The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-27
how closely he held himself III touch with
mankind as man.
A STRONG AND GOOD BISHOP.

A STRONG AND GOOD BISHOP.
Indeed in all the elements which go to
make up a strong and good bishop he
seemed to excel. one of the youngest
men in the house of bishops, / am tod,
he nevertheless commanded attention to
views and confidence in his conclusions
far beyond his years. Many times, both
In public and private, he has expressed
the wish that he might have more time
for literary work and to study the social
conditions of the country. A course of
lectures recently delivered and as yet un-
published, seemed to be the beginning of
the fulilment of this desire ana the Wild
ening of his influence in the church. But
alas, II was not to be, for God took him.
Some men are born to lead and to rule
and no path seems too hard for them to
ascend, but few of these escape the frail-
ties and vices of humanity. 1t is one
thing to be a bishop, it is quite another
to be a humble, reverent, pure man. The
beautiful personal character of him
whom 1 speak today transcended the
high and sacred office which he held.
Yes, it illumlned and made 1T radiant.
/ fear even to seem eXtravagant in my
words here for ] know how sincerely he
was opposed to AL hollow flattery, but
can appeal for support in what l say to
his brother bishops, fellow priests and the
many laymen whom he met Sincerely
do l appreciate the purity of the character
that has been my study for fourteen
years. Never, even once, in word or eN-
preston was evidence of other than sin
gleness of purpose and purity of thought
and intention. A man among men, af-
fable, interesting, attractive; without ar
rogance or pomposity or effort, he won
the hearts of men-not as the bishop only,
but as the man-and bound them to him
not by descending to their level of medi-
ocrlty, deferring to their weaknesses or
the customs of the day, but by the i'm
preston of sincerity, gentleness and love
which he made upon them. AS an Illus
tration: One gentleman when it was sug-
gested that he should attend the funeral
services as representative of the vestry,
remarked that he did not represent any
thing but his personal love and esteem for
the bishop, for he considered him a very
dear friend.
We can never measure the height of a
mountain when we stand near; 1t is only
when at a distance we look up that we
realize it's dignity and immensities. So it
is with one with whom we live. A prophet
is not without honor save in his own
country. The every day trifes, the cat
ing and drinking and little mutual SER
vices which go so far to make life smooth
and enjoyable in close association take
| away from the largeness and dignity and
Importance of men. making even the
greatest appear ordinary. Recognizing
this fact, we say history cannot be writ
ten for at least a generation, nor just
value be put upon mems lives and actions
until they are long dead. But today l
have endeavored to lose sight of the
| minor associations, dear though they are,
and to bring before you the bishop and
the man in size and proportion such as
| think the future will depict him; one in
whom was united unusual qualities and
virtues, both for his intercourse with men
| and also for the high office which he held
l may not close without at least some
| words in which to acknowledge my per-
sonal Indebtedness to his life and char
acter.
My personal relations with the bishop
| began early in the year 1884 when serving
| as lay reader in Trinity parish (now the
! cathedraD, Cleveland. I frequently met
| DR.. Ruhson, then rector of st. Pauls, al
the gathering place and center for the
clergy of the city and vicinity the study
of the Rev. DIR. Bolles, at that time Rec.
| tor Emeritus of Trinity parish and since
included in the Church EXpectant.
AS lay reader although then awaiting
holy orders under my friend and rector
the Rev. Y. p. Morgan, rector of Trinity
parish, it was not to be expected that at
| tention should be shown me by the
|
His greeting was always hearty and as
| found later his cordial interest always
| sincere.
REVERED THROUGHOUT OHIO.
A marked figure in Cleveland had he
| then become. Very deeply had respect
for his abilities and love for his warm
| hearted, generous sympathy sank into the
| hearts of both clergy and people not alone
of Cleveland, but of the diocese of Ohio
| while expressions of opinion showed that
if bishop of Ohio should at any time
become a necessity the office would be
his to accept or decline. In June, of this
year, came the election, and in October
the conservation to the assistant bishopriC
| of Central Pennsylvania. Again his
thoughtful consideration was shown in
'selecting the lay reader to assist him
| in personal preparation for the great ser
vice in which he was to be set apart tc
| the highest office in the gift of the
| church. To. this consideration l was in
| debted for a scene which revealed as
nothing else could the healthful, sweet
ness of his disposition and character.
| The solemn service was over, the con
| gregation had departed, the newly made
| bishop had been divested Of his robe II
| the parish house when escaping from the
congratulations of many friends he LETT
| the room.
| ABOUT lnuI time L enleTeu the cnuTCT
| by a side door and saw him coming dowr
the center aisle from the chancel ami al
the same time in the front door came foul
| young girls the youngest but seve.
years, daughters of the bishop, who were
| looking for the father-with a soft eX
preston of delight they ran forward tC
him and gathering them into his arms hC
| mingled his tears with theirs in tender
| JOY. And though l then retired 1t surely
would be no stretch of the imagination tC
believe that he led the sweet children tC
the chancel steps and kneeling, prayed
for them and himself-his first Episcopa
| act.
A year and more passed before / saw
him again and then he most kindly tool
the long journey to Meadville, Pa, t.
preach the sermon at his ordination to III,
priesthood. Years passed but not of for
getfulness on his part, as various in
quiries and calls from parishes gave ties
timony. At last the way seemed opened
| and became a member of his diocese an,
rejoiced to again renew the kindly rela
tion as priest which had been begun a,
lay reader. For nearly five years we hav,
| been in most intimate relations not only
as bishop and priest, but as personal &nC
intimate friends.
In all these years, and l bear testimon,
with the deepest sense of gratitude,
have ever received at his hands thought
full consideration and a kindly and sym
pathetic hearing while his ministration.
and his associations with the people haV,
been ever Of the most acceptable an,
tenderest character as you can bear wit
ness.
| PREPARED AND READY.
That he knew the end was approaching
| / cannot doubt. A few weeks before n,
| sailed on being assured by the writer tina