Evening star., 1902-02-12
LIKELY WILL ACCEPT
Dr.. Mackay-Smith and the
Coadjutorship.
BISHOP POTTER HERE
HAS A CONFERENCE WITH ST.
JOHNS RECTOR.
Opens Lenten Season With q Charac-
teristic Sermon-Large Con-
gregation Present.

While the Rev. DR.. Alexander Mackay-
Smith. reotor Of st. Johns Episcopal
Church. has studiously refrained from dis
cussing his possible action in the matter
Of accepting or rejecting the post OF coad-
jutor to Bishop Whitaker OF the diocese OF
Pennsylvania, 1t Is pretty generally be-
ieved by his co-workers In the diocese OF
Washington that he has practically made
up his mind to take upon himself the re-
sponsibilities to which he has recently been
elected. There has not been a day since
the announcement of his election that his
mail has not contained letters from many
ministers of the church throughout the
country and from Iaymen as well, Advising
him to accept the call.
The arrival Of Bishop Potter Of the New
York diocese today for the purpose Of con-
ferring with DR.. Mackay-Smith on the sub
ject has augmented the belief that the lat
ter has practically arrived at an aft1rma-
tive conclusion. The possibilities of pro-
motion to bishop within very short time
are so strong as to warrant the belief on
the part OF his friends that he would be
standing in his own light were he to re-
Ject the offer that has come to him un-
sought. 1t is known that Bishop Potter,
who has long been a warm friend of DR..
Mackay-Smith's the latter In fact being
almost a protege, is anxious that he shall
accept.
Bishop Potter's Arrival.
Bishop Potter came to Washington from
Jekyl Island. where he has been enjoying
a weeks rest. He arrived at II 80 o'clock.
and was driven at once to st. Johns
Church. where he was greeted by Dr.
Mackay-smith. The two held short con-
ference in the latter's study before the
Ash Wednesday services began. The bishop
looked In good health and he expressed
himself as enjoying better health than
usual. The fact that Bishop Potter was
to preach the sermon at the beginning OF
the Lenten season brought to the church
an unusually large congregation. Every
seat was occupied and a number Of persons
were unable to gain admittance.
The services at st. Johns were under the
direction of DIR. Mackay-Smith. who was
assisted by the Rev. F. H. Bigelow and the
Rev. E. S. Dunlap, the latter of whom read
for the scriptural lesson the parable Of the
prodigal son. The litany was read by Or.
Mackay-Smith.
Bishop Potter took for his text the 5th
verse Of the 5Sth chapter Of Isaiah: "Is 1t
such fast that have chosen? a day for
man to aff1ict his soul? Is 1t to bow down
his head as a bulrush and to spread sack
this fast and an acceptable day to the
Lord?'
Bishop Potter was shown dispatch from
New York quoting Herman Ridder. who
had received no answer to an invitation
sent to the latter to attend the dinner to
the American press In honor Of Prince
Henry at the Waldorf-Astoria on Febru-
ary 6.
II presume the reason that Mr. Ridder
did not hear from me earlier was the fact
that I have been absent from New York."
Bishop Potter said to an Evening Star re-
porter. II telegraphed him last evening
that1 should be pleased to attend and that
he might rely upon my presence at the din
ner."
The bishop declined to discuss the possi-
BILE action Of DR.. Mackay-Smth in deciding
whether to go to the Pennsylvania diocese
or remain as rector Of st. Johns
Paid Respect to the Bishop.
At the close Of the services number
Of the congregation called upon the bishop
In DR.. Mackay-Smith's study. Later. with
DR.. Mackay-Smith, he was driven to the
latter's home In 10th street. where he will
stay while in the city. Bishop Potter will
return to New York tomorrow. Bishop Sat-
terlee called on Bishop Potter this after
noon, and there was a general discussion
of the subject Of DR.. Mackay-Smith's CIV
ing UP his present rectorship to accept the
coadjutorship Of the Pennsylvania diocese.
There was another service at St. Johns
this afternoon