New-York tribune., 1878-06-12

the new Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Springfield,
Illinois. Ten bishops and nearly 200 clergymen
were present. The ceremony was elaborate, ana
lasted from IL O'Clock until 3. Bishop Lay, in his
sermon alluded to the charges which have been
made concerning DR.. seymOur's doctrnal views
-
THE SERVICES AND TIE SERMON.
Old Trinity was crowded yesterday from
half-past 10 until nearly O'clock by people anxious TO
see the conservation Of Dr. Seymour Bishop OF Spring
field There much fine music and service in which
bishops, priests, deaeOns and theological Students 10
the number Of in ALL and hundreds Of the laiy par
ticpated. The Astor reredos and altar were brought
into bright prominence by calcium light placed above
the organ opposite the cnancel Upon the altar we're
cross two tall lighted candles aud two Of flowers
as well as the bread and wine be in the eommun
ion service The both sides Of the main aisle
were reserved for clergymen Admission to other
parts Of the church by ticket. Students Of the
General Theological Seminary OF the Protestant Epseo-
cal Church occupied the front seats.
The procession left the vestrY at IL o'clock going
down the south and up the centre aisle into the chanee
One hundred and thirty clergymen in surpliees came
first, led by those who had been previously ordained
When they had arrived midway in the centre aisle the
ranks divided, and the choir. followed by the bishop
elect the attendant eergymen and ten bishops passed
between them. The bishops Bishop Potter, OF
the diocese OF New-York, to whom presiding Bishop
smith had delegated his authority this occasion
Bishop sOuhgato. late OF COnstantiDOpe Bishop Quin-
tard, OF Tennessee; Bishop NeLareB. OF Northern
Illinois: Bishop Scarborough, Of New-Jersey; Bishop
Odenheimer, Of Northern New-Jersey; Bishop Clark
son, of Nebraska; Bishop Nicely, of Maine
Bishop Lay. OF EastOn. and the Lord Bishop
Harper Of Christ Church. NewZealand. These
took their places within the chancel Dr. Seymour sat
the head Of the main aisle Just before the entrance
to the chaucel He his cassOck and r0ebet. Dr.
Dix aud Dr. Hodges, Of Baltimore the attendant pres
bvters sat either hand The other clergy I'D sur
Iafs.r half he
both sides Of the centre aisle and the usniphced cief
gytuen. OF whom there seemed TO be many were seated
lust Lack brethren IN yestments. great crowd
OF aymen occupied the remainder OF the peWs ming
the ases and croEding up around me ehance am on
by -four bcade who did not carry stayes because the
parish only has two Of these badges OF office Conse
queny tbese beadics generally supposed 10 De
lay delegation from the diocese Of Springfield. -
An anthem, beginning "Oh, Holy Ghost was sung
Bishop Clars0n tue Office, reading the three
Collects one for Tuesday IN Whtsun week, one for St
Barnabas Day, and one always used Wheu Dlsh0p ls
cOnsecrated, and the commandments. THIS part OF tne
ceremony Is the regular antecommunon service Of the
church. The Epister was Bishop scarDOrough ana the
Gospeler Bishop Odenhemer. The sermon IOIOWea,
aud was preached by Bishop Lay The text was Acts
xi 24: Much people added unto the Lord
The preacher characterized the ambition for more
numbers the church as folly and sin. Bishops saw
wih satisfaction he said large classes presented ot
confirmation, unless they bad been carefully instructed
IN the engagements Of the Christian covenant and had
decided TO serve God with no restrictions. lne d lued
standard Of church extension. Bishop Lay continued,
way OF the realization Of this ideal They were division
in religious opinion, spirit Of revolt against any system
that involved restraint, and the idea that Christian lie
was NOT discipline but sensation.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER DIR. SEYMOUR.
After discussing the powers Of bishop and his rela
tious with his diocese ana the church at large Bishop
Law passed from gpnerdies to particulars as follows
Itsno without opposition that our brother has been
confirmed for the Office to which be has been called
church s jealous concerning the s0undness IN doe
enongh 10 excite alarm There doubt that he whom
we to-day has been dgent In preaching and
other holy Offices Strange misconceptions arc there IN
this world. when some controversy touching thngs
expedien aud accidental has arisen, a man nnds i'm
puted him beliefs most contrary 10 his thoughts or
acts winch never entered his mind.
When The controversy first began touching the teach
ing practices In the General Theological seminary, IN
vOvlng subsequently what has been debated IN eOnnec
ton with Illinois elections the House ot BISHOPS aee
gated its powers 70 commission Ior tne Nlstuoa ol
tue seminary. The commission was composed Of the
Marylnd and the late Bishop Wmtehouse. Their duty
was thoroughly done, occupying the u working hours
into an Inquison, nor did they nut Enybody on the
rack oI eoniessiona. I buI s,T I 81, @ nil,
exonerated the Professor OF Ecclesiastical History from
any susricion OF docirinai unsOuDdness extrava-
gauce. Subsequent allegations we're proved 10 be the
purest misconceptions. There has been no smoothing
AVA, az protests against medieval errors. His teach
ng have been direct accord VITA Gods laws and the
teachings OF the most eminent doctors m the church
Now, my brother there Dr. Seymour rose, facing the
altar not the preache) be assured that sympathy
and prayers Will follow you in the work that awaits
you. Bygoues viii be bygones and the fair tablet OF
your episcopal record has yet 20 he inscribed BE bold
but not too bold BE gentle, but not al gentieness.
Assume the night or your place. Dut voice II hot win
useless challenges You To show whether there Is
NY dluceSes
pastors NAV De personally acquainted WIN al thtif
needs and make their influence fet IN all their opera
tious May you lack grace TO use all the gifts
la received 10 the glory OF God May you aud al
your cOwOrkcrs at the last SHINE as the brightness OF
the ornament and as the stars for ever and ever.
The sermon ended the Bishop-eleot, stll vested only
in bis rochet and attended by Drs DIX and Hodges was
presented 20 Bishop Potter who sat in the cathedra ust
within the chance rail near the holy table Dr. Seymour
recited the vow OF conformity to the doctrine discipline
aud worship Of tho Episcopal Church Then histestmO
mails were read we the letter from Bishop Smith
delegatug to Bishop Potter the right to preside. While
Dr. seymour remained kneellng before Bishop Potter,
the Itany was utoned by Bishop Neey The responses
were chanted The presiding Bishop still sitting then
Dr. Seymour the questions prescribed In the form
Bshopeect put the chemne-that part OF ths episco
pal habit made OF black satin, with large lawn sleeves
Then me knelt; the "Ven Creator Spritus" sung,
and the bishops laid their hands upon his head the
presiding Bishop saying & the iSImn,a Reeeiye
received Bible and the customary exhortation from
Bishop seymour then took his place within the chan
eel and regular communion service was begun The
Bishop having received the bread and wine the presey
ers deacons and theological students followed. This
ended the office, and, having formed In procession
OF the bishop signed by those present OF like
apostolic rank.
DIR. sEYMoURs CAREER.
George Franklin Seymour is about forty-eight years
OF age and was born in this city. Having been grad
uated from Columbia College, he entered the General
Theological Seminary in 1851, taking holy orders in
1854 Dr. De Koven, OF Racine was classInate OF his
and Dr. Morgan DIX Bishop Armtage and Bishop Pad
dock were IN the Seminary at the time The early
part OF Dr. seymours ministry was spent in mission
work in this diocese. At time be rector Of
Christ Church, Hudson. For long period he was
warden Of st. Stephens a church school, at Annon
dale i'm this state. Thence he went 10 S. Johns
parish i'm Brooklyn. He was later pastor OF ST. Marks
New-York Recently he has held the ONCE OF Dean OF
the General Theological Seminary.
In 1874 Dr. Seymour proposed as candidate 20
mi the position OF tho late Bishop WhitehOuse, of Hi
nois hut obtaining only numerical majority Of the
house of clerical and lay delegates, and rot majority