Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-24
BISHOP COLEMAN,


pioi'uT uulCWHW.
An Interesting Sketch in the Currcnt N,,,-
berof the American Tyler.
The current number of the American
Tyler, a publication devoted 10 the
interests Of Free Masonry, contains An
interesting, sketch of Bishop Coleman.
1t is as follows
IT. Rev. Leighton Coleman, D. D.,
Ii. d., Bishop of the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese Of Delaware s''' was
born on May 3D., 1887, in Philadelphia,
"a he was educated at st. james
Grammar School and the Episcopal
Academy, of Philadelphia. Later he
entered the General Theological Semi
nary, OF New York, graduating after a
tnres years course, in 1861, and short
time afterwards became the first rector
OF 81. Luke's, Bustleton, Pa. In 1863
Dr. coleman became the rector Of st.
johns parish, Wilmington, Del. in
lSd6 he went to st. Marks, at Mauch
Ohunk, Pa, and in 1874 was trans.
feirred to Trinity Church, Toledo, O.,
whore he remained until 1879, when,
on account of his wife's ill-health, he
resigned and went abroad, remaining
I'D England seven years, engaged in
clerical labors. In 1887 no returned to
America, and after serving as rector
at the Church of the Redeemer, at
oayre, IA, for a year, was in 1888
consecrated Bishop OF Delaware by the
~ Rev. Bishops Howe, Rulison,
whitehead, Scarborough, Whitaker
and Adams.
He is probably the most widely
known man in Delaware today. Since
| his conservation as bishop in 1888 he
has become familiar figure, not only
from the sands of Sussex to the rocks
OF New CASTLE" but also in cities and
towns of other States and England. He
has hobby for tiamping tours, and
has taken something like 80 walking
trips, each being from 200 to 200 miles
In length. be travels strictly incognito
on these journeys. NOTWITHSTANDING
the bishops trend Of thought is among
the higher things of life, it is tribute
to the catbolicity of his tastes that he
can play the humble part OF person
tramping leisurely through pastoral
scenes, mingling unostentatfously with
the illiterate and uneducated found in
the regions be visits. He finds his
msthods effective in meeting such
people who would feel under much
constraint did they know they we're
talking to one of the dignitaries Of the
church. lie is man of, remarkable
activity of mind and body. To visit
the bishop at his magnificent residence,
Bisborstead, and inspect the many
objects of interest there is in itself
worth journey. There is his chapel,
the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
entered directly from his study-t the
chapel with Its Gothic architecture,
Its quaint English style oaken chairs.
Here in the flour is Mosaic contain
ing stones or bricks from ancient
churches--fro the Cathedral OF Iona,
Scotland, built about t.o thirteenth
century on the spot where st. COLUMBIA
landed in $50; from st. Martins
Church, Canterbury, England. built
about the fourth century, the Oldest
christian church in the world; from
the Great Church of st. Augustine's
Monastery, Canterbury, built in the
fourteenth century, ami from Old
Swedes Church, Wilmington, Del. i,
dating back to 1893. The bishops
study, his numerous books and photo
graphs, his clocks these are worthy
| of the visitors attention aud interest.
On St. Bartholomew Day last
| Bishop Coleman raised to the breeze
at Bishopstead, on 60.foot pole, the
first church flag in the United States.
Not only is it the only church flag in
America, but as far rs is known, the
only distinctive church flag in the
world. The English Church flies a
flag, ii is true, but that is the Union
Jack. 1t is 9 feet 6 inches square, the
square form being the more ancient
and the more heraldic. 1t has ID bars
OF red and white bunting alternately,
with centre field of white, in which
Is an episcopal cross in purple. The
field OF the cross is seven bars wide,
seven being mystical number. The
cross is similar in design to the
bishops pectoral Cross, and purple is
the episcopal colcr.
| Historically, the bishop Is highly
connected He belongs TO Carbon
Lodge, Lilly Chapter, McNair Coun-
oil, and Packer Commandery, X. T.,
Mauch Chunk, Pa. Cincinnati Con-
sistory, Cincinnati, O. He is an
honorary member of Masonic bodies in
1 Ohio, Pennsy Deiawnre and in
England. He has been Grand Prelate
of. the Grand Uommandery OF the
United States and Grand Chaplain Of
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The
bishop has preached many sermons to
Masons In this and foreign countries.
| ----------s------------