The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-02
EPISCOPAL ARCHBISHOPS.
1 Subject Exciting The Interest Of The P.
{. Church.
VIEWS OF A NUMBER OF BISHOPS.
qbe Idea Generally Disapproved of-The
bishops of Virginia aud West Virginia
EmphaticaIIy Opposed TO IL.

Az the last General Convention of tho Pro-
testant Episcopal Church in America, held in
New York in 1889, committee of bishops
was appointed 70 consider the advisability Of
40 dividing the United States that a more
complete organization of the Church could bo
secured. Many prominent Episcopalans con-
sidered that the temporal welfare Of the
church could be enhanced if the complete
organization of the Church of England was
adopted IN this country. The committee will
probably report at the convention to be held
next year. The New York Herald has OBJ
tanned the views OF a number of bishops on
fbe subject which are of special interest at
this time They are as follows:
BISHOP OF VIRGINIA.
II do not believe that it is necessary or
Alvisabcl 10 divide the country into archdio-
cescs 10 the end that the temporal welfare OF
the Church may be enhanced because Of
closer organization.
II do not favor the elevation of certain bish-
oprcs into metropolitan jurisdictions, thus
creating archdiocese.
IL do not think that the Capitalization OF the
disciplinary and governing power by means
Of archdiocese in the parent Church of Eng
land tends 10 increase its efficiency in glorify-
inc God and saving souls. though it may make
zatioD. francis NJ WHITTLE."
BISHOP OF WEST VIRGINIA.
Il am not. as at present advised. inA vor Of
metropolitan jurisdiction (or archdi6ceses).
The conditions of the parent Church of Eng
land are 50 different from ours that it is hard
T. argue from one TO the other The Episco-
pal Church is prospering with its present or
ganizatOn. To comphcate that orGaniza-
ton by new divisions or combinations and
thus 10 create new ecclesiastical titles and
dignlties would not, IN my judgment, be help
ful GEORGE W. PETERKIN."
BISHOP OF MAINE.
There is, think. a general recognition Of
certain considerable advantages 10 be attained
BY the adoption of a provincial system. but
hitherto it has been found impractical to
bring about an agreement as TO a general plan
for the organization of provinces and rs TO the
measure by authority and power to the COM
mittees 70 provincial synOds.
Henry A. NELLY"
BISHOP OF NEW YORK.
The Church in America should not too
closely copy the example of Western Europe
but fall back on the earlier and less arlStO-
cratic polity of the Catholic Church IN the
synodical period and before the West sepa-
rated from the parent stock of the Eastern
Church. If the American Episcopal Church
is true 70 her own professions andtO the genius
of the American Republic she will, by con-
forming 10 the old Nicene polity, develop a
system singularly adapted to the wants and
the spirit of this nation. We want no MY
Lords and Your Graces here. Not that l
Quarrel with the polity of the Anglican Church
in England, where it is the growth of ages
and IS in harmony with its ancient civilization.
Here IL would be out of place, alien and ira
montana A. CLEVELAND COxE."
BISHOP OF CHICAGO.
ct is evident, think. that the Genera
Convention, in all its legislative action, has
been disposed 10 favor the idea OF fedora
ton Of diOceses within a single State and has
done what best it could 10 enable New Ork
to experiment if haply it might eXempllfy the
province Illinois has avaied itself OF the
same opportunity, not without some results.
If the results have not been what the more
sanguine anticipated they have certainly fur
nshed sufficient reason 10 expect other efforts
aud better results.
Other diOceses than those of New York have
made tentative efforts toward the mainte-
nance of unity while proceeding TO division.
In 1872 the Bishop Of New Jersey proposed a
definite scheme to preserve the unity OF the
ecclesiastical associations and other precious
interests of the Church within the State of
New Jersey
The advantages 10 be derived from an adap-
tation of the ancient economy 20 the present
state of the Church have been Yanously
stated. and doubtless they will be more cleary
perceived as the necessities of the Church
demonstrate them. w. E. M. LAREN."
BISHOP OF DELAWARE.
The question as 10 the necessity or the adj
visibility Of dividing America into arch
dioceses is one TO which | have never gwen
any part cular thought.
1T does not seem TO me TO have entered the
range of practical legislation.
The similar arrangement in the Church Of
England would appear 10 have worked on the
whole SO advantageously as 20 be a permanent
feature of her organization.
From her experience in this respectit might
reasonably be inferred that some such division
would sooner or later be for our own cOnven-
fence. But my reflection upon the subject is
TOO immature to be of any service 10 your
readers LEIGHTON COLEMAN
BISHOP OF RHODE ISLAND.
Il do not see how anything could be gained
by dividing the Episcopal Church IL this
country into archdiocese, or by any other
alteration in the existing geographical dlvl-
sions Ii seems 20 me that the present ar
rangementis working very well, and thatwe DO
not need 10 be encountered by any new ma
chinery. ] am not informed Of any special
benefit 10 the Church OF England growing ont
Of Us division into the two provinces OF Can
terbury and ok.
The time may come when the Episcopal
Church will become 50 large as TO require
some change il It's organization, but do not
see that this day has yet arrived.
THOMAS NJ. FLAcK."
BISHOP OF MISSOURI.
When by extension and growth Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church IN America It's
general convention becomes too cumbrous a
body for best efficiency / would deem that the
necessity had arisen for dividing the one
province Of the United States into two or
more provinces. But at present and until
that necessity arises / do not think such d.
vision would be advisable, nor would favor
the elevation Of certain bishOprics into metro
politan Jurisdictions Whatever be the case
in England | think the independence OF the
bshOpr cs in America aud their con edernt'1u
10 one province under the presioeucF ri fno
senior bishop as tie primus int fpate- 'end la
develop the vigor Of the Church aud cnaD.n It
q Wee It's power as ede lively as any other
mode that could be adopted
'DAN'L S. TUTTLfs."
BISHOP OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.
II have not time at the present Juncture TO
express at any length my opinions Oh the I'M
portant subject 10 which you ask my atten-
ton
II should be in favor Of a classification Of
our Church into provinces under certain con-
ditons. and have little doubt that some ar
rangement Of that sort will obtain IN the
pOursp 81 "a few VearS