Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-04
BISHOP GIBSON NOW.
CosdIulor Of the Diocese OIL Virginia
Consecfated Here Yesterday.
THE CEREMONY AT HOLY TRINITY.
Service Of Deep Interest and Attended
by an Immense Congregation.
RI. REV. P. N. WRlTTLE PRESlDES.
This Venerable Prelats Conducts Inc
Impressive Ceremony.
SERMON By BISHOP THOMPSON.
The Distinguished Mississippi DlYlne
Delivers a Fine Discourse
SERMON BY BISHOP THOMPSON.
CLOSING SCENE MOST EFFECTIVE.
The Laying On Of Hands and Read
.ng Of Testimonials and Certih-
co,e. Hearty Congratulations
Popular Reception Last Night.

The elevation to the Episcopate OF
Rev. Robert Atkinson Gibson, ID. d.
which took place in Holy Trinity church
yesterday morning was great cor
porate act Of conservation and worship.
1t is q remarkable fact that every class
and nearly every creed in the city was
represented at the service The mere
fact Of so many denominations, dinerlnS
from one another in faith and ritual
being present. might well touch the heart
and impress the imagination.
In mere pomp Of ritual the service
has been surpassed in many churches.
But looking at that vast assemblage,
and corsidering it's significance, one
could not but realize the fitness of such
a temple and Of such congregation,
10 witness this great act of solemn con-
secration. Though devoid Of external
manifestations of splendor and bril-
lance, the scene and the ceremony
could not fail TO appeal to the reverence
and the emotions OF that great assem-
bly,. In every respect was the congrega-
tiou representatiYe-not merely of the
but OF the love of the people for a noble
and good man, who was TO be raised
70 a dignity and honor that he is well
fitted to wear.
The presence of many notable person.
ages gave to the service an impressive
ness which color and circumstance alone
would have failed to impart.
GREAT DEMAND FOR ADMISSIONS.
The applications for admission to the
church reached an enormous total and
would have risen to o. still higher level
but for the peremptory suddenness with
which space limits compelled the list TO
be closed after accommodation had been
provided for 100 persons and after all
tho arrangements had been concluded
there was a massive residuum of dis
appointment, which was too sincere and
inartistic TO profess itself contented.
Long before IL o'clock. the nour set
for the service, every seat was occupied,
except those reserved in the middle aisle
for the visiting clergy and for the rela-
tiyes and friends OF the reverend pre-
lates who took part in the conservation,
while hundreds were content to await
outside the arrival of the high ecclesias-
teal dignitaries. That part of the build
ing set aside for the public was crowd
ed by a densely-thronged congregation.
and every place where a glimpse could
be obtained of the officiating clergy or an
echo heard of the music was occupied.
OPENING OF THE SERVICE.
The arrangements within the school,
room, which had been set apart as
yestry. were admirably carried out.
Promptly at II O'Clock the organ poaled
forth the opening voluntary, and few
minutes later the doors Of he school
room were thrown open and the process
sion started on its course. Members OF
the Standing Committee of the diocese
and of the Richmond vestries were the
first to enter. They passed from the
east end of the church, up She centre
aisle. TO seats reserved for them. They
were followed by some OF the clergy OF
the diocese without surplices. mo-
ment later, with the music both Of or
gan and of voices rising and swelling,
the presbyters and bishops entered
from the main door of the church, as
the choir. I'm snowy white SUPPLIES, came
into the chancel from the vestry, sing
ing the hymn, Rejoice, Ye Pure in
Heart"
The presbyters-twenty in number
preceded the bishops up the centre aisle.
pausing at the chancel steps, and lining
the two sides Of the aisle as the bishops
tor-Bishop-elect, with the two presby-
tiers. Rev. Landon r.. Mason and Rev.
DIR. Peter Tinsley. occupied seats direct
ly In front of the altar, at the foot Of
the chancel steps. The presiding Bishop,
Right Rev. w. NJ. Whittle, was con-
Quoted to a seat at the south end Of the
altar. with Bishops Peterkin and Vim
cent on his right. Bishop Randolph was
seated at the north end of the altar.
with Bishops Thompson and Penick on
his left
At this time IL was impossible not to
Feel that very strong wave Of emotion
was Ia possession OF the minds of all
present. And STILL amidst this emotion
deeply felt, and in some cases seen, too,
since many ladies present were yisibly
affected. the organ pealed forth and the
choir sang:
rThen on, we pure In heart,
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high.
The cross of Christ. your KING"
MORNING PRAYER.
The opening sentences of the morning
prayer were read by Rev. Mr.. Ware
Rev Mr.. Clark read the prayers, and
the FIRST lesson isaiah viz was read by
Rev. Or. Angus Crawford, and the Sc
cond tSt. Matthew ix.) by Rev. Bergman
Green.
The venite was chanted by the choir
and a special re Deum OF singular melody
and pathos was one of the features OF
the service. 1t was sung at the request
of the Bishop-eleet, having been qedi-
Gated TO him by Mr.. Yoakley, the or
genist OF hts old charge in Cincinnati.
An impetuous arrangem OF the Jubi-
late Dec was followed by the prayers
and at the end of which the service tool
a sombre turn with the singing of the
hymn: Lord. speak 10 me that 1 may
speak"
PARTS OF THE BISHOPS.
The ante-communion service was reat
by Bishop Randolph. the epistle by Bish
op Thompson. and the Gospel by BishoI
Pe;erkin. The Nioene creed followed, az
ter which Bishop Whittle announced tina
the offcrtory would be devoted 10 th'
Education Society OF Virginia. the objec
OF which Is 10 assist young men who de
sire 10 take holy orders and have not tn
means 10 pay their college fees. He ais
stated that while II was not desired Il
hinder any who wished TO communicate
from approaching the Lords table, III
holy communion, which was about TO b.
celebrated. was intended primarily 70
the clergy and the family and friends, o
the Bizhop-C oadj utor-elect.
Go. labor on; spend and DO spent,
was the burden O. the hymn before tn
sermon. and as II was being sung Bishol
Thompson, Of Mississippi, was conducte'
A. the pulpit. The DISTINGUISHED pralat