of its most important books for our denominational life in the new and revised edition of the Pilgrim Hymnal.

IN THE FUTURE.

The Society hopes to fulfill the progressive plans which are now engaging all its powers, and is ready to coöperate with the Council in such ways as shall seem desirable for the largest service that it may render.

TRIENNIAL REPORT OF THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD OF MINISTERIAL RELIEF.

TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CONGREGATIONAL

CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES:

Brethren, The action on ministerial relief taken by the National Council three years ago was the beginning of a new epoch in the labor of caring for aged ministers in our denomination.

At that time there was given to this work a distinct corporate name, and the National Council Ministerial Relief Fund became the Congregational Board of Ministerial Relief, a national organization, properly related to the other national societies. The Advisory Committee gave it a place, though not its needed share, in the Apportionment Plan.

Prior to the last Council, this work was carried on first by a committee and then by a board of trustees, appointed by the Council. It was not widely recognized as a society or national organization. Nearly all official references spoke of the Six National Societies, and Ministerial Relief was apparently regarded as an alien, at best to be only a gleaner after the rich harvests had been gathered by the six stalwart reapers.

But since the Council at Cleveland, more consideration has been shown this cause. The Council said to this board in substance what Boaz said to Ruth, "Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them." And it said to the other societies and boards what Boaz said to the reapers, 66 Let her glean even among the sheaves. Pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and rebuke her not." Under this benign treatment, this seventh society, the youngest in the family of denominational agencies, has just finished three years, and comes to this Council to make its report.

RELATION TO THE STATE SOCIETIES.

The most important fact of this report is suggested by the words of Boaz to his servants, "Rebuke her not." Under the

old method of an alien gleaner, your board of trustees had not wholly escaped the word of rebuke. In the course of the history and growth of the Congregational churches the old ministers had not been altogether neglected. A number of relief societies had been organized in various states and much good work had been done. Of course they were organized chiefly in those states where the Congregational churches were most numerous and strongest. There were seventeen of them. Some of them, especially those in the New England states, had secured valuable endowments. In a few other states the local needs were fairly well met.

On the one side, the national movement considered the whole field, thought of those ministers laboring in states where no relief organizations existed, and emphasized the obligation of the strong to care for the weak. It held that a common brotherhood in the Congregational ministry demanded a common fund from which any minister in any part of our country could draw, if in old age he needed help.

On the other side, the organized state societies were caring for their own, and this seemed about all they could do at the moment. Why should not the other states do as they were doing? And as the national work encroached upon their territory and obtained funds which their work seemed to demand, it was only natural that criticism should be provoked. The right of the national movement to seek aid from their constituents was questioned. The methods of conducting the national work were criticised and the situation was strained.

Your board felt that its first duty under the new charter was to find a basis of agreement. With this object in view correspondence was entered into and conferences secured with certain state organizations. While the work has not yet been completed, and even the first stages hardly entered upon in two or three of the states, much has been accomplished, and it is believed that before another Council a cordial basis of procedure will have been agreed upon between this board and every state organization. The results so far show that the work for relief has been committed to this board in all the states but fifteen. These are the six New England states, and New York, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, and California. With all the New England states, except Rhode

Island, a hearty and generous basis of coöperation has been adopted. Negotiations with Rhode Island are in progress, but final action has been delayed by the illness of one member of the committee and the removal from the state of another, and by difficulties in the charter of the Rhode Island society. We do not doubt, however, that the final result will be as satisfactory as in the other New England states. The national and state societies are engaged in the same work and would make common cause in aiding the veterans of the Congregational ministry. The National Secretary is welcomed in any state in the interests of this work. Donations, whether sent to the state or national treasuries, are used for the comfort and relief of aged Congregational ministers and their families. But to be more specific, beginning with Maine, the agreements provide that donations for Ministerial Relief shall be sent to the state treasurer and at the end of the year the surplus shall go to the national society. The same arrangement holds in Connecticut. The same in Massachusetts, except that remittances are to be made quarterly. The same in New Hampshire and Vermont, except that fifty per cent of their receipts shall go to the national board. New York retains its corporate existence, holding and investing its permanent funds. It forwards the income to the national board to be used first for New York applicants, all of whom must be recommended by the state society. The one appeal for contributions within the state is to be made by the national board. Ohio and Oregon have committed their work for Ministerial Relief entirely to the national board, coöperating through efficient committees. Missouri has turned over such receipts as came to the state committee to the national board. Most of the donations from that state are sent direct to the national treasury. South Dakota has from time to time sent a part of the state receipts, and the two societies work in harmony. Minnesota has voted to request its churches to divide their offerings equally between the state and national societies. Iowa and Southern California send a definite percentage of their receipts to the national board. Northern California has voted to do the same, conditioned on the receipts reaching a certain amount. This matter is just beginning to be a subject of correspondence in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

We may safely say that in the main a cordial working basis

has been established. The unity of the work is recognized. Both state and national societies are endeavoring to promote the cause of relief. Our relations with those states where a definite agreement has not yet been effected are altogether brotherly and friendly. So far as we are aware there is no longer friction or criticism. It is our privilege now to speak of Ministerial Relief as one enterprise throughout the whole country, including all the states and all the churches.

STATISTICS OF STATE AND NATIONAL SOCIETIES.

In this larger view of the united forces for ministerial relief, combining the statistics of the national and state organizations, we find that the denomination holds at the present time permanent funds to the amount of $538,000. For the calendar year of 1909, the churches contributed to the national and state organizations $40,824.61. The number of pensioners was about three hundred, representing fully six hundred dependent persons. The average pension to each family was $131.28, and the total amount distributed was $40,041.96.

STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD.

Turning now to the statistics of the national board, 191 pensioners received aid during the past three years. Of these, 97 were ministers, 85 widows, and nine orphans. They represented about 375 dependent persons. The average annual pension was $132.00. The maximum was $300.00. The average age of the regular ministerial pensioners was seventyfive years and ten months. The pensioners resided in 38 states, the District of Columbia, the Hawaiian Ids., and three of them outside of the United States. The $51,180.72 paid to them during the three years was distributed as follows: