted a call to the diocese of Springfield. The Rev. Dr. Cole has taken charge of the work. Mr. Cole reports the congregation at Crawfordsville united and interested. All obligations have been met and there is great hope of accomplishing good work in the future. But the work at Greencastle is much more discouraging, yet they hope to rally to a united and more prosperous condition.

St. Philip's Church, Kennard, has been temporarily closed, made necessary by removals. The Rev. W. D. Engle, who had charge of the work here, opened services at Middletown. Several families who attended at Kennard now attend at this place. Mr. Engle reports very little encouragement. He does not see any prospect of a permanent work. It is possible that when Newcastle is supplied by a resident priest that both Middletown and Kennard can be well looked after from this point.

Richmond, the Rev. F. O. Granniss rector, is not making as rapid progress as its rector could wish. Yet this does not indicate any decay. Comparative reports indicate a steady growth towards more healthy conditions than for years past. The earnest, faithful, untiring and practical work of Mr. Granniss will surely reap a great measure of reward, and result in bringing up this old and well-organized parish to a good degree.

Grace Church, Muncie, is sustaining its good record under the guidance of its devoted rector, the Rev. H. M. Denslow. But this parish sadly needs a new church and other parish buildings, now almost essential to the success of work, especially in the larger cities. And the sooner a new church is provided the sooner will they have a prospect of material gain in strength and numbers. The general tone of the parish is healthy. All are evidently interested in the work of the Church, but are probably overcautious in the matter of a church building. The rector reports the Sunday school as in a highly prosperous condition and as the most encouraging part of his work.

The Rev. J. A. McGlone, of Trinity Church, Anderson, writes somewhat discouragingly of his work. There is very little to record in the way of advance, yet there is no reason to think that there has been any loss in general interest. The Sunday school has been seriously crippled through the illness of several of its teachers.

At Alexandria, the Rev. F. C. Woodard has succeeded in completing a very handsome frame church and in paying for it. This was much needed to the prosperity of the work. The rector, like many others, feels

somewhat discouraged. This is but natural. Our hopes and aims are usually beyond the possibility of attainment. Here, as at Muncie, the Sunday school is an encouraging feature of the parish work. Mr. Woodard reports much sickness this Spring, which has seriously affected the interests of the mission.

There has been very little done at Elwood. The work at this point is under the care of Mr. Woodard, of Alexandria. Occasional services are held, but there is but little prospect of growth at present. This is a city of about 12.000 people.

At Shelbyville the Rev. A. J. Graham, of Indianapolis, has continued monthly services, thereby keeping together and ministering to the needs of the few faithful ones. There is no evident growth, nor can such be looked for until a missionary can give reasonable time to its interests. A lot is owned by the mission and the society has about $500 in bank toward a church building. It is proposed to raise by subscription if possible about $800 in addition and erect a small frame church suitable to the needs of the work and which can be otherwise used, if necessary to make other plans in the future.

At Rockville services have been suspended. The Rev. Wm. Mitchell, of Terre Haute, had the care of the work for a time, but there was not that interest taken that would seem to warrant him in continuing.

The Rev. J. H. W. Blake, of St. John's Church, Lafayette, reports the parish in a reasonably healthy and prosperous condition. Mr. Blake is an active and wise leader and is loyally supported by his people. The financial problem is a subject prominent in the parish. Business interests have not recovered to that degree as to relieve it of a feeling of anxiety for the welfare of its interests. It is a matter of deep regret to note that the rector has felt that it would be wise to accept a call to the Diocese of Ohio. The vestry have not yet accepted his resignation, hoping that he can be prevailed upon to remain.

St. Stephen's, Terre Haute, has ever a good record. All things considered, it may be regarded as the banner parish of the diocese. Its present rector, the Rev. J. E. Sulger, is reaching out to other parts of the city with the true missionary spirit. He has been holding cottage services at points in the north and south of the city with the hope of establishing missions if sufficient interest develops.

St. Luke's Mission, Terre Haute, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Wm. Mitchell, has moved its church building to a point where the prospects for a more healthy growth are much greater. We have had no report from the missionary of the work for the year, but from indirect sources we have been led to believe that the move proved to be a wise one and that the work is in a reasonably prosperous condition.

In Indianapolis there has been no important change from the conditions of last year. All the mission work of the city is under the direction

of the Rev. A. J. Graham, of Christ Church. Mr. Graham called to his aid the Rev. Mr. Parkman, who gives the greater part of his time to this mission work. St. Mary's, in East Tenth street, and St. Agnes's, in 'North Illinois street, are in districts where the Church should be permanently represented. They are sufficiently removed from other interests and have a large territory in which to work. Trinity Mission, in South East street, continues to prosper. Yet it is not situated in a locality that can become permanent. It is proposed to endeavor to dispose of the property of St. George's Mission and unite Trinity and St. George's at about Union street if a good location can be obtained. This certainly should be done. It would seem to be the only wise solution of the problem of Church work in the south and southwestern portions of the city. It is the hope of the rector and vestry of Christ Church to make this change during the coming year. St. George's Mission is au old one, but was established too far to the southwest and has not that permanent growth which was hoped for.

Christ Church, Indinapolis, for some time past has had hopes of selling its present property and of relocating farther towards the north. But this plan has now been abandoned and they have determined to unite their efforts to keep this old parish church where it is. This is wise. Christ Church, where it is now situated, with all of its associations of the past, stands for far more than the worship of the Church. It is not sentiment alone which wouid wish to see it remain where it is.

The rector of St. Paul's Church, Indianapolis, the Rev. G. A. Carstensen, has been granted leave of absence for a year to enable him to go with the regiment of which he was chaplain to the war. The absence of the rector's wise guiding hand will somewhat affect the interests of the parish. Services will be kept up until a temporary pastor can be secured who will care for the work of the parish until the return of the rector.

It is unnecessary for me to speak of the work of the cathedral, as this is under your direct supervision. The appointment of the Rev. Dr. McKenzie as dean inspired confidence and assured a permanency and strength in its work which has been evident through the year.

Holy Innocents', Indianapolis, has had about its usual measure of results. The financial condition has improved somewhat, but there is yet room for great improvement in personal interest in the parish work on the part of its members.

The Rev. W. H. Xanders, of Frankfort, reports "marked evidence of progress." This progress has not been so much of an external nature as. it has been a quiet, orward, healthy movement, gaining force with each step. There seems to be a more earnest desire for the success of the mission, evident in a deeper interest in the work and in attendance upon the services. The Woman's Guild and the Daughters of the King have shown a zeal and devotion beyond expectations. The Sunday school is