The Cecil Whig., 1885-11-21
BISHOP LAYS SUCCESSOR.

DIR. George w. Smith, Of Hart.
ford, Chosen by the COnven.
ton at EastOn.
| The Episcopal Convention of the Dio
cese of Easton assembled at Easton or
Wednesday last in Christ P. E, church
Memorial services in honor of the late
lamented Bishop H. c. Lay were held
and sermon preached by Assistant
Bishop Potter, of New York, whose elo-
quent remarks riveted the attention OF
the immense audience. After the ser.
mon the holy communion service was cele-
brated in a solemn and very impressive
manner. The convention then organized
by calling Rev. DR.. Barber TO the chair.
A committee of three each from the
clergy and laity was appointed to exam
inc credentials. The convention then
adjourned to meet again at Z p. NJ. Be-
fore adjourning an informal meeting was
called to be held at the school room of
the church for conference. The conven-
tion reassembled at the church, where
the business OF electing bishop was
taken up and the following names put in
nomination: Henry A. Colt, New Hamp-
shire; DR.. Barber, Cambridge, Md: DR..
Lindsay, Georgetown; DR.. Nicholson,
Philadelphia; DR.. Fair, Baltimore, Rev.
Warner G. Hubbard, Brooklyn, N. Y;
and DR.. Smith Hartford. Conn. The
tellers were: For the clergy, Revs.
Walker and Bounds; laity, Hon. G. NJ
Russum aud Judge Holland. Three bal.
lots were had, when it was found that
DIR. George Williamson Smith, of Hart
ford, Conn.,, received the highest num-
Der of votes, and was there fore declared
by the chair to be duly elected bishop of
the Diocese of Easton. The choir sang
"Gloria in Excelsis' and the convention
adjourned. Previous to the balloting
and other business of the election Bishop
Potter preached the memorial sermon,
which was a glowing tribute to the
worth of Bishop Lay. He reviewed the
life of the Bishop and showed the influ-
ence exerted upon him by Bishop Meade,
of Virginia. His scholarship, intellec-
tual qualities, Christian life and ane
poetic fancy combined to make his
preaching like a well-built wall. He
fed his flock with faithful and true
heart, and was it's ruler and guide. He
governed his diocese on right lines, not
according to caprice, but to fixed rules.
With his equipoise and discernment he
was never narrow or uncertain in action,
but he was possessed of a grave dignity
and prudent reserve. His fine historical
instinct saved him from forgetting les
sons of the past. He was not often de-
ceived by the outside of things, for his
penetration was wonderful. His SYM
pathy was exhaustless, and with patience
and gentlsness he aided his brethren,
helped them in trouble and shared their
cares and sorrows. This was his idea of
rulership and episcopacy. He impressed
all by the harmony of his official and
personal life. Benevolence, sobriety,
prudence, equity, purity, simplicity, f.
deity, patience, humility, charity-what
are these attributes but his? and around
them all was that spirit of sanctity which
convinced people of the power of the
Holy Ghost. After discussing Bishop
Lays position and influence in the gen.
eral convention of 1865, Bishop Potter
said: "He was a reconciler, and power
was supremely that of moral rectitude
and steadfast faithfulness. We take up
the strain which fell from his dying lips,
and praise God for this, His saint de-
parted" The newly elected bishop,
Rev. George Williamson Smith, D. D.,
is about so years old. He was ordained
in Maryland In 1860. and Was for time
assistant in Epiphany church, Washing
ton. He was at one time chaplain in
the United States navy. He has been
rector of a church at Jamaica, Long Is
land, then went to the church of the
Redeemer, Brooklyn, N. Y, and then
became president of Trinity college,
which position he has held about five
years. He stands high as scholar and
an executive officer, and the unanimity
displayed in his election is a matter of
congratulatiou among the churchmen of
this diocese