Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-08
BISHOP COLEMAN IN VERMONT.
He breaches at the Conservation
OF Bishop Hall.


An Eloquent Sermon Oeiirerad--He Also
Delivers an Effective Address TO the
New Bishop ut tho Conclusion of His
sermon.
BENNINGTON, W., Feb. 2.-Bishop
Hall Of the Diocese of Vermont was to-
day duly consccrated, with appropriate
and imposing ceremonies.
THE SERMON BY BISHOP COLEMAN.
The Rt. Rev. Leighton Coleman, S. L.
d., LII. D., Bishop Of Delaware, de-
livered an eloquent sermon, taking for
his text: "Keep that which is COM
mitted to thy trust" Timothy, VII, 30.
At the conclusion of his sermon
Bishop Coleman addressed Bishop Hall,
as follows:
HIS ADDRESS TO BISHOP HALL.
1t is, my dear brother, because you
have been deemed trustworthy that you
are able to be made bishop in the
church OF God. II is no service that we
shall set apart for the truly grandest
work which man can undertake. The
extent and variety of your labors have
taught you well what it is TO be shep-
hard of souls.
You come to diocese that was organ
lied more than century ago, and that
carly moved to supply the great need of
the Episcopate, although owing to a
variety of circumstances it was not until
1882 that this gift was obtained.
The history of the life and labors of
the first bishop, John Henry Hopkins,
so inlmitably told by his son, himself
man of rare and devoted genius, belongs
to the whole American church which
so largely and widely protited by his
remarkable gifts and requirements. The
memory of the godly, learned and un-
obtrusive Bissel is still fresh, and will
never lose its sweetness.
Thus you will enter upon a field that
has been diligently titled, that is be-
l am sure, you will find ready
lieve, one Of great promise, and where,
and well furnished fellow-laborers in
your efforts to maintain that Christianity
which is really the common law of our
land, and to extend the influence of that
church which is so evidently designed
by Providence to be the chief means for
restoring here organic Christian unity.
Not that in seeking this unity you will
be intolerant of variety, but that tho
underlying fixed principles of holy
faith will be SO regarded as that unity
shall not be wholly dissipated into
variety.
We are we'll persuaded of the loving
spirit in which you will administer the
affairs of a diocese where we bespeak
for you in return the love and confidence
of all who know heavy burden Is
always lying on bishops heart;
burden so heavy indeed that were it not
for the greater love of the greater Bishop
of all our souls, no true priest would
dare assume il.
By happy coincidence you have
been presented here to take it up on the
day when at the first He Himself was
presented in a temple also made with
hands. The incaruate Son was offered
to God. 1t is the festival of publication
aud conservation, and deepest humility
in mother and child, except that He
needed not to be purified.
Christ is ever coming to the temple,
His church, and ever coming to the
temple, the soul. He will come to you
to-day through His church and by His
holy spirit in the great commission:
Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.
May that same Holy Ghost, dwelling
in you, enable you to keep the good
things thus entrusted to you, delivering
you from all evil and preserving you
unto His heavenly kingdom.