The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-26
BISHOP POTTER.
Brilliant Reception Last Night at the
Academy OF Muse.
CELEBRATING HIS QUARTER CENTENNIAL
Presentation Of an Elegant Diocesan
Memorial Casket.


last evening the that presented itself below
where two or three thousand people had gathered to
do honor to the venerable and beloved Bishop of the
diocese of New York. Chairs set on the ample
stage tor about three hundred singers selected from
the choirs OF Trinity, Grace and st. Thomas
churches. and included such artists as Miss Brad
ford Miss winant. Miss Hubbell. Miss Drasdil, solo
sopranos and contraltos, and Messrs. Simpson and
jameson, sohst and Camp tenors and bassos. The
grand orchestra was under the direction of DR..
Damrosch and the choirs named were under their
respective organsts Mr.. A. II. Messiter OF Trinity;
Mr.. s. p. Warren. of Grace, and Messrs George W.
Warren and p. A. Schneider, Of st. Thomas Church.
Mr.. A. r. Toulmin touched the soft chords OF the
harp and drew thcrefrom delightful strains.
About thousand persons were at the Academy
doors when they were opened at a quarter past
seven and half hour later there was very little
unoccupied space in the house OF song Promptly
at the hour named the programme. eight o'clock.
Bishop Potter entered. leaning on the arm OF Dr.
Dix and took his seat and at the instant the or.
chestra struck up the grand march from "Tannhau-
SER. and the lights which had been burning low were
turned on full. lighting up gay and brilliant spec
tacle. In few words Mr.. Miller, chairman of the
Reception Committee. introduced the Rev. DR.. Dix
as chairman of the evening Tho Doctor thanked
the committee and the audience for the honor done
to render the anthem, "Lord. who shall dwell in
Thy Tabernacle?" in which Miss Bradford sustained
the solo parts admirably.
UNION COLLEGE CONGRATULATIONS.
The representatives Of the trustees alumni and
faculty of Union College. from whichPishop Potter
graduated in 1896. together with authorities of
Union University. including Messrs. T. w. Olcott,
r. II. Pruyn. H. II. Martin. DR.. Thomas Hun. Judge
Learned, Dr. Samuel Ward. and others representing
the Albany Medical College, Albany Law School
and the Dudley Observatory. which constitute
the Albany institutions OF the University,
presented their congratulations to tho Bishop.
who is president OF the New York Alumni OF Union
College, at the meeting last night in the Academy.
They reminded him of his graduation from their col
ege of his call to the episcopate OF New York and OF
an address which hooferward delivered as Honorary
Chancellor and for which address their institution
They also thank the Bishop for communication in
which he earnestly pleaded for the establishment Of
college library and showed the great need Of Gull
ture for young men in American colleges.
brief address was also presented by Mr. Il. Il.
Pierson in behalf of the rector wardens ana vcstry
OF ST. Peters parish, Albany, OF which Bishop Potter
was rector at the time OF his election to the episco
pate, and had been for twentyone years before The
address breathed the most kindly spirit and prayer
for the Bishops health ana peace After this the
orchestra struck up the Priests March," from
Mendelssohn's "Athaie," and then the quartette Of
Grace Church sang the anthem, "Blessed IL tho man
that walketh not in tho counsel of the ungodly.''
The standing Committee Of the diocese OF Albany
one Of their number. DR.. Payne. Of st. Georges
Church. Schenectady. then presented q congratu-
from Beethoven by the orchestra prepared the way
for the address Of the evening which was delivered
by Secretary Evarts of Washington. substantially ~
As the Secretary rose to speak he was greeted with
when requested by the committee some time ago 70
take an humble share in this celebration.
and he willingly laid aside other obligations
that he might be here. He was well aware
that it was not the speaker nor his words thaA
bration. Tho congregation present and the great
number Of admirers who present only in
spirit. he said should supply the voice Of congratu-
lation. All these plaudits but the C0nsenting
voice of the multitude concerning their "blameless
bishop" which Paul declared every bishop should
be-a lover OF good men, sober. Just. holy. tenn
Mr. Evarts then referred to the character ana work
proverb. he said, ''The workman is made by his
working" How. he asked. does the soldier become
the great commander the lawyer the great judge.
but by the discipline of hard work? He referred to
the fruitful growth aud the beauty of this vineyard
which has been favored by the Bishops husbandry.
Other Christian communities have been conseli-
dated by the shapey upholding OF Bishop Potter's
own church. and the end has crowned his work.
air. John Jay then presented the memorial casket
to the Bishop. 1t was laid table before him.
the opened and the whole piece stood in full
view Of the audience 1t looks finished. but q few
weeks will be required to complete the design.
THE MEMORIAL CAsKEr.
A brief description OF this memorial casket will
Messrs. Tiffany Co. from designs by MIR. White
house who obtained his conception Of it from the
description of the Ark OF the Covenant given in
Exodus xxxvii Its composition is gold. silver and
polished STEEL and its dimensions are as
nr ascordipp :" the double value of the Hebrew
cubit. 1t Is Is inches long, III inches wide and III
high and presents gothic outline A Celtic cross OF
gold about inches above the rim OF the lid
roof. which forms one of the most important
parts of the design and slants upward half foot to
u cresting of silver open work. The polished steel
surface Is inlaid with mosacs Of gold, producing
most beautiful effect. Underneath the golden cross
and on level with the ridge of the lid ON ono
the other side spray OF lilies also in silver both
symbozing the Bishops work and the purity of his
espiscopate. Beneath the crook and lilies open
Bible rests on a bed of olive branches, embamstic
of the peaceful condition of the diocese with tho
broodng over the Bible. On either side OF tho
dove are Pentecostal emblematic tongues or
lid are symbolic figures of the four Eyanael-
lists wrought of solid silver four inches high in full
relief-Matthew as man. Luke as lion. Mark rs
an and John as an eagle-thus combining the
prophetic and apocalyptic conceptions in one On
the sides of the lid there are also four trefoil
medaons-two on each-representing the hrst bap.
tism the frst confirmation. the first communion and
the first conservation of which the Protestant Epis-
copal Church in America has any records. Within
Bishop Potter. his diocese and the Protestant Epis
On the front Of the casket there three circular
medalons the central one OF which Is the mead OF
Bishop Potter in solid gold. The left contains
beth Palace London in 1887 of the first bishop sent
to this country and the right Is representation:
also in silver, OF the irst convention OF
the Protestant Episcopal Church in America
in 1859. All the delicate work on the
lid illustrates the unity OF the Church In all ages.
and that the sides the bishops connection with
the history and order OF the Church In England and
America Tho two mcdallions i'll the of the
chest give the old Trinity Church Of New York.
There are two locks on the caskct; on the silver
plate OF one is the date 1854 and ON the ether 1872
fhe follow is engraved on the base moulding,-
To the Right, Reverend Horato Potter, d. D., LII. d..
n o. L.. bishop Of New York, from his diocese, with
love and Gratitude for TWENTY-FIVE Of faithful aud
fruitful service.
The Gift IL thus religious we'll as affectionate
universal In its lesson we'll personal. Bishop
Potter, responding, seemed to be inspired for the
occasion. Tho audience arose spontaneo usiy and
stood while he spoke. His voice could be heard
distinctly all over the house. His address
was u return of thanks In order to the several rep
resenat that had presented congratulations to
him. and personally to Mr.. Eyarts and Mr.. JAY, and