The Report of the Trustees of the Christmas Fund was read by the Treasurer, Mr. George H. Fisher, as follows:

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHRISTMAS FUND.

The Trustees of the Christmas Fund for the Relief of Disabled Clergymen submit their Fifty-sixth Annual Report:

It will be observed that our income from all sources was $8438.07, and our appropriations to beneficiaries $9187.50, showing that we have exceeded our income, in these appropriations, by the sum of $749.43. Last year we reported appropriations of $8525, considerably the largest on our records up to that time. This year they are further increased by the sum $662.50.

As we were perfectly aware before last Christmas that the demands upon us had increased, we asked, in an appeal published in the Church Standard, for increased offerings last Christmas. The total received was slightly less than usual. It may be, that appeals for the General Society have diverted

funds which otherwise would have come to us. It is to be hoped, in any event, that next Christmas it will be remembered that the fund in this Diocese must be kept up.

The Treasurer's Report is submitted herewith.

It is scarcely necessary to add that but for the unexpected and welcome legacies reported above, our cash balance would be dangerously low. These legacies are intended for the increase of our permanent fund, and it will be our duty to invest the proceeds as soon as it can be done with safety. G. H. FISHER,

May 10, 1898.

For the Trustees.

The Report of the Commission on Church Work among the Deaf was read by the Secretary, the Rev. Mr. Hill, as follows:

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON CHURCH WORK AMONG

THE DEAF.

The Commission for Church Work among the Deaf beg leave to present the following report for 1897-98:

Your Missionary, the Rev. Mr. Koehler, has been doing very earnest, faithful and efficient work, both in this Diocese and in Central Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. work is of such a peculiar character, more individual and personal than that of any Rector of a Parish, he is compelled thereby to visit every part of this city and suburbs, besides corresponding with a great many within and without the Church, having from 1000 to 1200 practically under his care. From the summary of his report you will see that he is more like a Bishop in the extent of his territory, visiting about thirty stations during the year, covering an area of 50,000 square miles and trying to reach as many as possible of the five or six thousand living in Pennsylvania. He has received help from two Lay Readers, students of divinity, and Mrs. Syle is at work in the city.

There is very great need of a Parish building. One could be built for five or six thousand dollars. They have in hand

$1800 toward that object. The people are very poor, yet they have raised among themselves for Church work, $942.88; expended, $876.20; raised and expended for charitable work, $299.29; Communion alms, $32.85. Total, $1295.02.

The Commission receives and expends just what you give from time to time. It amounts to just over $2000, which pays the salaries of the Missionaries and printing bills. Surely out of this great Diocese there should come for this unique and successful Mission a far larger sum.

Other facts concerning the work done will be found in the Report of the Missionary.

S. C. HILL,

Secretary.

The President appointed as the Commission on Church Work among the Deaf,

The Report of the Custodians of the Church House was read by Mr. J. Vaughan Merrick, as follows:

REPORT OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE CHURCH HOUSE.

The Custodians of the Church House beg leave to report: The House has been open for business every day in the year, except on Sundays and Holidays, and continues to increase in usefulness.

There have been held ninety-six large meetings in the Assembly Room, and 276 meetings in the smaller rooms in the House, while the average daily visits have slightly increased over last year, about twenty-four thousand persons having entered the building during business hours.

A notable improvement and addition to the beauty of the building has been made in the generous gift of George C.

Thomas, Esq., of a very handsome pipe organ, with motor attachment, specially planned and built to meet all requirements of the Assembly Room. A tablet will shortly be placed thereon containing the following inscription:

"This organ is erected as an expression of filial affection and in loving memory of John W. Thomas, A. D. 1898."

During the summer of 1897 the entire woodwork of the exterior of the building was renovated, and other slight repairs were made. It is the opinion of the Custodians that considerable repairs of cracks in the plastering, and painting of several of the rooms should be made in the coming summer.

The following is the financial statement:

Thus showing a deficit of $1225.63, which, by direction of Canon XXIII, Section 4, has been paid by the Treasurer of the Diocese out of the Convention Fund.

In view of the fact that all the available rooms in the building except one have been rented, and that the question of repairs will in future figure more prominently in the maintenance of the House, it is fair to assume that the annual deficit in maintenance will hereafter amount to about $1500, and is more likely to exceed this amount than to fall below it, at least until the item of interest upon our large mortgage indebtedness is considerably reduced. If generous persons in the Church would, by gifts or legacies, make an effort to cancel this obligation, now amounting to the large sum of $68,000, and requiring an annual interest outlay of $3060, there would accrue to the Diocese an annual income equal to and in place of the present deficit.

Your Custodians deem it their duty to report considerable criticism regarding the maintenance of the Diocesan Library in the first floor of the building, in view of its very limited use, and the fact of this continued deficit. It has been suggested that the Library room could be altered into a store or stores, and the Library moved into the room now occupied by the Woman's Auxiliary. This change would yield a rental equal to the present deficit, or at any rate render it quite inconsiderable. We are authorized to state that if the Convention should deem such a change advisable, the cost of making the alterations (which would be considerable) will be met by a member of the Convention.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Custodians.
EWING L. MILLER,

PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1898.

Secretary.

The Report of the Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Pennsylvania was read by the Secretary, the Rev. Winfield S. Baer, as follows:

The Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Pennsylvania beg to report that during the past