Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-28
PRESIDENCY OF WILLIAM AND MARY
COLLEGE


PRESIDENCY OF WILLIAM AND MARY
COLLEGE
We are informed that the Protestant Episcopal
Convention, which lately assembled in WIN
chester, advised against the acceptance OF the
Presidency Of William and Mary College ny
Bishop Johns. II is known 10 some OF our read
els that, nol long since, the appointment OF pfes'-
dent was, with great unanimity, conferred oy Inc
Trustees of The College upon The Assistant
Bishop OF this Diocese, but was promptly de-
clined by him, as Incompatible with his duties 10
the EpiscOpale. The acceptance, however, oe'he
warmly urged upon him BY friends, both oil
the Church and the College, he was induced 10
say, that he would submit The matter 10 The Con-
venlion of the Diocese, then shortly 10 assemble
in Winchester, for their opinion and advice, ami
if. after due consideration of The subject they
should think it best for him TO do so, he would
cheerfuy take upon himself he Office OF Presi-
dent, and discharge its duties 10 the best OF his
ability.
A delegate to the Convention iaiorms US,
that that portion Of the Assistant Bishops
annual report relating 10 this subject was referred
to special committee, who subsequently report
ed in favor Of The acceptance. The debate which
followed, our informant says, was OF more man
usual interest and ability as indeed might have
been anticipated from the ministers OF this church,
we'll educated as they generally are, accustomed
to public speaking and influenced By The motives
;nk 10 on
occasion. The Rev. Mr.. Hodges OF Williams
burg, the Rev. MIR. Miniserode of Williamsburg
who is also one of the Professors in William and
Mary the Rev. Mr.. Mann OF Gloucester, the
Rev. MIR. Denison OF Prince George and Taze.
we'll Taylor, Esq, OF Norfolk, addressed The Con-
venion with decided effect in favor OF the accep-
lance The Rev. DR.. Empe, OF this city, Tor.
merly President of William and Mary whose
opinion was especially asked, after explaining
what had been the duties Of the President OF The
College when under his charge, also expressed his
earnest desire that an arrangement might be MADE
by which the Assistant Bishop could accept The
| prollered appointment. On the other side followed
the Rev. Mr.. Rocker Of Winchester, pending
whose remarks, which were well put, and marked
| Throughout by force, the Convention took recess
On Ie-assemblins, Bishop Meade rose and said, il
was usual for The opinion oflhe presiding BishoI
10 be given al The close OF any debate in Conven
| ton but as this was peculiar question, which
had been already very ably and perhaps fully ar
| gued on one side,-as he had been frequently ie'
lerred 10 in the course OF the debate, and his opn
ions had been in some instances mistaken, and IL
others wrong deductions had been made from those
opinions he would take that opportunity 10 make
few remarks, which might be followed by others
1 I,or, ~ ~ har nj he Conveniion parf n
The discussion. He then proceeded with admira-
BILE cIearness, 10 state his objections 10 the accep
lance of The Presidency by Bishop Johns. lie
referred first 10 the circumstances under which an
| Assistant Bishop had been granted 10 Vir-
| snia in opposition 10 a known and very great
reluctance on the part oil The General Convention
10 grant Assistant Bishops al all: and he con-
sidered that il would be violation OF faith I'M
piled TO The General Convention, now 10 luTn
The Assistant from The particular duties 10
which he had been specially assigned with 80
much reluctance in order That ne mig hl take upon
himself other duties otlhen contemplated, Who'll
ly different, and 10 some extent Incompatible with
those first assumed. He Dex considered the ext e.
dency, in its effect npon both The Church AMI the
College, OF placing Bishop al The head ola liter
~ institution, which he thought exceedingly ore
tona illustrating his views by reference 10
most OF The Colleges Of the U. States now or here
! otore under UNCONVENTIONAL influence. He spoke
OF his unwillingness 10 array William and May
against the University Of Virginia since The
placing the Assistant Bishop al the head OF The
former would be in effect pedging himself and
| The Ministry OF the Diocese ~ use their efforts IL
send students 10 The support Of The former in PIE.
ference TO The latter. With The most marked et
feet he proceeded from objection 10 objection
placing Them so prominently before the Convrn
| lion, and giving TO the whole such weight, thai
whereas, our informant thinks, il the question had
| been taken before The recess, the vote would mos
probably have been in favor oil the acceptance
| now, when il was put, there was scarcely an an
dible affirmative. This was no unreasoned sub
mission 10 The opinion Of high authority, but wa.
indeed The effect OF cogenl conviction. We sup
pose in truth, from what we have heard, that such
an effect Of any one speech has rarely been Wit
MESSED in any assembly. The acceptance Of the
profered Presidency was fell BY many 10 be a
strong Temptation" but they who thus felt were
among The first 10 put il away from them in view
OF the arguments urged by Bishop Meade.
Whatever may be The disappointment caused
| by this decision TO the friends Of old William &
| Maryland we claim that Onr cDuntrlmen are
her friends, (ior who that has heard Of what she
| has done could be other than ffiend2)-Richmond,
we are persuaded, will consider their loss her
gain. To lose Bishop Johns, even from the hur-
ried enjoyment which he is enabled 10 give TO our
social circle, would I've regret TO those who APP
preciate most beautiful and most delightful
example of home lie. To lose him from our
pulps during his winter residencr, would be- TO
lose one on whose lips cloquence wails-whose
"lair privilege" it is, that, perhaps, no man has
heard him in his iervid advocacy OF his Masters
cause, without being kindled by The wish that he
too possessed The same faith, hope and spirit.