ably in order to meet the interest on our loan and as rapidly as possible pay off the principal. It will require care, promptness, and earnest effort, if this movement is to be carried to a successful issue.

On the 1st of January, the Feast of the Circumcision, after most careful consideration and study, and conference with older Bishops, I instituted an order of Deaconesses in the Diocese by admitting and ordaining according to prescribed Canon, Mrs. Zuna Potter Jaynes as a Deaconess attached to Grace Cathedral, and working under my personal commission. Mrs. Jaynes is a woman of mature years, a communicant of the Church, and has for some time been actively and efficiently engaged in mission work in the city of Indianapolis. Since her ordination she has reported to me regularly, the work in which she has been engaged, which receives my most cordial approval. In taking this step, I have been governed largely by a desire to learn how far such work is wise and beneficial, and whether I can, with propriety, enlarge this body as an efficient agency in doing the missionary work of the Diocese. I shall move most cautiously in the matter and only adopt it as a permanent factor in Diocesan work when convinced of its wisdom.

August 14th I admitted Sister Mary, who had finished her novitiate, to the Order of the Holy Name. She is still serving in connection with the Industrial School at Lima,

In this connec this office, sadly Its reverent use

I have used the office for the institution of ministers once in inducting the Rev. Edward W. Averill into the office of rector of Trinity Church, Peru. tion I would impress upon all the value of neglected, as worthy of more general use. provides for a solemn and dignified assumption of pastoral responsibility and authority, and impresses upon all what I fear is dreadfully clouded in the popular mind to day, the true character and exalted dignity of the cure of souls.

I have made a beginning in work among the colored people of the State by organizing a mission at Evansville which is served by a lay reader and is temporarily under the care and direction of the rector of St. Paul's Church. Had I the means at my command to do so, I could start a similar work in Indianapolis under a most cultivated man who has applied to me to be admitted a candidate for Holy Orders. I trust even yet I may be able to find the means to carry out this plan.

I can not close my review of the year's work without a few words in relation to the Woman's Auxiliary. I feel deeply indebted to this important organization for the earnest efforts put forth to carry out my suggestions and to bring the organization more thoroughly into line with the method of work which obtains throughout the Church. Do not for a moment, dear brethren, imagine that I am opposed to parish aid societies. They are most valuable adjuncts to parish work. But the Woman's Auxiliary is neither parochial nor diocesan, but national, and committed to a self-devised and self-assumed task, namely, to assist and increase the missionary efficiency of the Church. I think I may say a very decided advance has been made in its organization and efficiency during the past year in this Diocese. The general officers have worked most earnestly to effect this; much more can be accomplished if the clergy will lend their aid in promoting it. It is a real pain to me to receive word from time to time that the clergy are employing arguments to dissuade the devout women of their cures from this noble work, or to persuade them to make their offerings as small as possible that they may divert them into other channels. Could our Woman's Auxiliary have their own independent work, manage their own affairs and condense into their own reports the sum of this year's work, I am sure it would not be long before they would astonish the Diocese by the magnitude of their

achievements. I can not but urge this matter upon t Church as worthy of adoption.

And now, dear brethren, let us address ourselves to the work of this Convention. The question of paramour · importance is what we are going to do with our we Church extension. At our last annual council a reso: was passed providing for the uniting of all Dioces gations in one fund. It was done with the best on: but it has been attended with great difficulty an fusion. I am satisfied you will be wise to repe lution, and so far as the support of the Episcop vision for the council fund are concerned, ita just where it has been in the past.

...

With regard to our provision for Cupr am prepared to recommend a radical neper methods, aware that at the first it may in sequences. I regret, very, very muc enormous field before us, into which., . to drive His work, there is such a gen work and such universal complaint a With innumerable cities like Wabash, Bluffton, Decatur, Win and Seymour, into which this work, as yet untouched, indiffere sion work is lamentable to the as your Bishop, approach thi ing and exhausting to have ti priation for Church extension year, and all over the Dig. appropriation, hear complar sive and can not be paid, an gies: compel the paymer. constituency. The longer ular becomes the cause

beggarly the offerings. I say emphatically, let us put this business upon the divine basis, "Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver". Let us away with taxes and let us throw ourselves on the generous sympathy of the people of this Church for the means to do what God has given us to do. If some of the earnest and eloquent clergy and laymen of this Diocese will aid me in this matter, I believe we can accomplish more splendid results than by the present method. I would respectfully recommend to this council that it repeal the existing provisions for assessment for these purposes; that it pass a resolution providing for a call of the roll of parishes, missions and Sunday-schools after the report of the Board of Missions, and let each make such pledge as they will redeem. Then let the Board of Missions do the best work it can with the means provided by the Church, and if possible, get away from the idea of hardship in connection with the work God has given us to do, and which others have done for us. If in addition to this, individuals of wealth can be asked for personal pledges and an effort be made by the Board of Missions to render the work more efficient, I believe we shall in time find the Church extension work on a more efficient, because a more healthy, basis.

In this connection let me say that we have no charities in this Diocese depending for their maintenance upon the benefactions of our people. We should be more free to do large things for the general work of Church extension. There ought to be an efficient general missionary whose whole time is given to planting and developing the Church in those cities where it is unknown, and to which the Bishop can not give sufficient time to make it a success. I have been striving to work out this provision in a way that would make it permanent. It ought to be done, and done at once, and done with great power.

I believe it would be most wise for this council to make a determined effort to secure the erection of a missionary jurisdiction in the southern half of the State and to collect such data as would compel the General Convention to listen to its presentation of the facts. There is a vast Diocese really without our having a foothold in it. It will never be reclaimed in any other way.

On your table awaiting your action are the amenumer; sent to us by the General Convention last year should be taken up and acted upon.

There is your partially enacted constitution es ment carrying the convention from the first Ianua June to the last week in September. If it is vo to ratify this action I would suggest that the n cedure be so amended that the Convention St., in the morning instead of at night. This w: portunity for organization, appointment o hearing of reports, etc., the first day, leave to... committee work and let us get through our thus, -second day without so much confusion a will it compel business men to be preser routine work of the organization, whi in the council during the hours of its res

There are some slight changes re to render them harmonious. In the me Canon on missions should conform bringing them all to the Monday i...

I cannot but think it a mistak the provision that the standing con specific persons. It would seer for standing committees and discretion to select the best por: instance the committee on asa, un