The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-09-10
Bishops. Meliv.ine and Pelk-

- Bishops Mcllysine and Polh- y
\ Bishop Polk was cadet at West Point al
the time Bishop ,MeIlsaine vas, ,chaPlain OF
the Institution. correspondent of the
Cincinnati Gazette relates the following
scene at the Inauguration of the former.
"The Church (Christs, Cincinnati, twas
crowded toits utmost limits, the organ poured
forth its finest tones of mnsic, and the SER
vices were solemnly, grand. The newly
elected Bishop, filled with deep emotion, was
bowed at the altar when the officiating
officer said, Years ago there was at West
Point a Chaplain to whom cadet applied for
religious counsel, and with whom he labor
ed until he saw him hopefully converted.
In course Of time the cadet left, and then
the Chaplain, and Intercourse diverged-the
cadet TO change the study of life, and pre-
pare for the ministry, and the Challai to
preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to
others. After the lapse of years, again they
meet, the Chaplain as Bishop, charged
with the oversight of the Church, to fulfil
solemn work of ordaining that cadet a fel-
low Bishop. That Chaplain is he who now
addresses yon and that cadet is now bowed
at the altar" .. .......... .,- u. N
Perhaps such intensity offeeling was never
witnessed.
Trembling and weeping at the altar, Bishop
Polk was entirely overcome, and thrill of
sympathy ran through the audiencs which
left no cheek dry.
Bishop Polk was cousin Of President
Polk He Inherited large estate from his
father and married a lady Of fortune, yet he
was always one of the most laborious and
earnest laborers in the field of christian duty
A few years ago he was a large sugar planter
in Louisiana, in possession of one OF the
most delightful and profitable sugar estates
on the Mississippi. Hewas . kind and gen
erous master to his slaves who were treated
and cared for as il they were of his own
household "--he discharged his duties to
them as only truly christian master ard
benevolent man can pefforn his onerous
anil manifold obligatisns to his humble de-
pendents providing for their physical
wants, and ministering to their moral and
spiritual condition according to their sew
eral necessities. In one sad season this
patriarehisl paradise was destroyed. The
cholera in its. terrible rayages, depopulated
the estate in SIXTY days, and an inunda-
tion made its fertile fields waste. a1a'st %
The good Bishop bowed in submission to
the visitations of Providence, and stripped
of all worldly wealth, but resigned and
cheerful, he went 10 New 0rleans and took
charge ofa new and small Episcopal church
at a very moderate salary. There by his
winning addres,-his happy, cheerful tenl-
per-his humble and earnest devotion to
parochinl duties, he won the hearts Of all
that approached him, and carried the sun
shine Of Happiness into every habitation
that he entered. The Diocess few years
afterwards raised fund by voluntary sub
scriptions, of near SlOO, 900, the interest of
which is given to the support Of the Bishop,
which affords him now an abundant in
come. For the lsst two years the Bishop
has been devotedly engaged in raising the
funds to found the g Southern University
chartered by the State of Louisiana. As
we stated n few days ago, he has ALREADY y
secured half million of dollars for the in-
stitution, but does not consider his labors
for it as completed yet. lie Is determined
to persevere till his favorite project shall be
secured upon the frmest foundation, and
the college shall rival in advantages the
best universities in the land.
Bishop Polk is truly a good, and, in all
moral lexcellencies and attributes, a great
man. Those who would by calumny and
injustice to christian slave holders sever
such heart from its ties to the Union and
the entire country, infiicts upon the nation
and the cause of christianity and human
progress, fearful injury. -.