The Cecil Whig., 1886-07-24
\ BISHOPS OPINION.
III some "i the Church igu1le-Why nr.
Nelson Declined.


To tie Edtor ofMt N~Jch:-As | have
just returned from visit to the Diocese
of Easton, do not think it will be aniSs
for me to write lew words suggested
! by your editoria' in the Issue of Jane
Goth.
saw DR.. Nelson shortly after his cleo
tion, and found him profnur dlg impressed
with n sense of his responsibility in de
| Gliding the important question submitted
to him. He paid short visit to tie
diocese, and was SO kindly received and
so favorab!y impressed that notv ith-
standing various personal considerations
which argued strongly for his retaining
his chair in the seminary, the weight Of
the argume, seemed to DC more strongly
than ever in favor of his accepting the
high charge to which he had been chosen.
On returning home, however, he found
new state Of things, of which he had Lo
knowledge before. Two physicians, III
timately acquainted with his family
one of them having rendered professional
services during the past ten years, when
there has been a great deal of sickness in
the family-practicall forbade the move
Ot course it is easy to say that they have
not sufficient knowledge of the Eastern
Shore to justify them in giving a decided
opinion, but think few persons would
venture to assume the responsibility OF
deciding against such professional al
vice, especially when it had reference NOT
to their own selves but to the family
which God has given them to care for in
this world, and that too at Il time when,
by Gods blessing upon the care and skill
of these same physicians, there is the
bright promise of renewed health and
vigor.
These are the facts in the case which
it is just as well for everybody 10 know,
and | was very glad to be able to tell the
good people whom | saw at the various
places | visited just how the matter stood
may add for myself that | WAS de-
lighted with the insight | obtained of
Church life in Easton. Visited officially
nine points and confirmed at most of
them, viz: New Market, 3; Vienna, I;
Church Creek, 5; Castle Haven Neck,
Cambridge, 6; fredericksburg, 10; Den
ton, >; liillsboro', II; Greens boro': in all
% persons. b sides the clergy who Off
ciated at these points n1et five or six
who came from neighboring churches to
attend the services. There seems to be
al admirable spirit among these brethren
and very earnest desire and purpose to
carry on the work committed to them.
They cherish the memory of Bishop Lay
with great affection, and are ready, am
sure, to stand by his successor with like
loyal service. The diocese is stronger
than many persons seem to realize.
do not know how it may appear to those
who live near the great centres, but this
Was brought home to me very vividIy by
comparison with my own diocese of West
Virginia. When think of their thirty
six clergy aud OF our twenty-three, of
their sixty-two churches a I'd chapcls and
our forty -one, of their 1900 commuli-
cants and our 230O, of their Sl1 900 Epis-
copal fund and of our $780, | feel that
whatever others may say it will never do
for me to look down upon E.ston as
weak diocese. | believe that there is an
encouraging WORK for some good man to
take up, and pray that these brethren
may, Notwithstanding previous disap-
pointments, soon be led to make choice
of such an one as the Lord may send to
help them.
had most charming weather during
the entire trip, and enjoyed very thor
oughly driving over one hundred miles in
have been propitious and the crops
corn and wheat and grass-were very fine.
Those who think of the Eastern ShCrc as
a country of malarial marshes. yonld be
agreeably surprised. am sure, if they
could drive through So large part of it
as did and see such beautiful. highly
cultivated section. No doubt here. as
elsewhere, many localities are exposed to
malarial influences, but it shows little
acquaintance with the real facts of TIE
case to make sweeping generalization
unhealthy. During the last ten or twenty
years vast deal of land before unculti-
waited has been taken up, and with the
steady improvement of the agricultural
Interests there has also been a marked
improvement in the general health. To
one coming from the mountains as did,
the fresh salt air from the bay and ocean
and through the pines was certainly very
refreshing and invigorating, and could
not but propose to some of the authori-
ties OF Easton that should like to ex-
change one of my numerous mountain
counties for strip of their seashore, |
am afraid, however, that there is no pro-
vision in our canons for such transfer.
was particularly struck with the ac-
tivity of some of the laymen | met.
found one who was in the habit of max
ing round trip of twenty flour miles to
read service on Sundays i'll vacant
church, and two others who have now.
for year, been sending twice a month
for a minister to hold service at a mission
where | laid the cornerstone of chanel
on Monday, a distance of sixteen miles.
| cannot close even this long letter
without mentioning what may bear upon
the question of the healthfuluess of tie
country, that on Sunday morning I was
strolling about in the church-yard of
Trinity Church, CAurch Greek, and on
examining the tom bstones Of the Jones
family could not but be impressed by the
story they told. do not remember how
many they were, but never saw before
such remarkable series of inscriptions.
with one exception, range from seventy
four to ninety-four years. Certainly this
is as cheerful an aspect as graveyard
could well present. Finally, let me say
1t has given me great pleasure to be Of
any help to my brethren in Easton. bid
them Godspeed in all their work, and
pray that they may soon have bishop
of their own to minister to them as a
stranger cannot do.
Respectfully yours,
July /, 1886. Gro. w. PETERKIN.