New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-09
AN ASSISTANT BISHOP OFNEW-HORK.
SHALL BISHOP POTTER HAVE A HELPER 7


TIE COMING ANNUAL CONVENTION OF The DIOCESE
MODE OF observation-disclosures
The annual convention of the Protestant
Episeoual Diocese OF NcwYorb Will be held in this city
on September More than usual interest attaches TO
the event partly few days before the
meeting OF trennia General Convention AT Phiade-
phia which is celebrate the centenary OF the Epis-
copa Church in this country but more particularly be-
cause of the that assistant viii then
be Oscn Bishop Potter who Is growing IN years ana
fee blencss Blsnop Poer has occupied tho see OF New
YORK for almost thirty years and during the whole OF
that has administered the important ana numerous
duties diocese with Consunnate tact ana marked
ability. growth OF the diocese under his pastoral
care is probably unrvaled In the history OF tho Eps-
copal Church. II is generally believed, however,
that the venerable Bishop will carry into execution
purpose entertained from year to year. but deferred Ia
Difference the remonsu1nces OF MS adVsers anu ash
the convention for assistant III has been stated ih
some quarters that q Provisional Bishop was conem-
plated This title, no longer exists in the
Euiscopa Church In 1852 Bishop Onderdonk was stu
living but disqualified from exercising his functions
under penalty suspension which the House OF Bsh-
DDS OF the Episcopal Church had declined TO remit
The Diocese OF NewYork. suffering under such hopeless
disabilities, created the title Of Provisional Bishop and
while leaving Episcopal office of the actual incul-
bent intact proceeded to elect the Rev. Dr. Wainwright
ma Provisional Bishop with right OF succession. lie died
in 1854 and the saIe year, under unchanged conditions,
Dr Potter then rector OF 81. Peters Church, Albany,
WAS elected Provisional Bishop The death OF Bishop
Onderdonk 1861 however left the Provisional ttular
Bishop of the diocese Under the pressure OF inhrm
health or an oyergro gn diocese any Bishop in the
Episcopal Church Is permitted by canon to ask for an
assistant who is elected by the diocesan convention
The remedy has OF late years been suDdi
VISION and the multiplication OF dioceses Thus In
New-YOrE, which Was single diocese uhuer =, bishop
Onderdonk until 1889 there are now hve alOcests
There is no quarter however, ofurther sub
divide the diocese OF New York at present
candidate must receive majority OF the votes
of orders, clergy and lay In separate ballots
When an election de, certified testlmonlas OF the
transaction forwarded TO each Bishop and the stand
ing Committees Of each diocese and must receive
majority apprOvals In this double revision OF the
original election before letters OF conservation
can be issued As IN early in October
when all the DIOCESAN officials Will meet, the election
YORK for an Assistant Bisaop Will then doubtless be
ratified and conservation take place before adourlmen
The question as 10 who is 10 he the fortunate man is
now lively subject OF discussion among the clergy OF
the diocese; for NeaYork Is virtually the metropolitan
Bi.Ioo js ncces arly of wide influence. There Is
no reason why the convention should cohnne isci 10
the clergy OF this diocese and 1t Is among the POSSIBLE
ies that some eminent clergyman FROM another diocese
or missionary bishop, may be chosen Among inc
missionary bishops Bishop futile, f Utah, has been
fayorably mentioned. But common rumor has most
frequently coupled with the honor the names Of TWO VEL
known clergymen OF this city, the Rev DE- Morgan DIX
rector OF Trinity Parish ana the hey D Or Mcay
HAT either Of these gentlemen would arcept office
AS rector Trinity Parish Dr. DIX holds post OF nl-
eDce and responsibility seconu 10 nous Ia eI1 %
without friction, aud its emoluments FAR exceed any
episcopal in the Church The rector OF Trinity
Parish in accepting the waiting bisho nc would STEP
down from positive aiuenee into an income already mar
rowed and lying under threatening conunseneles
Besides his pronounced and enthusiastic adhesion to the
eornaon standards OF Anglican Churc amanship
might concentrate "a formidable antagonisn, now
snmberng under the wel-empered reign OF the present
incumbent. IL must he conceded In the outset that
sbonld DR. Dix accept election IL would Involve
nersonal sacrifices both and serious. All tins
ia true OF Potter. setting aside the single element i
ls cesias
men OF the Broad Church school. among whom may DO
menoue the late dr. WashDurn and Philips BrOoKs.
Neither of these gentlemen Is directly or indirectly
party 10 this pol ular canvass. No man KNOWS the
wishes or purposes OF either and Is matter OF grave
and we'll founded uncertainty whether ell her OF the
would feel liberty TO accept any Episcopate Whatever
Tue Wednesday or Thursday In September VIII u 70"
conclusive light the subject, and II cannot be con
that such convention Will fail TO meet the grave
responsibilities OF the occasion wisely ana dlscreety