The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-12
THE EPISCOPAL BIsHoPR1o.


The first business of the Episcopal convention,
which meets at st. Paul's Cathedral, in this city,
on June 5, for the purpose of taking action upon
the letter of DR.. Nicholson, declining the Indi-
ana bishopric, will be, after the letter has been
formally presented to the body, to canvass the
question az to whether or not there is still a gen.
eral desire among the members Of the diocese
that he should accept the office. To reach a de-
cision of the matter, a vote will be taken upon a
motion requesting DR.. Nicholson to withdraw his
letter of declination. II the vote is unanimously
in the affirmative, the action will be equivalent
to IA reelection, ana all proceedings
will end there. DIR. Nicholson will
then accept. as it will be his duty to.
While this will be the course of procedure. part
ly through courtesy and the loyalty of his
friends who first urged his election, there is no
probability that the convention will take any
such action. A prominent member of the clergy
yesterday stated to a Journal reporter that DIR.
Nicholson's election was simply an accident.
The choice Of the clergy was DR.. Harrison, and
the choice of the laity was DIR. Garrett. A com
promise became necessary, and the name of DR..
Nicholson was proposed. He was known per-
sonally to only two men in the convention, but
his extensive reputation as one Of the ablest
clergyman in the church was known to all,
all the requisites for the position.
since his election it has been found by more
cafeIul inquiry INTO the mans character ana by
more deliberate consideration of the kind of a
man required for the position, that the choice of
DR.. Nicholson may have been a mistake.
His ideas upon important church mat
tiers will not harmonic with those held by the
Indiana diocese. II the convention fails, as it
certainly will, to request DR.. Nicholson, by a
unanimous vote, to withdraw his declinatiOn,
they will then proceed in the regular way to
the election of a bishop to fill the va
cant place. Among those who are most
prominently mentioned for the office are DR..
Worthington, of Detroit; DR.. Parett, of Wash
ington, d. c.; Archdeaoon Kirkby. general mis-
sionary secretary OF the Episcopal church; Dr..
claimed, is in ill-health, and, while he possesses
in a high degree ali the qualifications, 1t is likely
that he will not be urged very strongly. The
name of Rev. E. A. Bradley, of Christ Church,
this city. has been mentioned by several papers
In the State, but Mr.. Bradley wishes it under
stood that he is no candidate, and that the use
OF his name in connection with the place is with
out his consent.
1t is not generally known that there was a
movement prior to the meeting Of the
last convention to put forward Mr..
Bradley for the office, but he re-
fused, 1t is said, to give it his approval or con-
sent. Several prominent members of the church
called on him when names were being suggested,
and urged him to give his consent to becoming 10
candidate, ''The position is one which should
seek the man" lie held, and he refused to give any
encouragement to the movement. An ardent ad-
mirer, however, placed him in nomination., be-
cause he conscientiously believed it to be his
duty, and a very complimentary vote was given
him in the ball0ting.