The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-02
DIR. NICHOLSON DECLINES.
No Bishop for this Diocese Until June
About His Confirmation.

The Episcopal Church OF this diocese is likely
| to remain without bishop for some time. The
fact that DR.. Isaac L. Nicholson, elected to sue
coed the late Bishop Talbot failed to send in his
declination before the 28th ut. gave color to the
thought that he would accept the position, but
the following letter received by Rev. ]. B. Wake
field, of Richmond, indicates that that SUPPOSE
ton was erroneous. The letter is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, March %.
Rev. and Dear Brother:
81 have just written and sent to the secretary
OF the convention a formal notice of my declina-
ton OF The office of bishop, rendered me by the
churchmen OF the diocese of Indiana, and 1 now
nasten also to notify you, as president of the
ton. Much as regret the seemingly long delay
In reaching this conclusion, and deeply as I feel
the keen disappointment that perhaps this &C.
ton of mine shall give many of my brethren, yet
can thankfully say that the whole matter, in
It's every shade and aspect, was duly and carefully
weighed by me. From the beginning l saw the
strong and urgent reasons which seemed to impel
me to accept the CALL but have also seen, and in
tue past week have seen III stronger light than
ever before the urgent reasons why should not
give up my parish here with my many weighty
cares and interests which have just learned to
bear well. l am not ashamed of the fact that
this determination of mine has only come to me,
not suddenly, but after the lapse of much time,
and after much crying pains out of the deep
l shonld rather be deeply ashamed of myself did
l, as priest of the church, undertake to weigh
grave matter as this is Of the Episcopate in
time and much patient thought and very deep
searching of The heart.
"Hhe two and only reasons which have urged
me TO this final conclusion are my deep sense of
unhtness. mental and physical, for so large
place Of ministerial duty; and further, the pc
culiar nature of this parochal work at St. Marks,
In condition at this special moment SO peculiar
that change in the rectorship would involve
certain peril and almost certain loss. am not
aware that any other thoughts than these have
largely Influenced me.
"In regard to the long delay which may now
have to follow before the diocese may be able to
elect another Bishop, this trouble is the less
since, had been able Co accept, in case could
have entered on my duty in Indiana before
November, involved in SO much special work
here am that could not be free till then. In
this respect, therefore, the loss of time to the
diocese Will not be real loss. Of course, my
half-proposed visit TO indianapolis will not now
be necessary.
81 can only and, in conclusion, my very deep
thanks to the brethren, clerical ana lay, who
have thus honored me with their confidence, and
my very deep regrets that this result is one
winch snail dlsappoint them. do feel certain
that their future deliberations will lead them to
NIX upon some one far more worthy of this high
trust OF the EpiscOpate than is ever can be
~. L. NICHOLSON,
ITO the Rev John Wakefield D. D. President of
The Standing Committee, Richmond, etc. +a
This declination postpones the election of q
bishop for this diocese until the meeting of the
regular State convention of the Episcopal church
of Indiana, which will take place on the first
Tuesday in June The bishop then elected can
not be confirmed until the following October.
Under the law of the church, if bishop is
elected within two months of the annual con-
vention (which occurs in June) he can be con-
frmed at that convention, but If the election
takes place within SIX months OF the general
convention (which occurs every three years., the
confirmation of the bishop Is attended to by the
latter body. The general convention will meet
next October, in New York city, where all the
bishops of the church in the United States will
he present, and at which time the person Sc
lected as bishop of this diocese will be confirmed.