The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-11

II n the fashion Of the moment 70
talk Of "the strenuous life'' as IL II were
n matter OF arms and conquest, lying
chiefly in the hands of soldiers, sailors
and the pioneers OF trade. At time
when such a material view prevails. IL Is
good to read the record OF a life whose
activity. triumphing over great physical
obstacles, was exerted nightly In the
world Of the spirit. strenuous only for
the highest ends.
such 4 life q that 81 the late Bishop
OF New Westminster. whose story Is told
with simplicity. directness and dignity by
the Rev. Herbert II. Gowen in Church
Work in British Columbia" a memoir
OF the episcopate of Bishop SilIitoe. The
book IL not Intended to DO an exhaustive
biography, but 10 does record graphical
" the work and difficulties OF the first
bishop OF New Westminster during the
fourteen years that he occupied the see.
When called 10 the newly made bishopric
IN 1s7p. Mr.. Sillitoe was chaplain to the
British legation at Darmstadt and to the
Princess Alice. II is a far cry from
pnrmstadt 70 the wilds Of British Coz
lumbia but the work, which was accept
"a chiefly because It was a harder duty.
amply demonstrated that the man who
for such place. Not every able clergy
man 10 fitted to be a pioneer. and there
are many devoted lives which would
have made no impress upon New West
minister. The bishop confronted at the
first tho dinicuIties OF an enormous
diocese. lack OF clergy and an insult
nciency OF funds. He practically under
took the task OF snnihilating distance. OF
being a dozen men In one and OF bank
ing for his bfshopric from his private
purse. Tho demands upon his strength
and resources were amply met. but that
his health paid the penalty Is proven BY,
his untImcly death. 1919
Fourteen years OF such enthusiastic
and devoted work win accomplish much.
In spite Of temporary discouragements,
due 10 the dificuity In securing funds
and helpers, and to the effect OF financial
depression upon the provinces, the de-
veIopment Of tho diocese went steadily
on until. to those who knew the diff
culties which had lain In the way. Its
condition excited admiration and aston
ishment.
very vivid idea of the discomforts and
dangers OF the episcopal visitations may be
gathered from the letters and extracts from
the Journals OF the bishop and his wife.
Long and tiresome journeys were undertake
en- Ut all seasons OF the year. forest fires
impossible roads. swollen rivers and
the many accidents contingent upon
drives hundreds OF miles In length IN an
unsettled country were all merely part ct
the days work. They camped out In all
kinds OF places. encountered all weatncrs
and were hail-felow-well-mct with oil
classes OF people. The story is one OF ives
voluntarily simplined TO adapt themselves
to the comprehension OF primitive people.
of hardships lightly borne and dangers dis
regarded An older bishop of tho English
church has said. what Is there In this
world 10 distinguish virtues from dishonor
or that can mako anything remarkable but
tho labor and the danger. the pain and tn
difYcuityf" We call such lives self-saerisic-
Ing. but TO those east In the heroic mould
perhaps tho sacrifice would be in rctralnlnE
from spending themselves to the nttermost
ia tho cause that IL 10 them best. There
are martyrdoms that are more striking,
but none that are more erectuai than
these and this brief study o. Bishop Sill
ntoe's work in British Columbia viii he
valued outside the limits Of tho Church
because Il shows a strong man arriving
with all his might for the ends u right
eousness-
,vcaurch Work In British Columbia" hy
tho Rev Herbert II. Gawcn, + X. =. =
faDsmana, Green 4 Go. For sale hy Low
man 4 Hanasord1
~ ~ ~
The ''Rccolleeuens ~ SIR Algernon
West cover the period ISL 1855. and have
the interest witch inevitably attaches to
a collection 81 sood stories and inter
.Atins anecdotes about the prominent men
az nation gathered hy ono VINO knows
thai nations political history from the
inside Let Us hasten 80 ada that the
~Raeelections" are in no sense reve'a-
tious Entering The civit serviee At H. tho
author Is 50 thoroushly imhued With It's
necessary tradition ~ secrecy that his
,nemelrs are perhaps more strictly super
ticsal thar vNsn aue sense az political
honor demands he eouia have told Us
more aboat the src&i ncR whom he knew
wen and the WAY they were personally
affected ~ the great events with wRich
they wcrs associated without revealing
Ans Of the scetcts of the state. What
Inc public would realty Uke IN a writer II
memoirs " the knoele,lec os ctizeB OF
the political and social wotia camoiaed
with the Wit. shreWdnees and descriptive
ability OF such journalist az tho bate a.
" SsveNena or the sgrcprcssibio Mt
stead II viii probably he a long day
however. before last tals happy cembina.
zion is seen in he flesh. ans in she moan.
time /, seems insfatitude net 20 appre'
e,ate such substantial entertainment Al
sir Algcrnon wess offers
We sfo not ssai3Hs 20 What extent the
minor customs ef society have changed
aurlng tAe lifetime q men who are moi
ve, 20 until the fact Is brouSht home &c "a
nv such "Reminiscences as these. Fer IN
stance. there Is SEVERAL Impression slis'
the Rritish devotion % the cold idA s.
an aneeiion thai has stood the test 81
several generations al ,ee very least y
"a something OF shock, therefore e
learn that in isss, at Eton, which, from
me standpoint Of the birth and social pc
sition Of It's boys, Is distinctly the fere
most among the great Ensiish schools
abh,ttons were matter OF warm weather
Sir Aisernon went 10 the sane house an,
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