V.

CONVOCATIONS.

(From the Address of 1847.)

Many of our clerical brethren are much isolated by the remoteness of their cures from each other, and opportunities for free communion and conference, with mutual prayer for the Divine aid and guidance, can hardly fail to reanimate them in encountering the toils and sacrifices of their ministry, while it must supply them with hints in respect to their public and private labors, which may prove rich in blessing as well to themselves as to their respective flocks. Such meetings among the clergy, too, if connected with frequent public service, with much private prayer, and with abstinence from unprofitable and irritating controversies, must conduce to strengthen the bonds. of mutual affection and confidence, and to induce that spirit of general and cordial co-operation, so essential to the growth of our Church, and of true religion. They prove most profitable, it is believed, where they involve systematic efforts for the strengthening of weak parishes, for the formation of new ones in destitute places, and for providing occasional services for the scattered members of our fold. These were objects kept steadily in view in the Convocation at Pittsburg.

(From the same Address.)

Nothing I believe is needed but earnest co-operation among the churches and clergy to render most of the parishes, now dependent on Missionary aid, selfsupporting, and to build up new parishes where our services are much desired and would prove a great blessing. The clergy at this convocation were

favored with the presence of the Agent of the Foreign Committee of the Board of Missions, who furnished his brethren with the results of Convocational associations among the clergy of two of the New England Dioceses, which have been most gratifying as it respects the growth of the Church there in numbers, strength, and piety. In addition to other advantages, which are likely to flow from these convocations properly conducted, will be the gradual preparation of the remoter parts of this State to be formed into one or more separate Dioceses. Such a result must be desired by every friend of true religion; but to render the measure a safe and beneficial one, the parishes within the territory proposed for a new Diocese should be able, not only to sustain themselves, but to bear the increased burden which will be occasioned by the support of the Episcopate and by Church extension within their own limits.

(From the Address of 1848.)

I mentioned in my last address, that CONVOCATIONS of the clergy had been assembled at two or three points in the Diocese, at the time of my visitation; that they were likely to become a permanent element in our system of operations, and that, in my opinion, they would prove, if properly conducted, powerful instruments of improvement to the clergy, and of blessings to their people, while they might be made subservient in a high degree, to the extension of the Church. I would now state that I have met with four convocations during the year. My convictions in regard to their value and efficiency are strengthened. At the meeting, in July, of the Convocation of Northern and Central Pennsylvania, a permanent organization was adopted on principles which will be found in a note to this address, and the members comprising it have continued to meet quarterly.

(From the Address of 1849.)

In addition to the Northern Convocation, the rules of which I reported to the last Convention, three others have since been organized on the same principles. The meetings have been to me occasions of delightful intercourse with my brethren of the clergy, and with the people of their parishes. Besides public services and informal meetings in private, the members hold frequent sessions for the discussion of practical questions touching the duties of their office, and for reading sermons, essays, and dissertations. The following may be specified as some of the advantages which seem likely to flow from these meetings, and I am glad to say that as yet I have observed no counteracting evils which do not admit of remedy:

1. The cultivation of fraternal feeling among the Clergy, as also between them and the different Congregations within the bounds of the Convocation, and between the congregations themselves.

2. A spirit of local co-operation among the parishes and clergy of different parts of the diocese.

3. Enabling the younger clergy to avail themselves of the experience of their older brethren. 4. Improvement in theological learning.

VI.

SUPPORT OF THE CLERGY.

(From the Address of 1848.)

It will be seen that the ranks of the laboring clergy, in this diocese, do not increase even in proportion to the increase of our churches, much less in proportion to the new calls which are made for our services; while the disproportion between the growth in the number

of our clergy, and the advance of population in our Commonwealth, is truly distressing. Let not our faithful and fervent prayers be wanting, Brethren, nor our corresponding judicious efforts, that the list of our candidates, now much reduced, may be soon. swelled by the addition of young men of talent, piety, and devoted zeal. What we greatly need are laboring clergymen, who are patient, self-denying, and indomitable-men who can endure hardness, even though it take the form of apparent neglect or indifference-who, in meekness, and with all industry and prudence, will adapt themselves to the peculiar emergencies of the various posts at which they may be called to labor, and whose faith in the ultimate triumph of their mission can outlive even a long period of privation and apparent uselessness. Such men never labor in vain; and unfriendly as the soil of interior Pennsylvania may seem to the establishment or extension of our principles, there are fields in every part of it already white unto the harvest. But they who would reap these harvests must needs count the cost. For a time, some of them must consent to forego the comforts of a married life; they must be satisfied to live as the mass of those to whom they minister live; and, sowing in hope, they must never distrust the pledge, that God's word, when it goes forth in its integrity and simplicity, cannot return unto Him void, but must prosper in the thing whereunto He sends it. Its triumphs may be reserved till his eyes who proclaimed it are sealed in death; but none the less glorious and memorable shall be his reward. In due time we shall reap if we faint not.

When I observe with what skill and ardor, at what hazards often to health and life, and with what deliberate and even prodigal sacrifice of present ease and enjoyment, the children of the world devote themselves to the pursuit of that which must perish in the using, I cannot but fear that they are wiser in their generation than many of us who profess to be children of light. A like zeal, a like vigilant wisdom

and forecast, with the same irrepressible, self-sacrificing energy, would soon enable us to carry our faith in triumph over many obstacles, before which we are now too apt to stand appalled, or from which we turn away in dismay.

But whilst I insist on the necessity of increased devotion on the part of the clergy, I would not forget that they who preach the Gospel have a right to live of the Gospel. It is a melancholy fact, that some of the most useful clergymen who have left us during the past year, have been constrained to do so by the entire inadequacy of their means of subsistence. have much fear that we are destined to suffer still severer losses from the same cause. With these facts forced upon me as I travel over the Diocese, and having myself tried in vain for months, and even in one or two instances for more than two years, to supply some vacant parishes with ministerial services, because I have been unable to hold out to men with families, the prospect of adequate support,-I conceive that I should be wanting in my duty if I did not entreat the renewed attention of the laity to this subject. Where the standard of compensation is highest, there we must expect that talent and efficiency will be carried; and we cannot allow other dioceses to excel us in this respect without being in danger of suffering a constant drain upon our best and most cherished resources.

I well know that in some of our parishes, even with every effort which liberality could make, the salary would be meagre unless increased from without; but how rarely has liberality done its utmost. In how many cases are the claims of the Gospel, the interests of the soul, postponed, till all the demands of taste and even caprice are gratified, and then a fraction of the poor remains bestowed, perhaps with a grudging hand, on a stinted pastor. Can we wonder if the dews of the Divine Spirit are withheld from such hearts and such congregations? Zaccheus could give half his goods to feed the poor. Under the Mosaic