The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-21

The Episcopaiians Of Roanoke will
make determined effort to have the
new diocese called the Diocese OF Roa-
noke and the Episcopal residence To-
Gated in this CITY,
Rev. j. Cleveland Hall, of Christ
Church, is enthusiastic in behalf of the
movement and is planning an effort that
will let other contesting cities know
that Roanoke is in the race IL she docs
not win the fight.
Bishop Whittle has issued the follow.
ing official call for meeting of the
Diocesan Council in ST. Paul's Church,
Lynchburg, November 90:
THE general convention having de-
clared its consent to the action of the
last Council of the Diocese of Virginia
in setting off certain counties of the
diocese to form new diocese, the said
action of the council is now complete
and the new diocese established.
Therefore, 1, the undersigned, Bishop
OF the Protestant Episcopal Church in
Virginia, hereby notify the ministers of
the new diocese, and the lay delegates
who may be elected by the vestries of
the different parishes and churches to
represent them, to meet in Council in
st. Paul's Church, Lynchburg, on the
card day of November, 1892, to organize
the said new diocese, and to transact
any other business that may be brought
before it. The Council will be ope ned
with divine service, beginning at 10
o'clock q. M, when the Lords Supper
will be administered.
Witness my hand this 13th October,
1892. FRANCIS M WuITTIE."
This council will settle the matter
and makes the time short in which Roa-
noke must advance her claims.
The most important business of the
council will be to name the diocese and
decide upon the location of the bishop
ric and elect bishop If a bishop is to DO
elected. Bishop Whittle may elect to
preside over the new diocese or remain
bishop of Virginia. Assistant Bishop
Randolph may also elect his position,
but in case neither decides to cast his
lot with the new diocese, bishop will
be elected.
In this event ono of the bishops will
be asked to preside, and IL either
bishop should decide to become the
bishop of the new diocese he will pre-.
side over the deliberations of the coun-
Gil.
l. o naming vi utOCeSeS 8IC0r CQ6
name OF the city selected for the resi-
becoming very popular in the American
Episcopal Church, and will probably be
the course followed by the new council.
The new diocese contains sixty-two
counties, namely, all the counties south
of tho James river, with the addition of
Amherst, Nelson, Rockbridge, Augusta.
Allegheny, Bath. Highland, James City,
York, Warwick. Northa m ption and Ac-
comac.
Roanoke is getting ready to make the
most OF her opportunity. Owing TO the
absence Of Rev DR.. Meade. Rev. Mr..
Hall has called q meeting of the yestry
of his church for next Monday after.
noon, and invited the vestry OF st.
Johns to meet them. This Joint meet.
ing will map out a plan Of operation
and begin active work.
A TIMES reporter found Rev. Mr.. Hall
busy on map of the new diocese yes.
terday afternoon, showing the number
of ministers, churches, missions and
communicates. and the amount con-
tributed to the bishops fund by each Of
the sixty. two counties in the diocese.
81 think very grave error will be
committed, said Rev. Mr.. Hall, "if
the center Of the district and every part
of the diocese is more accessible from
Roanoke than any other point Besides
this tie Southwest is the growing Sec
ton. the section in which there Is de-
mand for more work. The bishop
should be here where he can easily get
out into The Southwestern counties,
in many o. which our church is vet to
be established.
Tho district composing the now do.
cese stretches the entire length of
Southern Virginia, and is is probable
that 1T will have to be divided again in
a few years. A study of the geography
of the district shows that Roanoke
would be accessible to all parts Of the
diocese that would be composed of
Southwest Virginia. Norfolk is so far
to one side that. it seems to me, the con-
test has practically narrowed down to
Roanoke and Lynchburg. My opinion
is. and my Judgment thall be, that a
proper regard for tho future of the
church in this district demands that the
bishops residence be in Roanoke and
we shall spare no effort to bring about
such a result"
G. X Schwrar, vestryman of Christ
Episcopal Church: sit is an opportunity
III mo uISCOry OF IOauoke Indt, II real-
lied, will go farther toward her success
and reputation than anything that has
ever come before our view. 1t is O
coming glory for Roanoke. Everything
is in favor of the Diocese of Roanoke.
The lame itself is euphonious; the
position Is unsurpassed;
the receptive feeling OF our people for
such movement at just the right tone.
1t would make the word Roanoke world
wide known, and the fact of the bishops
residence being in this city would create
. reputation for Roanoke such as moth
Ing else could approach. b etore long
this city will be great railroad center,
which will ha a snlandid mint In our