Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-04


sultation with the said Bishop Coadjutor-
elect, to the office of q bishop in the
Church of God, according to the form OF
ordainng and consecrating a bishop,
established and used in the Protestant
Episcopal Church Of the United states.
In testimony of all which l have here
unto set my hand, and caused my offl-
cial seal to be affixed in the city OF Mid
dletown, in the Diocese of Connecticut,
this 18th day of October, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-seven.
(Signed j. WILLIAMS,
Presiding Bishop, etc.
THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
These formalities ended the Bishop
elect made the promise of conformity,
in a clear and distinct voice. The prayers
and the litany followed, being
read by Bishop Peterlin, who also put
to the candidate the prescribed ques-
tions "to the end that the congregation
present may have trial, and bear wit
ness how you are minded to behave
yourself in the Church OF Cod"
The examination over, DR.. Gibson, who
had hitherto worn a rochet only, put on
the rest of the Episcopal habit, and
kneeling in front of the Bishop, the
Veni Creator was said over him. A
prayer followed, and then all the Bishops
present placed their hands on Dr.
Glbson's head, and Bishop Whittle said
the words OF conservation. The act was
exceedingly impressive one might al
most have said that the height OF emo
ton had been reached and that there
could be nothing further added to the
reverent scene TO impress all those pres
ent more deeply. Yet there was still
further to come another episode, touch
ing pathetic, and dignifed, which was
to reach all hearts, even more than they
had already been reached. There was,
however, an interval to be passed, du-
ring which the presiding Bishop pre-
sented to his coadjutor a Bible. exhort-
ing him TO give heed unto reading, ex
hortation and doctrine. Think upon
the things contained in this book. BE
diligent in them, that the increase
coming thereby may be manifest unto
all men; for by so doing thou shalt save
both thyself and them that hear thee.
30 to the flock OF Christ a shepherd,
not a wolf. feed them, deyour them not.
Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind
up the broken, bring again the outcasts.
seek the lost BE so merciful that you
be not too remiss; so minister discipline
that you forget not mercy, that when
the Chief Shepherd shall appear you
may receive the never-fading crown OF
glory"
The words were spoken solemnly
and impressively by Bishop Whistle,
and the fact that he was unable
to read them and had memorized them
rendered their utterance the more
striking.
During the offertory which followed.
the choir sang the anthem How
Lovely Are the Messengers" by Men,
deissohn, with admirable effect.
COMMUNION AND BENEDICTIoN.
Holy communion was then celebrated,
the service being read by Bishops Ran
dolph and Peterkin. and only the clergy
present communicated.
The last special collect was read by
Bishop Peterkin, and now the benediction
was given by Bishop Whittle. in solemn
and impressive tones, well BETTING the
occasion.
After the service and before the clergy
left the sanctuary there occurred most
striking and interesting incident. The
aged Bishop OF Virginia sought his new
ly consecrated coadjutor and embraced
him warmly, and with evident emotion.
The procession was then reformed and
the clergy left the church. the choir
singing the hymn, Ancient or Days,
Who Sittest Throned in Glory"
In the vestry the bishops all signed the
certificates OF conservation. These are
printed I'm colors on parchment. and bear
testimony to the conservation OF Right
Rev. Robert Atkinson Gibson. ID. d., "of
whose sufficiency In good learning sound
ness OF faith. and purity OF manners"
the bishops are convinced.
AS soon as Bishop Gibson had disrobed
ne was surrounded with friends eager 10
congratulate him and wish him Cod
speed, including many clergy and ladies
from Cincinnati.
THE CLERGY PRESENT.
The following clergy were present at
the service: Right Rev. Bishops Whittle.
Peterkin. Randolph. Vincent. Thompson.
Penick. Revs. II. u. Lee. w. w. Brander.
C. r. Kuyk. w. b. Lee T.. L. Goodwin.
f. Wall. J. Carmichael A, Crawford,
w. ID. Smith. Tinsiey. Baker. Ribble.
p. wroth. John Ridout J. X. Ellis. Or.
Harris. c. l.. Price. John @. Scott John
.McNabb. Carter Page. Everard Meade.
Il. ID. Tucker. Thomas Spencer. j. Morton.
DR.. Packard. l.. Y. blackboard. thinner
man. j. N. Ware. Benjamin Green. p. p.
Phillips. s. X. Wallis. c. q. Grammar,