New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-13
department OF activity less TO show for pro
porticnafe outlay!
4PcHBIsHOP BENSON.

The sudden and tragic death OF Dr. Benson.
the nlneiy-fourth Archbishop Of Canterbury,
removes a successful but not great man
from the leadership oil the Anglican Church
Ii was a curious and dramatic coincidence tha'
he was stricken down. not merely while tax
iuy part in public worship but In the parish
church Of IIawarden. Mr.. Gladstones own
church. and while a guest of Mr.. Gladstone a'
his home in Hawarden Castle. For IL WAS MI.
Gladstone who appointed him TO the Arch
bishoprc OF Canterbury.
Dr. Bensons career IN the Church was one
Of uniform success and II Is only falr 10 su!
that his success was well deserved. FOR. Willie
he did not compare In ability with many OF
the Primates who preceded him, such as Ail-
justine Dunstan, Lanfranc -AnselM lHoinas
i Beckett Langton. Warham. CraDmer. fof'
Iaud Seeker or even TAFT his immediate
predecessor he was man OF learning. dignity,
tact and more than ordinary executive abin'y'
As beadmaster OF Wellington College. he raised
that institution to II commanding position
among the high schools Of England. As the
first Bishop OF the restored diocese 81 Truro
his zeal and capacity for hard and CONTINUOUS
work made the diocese strong and prosperous
As Archbishop Of Canterbury he performed
the complex and multifarious duties OF that or
flee In such way rs 10 harmonize conflicting
interests and promote the general welfare Vi
the Church. There are those who believe That
the Anglican Church to-day needs Primate
OF pre-emnent genius and insight, in order To
meet and settle the difficult problems that con-
front It, Disestablishment is looming ON the
horizon. and the necessity OF wise yet radi-
cal reform in the Church is widely recognized
The Church. II Is said. Is on the eve or tronb0ns
times. when Primate who is a great spiritual
statesman is called for.
II must I've admitted that DR.. Benson was not
such n man: yet II Is doubtful II he was not
quite as useful 10 the Church. 1t Is by no
means certain that the time is altogether ripe
for the great Primate described above; nor Is II
altogether certain that there is any place to-
day In the Anglican Church for Primate dis
posed To overturn the old order OF things. Ger
tainly 10 Prime Minister would appoint such
a man. DR. Tait whom Dr. Benson succeeded,
was man OF far more bold and original mind.
and IN some respects held larger place ia
the public eye. But the necessities OF the Office
compelled him, sometimes in opposition 10 his
personal views 10 maintain what is known as
a "safe" attitude In ecclesiastical politics. II
was the good fortune of Archbishop Benson not
10 be confronted with so many exciting con-
troyersies as arose i'll the Church during the
life of his predecessor: but his attitude toward
such questions as did arise was. Oh the whole.
wise and conciliatCry. He made no attempt 10
be leader OF thought refOrmer OF the
Church He was content simply 20 perform
the routine duties OF his high office as he I'M
derstood them. He brought 10 their perform
ance zeal. consclentiousness and more than
ordinary ability. and he will be remembered as
one OF the most useful. II not one OF the most
brilliant occupants of the See OF Canterbury.
IL Is quite likely that Lord Salisbury the
Prime Minister, will appoint High Church
man as DR. Persons successor. Whether he
will translate Bishop from some other see. or
choose an entirely new man, il Is impossible TO
say in point of ability and reputation. Bishop
Temple. of London. would stand a good chance
o. promotion, were il not for his age-be is
nearly seventy-fve. The same objection ap-
plies also to Bishops Moorhouse. Of Manchester.
and Stubs. of oxford. who might otherwise be
considered IF Bishop IS chosen. II will prob
ably be n younger man, who, though no. we'll
known. possesses the peculiar abilities requisite
10 the Office Among the clergymen not Bish-
OBS who are likely TO be considered may be
mentioned Canon Mason. OF Canterbury. the
friend and protege Of Dr. Benson. and the Lady
Margaret Professor of Divinity In Cambridge
University Canon Mason visited this country
last spring and delivered course OF lectures
in the General Theological Seminary. Of this
city.