100 years ago: May 1898 Canadian Churchman reported that however divided Christendom may have become, the actual fact at the root of it all still is that the Church of Christ is still a united church. Every soul that is baptized into Jesus Christ is by the very act of baptism baptized into the church.... We quite believe that the envelope system has taken the place of pew rents, not because people had any violent prejudice against the latter; but because the letting of pews in church fostered selfishness, and prevented persons from obtaining seats in buildings which were very far from full. Where this is done, where there are no pew rents, and where the people promise certain regular sums, to be placed in envelopes and paid at stated times, the collecting of these contributions in church is very convenient, and saves a great deal of time and labour to the churchwardens.

50 years ago: May l948 Canadian Churchman reported that Sunday is a day set apart by law as the general weekly rest-day for Canadian people. That law is what is known as "The Lord's Day Act." This is necessary because avarice and greed so quickly forget the worth of a man and would demand ceaseless labour if there were not a strong hand to protect the right of the common man to freedom from toil on one day in seven. No organization has the right, in Canada, to compel labour for seven days a week, or to penalize a man for taking his rest-day in harmony with the well-known needs of life.

25 years ago: May 1973 Canadian Churchman report-ed that detailed plans have been laid for General Synod delegates to work effectively and creatively within small discussion groups. But the role of one section of the 270 delegates has been overlooked. These individuals will play a unique and powerful role in the groups, and their presence could be a deterrent to the freedom of discussion anticipated. They are the bishops. Regardless of age, social position, or familiarity with the church hierarchy, many Anglicans will often suppress or subordinate their own opinions and desires before those of a bishop simply because, to them, episcopacy endows an individual with an aura of unquestionable authority. "If the bishop says so, it must be right." ... Corporate social responsibility, that high-sounding phrase that has already caused a rift between National Executive Council and other committees, will be up for more debate when that report and resolutions face General Synod. Underlying all this debate is the polarizing question that many American churches have had to face - the social action gospel versus the more conservative salvation gospel.