New-York tribune., 1891-05-03
PHILLIPS BROOKS A BISHOP.

The election OF Phillips BROOKS as blsnop vi
tbe Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, was al
wet forepone conclusion from the time that
he mama was first mentioned for the Office.
It voe evident all along that there was no serl-
Gus opposition to him in the diocese, and even
the High Churchmen did little more than for
mally adopt candidate whom they hardly ex-
pected to elect This Of itself was a most strlk-
inc tribute to the predominant influence OF the
great Boston preacher; but more Significant still
was the interest which the general public took
in his canvass. For weeks the columns OF the
Boston papers were filed with discussion OF
the reasons why he should be elected; and prob
ably no incident in the career OF the Blshop-eect
will afford him more qualification than this
spontaneous and irrepressible expression Of pop
ular love and veneration. 1t proves that he
belongs, not simply TO denomination, but in
certain sense to the whole of American Chris
tianity.
Nevertheless. there have been some express
sions of regret at his election IN when rev
of his warmest admirers have Joined. 1t IS SAID
that it is pity to chain great and pre-emlneht
man of genius to petty routine OF clericai
duties. and that in electing him Bishop one OF
the greatest preachers of the age has been spoiled
in order to make only "a paSsable ordalnlng
and confirming machine" But even II this
sneer at at the office of Bishop were fully
justified in the case of the average Bishop 1t
seems to be an argument IN raVor OF ap-
pointing greater men for the Office Inc man
gives character to the office, and not the oftlce
70 the man. And if the Bishops OF the Eplsco-
nal Church have not always held the posi- OF
pre-eminent leadership in its history, it has been
because the exigences of Church politics have
fremently resulted in the choice of mediocre
compromise men. In every case where a really
great man has been chosen to that once IN
stead of being crushed by its limitations. he has
lifted it to the plane Of his own greatness.
And so we believe it will be in the case OF
Phillips Brooks. 49,,
But there are special considerations which
make the choice Of DR.. Brooks happy one Tor
the Episcopaians of Massachusetts. lie IS
Massachusetts man born and bred. He knows
the peculiar temper and characteristics OF the
noonle He is in thorough sympathy with its
biohost religious and intellectual life. a graduate
of Harvard himself, he has been for many years
the religious idol of young Harvard, ana mas
perhaps done more than any other one man 10
mould the religious life of that institution. lie
has been instrumental in bringing many Uni
tarians over to Trntarianism, and, generally
speaking, has been an influential factor in build
ing up the Episcopal Church in Boston. From
= merely denominationa point OF view, there
fore his election is wise, for it will give his
Church a commanding influence which it never
possessed before.
But while his religious and intellectual OUT
4 orI hons ciU
confident that his policy as Bishop will COM
mend itself to Episcopalians of all schools OF
thought. He will not be the Bishop of party
or a clique, and while he will strive to impress
his truly catholic ideas on his diocese ne Will
never needessly run counter to the traditions
and prejudices of his Church.