The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-19

ground. If a thing was right, it was
right; If wrong, then it was wrong. If
he differed with you he differed with you
radically. He knew only duty and right.
He preached, but he preached only
Christ"
THE FLOWER CONVENTION.
Bishop Whittle belonged to what is gen
orally known as the low church" par
ty, in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
was the fight in the famous "fower
convention Of the Diocese, which
was held in Fredericksburg in
1878. In his letter, Bishop Whit
tie forbade the use of flowers in the dec
orations OF the Episcopal Churches of
his diocese at Easter. This practice was
just then becoming general among the
Churches, but Bishop White held that
the custom was not authorized by the
Scriptures and in violation of them. The
letter caused a great sensation In the
council and it was charged that in issuing
the episcopal letter, Bishop White had
exceeded his authority.
Rev. DR.. Armstrong, who was then rec
tor of Monumental Church, Richmond.
and General Bradley T. Johnson. dele
gate from Grace Church, Richmond, were
the leaders in the opposition. The debates
were spirited and the fight bitter. DR..
Armstrong was one of the most elo-
uuent of the country's pulpit orators
He bore striking resem-
blance of John Wilkes Booth. the assas-
sin of President Abraham Lincoln. and at
that time it was claimed by many that
he was none other than Booth.
DR.. Armstrong and his adherents, how
ever. lost their fight. Bishop Whittle
was sustained by the convention by an
overwhelming majority, there being but
10 clerical and IS lay votes cast against
him. From that time no one question
ed the propriety of his episcopal acts.
HIS ADMINISTRATOR SUCCESSFUL
Bishop Whites administration has
been attended with most gratifying re-
suits. To-day five bishops are doing the
work. of the three doceses. which have
grown out of the one-the Diocese of Vir-
einia-over which Bishop White as
sumed control on the death of his prede-
cessor, Bishop John Johns.
The Diocese of West Virginia
was the first to be formed
out of the original jurisdiction
of Bishop Whittle. and in 1892. the Dio-
cese of Virginia was again divided AT
the time of the conservation OF Bishor
whittle there were between 5000 and 5000
commandments in the territory now com
posing the dioceses of Virginia, Southwest
Virginia. and West Virginia. To-day there
are, in round numbers $1,000 members OF
the Episcopal Church In Richmond
alone. during his episcopate, five new
congregations have been formed and
churches built-Al1 Saints. Holy Trinity
ST Andrews, Christ's, and Epiphany
Barton Heights.
The last sermon Bishop Whittle preach,
ed was in the Broad-Street Methodist
Church, during the absence of Rev Mr.
Beauchamp, the pastor. at Conference
HIS FAMILY.
Bishop White married Miss Emily
Cary Fairfax. of Washington. in 1918
He had five children-three sons, Mr.
Fortescue White, Of Petersburg;. Mr.
Frank M. White, Jr., of Atlanta. ant
IIewellyn Whittle. who died while
cadet at the United States Nava
Academy at Annapolis. and two daugh
tiers. the elder of whom was the frs
wife of DR.. ]. N. Upshur, of this city
and the younger is Mrs. Alexander I
| tones. of Winchester. Mrs Whittle dice
some years ago.
The funeral services will be held Fri
day morning at 10 o'clock from St jane
Church. The interment will be IN HOLY
wood and will be private. The pail
bearers will be the Episcopal clersymel
| of the city.
The clergy of the Protestant Episcopa
| Church in Richmond will meet in ST
James vestry room this morning at L
-.,o, ~ arrange for the services.