The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-08
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
DR.. Isaac l.. Nicholson, of Philadel-
phia, Elected Bishop of Indiana.
His Acceptance Not Certain A Sketch of
His Career Routine Business of
the Assembly.

The Episcopal convention of the Diocese of
Indiana resumed its session yesterday morning,
the pending order of business being the election
of bishop At the preliminary ballots. taken
Tuesday evening, the choice of the clergy had
fallen upon Rev. Francis s. Harrison, of Troy,
N. Y, while the choice of the laity divided
between DIR. Harrison, Bishop Garrett, of Texas,
and Rev. L. A Bradley, of this city. Bishop
Garrett had very strong following, and in all
probability would have been elected had there
not been such decided feeling against the
transfer of bishop from one diocese TO another.
Sir. Bradley received large complimentary
vote, which stuck to him throughout.
AT the beginning of the session, yesterday
morning, the clergymen and laymen separated
and took secret ballots respectively. After seven
votes had been taken the choice OF a majority of
the laymen was found to be Bishop Garrett,
while the clergy still favored DR.. Har-
rson. The candidates of these two bodies,
respectively, were voted for in the first
two joint ballots, but in the third tact
compromise manifested itself by the almost
unanimous choice of DR.. Nicholson. The an
nouncement of the result was received with
much favor by the convention, and the follow
lowing dispatch was ordered sent:
"INDIANAPoLIs March 7, 1888.
REV Isaac L. Nicholson, D. D., Rector of St Marks
Church, Philadelphia
az am instructed by the convention of the D-
Geese OF Indiana to inform you of your election as
Bishop of this diocese, with salary Of $4,000
and residence in this city. Please send
ceptance, If agreeable, by telegraph, in time for
edward BRADLEY, Secretary"
After singing "Gioria in Excesis," the conven-
tion adjourned until o'clock, awaiting Dr.
Ncholsons response.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention again met at o'clock, with
DIR. Wakefield in the chair, and the secretary an
nounced that no answer had yet been received
from the bishop-elect. The session was there
fore devoted to the transaction of of routine bus
mess 1t ordered that the proceedings be
published 10 the annual journal in June, and
that 900 copies of Bishop seymour's memorial
address be printed for general distribution.
proposition was made TO appoint
committee of fve-three clergymen
and two laymeu-to visit Philadelphia
and formally notify DR.. Nicholson of his election
and urge his acceptance, but this was finally
voted down as an expensive and needless pro-
ceeding. 1t was finally agreed to appoint
special committee, to consist of the president
and secretary and two other clergy and two
laymen, to correspond with DIR. Nicholson
the subject. recess was then taken until
o'clock, at which time it was again announced
that no answer had been received from Dr.
Nicholson. The president announced, the
appointed members of the committee referred
to above, Rev W. n. Webb Fort Wayne; Rev.
Terre Hauie, and John s. Irwin, Fort Wayne.
1t was then agreed that when the convention
adjourn. 1t should be until Wednesday; the
18th inst, when. in the event of DR.. Ncholson's
declinatiOn, some other person can be elected,
After further minor business the convention
adjourned until that date.
WHO DR.. NICHOLSON is.
DR.. Isaac L. Nicholson, the newly-eleoted
bishop, is one of the most prominent Episcopal
ministers in the country, and has a national rep
a a nj Or nd IIa 10
forty-two years of age, and graduate of Dart
mouth College. In his early manhood he spent
several years in his fathers banking house at
Baltimore and subsequently, studied for the min
istry in the Theological Institute at Alexandra,
and after finishing his course, became
assistant assistant rector at s.: Paups' Bal,
years, and afterward gave up his post, which
was an honorable and influential one to take
charge OF a small mission church at Williams
town, where mis- labOrs among the students
proved to be very successful He was afterward
rector OF Westminster parish Baltimore, and
Marks parish, Philadelphia where he has since
remained This is one of the most influential
churches in the East. DIR. Nicholson receives
annual salary of So 900, which, however is not
a great consideration with him as gentleman
OF large means His personal appearance is said
to be very decidedly in his favor, and he
ls known to be a preacher of surprising
powers, and in the management of the various
parishes that have been intrusted to his care he
has shown much executive ability. He Is a con-
servative High Church man, but his views in
this direction are not snch as TO prevent harmo-
ny in the church. 1t is believed that he will be
of great benefit to the church of indiana. should
he accept the bishOpric, and every possible in
ducement will be held out TO him to faVorably
consider the matter, as the position will give him
an enlarged sphere of usefulness and much
honor.
THE CONFIRMATION PROCEEDINGS.
Should Dr. Nicholson manifest ii Willingness to
accept the position, his name will be sent TO the
standing committees of the various dioceses for
their consideration, which will doubtless be
favorable 1t is then sent to the various bishops
and Will also he confirmed by Them unless some
reason should arise for contrary action. After
the selection has been confirmed, as thus iudi-
Gated, the bishop will be consecrated and assume
the duties of his position.
Up to the hour of adjournment last nigh, no
answer had been received from DR.. Nicholson
Surprise to DIR. Nicholson-His Accept
ance Doubtful.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
PHILADELPHIA, March THE election was
an entire surprise to DR.. Nicholson, and he had
heard nothing whatever of 1t until last evening
He is very earnest worker, a man of
fine mental qualities. and very
strong preacher Since he has been
with st. Marks, he has been
very successful In building up the parish and es-
tablishing several institutions of the church.
DR.. Nicholson was born in Baltimore in 1874
He was the son of the late ]. ]. Nicholson a
we'll banker of that city. As q youth
he intended to study for the
ministry, but as his health failed he
went into business with his father for six years.
Being then improved in health. he entered ad.
yanced standing at Dartmouth College, at Han.