Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-22
DIVIDING THE DIOCESE,
The Question Discussed by the Epfs.
copaI Convocation Mt Baltimore.


copal COnvocatiOn Mt Baltimore.
The question of dividing the Maryland
diocese was debated by the semi-annual
convocation of the Episcopal Church at
Baltimore yesterday. The discussion re-
suited in no definite idea as TO the ultimate
position of convocation upon it. The de-
bate was upon the advisability of division.
the probable boundary lines Of the two
dioceses, If the division takes place, and IN
the event of division, what will be the best
method of providing for the support of the
bishops.
The matter was brought up by Rev. z. A.
Colburn, secretary of the convocation, who
opened the discussion. he said that II IL
came to a vote. he would favor division, but
ne was not prepared at this time TO say
that IL was eNpedient.
Rev. DIR. julius L. Grammer spoke OF
division as question of great moment. DIR.
Grammer presented what he considered an
equitable and natural division Of the do
cese. With the city of Baltimore he placed
in one diocese the counties of Garrett, Allie
gany, Washington, Frederick, Howard, Car
roll. Baltimore and Hartford. With the city
OF Washington he placed the counties Of
Montgomery, Prince Georges, Anne Arun-
del, Calvert Charles and ST. Mary's.
Rev. DIR. George A. Leakin opposed divi-
sion unless provision is first made TO sup
port the episcopate. He stated that one
church in Washington city pays as much to
the support of the episcopate as all the
counties Of the eastern shore did.
AT this point Bishop Paret stated that he
wished 1t TO be understood that he would
not give his consent to division of the
diocese unless the Episcopal support was
assured, for the constitution of the church
demands this, and in the house of bishops
he had never voted for the division of a
diocese until that was provided for
Rev. Peregrine Wroth of the Church of
the Messiah read a paper, entitled IF the
diocese is divided, what should be the line
division p LOT
definite line of division.
Rev. DIR. Frederick Gibson favored divi-
sion of the present diocese into three Clio
ceses, as suggested by the late Bishop Whit
tingham, if the division takes place
Rev. DIR. Robert II. Paine of Mt Calvary
Church read a paper upon the sub-subject
In the event OF division, what will be the
best method of providing for the support of
the bishops%' DR.. Paine's paper stated that
In his opinion, the right thing to do in case
OF division is TO raise an endowment fund Of
$4,000, which will yield an interest fund Of
$500, the sum necessary, in addition to the
present assessment on the churches
Rev. Dr. w. A. Coale thought the bishops
attitude settled the question, so far as he
was concerned. The thing to do was TO de-
eide upon the best plan to raise the fund
and then to do it. He believed IL could be
done by next year, If they only had the
will.
Rev. Dr. julius E. Grammer asked the
bishop to explain whether he meant TO say
that tie endowment must be raised before
ne would consent to a division, for, IL that
was true, there was no need of discussing
the subject further. Bishop Paret said he
I'd not stated that the endowment must be
first raised. What he had said in his ad-
dress was that proper provision should be
made Tor the support of the bishops. A
layman had told him that Maryland could
! raise the endowment, for during the past
eight years Baltimores wealth had in
creased 30 per cent. Two years ago the
building of a cathedral in Washington was
projected, and already $4,000 In property
and money was in sight.
To form diocese of the District alone"
said Mr.. Wroth, would not be a fair divi-
sion of the labor or territory, or of duties
or responsibilities of the respective bishops
The bishop of Washington would never be
obliged to travel by boat or rail, so con-
tracted would his diocese be, while the
bishop of Maryland would still find the
greater portion of his duties in a rural field.
His Washington brother would be dwelling
az eGse and he still rtvaling a first-class
New York drummer. 1t would also be I'M
fair and unfortunate TO the four counties
themselves. Lower Maryland is naturally
tributary TO Washington, which is, by rea-
soa of its position, the natural see city OF
that section and will become more and more
so. Besides, the future bishop of Washing
ton Will have much TO pun him up with
importance and nll him with pride. His see
Will cover the seat of the national govern
ment a grand cathedral will furnish place
for his throne and he will be called WASH
ington, and perhaps his given name will be
George. BY all means let us weigh him
down with some of the heavy burdens OF
Charles. st. Mary's and Prince Georges
lest he be exalted above measure and look
down with pity upon his laborious brethren
of more rural complexion"
Rev. DR.. Frederick Gibson favored the
setting off Of seven Maryland counties with
the District to form the new diocese. These
counties are Howard, Anne Arundel, Cali
vert, Montgomery, Prince Georges St
Mary's and Charles.
The convocation, not being a legislative
body, took no vote on the matter, which
VIII come up for discussion at the next ses-
sion OF the diocesan convention, which will
be held in Emmanuel Church Baltimore.
in May, 1894
Other Matters.
During the morning session Right Rev.
c. c. Penick, until recently bishop OF
Africa, made a strong appeal in behalf Of
colored missions. No race had ever made
such progress as they. Twenty-eight years
among the colore1 people % 900 preachers
and professional men, $1,000 doctors and
teachers, S.O00JO,O00 of property, % 600
churches. with a seating capacity of s, 400
900. The colored race has actually out
striped the whites in proportion Of
churches per capita.
Rev. David Barr reviewed his missionary
work
Bishop Paret also spoke in behalf of this
mission work, and stated that the Lenten
offerings VIII be devoted to the support OF
the diocesan missionary and that work
The convocation adjourned after appoint-
ing Revs. George G. Stokes, Julius f. Gram
mer DID, and Robert II. Paine a commit
tee TO prepare memorial resolutions on the
late Rev. DIR. A. j. Rich of Reisterstown W no
for years was secretary of the convocation-