ing the purchase required the continued exercise of helpful co-operation so far as might lie in the Committee's power. In various ways, therefore, it has sought to aid in extending the circulation of the paper. Among other things, it has arranged through the gifts of generous individuals for sending a year's subscription to nearly six hundred of our pastors not previously on the list. When it is remembered that the swift rise in the cost of living has not been at once accompanied by corresponding salary increases, no one will need to be told that for the average pastor every item of expenditure must be carefully scrutinized and that to many of them just at the present time such a gift would be welcome. The Committee embraces this opportunity to remind the Council afresh of the vital importance of putting forth every effort to secure a wide reading of our denominational paper. There are three fundamental services rendered by such an organ, any one of which constitutes ample ground for such effort. In the first place it promotes acquaintance and inter-relationship. With 6000 churches scattered over a vast area, composed of varied races and types of people living under widely different conditions, it is utterly impossible to secure common vision and united championship of the principles of liberty, democracy and enlightenment, which constitute the reason for our denominational existence, unless we know one another and have some means of speaking with one another. The various forms of church news which to the casual reader may seem unimportant are indispensable elements in promoting that reciprocal helpfulness by which alone a group of churches can be built up in wise methods and in spiritual power. It is painful and depressing to reflect that some of our pastors and the vast majority of our members go from year's end to year's end wholly uninformed and in appearance wholly unconcerned as to what is being thought, said and done in sister churches of common tradition and outlook. We cannot excuse ourselves if we fail to put forth the most strenuous effort to correct this condition. In the second place a denominational paper makes it possible for our churches to conduct effectively their common undertakings. Our world wide missions, our noble educational equipment, our social and evangelistic activities are dependent upon the intelligent and generous support of our people. How can we possibly obtain this if we have no means of advising them as to what is planned or achieved? Just now we are engaged in raising $5,000,000 for old age pensions. It is a project which appeals to every one who hears of it. But it is only by the most prodigal expenditure of effort that the Commission is able to acquaint our constituency with its appeal. Even when it reaches the average Congregationalist, it finds him unprepared because he is not a reader of the only publication through which it is possible repeatedly to set forth the project we have at heart. Before us lies a momentous anniversary year. Its possibilities for the quickening of interest in great human and divine issues are very great. Their realization depends upon our power to communicate with the people of the churches and such communication is largely dependent upon the wide use of our denominational paper. Other methods can be used and are used. But they are relatively ineffective and would not be needful if instead of reaching twenty or thirty thousand families the Congregationalist and Advance were able to reach two hundred thousand. Last of all, a denominational organ has a broad educational value. It surveys the field of current world affairs and strives to interpret them in terms of the Christian faith. It repeats and enforces in varied forms the unchanging verities of the Gospel of Christ. It promotes intelligence, quickens emotion and summons to service. The interests of reform, of philanthropy, of social justice, of civic purity, of Christian union and of international good will are passed in review from week to week. Its pages are a constant corrective to the parochial and provincial narrowness of which we are all in danger. But how can it aid and how can it enlighten those who never see it? All of these services are being rendered by our denominational paper with conspicuous fidelity and ability. Its fairness of temper and its breadth of sympathy are everywhere evident. The courage of its editors is repeatedly revealed in the championship of views known to be unwelcome to large bodies of its readers. Its sound social sense and warm evan gelical quality all can see. Its variety of contents, its attractiveness and its vigor are matters of remark by many outside our communion. All that is needed, therefore, is vigorous backing on the part of the denomination, a broadening constituency to which to minister, and such increase of financial resources as shall make possible features of service long desired by the management but at present wholly beyond their power. REPORT OF CORPORATION FOR THE NATIONAL COUNCIL By action of the National Council at its 1917 meeting the Corporation was charged with the care of moneys contributed to the Pilgrim Memorial Fund. The trust thus created has greatly increased the variety and amount of the Corporation's responsibilities. In view of the desirability of having the membership more compactly located geographically and also of having it articulated with that of the Pilgrim Fund Commission, the resignations of members of the Corporation were offered and acted upon in succession, with filling of vacancies in such manner as to secure the ends named. The list of officers is now as follows: Custodian of Funds-The Bankers Trust Company, Auditors-Hurdman & Cranstoun, Certified Ac- Frequent meetings have been held throughout the biennium for consideration of the business and legal questions involved in the proper care of the funds conveyed and to be conveyed to the Corporation by the Pilgrim Fund Commission. Under the terms of the action taken by the Council the net income as determined by the Corporation from funds thus received is to be turned over to the Trustees of the Annuity Fund for Congregational Ministers. |