Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-08

dcltako The extent and variety of your
labors have taught you well what it is to be
a shepherd of souls Trained under the
best of instructors, you brought us at the
first capacity for usefulness which was
speedily and gratefully recognized III many
diocese and in many soul. And now you
have come back to us, after having been Ill
touch, through not few busy months, with
the church at home. moro than ever htted
to he an endearing link between the vencr.
ated mother and daughter rs loyal ms any
she has ever borne. We receive you rs you
were commended to Us when, speaking by
the mouth of one of Oxford's most honored
dignitaries, your ancient university lately
bestowed upon you the wellearned degree,
honoris callsa and gracefully restored to- us
son indeed of hers and yet one of our own
citizens, to whose salutarv influence she
would set no narrow bonds.
You come to a diocese that was organized
more than century ago, and that early
moved to supply the great need of the episco-
pate although owing TO variety OF cir
cumstances il was not until 1882 that this
| gift was obtained.
The history of the life and labors of the
first bishop. John Henry Hopkins, so in
imitablv told by his son. himself man of
whole American church. which so largely
and widely prolted by his remarkable gifts
and requirements. The memory of the gen
tie, deligent and uuobtrusive Bissell is still
| fresh, and will never lose its sweetness.
Thus YOU will enter upon a field that has
| been faithfully TILED. that is. ! believe, one
of great promise, and where. ! am sure,
| YOU will fin1 ready and well furnished fell
! low labororS in your efforts to maintain
as you can do the more easily by reason of
| the admirable diocesan schools near by
| that Christianity which is really the COM
mon law of our land and to extend the in
fuence of that Church which is so evidently
designed 10y Providence to be the chief
means for restoring here organic Christian
unity Mt that in seeking this unity. you
will he intocrart of variety, but that the
underlying fixed principles of our holy faith
| will be so regarded as that unity shall not
| be wholly dis>pated into variety.
! We are well persuaded of the loving spirit
in which you will administer the affairs Of
a diocese where we bcspcak for you in re-
turn the love and confidence of all who
know how heavy a burden is always lying
| on bishops heart: burden so heavy. in
deed, that were it not for the greater love
Of the greater bishop of all our souls no
| lfue priest would uure ass inc II.
Vermont. like Delaware, is small diocese.
| But, my brother. when the day of judy
ment comes. YOU and ! will realize. perhaps.
that they We're large enough for the account
we then shall together render.
| 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 lncar-
nate Son was offered to God And now He
comes to vou and asks like offering at
| your hands. that he may make YOU as
"A candle of the Lord, to tighten the
many still sitting in the darkness of sin.
| He will present Himself to YOU
to-day through His church and by His
Holy Spirit in the great commits
SION Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.
May that same Holy Ghost, dwelling in you,
enable you TO keep the good thing thus en-
trusted to you. delivering you from all evil
and preserving you unto His heavenly king
| dom