Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-25
THE NEW EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF
LOUISIANA.
Frnm the Now Orleans. Pieavune.l

From the Now Orleans. Picayune.
The Protestant Epicopal Convention have
unanimously chosen the Rev. J. 7. B. Will
mer, of Virginia, temporarily residing IN
MARYLAND. 10 be successor of the late Right
Rev. Leonidas Polk, as Bishop of Louisiana,
The clergy had the right of nomination, and,
after sixteen Intellectual efforts TO agree, so
learned and distinguished were the choices
of various members of the convention, they
nominated DIR. Wilmer by a vote of eighteen
to four for DIR. Mahan, of Baltimore, and one
for the Missionary Bishop Lay of Arkansas.
The Laity confirmed this choice by MAJOR
itv of twelve parishes-seventeen voting aye
and five nav. The choice was then made
unanimous by a vote of the whole conven-
ton, and so declared, and Immediately at-
terwards all the members, clergy and lalty
and numerous visitors, united in singing the
Gloria in Excelsis"
The Bishop Of Louisiana elect is native
of Alexandria, Va, and has spent most OF
his life in that State. He belongs 10 the well
known family of that name from which
comes his cousin, Bishop Wilmer, of Ala
hama, and is said 10 be a faithful pastor, an
eloquent preacher, learned man, and from
his personal acquaintance with the ProteS-
tant Episcopal Seminary at Alexandra, IA
miliar with the work Of organizing and car
ryinC on public institutions of learning.
lie is still a young man, III vigorous health,
poSsesses a large fortune, which he freely
uses for the advancement Of the Christian
Church. ard is personally known TO many
of the Southern Bishops, 10y whom he was
strongly recommended for this high office.
After his ordination, DIR. Wilmer had
charge Of two parishes in the lower part et
his native State, in what is called the odd
| Dominion" where he gained muchdis;inctlon
for he energy and faithfulnesS with which he
performed his pastoral duties and his sound
and eloquent preaching. lie was, also, very
much beloved in general society for the AHA
| bility and grace Of his manners. His noble
qualities aud fitness 10 take more respon-
| sible charge becoming known to the people
! of Philadelphia, where he occasionally MN
! istered he was chosen rector of the old Church
| of N. Marks in that city, and continued the
able and beloved pastor of that large and
elegant congregation till the outbreak OF the
! late war.
Being native cf Virginia, DIR. Wilmer 5
sympathies during the late struggle were en-
! tirely with the Confederates, and when the
war had actually broken out he resigned
his charge in Philadelphia and returned TO
his family, then in Albermarle county, Va.
Soon after he became a chaplain IN the Con-
federate army, and especially was very de-
voted in his attendance upon hospitals near
| which lac chanced to be stationed.
At a late day he was chosen by the clergy
! Of Virginia 10 20 abroad to purchase Bibles
and TeStamonts for the Confederate army,
then in this respect very destitute. He exc
cuted this commission in England well, but
in attempting to run the blockade he was
captured by Federal cruisers in the Ches-
peake and taken to the Old Capitol prison
After his release he returned South and con-
tinued to do religious duties as before in the
army. till the surrender of Gen. Lee at Apo
mattIx Court-House. Subsequently he wa'
invited to take charge Of the parish at Elk
Ridge, Md, near Baltimore, where he has
the last year resided.
DIR. Wilmer graduated at the University
Of Virginia, in his academical course, and a
the Protestant Episcopal Seminary, neal
Alexandria, in archaeological. He is a mar