The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-26
Rev. Dr.. David H. Greer Of New
York viii Not Assume Charge
of the New Episcopal Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
DR.. VINT0N MAY
GET THE POSITION
He Has a Large Following and
viii Surely Be Urged to Be-
come a Candidate, Although it
Will Be at Least Two Months
Before There is An Election

New York, Nov. 25.-Rev. DR.. David
H. Greer, rector of ST. Bartholomew
Protestant Episcopal Church in this
city, made public a letter tonight
which he had just sent, in which he
declines to accept the bishopric Of the
diocese of western Massachusetts, tC
which he was elected recently.
DR.. Greer says that he has consid-
cred the matter thoroughly, and while
conscious of the honor conferred upor
him, has decided that his duty lies in
this city. The letter follows:
"St. Bartholomew Rectory,
"342 Madison Avenue.
New York, Nov. rs, 1901.
REV. John c. Brooks, Rev. Alex
ander H. Vinton and others:
"Gentlemen-It is impossible for
me to tell you how deeply feel and
appreciate the honor which has
been conferred upon me by the new
diocese of western Massachusetts,
in selecting me for its bishop.
should certainly be more than hu-
man, or less, not to be greatly
moved by the unusual and impress
pressive manner of my election;
and it is only after an earnest, and,
I hope, conscientious reconsidera-
ton of the whole subject, that I
find my conviction unchanged.
cannot feel 1t my duty to go to
Massachusetts; and, therefore, must
define the great honor which you
have paid me.
1T has not been an easy thing to
reach this decision but now that
have reached it, and my mind is clear
which way my duty lies, it is my
further duty to inform you of it at
once, and in doing so let me express
the hope that, whatever you may
think of the wisdom of my course,
you will at least believe that have
tried 70 do, and have done, what
seemed to me to be right.
Again thanking you most sim
cerely for such a manifestation of
your confidence and regard, believe
ne always
Faithfully yours,
"(Signed) DAVID Fl. GREER"
The refusal of DR.. Greer to accep
the bishopric does not come as a sur
prise to Worcester Episcopalians. Hi
present position as rector of st. Bar
tholomew's in New York is one Of as
great responsibilities and honor as the
episcopate would be.
st. Bartholomew disburses in chart.
ty each year about 100000, a sun
which IS vastly more than the whole
diocese Of western Massachusetts, will
raise. This large sum comes in mosi
part from the endowments Of the late
Cornelius Vanderbilt and others, an6
it is partly in view of the fact thai
these men expected DIR. Greer to re-
main and to continue to direct its dis
bursement that he feels 1t is his duty
to remain in New York.
The New York Journal of last night
quotes the following statement by DR.
Greer: ITO Mr.. VANDERBILT and to my
parish owe life duty. 1 do not wish
to be a bishop"
Now that DR.. Greer has declined the
bishopric, there is again occasion for
all the rumors which were In the air
previous to the primary convention.
Some of those who were originally in
favor of DR.. A. H. Vinton of All Saints
for bishop will doubtless let their hopes
revive. DR.. Arthur Lawrence of Stock
bridge and Rev. John Cotton Brooks of
Springfield were also among those who
were prominently mentioned for the
position. No one of these three cares
to be regarded as a candidate for the
bishopric, but each has a following
which would be willing to work for
him.
In any event, the election of the
bishop will not take place for some
time, as the canons of the church
state that at least 60 days notice must
be given If bishop is to be elected
at a meeting other than annual con-
vention.