days in each year, the same objects were presented to the consideration of all the congregations throughout the Diocese. We commemorate simultaneously the principal events in our Saviour's life. We make simultaneously the same offerings of praise and prayer. We read simultaneously in all the churches, the same portions of the Old and New Testament. Why not extend this principle to the leading charities of the Diocese? Would it not stir up our hearts as ministers to speak with more force and fervor, and as people to hear with more docility and care; if we felt that at the same time, in all our hundred and fortyfive congregations, the same specific branch of Christian charity was the subject of earnest consideration? Would there not be secured, by such an arrangement, a degree of system and uniformity which are now confessedly wanting, and would not a healthy sympathy and emulation be also aroused, which would contribute to make our offerings both larger and more cheerful? The plan now suggested is in partial operation already. The alms at the communion are taken up on the same day. The offerings on Christmas have, for several years past, been reserved for the relief of disabled clergymen in the Diocese. In like manner the season of Advent is earnestly recommended by the Board of Missions, and by many of our churches is observed, as an appropriate time for collecting contributions to Domestic Missions; while with great propriety the season of Epiphany has been celebrated by gifts towards spreading the Gospel among the Gentiles. Our collections for the Episcopal and Convention Funds are usually made, it is believed, within a short time before or after the assembling of our Diocesan Convention, so that custom or authority has already introduced, to a certain extent, a plan which I should rejoice to see general. I suggest, then, for the early and careful consideration of the clergy and congregations, whether this principle of simultaneous charity cannot be adopted throughout the Diocese, and I recommend the following as seasons appropriate for the several objects: Advent, Christmas,. Domestic Missions. Epiphany, Foreign Missions. Diocesan Missions. Easter, May, July, August, September, October, November, Convention Fund. Episcopal Fund. Domestic Missions. Foreign Missions. Bible, Prayer-books, and Tracts. Church Building or Bible, Prayer- I thus indicate times when, in my opinion, these several subjects can be advantageously presented to the notice of the congregations, and I respectfully request the co-operation of my Reverend Brethren of the clergy, and of the wardens and vestries of the several Parishes, in introducing a system by which the simultaneous consideration of the same charities in the different churches of the Diocese may be secured. I also ask attention to the subjoined Resolutions adopted, the first by the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies—the remainder by the Board of Missions, at their late triennial meetings in Cincinnati. Resolution of the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, adopted at Cincinnati, October, 1850. Resolved, That the constantly enlarging field of Missionary work presented before the Church, and the clear indications of God's good-will towards the work itself, can be rightly met only by an enlarged liberality on the part of the Church generally, and a spirit of greater self-denial and more single devotedness on the part of the various orders of the ministry. Resolutions of the Board of Missions adopted at Cincinnati, October 15th, 1850. Whereas, in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, the number of congregations is not less than seventeen hundred, and the number of Dioceses twenty-nine, and therefore if each congregation, the larger according to their abundance, and the smaller according to their means, contributed forty dollars-and if each Diocese contributed, according to the number of its parishes, on an average, the sum of two thousand one hundred dollars, the amount would be above sixty thousand dollars, therefore Resolved, That there ought to be raised in the ensuing year, for the service of the Domestic Committee of the Board of Missions of this Church, and for coming years, not less than sixty thousand dollars. Resolved, That a similar amount or more, should be raised for the service of the Foreign Department of said Board. Resolved, That the Bishops of this Church be ear nestly requested to take upon themselves the charge, in their respective Dioceses, of urging upon the flocks committed to their care, by personal appeal or otherwise, to every parish in the same, the duty of sustaining this resolution. In concluding this Pastoral Letter, I need only remark that a Bishop's responsibility, touching such matters, seems to be discharged, when he has clearly indicated to the people of his Diocese the line of duty, and when, with urgent appeals to its observance, he joins the suggestion of a plan through which, in his judgment, that end may most easily and most effectually be attained. He is clothed with no compulsory power; and he may well rejoice that he is not. The offerings of Christian charity are most acceptable to God, and most rich in blessing to those who make them, when they flow from free and willing hearts. That there are such hearts now among us, may well excite our warmest gratitude; and that many more may find their fountains of sympathy and liberality opened through the faithful appeals of their Pastors and through the teaching of God's good Spirit this should be the subject of our earnest and unceasing prayer to Him from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: “0 Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Signed, January 14th, 1851. ALONZO POTTER, BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF PENNSYLVANIA. |