Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-05-28
Ordaining the BishOpS.

a correspondent of the Cincinnati COM
n'erctoJ gives the following interesting ac-
count of the ceremonies attending the or
dination of the Methodist Bishops elected
last week:
Long before the hour appointed for the
imposing ceremony, the Opera House was
thronged with thousands of spectators,
mostly of the fair sex. The boxes and the
near positions of the stage were reserved
for the families of the Episcopacy and
leading doctors of the church. On the
platform sat Bishops Morris, James, Ames,
Simpson and Scott, DR.. Brunsen and old
Father BOehm. On account of debility,
Bishop Morris was unable to take a lead
ing part IN the ceremonies, and Bishop
James, who has recently risen from a bed
of sickness, acted as Session Superintend-
ent. At 10 o'clock the bishops elect, each
accompanied by two elders, filed into view
on the platform. They were dressed in
the simple attire of Methodist preachers.
The bishops rose, facing the congregation,
and DR.. Hunter, of Central Illinois, read
in loud, clear voice the first lesson, taken
from Acts XXX. The Rev. Dr. Thompson,
of Wilmington, then read a lesson from
the Gospel of st. Matthew, where Jesus
tells his disciples to go forth and teach all
nations.
The candidates formed in line in the or
der in which they were presented, the eld-
erS standing behind them in q semi-cir-
Gle. Bishop Simpson then read from the
Gospel of st. Luke, and followed the read
ing with a fluent prayer. The bishops
elect and the vast audience kneeled during
the supplication, and many gave utterance
to their feelings in heartfelt amens. Bish-
op James propounded to the candidates the
Ho h.
20. Are you persuaded that you are
called by God ~ The candidates an
swered simultaneously, II am so persua-
died." After prayer and the reading of a
hymn, the bishops and elders laid their
hands upon the heads of the kneeling
candidates, Bishop James uttering the
words of conservation over Bowman and
Harris, Bishop Scott over Foster and Wi
ley, Bishop Simpson over Merrill and An
drews, and Bishop Ames over Haven and
Peck. The four officiating bishops then
presented the Holy Bible to the bishops
whom they had just cOnsecrated and ad-
mOnished them to follow its teachings.
The Lords Supper was omitted, as it
might have proved difficult to supply all
he multitude present who desired to par
axe. The Conference and congregation
oined in singing the DOxology, and the
volume of sound which went up to the
dome would have proved a startler to Gill
more. Bishop Morris pronounced the ben
ediction, and then the congratulations and
Misunderstanding commenced. The old bish-
ops shook hands with their new colleagues
on the Board, and the venerable Father
Boehm hObbled tremblingly along and in
spected the newly-erected pillars of a
church of which he is the oldest living
minister. Some of the new bishops could
no 10
ings they took seats on the platform with
the old Board, and remained there until
adjournment. The whole scene was touch
ing in its simplicity, there being an alb
sence of all paraphernalia. The number
of bishops ordained to-day is double the
highest number ever before set apart for
the office in the history of the church.