Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-01
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE
Dr. McKim Makes an Address in Baltimore
on This Question.
Field for Two Great Episcopal Do
cesnn Organization "A
Generous Legacy.

The division of the Episcopal diocese was
the subject of an address by Rev. DR..
Randolph H. Mckim, rector of the Church
of the Epiphany, last night at the Church
of st. Michael and All Angels, Baltimore.
Bishop Paret spoke on this topic the pre-
vious Sunday, and DR.. Douglass of New
York will discuss it next Sunday in the
same church.
DR.. McKim said: 1.-The diocese ought to
be divided because the burden of the work
as it is today is too great for one bishop.
and division is the best and most effectual
method of relief. Then, in the second
place. division is required because of the
demands Of the work. The growth of the
church In the diocese, and especially In
the cities of Baltimore and Washington,
has been such, and the proportions of the
work have become so great, that in the
interest Of its proper episcopal supervision
a division of territory and of labor Is i'm
reratively demanded.
But there is" he said, d" reason more
potent than either of these why division is
called for. I refer to the peculiar import
Of influence and power. Whoever will re-
fleet upon the unique character and posi-
ton of that city as the national metropolis
cannot fail. surely. to see that there are
peculiar reasons why there should be a
diocese of Washington and a bishop of
Washington at the earliest possible day If
this church is to fulfil her mission to the
people of the United States.
Washington ms a Center.
Look for a moment at the situation.
Washington is splendid city. with a rap
idly growing population, numbering already
2S5,OOO souls, and manifestly destined to
plumber half a million before many years;
a city which is the political and social
Mecca Of a nation of 65,OOO.OOO of people; a
n Uvh a
streams of influence to every part of this
vast country; a city which grows more and
more to be the symbol and the pattern Of
our national life to the nations of the
earth. to which strangers and foreigners
turn to find the expression and the eX-
ampleS of all that Is most characteristic
and most influential in the republic; city
which has already become the favorite
home of wealth and culture and whose pc
culiar advantages, owing to the pres ence
there Of the government bureaus and mu-
seums and libraries, must make 1t at no
very distant day one OF the great centers
of the art and literature as it is already
Of the science IF the United States.
The Cathedral.
1--WE are" he said, embarked upon an
undertaking Of vast proportions and of far
reaching Importance the founding and up
building Of the Cathedral Of Washington.
Now, If this great enterprise is to be pros
ecuted with vigor, there must be bishop
Of Washington, who will have time and
strength to devote to the care of 1t. A
bishop who is already overburdened by his
official duties cannot grapple with such a
vast undertaking as this.
But. you will ask, why is this division
so urgent? Why not postpone it until
times improve? l answer, because there
are certain peculiar features of opportu-
nifty at this Juncture Of time (well under
stood by many of us) which may be lost
by the delay of even twelvemonth. I an
swer further. because, unless we are ready
by next October to make application to the
general convention, we must wait another
three years. I answer, finally, because the
additional endowment of the Washington
diocese, which has reached the sum of
$4,000. and which is expected to reach the
necessary total sum before our May con-
vention, will all be lost unless division is
consummated within the year."
Money for the Foundation.
The question of the proposed division of
the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Mary
land was the subject matter of a circular
read In some fthe Episcopal churches at
the morning service yesterday. After an
rouncing that a legacy of over $90,OOO had
just been left to the diocese of Maryland
the paper went on to state that in subscrip-
lions and pledges the committee has re-
ceived $4,000. leaving $4,000 necessary to
complete the foundation fund. That the
division of the diocese be made certain the
five members Of the committee have pleged
themselves to make up any deficit that may
remain If the total amount is not secured.
In order. however, that the chance of con-
tributing at least a small sum be put with
In the reach Of many, the circular suggest
ed that 200 gentlemen and 200 ladies should
each subscribe $25. thus assuring $4,000
of the requisite $4,000. Rev. Dr. RAN
dolph H. Mckim is the chairman Of the
committee, and Mr.. Henry E. Pellew, treas
urer.