Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-19
BISHOPS RESIDENCE.
Episcopal Church Taking Steps to
Purchase Needed Buildings.


Episc0pal Church Taking Steps to
Purchase Needed Buildings.
The committee appointed by the Episco-
pal diocese to consider the purchase of a
bishops residence and diocesan house
has issued the following circular:
WASHINGTON, D. c.. May IS, 1897.
At meeting of the members Of the
Protestant Episcopal diocese Of Washing
ton, D. c., called to consider the question
of purchasing a residence for the bishop
and diocesan house, the undersigned
were appointed a committee to take such
action in the matter as might appear most
advisable for promoting these objects
In the performance of this duty the COM
mittee has deemed it proper, as nrst
step, to consult the members OF the diocese
as to these needs and to ask their contri-
buttons ana active aid in supplying them.
The official and social duties OF the plsnop
are SO large as to make an adequate resi-
dence a necessity for him. and 1t Is OBJ
pense will be saved to him by his acquiring
a permanent home. Many other advan-
tages to our church In this diocese which
would accrue from giving to its head such
a home might easily be suggested.
From a financial point Of view, there
would be considerable advantage to the
diocese in carrying out this object without
delay. At present a fxed sum Is appro-
This would, of course, be saved could only
means be found for pure hasing a suitable
building, thus forming permanent IN
vestment for the benefit of the diocese.
Moreover, the existing depression in value
Of houses and land in Washington will not
last long, and every years delay must In
crease the difficulty of securing suitable
location or of profiting by the present
prices.
It should not be forgotten that whatever
relief may be given to the new diocese
from its fixed charges will enable 1t to en-
ter more vigorously upon the great mis-
sionary work that lies before 1t
What has been said as to the needs of
bishops house applies equally, II not more
forcibly. to diocesan house. Such build
ing seems to be a necessary instrument for
exercising the office of a bishop. The as
sembling of clergy and laity, the meeting
of committees the examination of candi-
dates, the chapel services and mnistra
lions. the formation of clerical library,
in fact, the various methods for concen-
trating the active religious work of the
church in the metropolis of the country
are not these factors in determining the
urgency of the appeal now brought before
the church people of Washington?
Some of the few persons here to whom
the present project has been made known
have expressed their warm approval of it.
and have promised liberal contributions
toward It's accomplishment. 1t is to be
hoped that all members of the church In
TINS diocese concur In these views, and will
be ready to aid with their means and their
labor and their sympathy in advancing
this good work.
Mr.. Chas. ]. Bell, 1905 street Gamer
lean Security and Trust Company will re-
ceive contributions or subscriptions to this
fund.
mrs. Horace Gray, Jas. H. Watmough,
Mrs. Allan McLane Charles i ReIl
Miss Eliza Wilkes, VIM. !. Roardman
MISS IurnDull, Henry E. Pellew,
MISS hlbbey, James Lowndes
Committee,