Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-01-25
Bishop Paret and the New Diocese Of
Washington.


We reprint from the Baltimore Nesos of the
18th instant, the following article on sub
ject just now engaging the interest Of the
Episcopalians of this State and the District
of Columbia
The statement in The Neaos a few days ago
that Bishop Paret had distinctly declared, at
the reception rendered to him in Washington,
that he had by no means made up his mind
to stay in Baltimore, but that he might, very
probably, take charge of the new diocese of
Washington, will probably have very i'm
porlaut bearing upon the proposed division
Of the Episcopal Diocese Of Maryland. This
is likely to become ''burning question"
among Episcopalians, and it is beginning TO
be much discussed in church circles. Bishop
Parets announcement has been received with
considerable surprise-not to say dismay. Ii
is stated that some of the laymeu from whom
the necessary funds are expected have been
proceeding, both in Baltimore and in Wash
ton, upon the suppostion that the Bishop had
positively determined 10 remain in the old
diocese. There are two committees at work
raising funds and SlOO, 000-$5O, 900 for each
OF the two cites-is the sum named as abso-
lutely necessary. The Rev. DR.. Hodges is
chairman OF the Baltimore committee, and
the Kew DR.. Mckim of the Washington com
mittee The assurance was confidently given
0y those who protested 10 have learned it
from the Bishop himself that he would not
60 TO Washington. Under The belief that
they would be able TO elect their own Bishop
(probably one of the Washington rectors,
the Washington committee has raised, with
considerable rapidty, some $34 900, but ii is
stated that the Baltimore committee has only
some SD, 900 pledged or conditionally prom
ised
Many of the clergy and Iaymen in Wash
ington are intensely gratifed by the Bishops
latest announcement, knowing, as they do,
his eminent qualities as an administrator and
organizer. They would start off as new
diocese with one OF the best bishops in the
church, and one whom they have learned in
these ten years to love and respect, as the
late demonstration abundantly proves. But
truth requires the admission that some of the
Washington clergy who had well-ioun1ed
hopes that in the course of Providence the
Episcopal lightning would strike som cone
of them are taken aback by the Bishops I'M
expected statement of his posltion-though
Of course, modesty prevents them admitting
it. Nolo Episcopari is the watchword in all
such cases. They have also many friends
among the laity who share their disappoint
ment and who may feel that they have sub
scribed their money too hastily and under u
complete misunderstanding of the real situa-
ton.
On the other hand, the Baltimoreans say
that Bishop Paret has made an excellent
Bishop, and they wish him TO remain in Bal
timore and retain the diocese to which he
was elected alter IA very warm contest of 10
months duration. His Withdrawal would
cause another unwelcome Episcopal election
under the peculiar two-thirds rule of the Ma
ryland Church Constitution. Moreover, the
burden Of raising this endow ment would fall
chiefly upon four churches in Baltimore, viz
ST. PauPs, Emmanuel, Christ and Grace, and
these churchesare already very heavily taxed
No help whatever is expected from the coun-
try parishes, and very little from iagerstown,
Frederick and Cumberland.
If the expected endowment 10 not raised,
it is stated that the proposed division OF the
diocese must be postponed, for the Bishop
stated positively in the last convention that
he would not give his consent (Which is re- |
quired by the constitution) If any additional |
assessment or taxation was laid upon the par |
ishes. Sill, another and very important
reason is given to account for the fact that |
churchmen, both in Baltimore and Washing
ton, are less eager for the proposed division
than they seemed to be yeaI ago. 1t APP |
pears that there is a COMM ssion of bishops, |
clergy and laity engaged in revising the con
stitution OF the Episcopal Church, to report
in October Of this year, 1895. The New York |
Churchnan 1.-THE leading Episcopal paperl as |
serts that this commission (of which Bishop
Williams of Connecticut is chairman con
templates proposing that the Presiding Bish
op or Prmus should hereafter be elected by
the House of Bishops, and the Churchnan
further suggests that the Primus should be
transferred to Washington, making that city
a sort of national diocese. This proposition
seems to be received with much favor, and
Mr.. !. G. Bancroft Davis, prominent church
man OF Washington, is said to approve it,
The fact that so great move is pending
makes il undesirable, in the opinion Of many,
that Maryland should interfere with ii by
Prematurely setting of Washington in the
ordinary manner AS was proposed last May.
II has also been suggested that the Primus
when tran sierred to Washington should re-
ceiye the title Of Archbishop. This would,
indeed, be a new move in the Episcopal
Church and will require much consideration.
Laymen, when called upon for large sums of
money, naturally think that some decision
upon this greater and more important plan
should first be arrived al, and that the pro-
posed division of the diocese should for the
present be postponed. At all events, there is
a promise OF much interesting discussion be-
tween now aud next May. II may be safely
predicted that there will be considerable di-
vision of opinion even If there be no division
OF the diocese