Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-04
TO ELECT A BISHOP.

TO ELECT A BISHOP.
Right Rev. F. N. White, Episcopal
Bshop Of Virginia, has called council
of the diocese, TO meet in st. James
Church, Richmond, June goth, for the
purpose Of electing auccessor to the
late coadiutor, Bishop Newton.
The call, ~ heretofore stated in the
GAZETTE, was Issued yesterday even
ing, and will be received by the minis-
terra and vestriea this morning.
The announcement OF this fact will
GAUGE surprise in Episcopal circles, ar
it WA generally believed that no steps
would be taken to elect successor to
Bishop Newton until after the summer
Bishop White sets forth his reasons
for calling the council at such an early
date in the following letter:
RICHMOND, Va, June 3, 1897.
To the Ministers and VeHtries Of the
Dioceee Of Virginia
My Dear Brethren.-God, in His
wise Providence, having removed from
us our beloved Bishop Newton, it is
Important that SUCCESSOR to him be
procured ut as early q day al pracli
cable, my bodily iniirmilies rendering
me incapable OF performing the duties
Of my Office. Therefore, by authority
uf the constitution Of our Church, !
hereby call special council to meet in
81. James church, Richmond, on Wed
nesday, June 80. 1897, at 10 o'clock q.
Il nd bn
Of ciecting a bishop coadjutor for the
Diocese, md TO transacL any other
business at the pleasure Of tho council
1t il hoped that every minister entitled
- scat will he present, and that all
he yeslrles will elect lay delegates to
represent them aud their congregations.
Faithfully and alIectioDately yours,
+. M. WHITTLE,
Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia.
According TO the canona of the church,
this council will be composed Of an
equal number of clergy and laity, aud
will be presided over by bishop, in all
probability, Bishop Whttle.
Only the clergy will be allowed to
nominate candidates for the holy Of
lico, but majority Of both clergy and
Iaity is necessary TO elect.
After tho council has reached de-
cision, tho name of the chosen one is
sent TO tho standing committees OF
every diocese in the country, and must
bo approved by majority of these
committees. This course is taken to
ensure tho full examination into the
standing, character and ability of the
bishop elect. 1t generally occupies two
months, and sometimes longer, and
whom IN answer has been received
from all the committees, and the mat
ter has been submitted to the
presiding bishop of the Episco
pal Church in America-now Bishop
Williams, of Connecticut-he desg-
mates three bishops who shall conse-
cratic the bishop-elect, and one bishop
who shall preach the conservation SER
mon.
Much speculation is rife as to what
names will be submitted to the coun-
Gil, and who will be- Bishop Newton's
chosen successor.
Rev. DIR. McKim, of Washington,
and Rev. DR.. Tucker, of ST. Paul's,
Norfolk, arc most generally mention
cd. Rev. DIR. John K. Mason, of
Louisville, Ky; Rev Landon X.
Mason and Row. DR.. II. Carmichael, of
Richmond, have many supporters, IA
also have Revs. John Lloyd, OF Lynch
burg; Arthur Lloyd, of Norfolk, and
Professor Carl Grammer, of the Theo-
logical Seminary Among the others
prominently mentioned are Rev. Rob
ort A. Gibson, formerly assistant rector
of ST. James's Church, Richmond, now
of Cinolnnati; Row. DR.. Nelson Kin
solving, of Brooklyn, who is o Vir-
ginian, and Rev. DIR. Penlck. of st.
Marks Church, Richmond. OF these
Rev. DR.. Mason, Rev. Mr.. Lloyd aud
Rev. Mr.. Gibson were candidates be-
fore the council that elected DR.. New
ton Bishop Coadjutor. 1t is under.
stood that Rev. Mr.. Gibson is strongly
by some of those officially
with the Episcopal Seminary
ut Alexandria.
There is q strong feeling that
Virginian should be elected.