Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-26
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE
Bishop Paret Gives His Views on This
Important Question.
He Fnvors n Division of the Maryland
In Washington and Baltimore.

II is expected that the important Dues
ton OF the division OF the Protestant Epis-
copal diocese of Maryland will DE dis
cusSed at the diocesan convention which
VIII De held in May. Bishop Paret is re-
ported in today's Baltimore sun as havin;;
expressed his views on this subject as
follows:
Il have no wish TO force division Of tire
diocese 1t would be Unhelpful and narm-
full IL it shoult be done without the ap-
prevail AMI sym, athy If a decided ma
jority both of the clergy AMI the laity
But II is a question Of such great import
ance TO the church that no decisiol either
for 1t or against it should be made without
fun study.
The matter Is important DIT this time
especially 70 complete the GRAFTON of a
new diocese the consent of the general
convention Is required That convention
viii meet next year, and il would seem
that no action looking to division could
be effective unless beginning be made at
our own convention in May next. The
matter was discussed, but not so fully /
hoped. in one of the meetings of the con-
vocation of Baltimore 1t would be well
i think. to have more thought given it
row and to have the clergy use their ser
mons to awaken the people to the import
aEce of church growth and their own
responsibility for it, and to show the need
for some bold step in the line of advance.
I do not think we speak plainly and fully
enough to the people about church affairs
and work
THE first point about which the laymen
Of Maryland should be asked to think is
found in the reasons which make the sub
Ject important at this time, is the work
of the diocese SO large as to call for divi-
siOl?' Measured by the work that comes
upon its bishop ii Is among the largest.
1t has been claimed that the late bishop
of afrrga nod. atari in,
a year than any other bishop but IL is
mistake. He reported 13I. The diocese of
New York had l6e visitaIio.Ss. with con-
frmation. the bishop being aided by other
bishops Virginia reports III. Pennsylva-
mia 146 and Maryland $50. so that by such
measure of the magnitude of its work
Maryland stands second.
Its Territorial Extent.
"Next as to the extent of the territory
over which the bishop must travel IN this
part of his duty. The diocese of Maryland
is larger territorially than the diocese of
New York, which is nov seeking read
justment of its lines. and il is more than
twice as large as the diocese of Penrsyl-
vania. With its two great cities OF Balti-
more and Washington, each new diocese,
should the division take place, would still
be among the very strong ones. Without
claiming that the work cannot be done by
a single bishop we may ne sure 1t could be
done better and more thoroughly aid Tor
the much greater welfare of the church by
two.
ating a new diocese is the importance and
influence of the city of Washington Great
educational institutions are growing there.
The most powerful religious organizations
are making 1t their center. 1t is important,
IL is almost necessary. not only for WASH
ington. but for the church in the United
States. that the church also should concen-
trate strength there and be represented by
a hiSnOD whose
should be there.
What is to be said against the creation
of a new diocese? 1t has been urged that
the diocese of Maryland has time-honored
name and history and ought to maintain its
full integrity. and that 1t would cease by
division to occupy the present position
among the very foremost. Such sentiments
should not stand in the way of the church 9
progress. If by the division the church can
do better work for the Lord and can reach
and help to save more souls, that outweighS
all sentiment
The Question of Money.
1T has been urged that the support Of
two dioceses would require much more
money. True, but there is money enough
entrusted of God to churchmen in Balti-
more and Washington for meeting all such
needs Communities far poorer than these
have met such needs successfully. If the
laymen of Baltimore and Washington can
be convinced of the need of two bishops in
DkSdu OI one, lNey nave the dOlllIy-aHu VINO
will doubt their willingness?
THE important questions to be faced are:
shall the diocese, If the bishop give his
consent as required by law. be divided?
IF divided, on what lines?
What provision shall be made for the
support OF the episcopate?
The last question is necessary because
the constitution of the general convention
enacts that the general convention may not
give its consent to the division of a diocese
until 1t has satisfactory assurance of a suit
able provision for the support of the episco-
pate
The question of the proposed new diocese
and the cathedral project in Washington
hinge upon each other closely. 1t is difficult
to determine exactly what influence one
may have upon the other. but it is probable
that Il decision to divide the diocese would
give the cathedral project fresh impetus and
spur on its erection. on the other hand, the
success of the cathedral movement may in
fuence the convention to hurry up the di-
vision of the diocese. When the cathedral
Is erected Washington will be. of course the
Seat of a diocese. The directors of the
cathedral movement hope to have some
thing definite to report in the near future
The fund at present represents property
valued at S2UOOOD and money pledged or in
hand amounting to $4,000"