CAMDEN, So. Ca., May 18th, 1861.
To the Clergy and Laity of the
Diocese of South Carolina:
Beloved Brethren
At the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Advancement Society of the Diocese,
the following resolution was passed—
Resolved That the Bishop be requested by this Board, to lay the present condition of our
Society before the Diocese, and to adopt such measures in the premises as he deems expedient.
This resolution was the result of an examination into the present financial condition of the
Society, and its prospect for the ensuing year, commencing on the 1st of July next. It was thus
ascertained that the demands upon the Society for the next year will be equal to nearly nine
thousand dollars, ($9,000) while the present available means to meet those demands do not equal
five thousand dollars. (15,000.)
This has been the result partly of over appropriations for the past year, and partly because
of the state of the times. Under these circumstances, it was thought best to make no appropria¬
tions until after the next annual meeting of the Society itself; and in the mean time that an appeal
should be made to the Diocese by myself on behalf of the missionaries.
If ever there was a time, beloved Brethren, when such an appeal should reach our hearts,
surely it must be the present. Now, our dependence upon God and our duties to God, and to the
Redeemer of our souls must fill our minds. Our country is menaced; our fellow-citizens and our
children exposed to danger; our rights as a people are at issue. We are ready to abide the issue,
for we believe in the righteousness of our cause. Let us seek unto God daily in our prayers. Let
us put our whole trust in Him; but let us also render Him that which he claims. While our
brethren are upholding the banner of our country in the field, let us uphold at home the banner of
the cross. Let not our missionaries suffer, nor our church want the means of life. Permit me,
therefore, earnestly to press it upon you, that immediate efforts be made in your respective con¬
gregations, to meet these deficiencies of the Missionary Board. To this end I think it perfectly
justifiable to suggest and request, that all other applications for missionary aid be laid aside until
these necessities be supplied. South Carolina has never been behind other Dioceses in liberal dona¬
tions for other fields of labor, and under right circumstances, she never will be; but we are now
struggling for all that is dear to us at home, and therefore our first duty is to ourselves. The two
Institutions of the Diocese that now most need our aid, are the Advancement Society and the Theo¬
logical Seminary. In behalf of the first I have spoken above. Of the last, let me say, that the
salaries of the Professors remain unpaid, and that there are no funds in the Treasurer's hands.
I therefore earnestly request that those who are annual subscribers to the Seminary, to
make immediate payments, and those who have not yet subscribed, to come forward in its behalf,
and not to suffer this young and promising Institution of the Church to suffer and be weakened.
Thus, brethren, I beseech you for Christ's sake, come to our aid; and let our efforts and our
hearts, and our prayers unite before God, in seeking of Him protection and blessing.
Very truly, your brother in Christ,
THOS. F. DAVIS,
Bishop of the Diocese of So. Ca.