The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-20
Primary Meeting Of New Episco-
pal Diocese of Massachusetts
viii be Held at Springfield Next
Month
BISHOP MAY COME
FROM NEW YORK CITY
Western Counties of the State
Are Opposed to Elevation of
Dr.. Vinton and Opposition to
Rev. Mr.. Brooks May Result in
Uniting On Outside Man

Rt Rev. William Lawrence, bishop
of the Episcopal diocese of Massachu-
sets, has issued a call for the primary
convention Of the new diocese which
includes the counties of Worcester ex-
cept the town of Southboro) Franklin,
Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire.
The convention will be held in Christ
Church, Springfield, Nov. 10, meeting
at 9.45 a. m. The business of the con
vention will be the organization of the
new diocese, the election of a secretary
treasurer, standing committee, etc. 1t
is not probable that a bishop will be
elected at this time.
Rev. Charles Lancaster Short, assis,
tant rector of All Saints Church, toll
a reporter for The Spy last night that
according to the canons of the Epis-
'copal Church in Massachusetts a bish-
op can only be elected at the annual
convention or at a convention spec
tally called for that purpose of which
so days notice has been given. The
convention at Springfield is only a pre-
liminary one Not a word is said il
the call issued by Bishop Lawrence
about the purpose for which it is called
Local Episcopalians are of the opinion
the selection of bishop other tina !
possibly making arrangements for ths
holding of a special convention for the
election.
The fact that the convention is to
be held in Springfield, in Christ Church
of which Rev. John Cotton Brooks is
rector is not considered significant.
Mr.. Brooks was prominently mentioned
as a candidate for the new bishopric
after the annual convention in May.
but 1t is not now expected that he will
be elected to the position. Worcester's
chances of becoming the Episcopal
town with Rev. DIR. A. H. Vinton of
All Saints, as bishop, would be good
were 1t not for the opposition of some
of the Western counties.
The senior warden of a local Epis-
copal church said yesterday that Wor-
cester County was unanimous in desir-
ing DR.. Vinton for bishop. He said,
however, that the other counties in the
new diocese are reported to favor go
ing outside the state for the bishop.
They also prefer Springfield to Wor-
cester for the episcopal seat They
would of course be able to outvote
Worcester County in the convention.
A Worcester clergyman said last
night that Rev. DR.. Greer of st. Bar
lHOlDHltN AhuiCils ANNN VI n VIZ
has been prominently mentioned as the
choice of the western part Of the state.
Bishop Lawrence devotes the first
part Of his call for the convention to
his own choice of the eastern diocese.
The call is dated from the house of
bishops, at the general convention at
San Francisco, Oct. Z. 1t reads in part:
Having received due notification
that the consent of the general con-
vention has been given to the cree
ton of a new diocese within the limits
of the diocese Of Massachusetts, it be-
comes my duty-a duty of which this |
formal document does not allow me
to speak as | would out of the fullness
of my heart-tO elect the diocese TO |
which I am to be attached.
Wherefore, ! hereby declare my cleo |
ton of that diocese which will be left
after the formation of the new diocese, |
as the one of which by divine permits |
sion 1 am to remain the diocesan.
The call has been sent to the clergy |
and wardens of the parishes in the new
diocese. The convention is made up of
both clerical and lay delegates Each |
parish is entitled to three lay delegates
who cast a single vote for the parish.
The convention will be opened with |
divine service. Bishop Lawrence viii |
make an address and holy communion |
will be administered
The financial situation which will |
confront the new diocese is one which |
demands early attention. The burden |
alling upon the churches of Western |
for diocesan expenses |
will be nearly double that of former |
,ears. The 100000 which has been |
aised as a starting fund for the new |
liocese will not go a great way. There |
ire the salaries Of the bishop, secre- /
airy, and other officials to be paid mis-
ions to be supported, expenses Of con
'entions. and the printing of the |
ournal
The double episcopate in the state
will cost the church much more than
With a single diocese, because 1t
loubies the strictly diocesan expenses.
rhe eastern diocese gets the better of |
he bargain because IT is rich and con-
aims about two-thirds Of the two /
hundred and thirty odd parishes of the
tate. In the western diocese the in
reased expense will have TO be met by
increased assessments from the
PARISHES.
Out of the FIVE arch deaconries in the
tate two, Worcester and Springfield,
all in the new diocese. II will fall to
he Springfield, or some succeeding 4
to decide whether they 4
hall be continued. The arch deaconries
we're established some years ago to re-
Ieye Bishop Lawrence of the pressure
Z work Their special province has
cen the care Of the missions and 1
hurches which are not self-support-
nR. whether they will be continued
, q problem. 1t has been suggested II
hat their place be taken by convoca-
Ions.