The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-26
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN NEW JERSEY.
Proposed Division OF the DiOcese-ToC
Much Work for the Bishop-Views OF
the Clergy and Laity.

Proposed Division OF the DfOcese-Too
Much Work for the Bishop-Views OF
the Clergy and Laity.
On Tuesday next the nineteenth Convention OF
the Episcopal Diocese Of New Jersey Will meet at
Burlington, where Bishop Odenheimer resides, and
1t is safe to say that since the erection OF the do
cese no convention will have met under greater
pressure OF anxiety and excitement than this one,
the occasion being the proposition to divide the
diocese and have two bishops instead of one. AT
the last Diocesan Convention, held IN Newark, a
committee was appointed to consider the subject OF
adivsion. This committee will report at this session
almost the first thing after the opening OF the con-
vention. 1t is composed Of the following clergy
and laity:-Clergy-Rev Messrs ). II. Smith, Of
Newark; Merit Of Morristown; Clarke, of Eliza.
beth; Stubbs, OF New Brunswick; Garrison OF
Camden, and B0ggs, OF Newark. Laity-Messrs.
Dodd, Mills, THOMPSON, Garthwaite, Voorhees,,
Many and Guantt The anxiety and excitement
felt in Episcopal circles from one end OF the State
to the other and which, as the opening day Of the
convention nears, naturally increases, Is not so
much as to how the committee will report as how
the Convention will consider and treat the subject.
1t is believed in well informed lay and eccesias-
tlcal circles that this committee, although fairly
balanced, will report in favor OF set ting or
THE SEVEN NORTHERLY COUNTIES AS A NEW
These counties are Hudson, Essex Passaic, Der !.
gen, Morris, Sussex and Warren, and now form
what IS known as the Northern Convention OF the
event Of the committee reporting-a thing that
Is undOubted In some authoritative quarterS-tne
grand question is, What will the Convention do ?
This Convention, as are all Episcopal conventions
is composed equally OF clergy and alty. AS regards
the sentiment OF the clergy on the proposition to
divide, that is pretty generally known to be
largely in favor of the measure. The HERALD rep
reseutative has been advised, on high authority,
that meetings have been held OF the reverend gen.
tlemen in the various portions OF the State
and the subject thoroughly discussed the results Of
which warrants the opinion that three-iourths OF
is therefore, considered that the question: SO lar
as the clergy are concerned, is practically settled
BUT WHAT SAY THE LAIrY?
This Is question that puzzles, and will not be
solved until next Tuesday or alter The news
papers in the State have been mildly considering
this latter problem, and some say the laity are
opposed to the measure almost unanimously; but
this is probably incorrect. One OF the principal
reasons urged against the division is, that the
pense involved OF supporting another Bishop. 1t
Is also urged that the present Bishop does not
need assistance in his work but that he
quiry recently the HERALD representative
a majority Of the iaity, and that such leading and
active men as Mills Hance, Wright, Voorhees,, Van
derpool, Many, Garthwate, Sibley, Hayes, Cheese.
brOugh and Ward consider
BOTH ARGUMENTS AS MIGRATORY.
They state that the rapid growth OF the diocese
renders 1t impossible that any one man can per-
form the ministerial and executive work OF the
whole State, no matter how industrious, able and
willing he may be. The part OF New Jersey pro-
posed as a new diocese Is hardly more than one
fourth Of the State in SIZE yet In the number OF
clergy, amount OF contributions 60 missions, &C., 1t
Is now above the average of two-thrds OF the do
ceses throughout the country. II the appointment
OF a bishop, say the laity representatives named,
will add greatly to the efficiency Of the church In
New Jersey The support OF one man in seven Of
the Oldest counties OF the State ought not for a
single instant be considered. Finally these gen.
temen point to Western and Central New York,
to Pttsburg, to Albany, to Long Island and to
Easton to vindlcae the truth, justice and success
OF their position. Mere fragments OF old overgrown
dioceses when set on and given bishop increase
rapidly In strength and numbers Central Penn
sylvania, not long ago, set of from Pennsylvania
has, during the year, raised nearly ten thousand
dollars for diocesan missionS-a fact regarded in
church circles as somewhat beyond the common.
In conclusion IL Is matter that cannot be doubted
that whether division takes place this year or not
1t wiz surely come in the not distant future A
mere question Of a few dollars and cents will GER
tainy stop IL.