New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-28

The Right Reverend William COswell Doane
d. d. : T. D.. Ii. D., born in Boston IN
1882 His father the famous George Na>hl'E'oh
Doane afterward Bishop of NcwJcrsey. who was a
forcefu and ma>terful character in the Church HE OF
the day. The present MOnSiGnor poanc OF Nc"'er>e'
is a brother of the Bishop OF AbGiy, having entered
the Roman Catholic Church early ih life The subject
of this sketch was graduated from/iurngton college,
n j. in 155O was ordered a deacon in 1-33. and
ordained priest in 1754. While deacon he assisted
his father in St. Mary'S Burlington acting also as MS
fathers secretary and chaplain. lie soon became
rector of St Barnabas's Church. Eurlington when he
founded becoming rector of St Mary's on the death
of his father. At the same time he was tutor and
adjunct professor Of Anglo saxon and English, IN
burlington College and teacher Of English literature
m 81 Marvs Hall. In l9G3 he became rector ~ 81
Johns Church. Hartford. Conn, place which he hcid
for four years. In 1867 he elected rector OF 81
Peters Church. Albany, and at once became very
popular not only with his own Pensioners. but with
tbe citizens generally In 1859 the diocese Of Albany
uas formed by dividing the diocese Of NewiorK and Dr.
Doane was elected bishop of the infant diocese At this
time he was only thrtyseve years Of arc, and
his elevation 10 so high and responsible an O,"c was
the sensation OF the day in the Episcopal Churci'.
There we're indeed not wanting croakcrS who pre-
diccd tina, the popular and courtly rector of aIl>3
cratic St Peters would be failure "a missionary
bishop, for that practically what the Bishop OF
Albany had to be az first. Everybody knew that he
was great preacher. an accomplished scholar and a
charming man sOcally-just the man, In fact. Tor a
wealthy and well ordered parish like s. Peters. But
did lie have any executive ability Would he under
stand and gain the affections Of The humble and the
lovlv in the country? And had he within him the
power TO become pioneer " hustler! These ana
similar questions lou>ly asked even by some
OF his friends the Diocese of Albany TO-DAY j, >ui
Gent answer to them. When he became Bishop there
were ninety eight parishes in the diocese. there are
now about 100 parishes besides some sixty five mission
stations. In 1869 1167 baptisms were reported in
1889 there were more than LOO. Last year thcTr
were j8S combinations against 79j in 1863. while
the number Of COMMUNICATE, has increased from G,5Gl
10 more than 5000 and the offerings have increased
from Slls 900 to S350.O0O.
But no figures can Adequately tell the whole story
OF a Churchs growth. There j. TO day spiritual VI
tally and wording activity in many parallel lines d
Church life that unknown when the diocese Wa
first formed and which are almost wholly due 10 th'
zeal fervOr and executive ability Of Bishop DOan"
No bishop the Episcopal bench, indeed. b"ttcr dc
the title of working bishop for h. labor no
only in his diocese. but "A member Of nearly Al
the general committees Of the Church. have been In
cessant. His diocese is today a compact aud well
ordered hive Of busy workers clerical and lay. New
and handsome churches have been built now psri,he
have been formed and many struggling mission station
have not only become self-sustainng, but solc TO hell
Others.
Perhaps one Of the most noteworthy, and certainly
Of the most benefccnt, institutions Of the diocc
is 81. Agncs's school for Girls in Albany which m
Bishop founded in 1870. one 81 the best possible
auXilares in the building up of Christian character
Al first the school quartercd in double house il
ColumbiaSt.. which soon became very much over
crowded one day the late Erastus Corning the fathe
Of the present EraStus Corning, If Albany, toll
the Bishop that he would give handsome plot Of lan
In Dk-st for the school whcncve! the Bishop coul
show HIM subscription list Of 10000 for the erection
Of school building. Al the time he lauglngl
said that he didn't think the I:shop could raise tn
money. lie was mistaken, however, for in YER
short time the amount subscribed and one Of Ia
last acts Of Mr. Corning the signing over of dee
Of the property for the school.
The influence for good Of this most excellent sch0C
has been incacuablc, not only in promoting tru
culture but in holding mp lofty ideal Of Christia
womanhOod. And it is safe to say that it has bee
one Of the most powerful aids the Bishop has had i
advancing the cause of religion In his diocese.
But st. Agncs's school is not the only diocesan il
sttition succo ssul!y established by the Bishop Anon
Others may be mentioned the Child'S Hospital and ;
Margarets House The Corning Foundation &c
Christian Work in Albany in charge Of the osterhoo
NJ tbe HOLY Child Jesus the Church Home in TrO,
the Orphan House OF the Holy Saviour in CoopeTstowi
the II. Christina Home in Saratoga. and the ;
Christopher Home in East Line. The Child's lloSpt;
was opened in 1870 for the treatment of both enron
and acute diseases. Children OF all Crecds ana race
are freely and gladly received. The t. Christoph
Home is for boys and st. Christmas Hon
is fer girls. Margarct's Home Is for HON
less children one year of age. Other institutions
more local character also doing benefcel
work. As for instance ST. Paul'S Hall. ChurS scho
for BOYS. at salem ST. Peters OrphanaSe Albany II
Martha Memorial House and the Mary Warren FRI
Institute Troy.
But, in the opinion of the Bishop the crown al
completion of his work bishop is the building
the Cathedral of All saints. because, when it Is COZ
pleted. il will be at the centre and the source
the religious life and activity Of the diocese, havli
intimate relations with every parish and diocesan
stituton. 1t All saints Day. in 1672.sth1t Il
bishops idea OF a cathedral first took tangible shape.
meeting. In an old abandoned foundry. of numb
Of prominent churchmen. A charter granted
the cathedral the following year. And IL is a matt
OF great satisfaction 10 Bishop Doanc TO realize III
his diocese eek the lead In securing cathedral chart
On true cathedral lines The old foundry already I