The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-06
GAILOR WILL NOT COME.
HE DECLINES THE BISHoPRIC TO
STAY AT SEWANEE.


Great surprise-The Stand ng Com
mittee to Meet Next Week aad the
Convention to Be Reassembled-An
Inside Incident Of the Last Conven-
ton.
Chancellor Gailor has declined the bishop
rio of Georgia.
A dispatch to the MORNING NEWS from
Sewanee says that the greatest enthusiasm
prevails there on account of the determine
ton of Chancellor Gailor to dev ote himself
to the university, having declined the ten
oered bishopric Of Georgia. BELLS have
been ringing" says the dispatch, land the
most uncomfortable emotion is exhibited on
all Sides The exercises Of the university
have been suspended, and tonight 800
students will give vent to their feelings and
testify their abiding love for a man whose
heart beats so warmly for them"
CHANCELLOR GAILoR's LETTER.
DR.. Gailor's letter, written from Estill
Springs, Tenn, to Rev. H. K. Rees and
Col. z. D. Harrison of the diocesan commit
tee. and received in Atlanta yesterday, is
as follows:
.GKSTLEMEs-When you first waited upon me
with the formal notification of my election to
the episcopate Of Georgia, told you that 1t
was impossible for me to see that divine direc-
ton without which no man could accept so
solemn responsibility.
at your urgent request have left my home
and have waited another week and now feel
compelled to adhere to my original decision.
For one who believes as deeply and as truly
as do in the divine institution and necessity Of
the episcopate this letter is a bitter trial. Pro
foundly moved az am by the expressed con.
fdence of the people of a great diocese, this
determination, which has forced itself upon me,
humbleS me in the dust. And yet have asked
Gods hep and direction and after many hours
OF prayer and meditation, my duty seems to me
to be clear and unmstakable.
When God gives q man the enthusiasm OF a
great purpose. aud places him In position
where he may help on the realization of this
purpose, this in itself constitutes a
divine call. For ten years and more
/ have worked and prayed and longed for the
time when cur people would fully realize the
Importance and necessity of a great church
university. By providential leading came TO
sewanee. | fully appreciated its compare
lively small beginnings. learned to believe in
the greatness of it's future, as prophesied by
that wise master builder, Bishop Stephen
Elliott of Georgia. am heartily and thoroughly
convinced now that the maturity OF the Uni
versity Of the South will be full OF blessings
not only to our church in every diocese, but
also to our people at large in every state.
My special fitness for work Of this peculiar
nature has been clearly indicated. have hardly
yet entered upon my duties of the executive
head of the institution. If should die to NOR
row with the conviction that had helped some
churchmen to a truer conception of Sewanee's
present and future importance. would feel
that my life's work was well done. Such con-
viction reinforced by the Masters blessing, is
as said, a call from God
Only the solicitations Of friends and the ad-
vice Of those who could understand the nature
of the case, have made me hesitate for one
moment. Now, however, / have thoroughly
sifted the evidence. feel that have conscien-
tiously done my duty to Georgia and 10 the
whole church and haliav0 in the
the sympathy, and the kindness Of our people,
that they will not misunderstood me.
God knows that l write this with humble
gratitude for your confidence, with real anguish
for your temporary disappointment, and with
the most fervent prayers for the diocese of
Georgia, and for the noble people who have its
best interests at heart. Believe me- very faith
fully, your servant in Christ,
THOMAS F. GAILoR.
DR. GAILoR's ANSWER A SURPRISE.
The announcement of DR.. Gailor's de-
clination yesterday was a surprise
to good many people. 1t was
greatly believed in Savannah that he
would accept, Notwithstanding the delay
in his reply to the standing committee
There were number of reasons for be-
Neving that way. If there had not been q
decided belief in the convention that he
would accept il elected it is doubtful if ne
would have been elected. His friends were
so earnest and active In their efforts to
secure his election that it appeared as il
they had some intimation from DIR. Gailor
himself that he would not decline.
The Gailor men were all perfectly salts
fed with the result of the election, and the
ahti-Gaiior men had settled their minds to
the conclusion that they would give the
new bishop hearty welcome on his advent
into the diocese and support him to the best
Of their ability. It is not far from it 20 say
chat they are almost as much put out with
the turn affairs have taken as the supporters
OF DR.. Gailor are.
THE DIOCESE IN FIX.
The refusal leaves the diocese in had
plight. The convention does not know where
to turn for man. The friends of Rev. Mr.
Williams do not think it probable that be
Will allow the use OF his name again. The
names of Rev. Charles Ii. Strong
g Of st. Johns church, ant
Rev. Robert Barrett Of Atlantis
have been mentioned for the place, but it ii
not thought that either of these gentlemen
will allow the use of his name.
A MORNING NEWS reporter saw Mr.
Strong, the Savannah member of the stand
ing committee, last night. He was takeI
He had expected that he would accept. HI
could not name any man on whom the con-
vention would be likely to agree for
bishop.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO MEET.
a meeting of the standing com mittee vii
be called at once in Atlanta. Mr.. Stron
said the meeting will probably take plac
Monday. The convention will be called tC
meet in Macon OF Atlanta within the mex
three weeks for the purpose of electing an
other bishop. The convention will be com
posed of the same members that composet
the Savannah convention, as that conven
tion adjourned subject TO the call of til
president Of the standing committee.
1t Is not expected that thi
meeting of the convention will
be as largely attended as was the last con
veution, for various reasons, chiefly tina
there will not be the active interest In tn
names of thoee presented to secure a large at
tendance as was the case at the meeting a
Savannah. Many of the delegates live Ions
distances from the places of meeting, AM
will not attend because OF the Inconvenience
and expense, and others will not attend fror
lack OF interest.
The business OF the convention will be {
elect a bishop, no matter what the circun
stances aud the surroundings Of the meet
Ing may be.
LIKELY TO BE AN OUTSIDE MAN.
Ir is more than probable that som
northern man will be selected for the place
as there are no southern men outside o
Georgia VINO have been considered. Their
- r-sa !: