C p 28S Cfce Lifcrarp of tyt OnitJct0itp of Jl3ort& Carolina Collection of jI2ort& Caroliniana ftom tfie Eibratp of diocese, oSr M.Q,. This book must not be taken from the Library building. £GW-3~i9fe7 2)toceee of IRortb Carolina Convention 1900 Hbbreee of tbe Bfebop ADDRESS OF THE BISHOP. Brethren of the Clergy and Laity : Upon the invitation of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry- men of St. Luke's Church, Salisbury, and in pursuance of the authority vested in me, I have called you to meet in this, one of the oldest churches of the Diocese. The elec- tion of Bishop Ravenscroft took place in Salisbury in 1823, though not in this building, and the Convention of 1829 was held in this very church in which we are now assembled. So, without reviving- the faint traditions of the St. Luke's Parish of colonial times, this present organization and this sacred edifice are among the earliest of our existing Parishes and churches. Able and godly men have here ministered in holy things, and faithful and saintly lay people have adorned the history of this Parish. May we be followers of the holiest and best of them, even as they were followers of Christ ; and may these memories of the past stir us up to zeal and faithfulness in our work for God's Kingdom and glory. Again we are called upon to thank God for the good ex- ample of one of our brethren of the Clergy, who having finished his course in faith now rests from his labors. At his home in Tarboro, in which he had resided for fifty-eight years lacking a few months, on the 9th day of September last, fell on sleep Joseph Blount Cheshire, Senior Priest of the Diocese since the death of Dr. Wheat in 1888. It will not be expected that I should undertake to give here an esti- mate of his character, or of the value of his life and labors to the Church, but 1 may be pardoned for recording a few facts in regard to him. At the time of his death he lacked but a few months of completing the eighty-fifth year of his life and the sixtieth year of his ministry. He came of a family on one side, which had in every generation furnished Vestrymen and Wardens to the Parish in Edenton since the first organization of the Church in Albemarle by the Act of 170f ; and though about the time of the death of Mr. Petti- 7\ grew in 1807 his mother became, for a time, a member of. \n d *- the Methodist Society in Edenton, she brought up her son carefully in the Church Catechism, and sent him regularly to the Church to be catechised after the Rev. Mr. Avery had come to supply Mr. Pettigrew's place. He became a communicant of the Church in his very early manhood, and, after a brief period spent in the practice of the law on the Edenton circuit, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Ives when he had just completed his twenty fifth year. His work from that time is written in the life of the Church in this Diocese, and is recorded, so far as such a. life can be recorded, in the registers of his Parishes and in the Journals of our Diocesan Conventions. It may be worth mentioning that the Churchmen of his day had a feeling for these annual meet- ings which we have not altogether preserved. For thirty- five years he never failed in his attendance. One of the privations of his later years was his inability to participate in these annual meetings of the brethren ; and the strongest manifestation of indignation and dissent he is known ever to have given way to, was when a Clergyman in his presence spoke offensively and injuriously of the Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina. He loved his brethren ; his heart and his house were ever open to them. He loved his State and his people. His greatest happiness and joy, when he could no longer labor for them, was the humble confi- dence that God had enabled him to be of some use in build- ing up His Kingdom, and in declaring His Good Will to men. During the year from May 1, 1899, to April 30, 1900, I have been able to do more work within the Diocese than in any previous year. For the first time since the Missionary District of Asheville was set off, I have been entirely relieved of all care of that part of the State, and have been able to devote myself entirely to our own Diocese proper. It can not be denied that the setting off of Asheville did so weaken the Diocese as to interfere seriously with our work. In several respects we have felt it as an inconvenience. But I feel confident that this will soon cease to be the case. There is a value and a power in concentration. I can point to no striking improvement, but, quite unexpectedly to my- self, I find indications of increased vigor and interest as I review the year's labors. The following is a brief account of my services and official acts : May 1. The Feast of St. Philip and St. James : In St. Peter's Church, Charlotte, I administered the Holy Communion and made an address. May 2. Attended annual meeting of the Board of Managers of the Thompson Orphanage. In the Orphanage Chapel I admin- istered Holy Communion. Dr. Wetmore, of Lincolnton, preached. 3 and 4. Attended the Diocesan Convention of South Carolina, at Che- raw, and, at the request of Bishop Capers, addressed the Convention upon the proposed adoption of St. Mary's School, Raleigh, as the Diocesan School for girls of all the Carolina Dioceses. 7. The Fifth Sunday after Easter : In the Chapel of St. Mary's School, Raleigh, confirmed and addressed four pupils of the School. 11. Ascension Day : In Christ Church, Raleigh, preached and ad- ministered Holy Communion. 12. In St. Paul's Church, Louisburg, preached and confirmed three persons. 14. Tuesday after the Ascension : Trinity Church, Scotland Neck, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in Grace Memorial Chapel, Lawrence, said Evening Prayer and preached. 17. Calvary Church, Tarboro. The 83d Annual Convention of the Diocese. Celebrated the Holy Communion at the opening service ; presided over the session and officiated at the sev- eral services in connection therewith. In the afternoon attended a meeting of the Trustees of St. Mary's School, Raleigh. 18. Administered Holy Communion at the opening of the annual meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary. 19. Administered the Holy Communion. In the evening opened the Convention of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. 21. Whitsunday: Consecrated St. Luke's Church, Tarboro, the Parish Church of the colored congregation ; administered the Holy Communion and confirmed one person. In the Town Hall : Presided at a large public meeting, under the auspices of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew ; and in the evening, in Calvary Church, presided at the closing service. 24. Attended the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of St. Augustine's School, Raleigh. 25. Presided at the Commencement exercises of St. Augustine's School. The Bishop of Georgia made an address. 28. Trinity Sunday: In the Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, ad- ministered the Holy Communion. May 28. In the Chapel of the State University I officiated at a brief service preceding the Commencement Sermon, which was preached by Bishop Thompson, of Mississippi. In the evening, in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh, I preached. 31. Chapel of St. Mary's School, Raleigh, Memorial Service: I conducted the service. The Rev. William M. Clark, of Vir- ginia, made an address upon the life and character of the late Dr. Bennett Smedes. June 1. Presided at the Commencement Exercises of St. Mary's School, and officiated at a brief service in the Chapel. 4. The First Sunday after Trinity: Preached in St. James' Church, Wilmington, Diocese of East Carolina. 6. Met the people of St. Peter's Parish, Charlotte, at a reception at the residence of Mr. John Wilkes, and addressed them on the subject of Diocesan Missions. 7. Meeting of Executive Committee of the Trustees of St. Mary's School, and inspection of the property and buildings. 8 to 20. Absent from the Diocese. 23. Church of the Epiphany, Leaksville, preached. 24. St. John Bajytist's Day: In the same church. Officiated morning and evening ; administered the Holy Communion and preached. 25. Fourth Sunday after Trinity : Officiated morning and even- ing, administered the Holy Communion and preached, and had a conference w ith the Vestry ; baptized one adult and confirmed two persons. 26. At Stoneville. Said Evening Prayer. 27. Officiated morning and evening, and preached. 28. Officiated morning and evening, administered the Holy Com- munion and preached. 30. St. James' Church, Iredell County. Said Evening Prayer. July 1. Same church. Said Evening Prayer. 2. Fifth Sunday after Trinity : In the same church. Officiated morning and afternoon, administered the Holy Communion and preached twice. 3. In same church. Preached. 6. In Christ Church Rowan County. Preached. 8. In the same church. Preached, and instructed a class of can- didates for Confirmation. 9. Sixth Sunday after Trinity : In the same church. Confirmed seven persons, preached and administered the Holy Commu- nion. 13. In Trinity Church, Portsmouth, Virginia ; took part in the Consecration of Bishop Funsten. July 15. Attended meeting of Executive Committee of the Thompson Orphanage, in Charlotte. 16. Seventh Sunday after Trinity: In St. Peter's Church, Char- lotte. Ordained Royal Graham Shannonhouse a Deacon ; preached and administered the Holy Communion. Licensed the newly ordained Deacon to preach. The same da}- consecrated the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, for colored people ; confirmed three persons and ad- ministered the Holy Communion. 17 to 26. Absent from the Diocese. 30. Ninth Sunday after Trinity : In Calvary Church, Tarboro. Officiated morning and afternoon ; preached and baptized an infant. Aug. 6. Tenth Sunday after Trinity : Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh. Officiated morning and evening; preached and administered the Holy Communion. 9. In same church. Said Morning Prayer. 11. Said Evening Prayer. 13. Officiated three times, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 16. Said Morning Prayer. 18. Said Evening Prayer. 20. Officiated three times, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 23. Said Morning Prayer. 24. St. Bartholomew's Day : Administered the Holy Communion. 25. Said Evening Prayer. All my services during August were in the Church of the Good Shepherd. Raleigh, where I took the service during the absence of the Rector. Sept. 3 Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity : In St. James' Church, Kit- rell. Conducted the usual service, preached and adminis- tered the Holy Communion. 5. Meeting of the Executive Missionary Committee. 10. Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity: Calvary Church, Tarboro. Administered the Holy Communion at the early service, preached at midday, and in the afternoon officiated at the funeral of my father, assisted by the Bishop of East Caro- lina and other Clergymen. 14. All Souls' Church, Ansonville. Preached twice and confirmed six persons. 15. Confirmed a sick person, in private, belonging to the same congregation. In the evening, in Calvary Church, Wadesboro, preached and confirmed three persons. 6 Sept 17. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity: In the Court House at Lil- lington, I officiated morning and evening and preached twice. So far as I could learn, this was the first time a Bishop had visited this place, and the first time the services of the Church were held here. 20. St. Ambrose Church, Raleigh. Preached and confirmed, six persons. . 23. St. Philip's Church, Mocksville. Preached. 24. Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity : In the same church. Offi- ciated morning and afternoon, preached and administered the Holy Communion, and confirmed one person. Being taken sick at this point, I was compelled to return home, and was confined to my room for two weeks. Oct. 10. St. Thomas' Church, Reidsville. Preached. 11. Gallaway Memorial Chapel, Elkin. Preached and confirmed and addressed two persons. 13. Christ Church. Walnut Cove. Confirmed four persons ; preached and administered the Holy Communion. 14. St. Philip's Church, Germanton. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. 15. Twentieth Sunday after Trinity : In the Church at Mt. Airy, officiated morning and evening ; confirmed two persons, preached twice and administered the Holy Communion. 21 to 28. Absent from the Diocese attending the Missionary Council in St. Louis, where I made an address. 29. Tioenty- second Sunday after Trinity : Attended the services in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh ; presided at the Sunday School celebration in the afternoon, and made an address and took part in the services at night. 30. Presided at a public meeting in connection with the same an- niversary, also attended meeting of the Convocation of Ral- eigh in this church. 31. Meeting of the Convocation of Raleigh in the same church ; administered the Holy Communion. Nov. 1. All Saints' Day: Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh. Parish Memorial Services ; administered the Holy Commu- nion. Laid the corner-stone of the new Parish Church of the Good Shepherd, assisted by a number of the Clergy and in the presence of a large concourse of people. In the evening attended a meeting of the Executive Commit- tee of St. Mary's School. Nov. 5. Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity: Church of the Saviour, Jackson. Preached morning and evening ; confirmed two persons and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon preached in a school house at Seaboard. 7. Grace Church, Welclon. Preached and confirmed five persons. 8. Church of the Advent, Weldon. Preached. 10. St. Clement's Church, Ringwood. Said the usual service, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 11. Inspected the Mission School for colored children at Littleton. 12. Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity : Chapel of the Cross, Littleton. In the absence of the minister, I said the usual service, baptized two infants, confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. The same day, in the Chapel of the colored congregation, I said Evening Prayer, preached and confirmed two persons. 14. St. Luke's Church. Gaston. Said Morning Prayer, confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Commu- nion. 15. Emmanuel Church, Warrenton. Preached and confirmed one person. 16. Church of the Good Shepherd, Ridgeway. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in St. Luke's Chapel for colored people, War- ren County, said Evening Prayer, preached and confirmed one person. 17. Church of the Heavenly Rest, Middleburg. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 19. Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity: St. John's Church, Wil- liamsboro. Confirmed three persons, preached and admin- istered the Holy Communion. 21. St. Peter's Church, Stovall. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 23. St. Paul's Church, Goshen. Said the usual service, confirmed two persons, preached and administered the Holy Com- munion. 24. Chapel for colored people, Satterwhite. Said Morning Prayer, baptized one adult and two infants, examined candidates for confirmation, confirmed six persons and addressed them, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 26. Sunday next before Advent: St. Stephen's Church. Oxford. Preached morning and evening, confirmed and addressed seven persons, and administered the Holy Communion. 27. Church of the Holy Innocents. Henderson. Preached, con- firmed twelve persons and addressed them. 28. St. James' Church, Kittrell. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. Nov. 30. St. Andrew's Day and Thanksgiving Day: Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh. The Rector being sick I celebrated * the Holy Communion at the early service for the Brother- hood of St. Andrew, and at midday service preached. Dec. 3. First Sunday in Advent: St. Matthew's Church, Hillsboro. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening in St. Athanasius' Church, Burlington, preached and confirmed nine persons, and addressed them. 4. In the same church. Preached, and after the service had a conference with the congregation and vestry, also with the Rector, in regard to the condition and interests of the Parish. 10. Second Sunday in Advent : In a public hall in Smithfield, I said the service for the day and preached. In the evening, in the public academy at Selma, I baptized an adult, said Evening Prayer, preached and confirmed three persons. 14. Trinity Church, Statesville. Confirmed nine persons, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 15. St. Peter's Chapel, Salisbury. Preached and confirmed one person. 16. St. Jude's Chapel, Rowan County. Confirmed two persons, preai hed and administered the Holy Communion. 17. Third Sunday in Advent : St. Luke's Church, Salisbury. Con- firmed four persons, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in St. Mary's Church, Rowan County, preached, and confirmed and addressed four persons. In the evening, in St. Paul's Church, Chestnut Hill, preached. 19. Church of the Redemption, Lexington. Confirmed three persons, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 24. Christ Church, Raleigh. In the absence of the Rector, I said the usual service and preached. In the evening, in a public hall in Cary, I said Evening Prayer, preached and confirmed four persons. 25. Christmas Day. Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh, Preached and administered the Holy Communion. 27. In Christ Church Chapel. Made an address. 31. Sunday after Christmas: Church of the Good Shepherd, Ral- eigh. In the absence of the Rector took the service morn- ing and evening, preached twice. 1900. Jan. 1. Feast of the Circumcision: Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh. Administered the Holy Communion in the absence the Rector. 9 Jan. 6. Feast of the Epiphany : Church of the Good Shepherd, Ral- eigh. Conducted a service of intercession for Missions, with the Parochial Branch of the Woman's Auxiliary, and administered the Holy Communion. 7. First Sunday after the Epiphany: St. Philip's Church, Dur- ham. Confirmed twelve persons, preached and adminis- tered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in the same church, at a special service for colored people, I preached and confirmed one person. St. Barnabas' Church, Greensboro. The evening of the same day, I preached and confirmed three persons. 10. In Christ Church, Raleigh. Pronounced the benediction at a wedding. From January 10 to February 13 I was absent from the Dio- cese, attending a meeting of the Commission on Colored Work, in Washington City, and committee business of the General Convention in New York City, and making ad- dresses upon Domestic Missions, and also upon work among the negroes in the South. Feb. 13. Grace Church, Weldon. Attended meeting of the Convoca- tion of Tarboro, and officiated at the public service. 14. In the same church. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening, in St. Mark's Church, Halifax. Preached and confirmed one person. 15. In the Chapel at Tillery. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening, in Trinity Church, Scotland Neck. Preached and confirmed three persons. 18. Sexagesima Sunday: Calvary Church, Tarboro. Confirmed thirteen persons and addressed them, preached and admin- istered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in St. Mary's Chapel, Edgecombe County. Preached and confirmed one person. In the evening, in St. Luke's Church. Tarboro. Preached and confirmed four persons. 20. Grace Memorial Chapel, Lawrence. Confirmed two persons, preached and administered the Holy Communion. 22. St. John's Church, Battleboro. Preached and confirmed two persons. 23. In the same Church. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount, the evening of the same day. Preached and confirmed eight persons, and addressed them. 10 Feb. 24. St. Matthias' Day. Administered the Holy Communion. 25. Quinquagesima Sunday. St. Timothy's Church, Wilson. Con- firmed three persons and addressed them, preached and ad- ministered the Holy Communion. In the evening, in St. Mark's Chapel for colored people. Preached and confirmed seven persons, and addressed them. 26. Attended meeting of Executive Committee of St. Mary's School, Raleigh. Mar. 1. Attended meeting of the Executive Committee of St. Augus- tine's School. 2. All Saints' Chapel for colored people, Warrenton. Preached and confirmed two persons. 3. Emmanuel Church, Warrenton. At a special service con- . firmed two persons. 4. First Sunday in Lent : St. Paul's Church, Louisburg. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening, in St. Matthias' Church for the colored people. Preached. 7. Christ Church, Raleigh. Said Evening Prayer. 8. In same church. Said Morning Prayer. Attended meeting of the Executive Committee of St. Augus- tine's School. 11. Second Sunday in Lent: Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill. Preached morning and evening, confirmed eight persons and administered the Holy Communion. 12. Attended meeting of Executive Committee of St. Mary's School. 13. Emmanuel Church, Southern Pines. Preached, and con- firmed and addressed two persons. 14. Consecrated Emmanuel Church, Southern Pines, and cele- brated the Holy Communion. In the afternoon attended a meeting of the Convocation of Charlotte. 15. St. Thomas' Church, Sanford. Preached. 18. Third Sunday in Lent : St. Bartholomew's Church, Pittsboro. Preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening, in St. James' Chapel for colored people. Preached and confirmed one person. 19. Attended meeting of the'Executive Committee of St. Augus- tine's School. 25. Fourth Simday in Lent: Cuningham's Chapel. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Commu- nion. In the evening, in Christ Church, Milton. Preached. 11 Mar. 27. All Saints' Church, Concord. Preached morning and evening, confirmed two persons in the church and a sick woman in private, preached twice and administered the Holy Com- munion. 28. St. Mary's Church. High Point. Said Evening Prayer and preached. 29. St. Mary's Chapel, Greensboro. Made an address. St. Andrew's Church, Greensboro. Preached and confirmed five persons, including one from St. Barnabas' Church. 30. In the Chapel at Mayodan. Said Evening Prayer and preached. 31. St. John's Church, Madison. Said the usual service, confirmed two persons, preached and administered the Holy Commu- nion. April 1. Fifth Sunday in Lent: St. Paul's Church, Winston. The Parish being vacant, I took the service morning and even- ing, preached twice, administered the Holy Communion, instructed and examined candidates for baptism and con- i firmation, baptized one adult and confirmed five persons. 2. Huntsville, Yadkin County. Preached. 3. At the same place. Confirmed one person, preached and ad- ministered the Holy Communion. 4. Gallaway Memorial Chapel, Elkin. Preached and confirmed one person. 8. Palm Sunday : Christ Church, Raleigh. Confirmed seven per- sons, and addressed them; preached, and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon in the Chapel of St. Augustine's School. Preached; confirmed eight persons and addressed them. In the evening in St. Saviour's Chapel. Said Evening Prayer and preached. 9. Christ Church, Raleigh. Morning Prayer, and the Ante-Com- munion. Attended meeting of Executive Committee of St. Mary's School. 10. In same church. Took the morning services. 11. In same church. Took the morning services. 12. In the same church. Took the morning services. In Christ Church, Raleigh, in the presence of the Rev. Dr, Marshall, the Rev. Archdeacon Pollard, and the Rev. Mr. Hunter, Presbyters of this Diocese, I deposed from the Holy Ministry Merritt H. Hinton, a colored Deacon, transferred to me last fall from the Diocese of Mississippi. 13. Good Friday: In the same church. I took the services, as- sisted by the Rev. Dr. Marshall. 14. Easter Even. : In the same church. Took the morning services. 12 April 15. Easter Day : St. Ambrose Church, Raleigh. Confirmed ten persons, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon in the Chapel of St. Mary's School. Con- firmed eleven persons and addressed them. In the evening in the Church of the Good Shepherd. Raleigh. Preached, confirmed thirteen persons, and addressed them. 17 to 20. Absent from the Diocese attending meeting of Commission on Work Among the Colored People, and also meeting of the House of Bishops in New York City. 21. Mission at Laurel Hill. Preached. 22. First Sunday after Easter : Mission at Rockingham. Preached. 23. Calvary Church, Wadesboro. Confirmed one person, preached and administered the Holy Communion. In the evening in All Souls' Church, Ansonville. preached. 24. Mission at Euto, Union County. Confirmed seven persons and addressed them; preached and administered the Holy Com- munion. 25. St. Mark's Day : St. Paul's Church. Monroe. Administered the Holy Communion : in the evening, preached and con- firmed one person. 26. At Mount Mourns, Iredell Covmty. Baptized an infant and preached. 28. St. Mark's Church, Mecklenburg County. Confirmed five per- sons and addressed them ; preached and administered the Holy Communion. 29. Second Sunday after Easter : St. Peter's Church, Charlotte. Confirmed and addressed ten persons ; preached and admin- istered the Holy Communion. In the afternoon, in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Charlotte. Preached; confirmed and addressed ten persons. 30. In St. Peter's Church, Charlotte. Baptized an infant. Besides the services within the Diocese, I officiated a num- ber of times in other Dioceses. It should also be mentioned that, acting at my request. Bishop Thompson confirmed one person in the Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, last May; Bishop Horner one in St. Philip's Church. Durham, last September, and Bishop Watson seven in St. Athanasius' Church, Burlington, on the evening of Easter Day. The total of Episcopal services and ministrations is as follows : Public services — within the Diocese, 190; without. 15 205 Holy Communion — within the Diocese, 71; without, 2 73 Sermons — within the Diocese, 129; without, 14 143 Addresses — within the Diocese. 32; without. 7... 39 13 Baptisms — adults, 4; infants, 7 11 Funerals . 1 Marriages 1 Churches consecrated 3 Ordinations 1 Confirmations — by myself, 308; by other Bishops, 9 317 March 7th, upon a petition of certain inhabitants of the factory town of Mayodan. in Buckingham County, I organ- ized the petitioners and such other persons as might be associated with them into a Mission of this Diocese under the name of " The Church of the Messiah, Mayodan" ; ap- pointing as officers Jacob Ueltschi, Warden, and Seabury I. Daniel, Clerk and Treasurer. March 16th, upon a petition of certain colored persons, inhabitants of the town of Wilson, accompanied by the written consent of the Rector of St. Timothy's Church. Wil- son, I organized the petitioners and such other persons as might be associated with them, into a Mission of this Dio- cese under the name of u St. Mark's Church, Wilson"; appointing as officers John Boykin, Warden ; Joseph Palmer, Treasurer, and John II. Clark, Clerk. December 11th I gave my canonical consent to the sale by the Vestry of the lot heretofore occupied by St. Barna- bas' Parish Church, Greensboro, the Parish having acquired a more desirable lot. I would remind the Clergy and Laity that the Bishop's consent is required before Church property can be sold. We have gained the following Clergymen : Rev. Royal Graham Shannonhouse, ordained July 16, 1899. Rev. Merritt H. Hinton, transferred from Mississippi September 1.1899. Rev. Edward P. Green, transferred from East Carolina May 1, 1900. We lave lost the following : Rev. Jos. Blount Cheshire, D.D., died September 9, 1899. Rev. John Francis George, transferi'ed to Connecticut September 15, 1899. Rev. Henry M. Joseph, transferred to London. England. March 8, 1900. Rev. Martin L. Poffenberger, transferred to Washington, April 14, 1900. And Merritt H. Hinton, deposed April 12, 1900. Our whole number is now 50 — 1 Bishop, 41 Priests and 8 Deacons. 14 The Candidates for Priest's Orders are : The Rev. Gaston Battle, Deacon ; the Rev. Royal G. Sbannonhouse, Deacon, and Win. B. Crittenden. The Candidates for Deacon's Orders the same as last year : William Thomas Bost and John Linker Saunders. The Postulants are Alfred J. Griffith, Isaac N. Neal, Benjamin Turner Thompson, Oliver Stancill, Thaddeus Ainsley Cheatham and Edmund Brodie Taylor. There have been the following changes in the fields of labor of the Clergy : The Rev. James B. Avirett, in consequence of physical infirmity, has felt obliged to resign the Parishes of St. Paul's Louisburg, and St. James', Kittrell. The Rev. Alban Greaves is filling those Parishes most acceptably, but in consequence of some question as to a previous transfer from East Carolina, he has not as yet been able to procure a let- ter dimissory. The Rev. Thomas B. Bailey I have transferred from Con- cord, where the Mission of the Holy Comforter and the work among the colored people have been suspended, to Statesville, where he is carrying on a most hopeful work, and is preparing to build this summer a chapel and school house for our Mission among the colored people. The Rev. Charles Fetter, after having labored four years most faithfully and effectively in the very extensive field committed to him, has yielded to the desire of the Parish at Rocky Mount, and the first of the current month becomes Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in that growing town, resigning the charge of Calvary Church, Wadesboro, and the Missions at Ansonville, Rockingham and Laurel Hill. There is a good prospect, however, of making excel- lent arrangements for carrying on the important work in these places at an early day. The Rev. John Francis George has resigned St. Paul's Church, Winston, and taken letters dismissory to the Dio- cese of Connecticut. This important Parish remains still without a Rector. The Vestry have been making earnest efforts to secure a suitable person, and in the meantime the services are maintained and the congregations kept together by the faithful labors of two Lay Readers. At my visitation to this Parish the fifth Sunday in Lent I was much grati- fied by the evidences I observed of life and zeal in the Parish. The Rev. Henry C. Parkman has given up the work at St. Mark's, Mecklenburg County, and St. Andrew's Chapel, 15 Charlotte; and in addition to his work at Monroe has been carrying on a most interesting and successful mission near Euto in the northeastern section of Union County. It is my purpose also to commit to his charge one of the Mis- sions formerly under charge of Rev. Charles Fetter. The Rev. Girard W. Phelps, Rector of Trinity Church, Scotland Neck, has been relieved of the care of the two Missions in Edgecombe County — Grace Memorial Chapel and St. Mary's — in order that he may have more time for his important parochial work, and for the Missions adjacent thereto in Halifax County; and those two Edgecombe Mis- sions have been placed under the care of the Rector of Cal- vary Church, Tarboro. The Rev. William T. Picard, on account of physical infirmity, has been relieved of the charge of St. Luke's, Gaston. The Rev. Alclred A. Pruden has, since the first of Febru- ary, been laboring most earnestly and successfully as Financial Agent of the Trustees of St. Mary's School. In addition to St. Mark's, Halifax, and the Church of the Advent, Enfield, the Rev. Louis H. Schubert has become Rector of St. Clement's Church, Ringwood. The Rev. Thomas Lee Trott, Deacon, continues his work in the Rowan Parishes and Missions, under direction of the Rev. Dr. Murdoch ; but St. James', Iredell County, Trinity Church, Statesville, and St. Philip's, Mocksville, have been put under the care of the Rev. Royal G. Shannonhouse, Deacon, who is serving them most faithfully and acceptably under the direction of the Rev. Edwin A. Osborne. The Rev. James H. Williams was, at his earnest request, relieved of the care of the Missions under his charge in Rockingham County, Mayodan and Stoneville ; and these Missions have been assigned to the Rev. Fred'k A. Fetter. Mr. Williams remains in charge of all the Missions in Stokes and Surry Counties. The Rev. Edward P. Green, transferred from East Caro- lina, has been placed in charge of All Souls' Mission, Anson- ville, and will extend his labors into Stanley and Montgomery Counties, holding services at Norwood, Albemarle, Troy and such other points as may seem to offer openings for work. DIOCESAN MISSIONS. In connection with this subject, I wish to call the atten- tion of the Convention to the work of the Rev. Mr. Osborne 16 as Secretary of the Executive Missionary Committee. Something over a year ago Mr. Osborne began this work. The chief idea the Committee had in appointing him was that his efforts might increase the contributions to this work. To a certain extent he has interested people and in- creased their contributions. It must be admitted, however, that this has not been to the extent hoped for by the Com- mittee. But Mr. Osborne's work has been useful and helpful in other ways, and, in my judgment, the best thing we can now do for the advancement of our missionary work is to make this feature of his work permanent, and to give moral force and influence to it by providing for an. Archdeacon to have the oversight, under the Bishop, of all the missionary operations of the Diocese. In case a Bishop Coadjutor had not been elected by our Convention of 1893, it was the intention of Bishop Lyman to have appointed an Archdeacon over the missionary work among the white peo- ple of the Diocese, just as we already have an Archdeacon over the missionaries among the colored people ; and before the meeting of our Convention of May, 1893. he wrote to me saying that he wished me to undertake that work. I am quite aware that it may be replied that the Bishop him- self should be Archdeacon — -that is, that he should superin- tend the missionary work. I deeply feel the truth ot this, and I have, to the best of my endeavors, done this. I have just gone carefully over my journal, and I And that during the year covered by this report 1 have given about nine months to work within the limits of this Diocese. Consid- ering the other important duties of my office and the neces- sity for some periods of rest from time to time. I can not hope ever to do much more than this. I have devoted some weeks to holding series of services in different Missions and weak country Parishes, and I hope to do more of this in the future. So far as possible I endeavor to keep in close per- sonal relations with the missionaries and their work. But I can do very little of what needs to be done. We have, for example, ten or a dozen Missions or decayed Parishes under no Clergyman at all. Some of these I hope to supply soon ; but others will be falling vacant. There are always a number of such stations. Then again, there are a still larger number which are nominally under a Clergyman, but to which he can not give any proper care. For example, be- sides his five points which he has served faithfully and regularly, I have recently assigned to the Rev. Fred'k A. Fetter the additional Missions at Mavodan and at Stone- 17 ville. Besides these places, already occupied but not tended, we ought to be looking out for points at which to begin new work. One year with another, the Bishop can not visit these weak stations and new points more than once each year; and wnen he makes his one annual visit, unless he has sent a man before to make inquiries and arrangements, to seek out and instruct candidates for confirmation, and to do such preparatory work, the most he can accom- plish is to see that something might be done if there were a man to do it. Then we have Mission Schools which should be inspected oftener than I can possibly visit them. During the past year the Rev. Mr. Osborne has been doing this kind of work diligently and successfully, and has been of very material help to me — noi by relieving me of work, but by preparing work for me and getting it into such a condition that I could do it. Much as I should dislike to drop any missionary from our list, I am fully persuaded that one man doing 1 this general work is of more value than two or three men confined to narrow missionary fields. We need money to support our missionaries, but most of all we need to keep the work going on. The work itself makes the most successful appeal for support. The past year's experience has shown me the extreme importance to our work of having some one whom I may send with au- thority oftener than it is possible for me to go myself, and who may stir up both our lay people and our missionaries, and who may help both by his sympathy and advice. Many of my most interesting and encouraging visitations during the past year have been made to Parishes and Mis- sions, and even in entirely new places, where I had sent Mr. Osborne some days or weeks before me to make prepa- ration for my coming. [ can not close this part of my address without referring to our Mission Schools, in which I am deeply interested. Last year I nominated to the Board of Managers three women workers, to be supported by the "'"United Offering' 1 '' of the Woman's Auxiliary of 1898, and to work under me in our missionary field. They were appointed and assigned stipends, and I have placed them as follows : Miss Nannie H. Smith as Mission teacher in St. James' Parish, Iredell County; Mrs. Anna M. Chisholm to be Mission teacher at Mayodan ; and Miss Florida Foxhall to be Mission teacher in St. Mark's Mission, Mecklenburg County. They have all three proved themselves most excellent workers, and are doing a noble work. But I have been especially gratified 18 at the way in which the people of St. James', Iredell, and of St. Mark's, Mecklenburg, have responded to this effort on their behalf. At both Churches convenient and commo- dious school houses have been built, and the attendance and interest have been so great that an additional teacher will probably have to be employed next fall, and- in both cases it is hoped that the small charge made to cover fuel and in- cidentals will suffice also for the support of the additional teacher. The grant for the support of these " women workers" is only for three years from September, 1899, but it is hoped that before the expiration of this period local interest ma}^ provide for the continuance of the school as a regular branch of the Church work. Another subject also demands a word from me while I am speaking of our Diocesan Missions. It is impossible for us, with our methods and ideas of public worship, to do any permanent work until we have provided ourselves with a house of worship. For a number of years past we have been greatly dependent on the loans and gifts of the Amer- ican Church Building Fund Commission in the building of our churches and chapels in the Mission field. All con- gregations who receive the gifts of the Commission are under promise to make an annual offering to the fund. I hope the Clergy will not forget or neglect this obligation which they assume when they accept a gift from this fund. But more than this, I hope that every congregation in the Diocese may make an annual offering to this fund. It might be good policy for us to substitute an annual offering for this in place of our Canonical offering for our Church Building Committee. This Diocese has, within a few years past, received $1,400 in gifts from this source. I do not think that in the twenty years of my ministry our Diocesan Committee has disbursed so much. st. mary's school. We have cause for much confident hope for the future in the present aspect of the affairs of our Diocesan School for girls. The Rev. Mr. Bratton has fully justified the action of the Trustees in putting him in charge, as successor to the Rev. Dr. Bennett Smedes, and during the year just clos- ing, has manifested to the patrons of the School and to the public at large his eminent fitness for all the important du- ties devolving upon him. The Trustees feel most sanguine as to his future administration, and are confident that 19 another year will show a marked upward movement in the character and success of St. Mary's. During the year now drawing to a close, he has had but little opportunity to do anything except merely to preserve the existing conditions. The School, with its course and its teachers, were handed over to him to administer. Hereafter he will have fuller opportunities to exercise his own judgment and to develop it along the lines which may seem most desirable. The report of the Trustees, to this Convention, will show that the most satisfactory progress has been made towards discharging the balance of the purchase money for the prop- erty. This is not only desirable in itself, but it is abso- lutely necessary to free the property from encumbrance before we can ask for those improvements and buildings which the School needs in order to do its great work for the country and for the Church. We should be encouraged, brethren of the Clergy and Laity, to redouble our efforts in behalf of St. Mary's. THE THOMPSON ORPHANAGE. This institution continues its course of beneficence and commands the increasing confidence of our people. The report of its managers will fully set forth its conditions and its needs, so that I need not dwell on them here. It is grat- ifying, however, to note one evidence of its increasing hold upon the affections of our people. This year's report shows one donation of $2,000 from ;i irontleman of the Diocese of East Carolina, a legacy of $250 from another person in that Diocese, and a smaller legacy from a person in Germanton. These are indications of an interest which promises well for this noble charity of the Church ; and in my judgment, the managers have most wisely determined, as far as possible, to devote such special gifts to building up a permanent en- dowment for the work. THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARY. The women of the Diocese, through this organization, continue to render most valuable assistance in the work of the Church in almost all departments. I am happv in the thought that, as the years go by, it is establishing itself more and more firmly in the life and work of the Church as one of the regular and indispensable institutions of every vigor- ous Parish and Mission. In this Diocese I believe it is stead- ily growing in usefulness. I remember its very small begin- 20 nings in North Carolina, when a parishioner of my own in St. Peter's Church, Charlotte, first spoke to me about mak- ing an attempt at a Diocesan organization, and the exten- sion of the work by that means. I am afraid I did not give her all the help I might have given, but I am thankful to remember that I did, in my small way, encourage her to proceed, and to secure the approval and authority of Bishop Lyman in her undertaking. I also remember that at that time I had no realization whatever of the value of the work of the auxiliary, or of the importance of that Diocesan or- ganization which we effected, I think, for the first time at our Convention of 1883 in Charlotte. The extent and im- portance of the work have increased with every year. And the value of this work is not to be measured by the money value of its contributions. Its richest results are often in the hearts and lives of those who thus come into sympa- thetic knowledge of their brethren in distant parts of our own country and in lands across the sea, and thus help to draw closer the bonds of love and sympathy which should bind the world in one, and bring it finally to its One Head, while at the same time each heart learns the truth of our Lord's words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." OTHER LAY SOCIETIES. I do not in these annual addresses give this place of prom- inence to the organization just mentioned because I under- value those other orders of men or of women who in various ways work for the upbuilding of the Church — the Daughters of the King and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, which are so zealous and useful among us. These last named are in their organization and purpose more closely associated with the local work of Parish and Mission. The Woman's Auxiliary is by its very name and essential principles a part of the more general missionary machinery of the Diocese, and in his Diocesan work the Bishop is ever in contact with it in one way or another. I commend most heartily both the Daughters of the King and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and trust that they may continue and extend their good work of holding up the hands of the Clergy and assisting them in their work. It does seem to me that one of our present dangers is the danger of over organization. I would suggest, therefore, my brethren of the Clergy and Laity, that, where it is possible, we should limit our local organi- zations to these, and organize our lay work under these two 21 societies and the Woman's Auxiliary. These will usually afford all the machinery needed, and the attention and in- terest of the people will not be distracted by a multitude of different societies. st. augustine's school. This is not strictly a Diocesan institution, but intended to supply the wants of our Colored Missions throughout the Dioceses in this part of the South, and controlled by a Board representing different sections of the country. Yet our own work in this department of it has been so closely connected with St. Augustine's School that I can not pass over it with- out mention. The Trustees are endeavoring to improve it and render it more effective in various directions, and espec- ially to develop its industrial department. The interest .of the Church at large has been a good deal directed toward St. Augustine's within the last two or three years, and we are encouraged to hope that it will be readily and judici- ously brought to a higher plane of usefulness and influence. In this connection I may add that our work among the colored people is, on the whole, most satisfactory and hope- ful. Our ministers command the respect and confidence of the communities in which they labor, and I believe that our lay members, as a rule, commend the Church to others by their character and godly conversation, and are an influence for good among their associates. I ask the sympathy and co-operation of our white people in all works of piety and of mercy carried on for the benefit of our large colored population. I wish to unite with the representatives of the General Clergy Relief, and also of the Clergymen's Retiring Fund Society, in calling the attention of our people to the imper- ative duty of being more zealous in providing for our aged and disabled Clergymen. The first of these organizations is provided for by a Canon of the General Convention, and, as far as its means extend, affords relief to disabled Clergy- men and to the widows and orphans of deceased Clergymen. By a resolution of the General Convention all Clergymen are earnestly requested to set apart for this fund a certain part of the Communion Alms — not less than one per cent and not more than ten per cent — and to remit the same periodically to the Treasurer of the Fund ; and also to take an offering for the Fund on Quinquagesima Sunday each year. Certainly there could be no more appropriate use of our Communion Alms than this, and I wish that this might 22 be systematically done throughout the Diocese. The Cler- gyman's Retiring Fund Society meets a somewhat differ- ent necessity, and also deserves a liberal support. I need not explain to you the practical operation of these two no- ble charities. I urge upon the Clergy to realize their duty to themselves and to their brethren in this matter, and upon the Laity an earnest co operation with their Clergy in what- ever may be proposed to them in this behalf. We have had the privilege of meeting and listening to one of our most faithful and useful missionaries ,in the for- eign field. I can not but feel that, as a Diocese, we are not doing our part in supporting our Foreign Missions. I find that our people generally take little personal interest in this branch of our work, either in gifts of money or in offers of personal service. No Clergyman and no Christian man ought to be satisfied without doing something each year for this particular work of carrying the Gospel to the heathen. I would call your attention to the fact that within the past year much has been done to improve the administration of our general missionary work, and that especially our chief missionary journal, the Spirit of Missions, has been very greatly improved and has become a very much more inter- esting and attractive publication than it had been before. The Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Missions is- Mr. John W. Wood, so widely and favorably known as the General Secretary of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew ; and he, I believe, is practically the editor of the Spirit of Mis- sions. I most earnestly recommend to the Clergy of this Diocese and to the Lay members of this Convention that they subscribe to this excellent journal and make themselves familiar with its contents. It is sent free of charge to the Clergy, and is furnished to the Laity at a very moderate price. We owe to our Missions a loyal and liberal support, and if we are to support our foreign missionaries with our sympathy and with our gifts, we must know what they are doing. And moreover, if we expect God's blessing upon us at home, and desire that men should heed our voice, we must show that we are obedient to His voice Who com- mands us to go into all the world. The work before us is great, but it is not without its en- couragements. Our missionary work is at many points- most promising, and our contributions to Diocesan Missions are this year more than one thousand dollars greater than last year. In several important Parishes debts of long, standing, which have been a burden and sometimes a men- 23 ace to the Parish, have been paid off. There are now in the Diocese four or five churches ready for consecration, and only waiting until I can appoint a day for them. In three of our Parishes churches whose unfortunate location had been a great hindrance to the work, have been or are about to be removed to most advantageous sites. The num- ber of confirmations, though small by comparison with those reported when the Diocese was much larger, is greater than it has usually been within the same territory. We have very few vacant Parishes or congregations, and with very few exceptions people and Clergy live and work to- gether with sympathy and mutual esteem. Perhaps I ought to mention that last October I received from an old Clergyman in another Diocese, and one who, so far as I know, has had no special connection or associa- tion with this, the gift of $500 to be used at my discretion in the missionary or other similar work of the Diocese, with the single condition that no one should know the source of the gift. The items appearing in the report of the Treas- urer, as coming to him by me, were part of this sum. The manner in which the whole was expended I laid before the Executive Missionary Committee, who unanimously ap- proved the use I had made of the money, and requested me to convey to the donor their thanks on behalf of the Dio- cese for his generosity. One thing more and I have done. I am most thankful to report to the Convention that the unfortunate state of affairs existing for some years at High Point has been hap- pily remedied. Some months ago 1 addressed a communi- cation on the subject to Mr. C. A. Hamner, to which he replied in a most commendable spirit, and we had the mu- tual gratification of arranging in a satisfactory manner the matters in controversy, so that there remains, I trust and believe, nothing of misunderstanding on the part of any person concerned. In this settlement, the members of the Executive Missionary Committee and the Rev. J. C. Davis, D.D., of Concord, rendered essential service. And now, brethren, I have come to the end of my ac- count of my year's labors, and of such matters as I have thought necessary at this time to bring to your attention. Of the insufficiency of the service and of the faults of the servant, he is much more sensible than you can be. Let me beg that every mark of weakness or error you may see in him or in his brethren in the ministry, may serve to stir 24 you up to greater zeal and faithfulness, that you may rem- edy their faults and supply their lack of service. And may God forgive all of us all our faults and failures, and by His Holy Spirit build up His Kingdom in our hearts and in this Diocese. Jos. Blotjnt Cheshire, Bishop of North Carolina.