The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-24
BISHOP.ELECT SHEDS TEARS.
DIR. COTTON WEEPS AS HE LEAVES
ST. STEPHENS, AFTER 27 YEARS.
"My Old Heart Has Become Knit TO Your
welfare" He Tells His Congregation
To-day lie Returns I'm State to Bless
Then,--NOmen ThrOng About Him.

Them--WOmen ThrOng About Him.
The Right Rev. Charles II. Cotton, Bishop
elect OF Buffalo, who will be consecrated by
Archbishop Farley in the Cathedral this
morning, took formal leave yesterday OF
his old parish, st. Stephens, in East Twenty
eighth street, in which he has labored for
twenty-seven years Following high mass In
the church, which the retiring pastor HIM
self celebrated. appearing for the first time
there in the silken robes Of Bishop, a
presentation of gifts from his former
congregation was made
The service, both religious and social,
was simple one. characteristic OF the
Bishop. There was no elaborate musical
programme, but the church was filed to
its capacity, men and women kneeling in
the aisles, nave and vestibules. At the
close Bishop Cotton Invested himself Of the
chasuble, stole and surplice at the foot Of
the altar. Over his violet cassook he
donned a surpce of rare old lace, and COM
pleted the official toilet with the crimson
lined mantelleta Of his Office. Then, seated
on the first throne he has occupied. he re-
ceived the delegation which had been
chosen to represent the congregation,
The delegation was headed by Percy B.
OSullivan. who, on behalf OF the parish
toner's, spoke of the deep regret of he parish,
and many Of the poor of New York outside
the parish, at the loss of their pastor Re-
viewing the work of Father Cotton during
the twenty-seven years Of his pastorate,
Mr.. O'Sullivan said
40
your zeal and unwearied energy are well
known and remembered, and under your
pastoral care for the las, seventeen years
the growth and progress of the parish may
without e4aggeration, be called extraor-
binary
your elevation to the episcopal office
Is not wholly, or even chiefly, an occasion
OF sorrow it liz for you and for us an Oc-
casion of joy. We feel sure, and II will
be our earnest prayer. than an even great r
measure Of success will attend you in your
Bishopric than has signalzed so remark
ably your life as priest.
A oro2ier and complete set Of episcopal
vesments were then present ed. after which
Bishop Cotton entered the pulpit for the
last time to address his old congregation.
He stood there contemplating them for
several moments, almost overcome, Then,
with tears streaming down his cheeks. he
began TO speak TO his dear children" "
In part, he said
Parting with the people Of this parish Is
TO me so great a sorrow that dare not permit
myself to dwell upon 1t. lest should be over
come. You must know what II means TO me.
During the twenty-seven years OF happiness
become knit to your interests and welfare.
and l have learned to love you individually
and collectively. Many times have visited
your homes to administer consolation In the
Nf heron
daily privilege TO be your confessor and to
bear 20 you the Holy Communion. have
performed the marriages o Of many Of you
unions into the holy Church. have, wit
messed your joys and your griefs until you
have individually become part OF my life,
and the severing of this tic brings deep sad
meas upon me.
have tried at all times not TO look back
ward into the past. but into the future. Leav-
into a general view and hold II close to my
heart. l will remember you In the friendly
ns Whec ses arays
family hearthstone. and around Il we were
used to gather.
Nv s oF e mai, my b ss
conseCrated tomorrow and shall. in the full
meaning. of the word. have been made a
old friend Your gT0 pastor G,' your follower aud
let me, with mitre on head and cro2ier in
hand, walk these aisles once more aud i'm
part w yOus W lll AL my Olu my
benedicton. You have the deepest place
in my old heart. and to you my children.
would give my first blessing Twill have in
Buffalo a much larger flock. but ever in the
depth of my heart will be my nrstboTn, the
children of ST Stephens
Az the Bishop descended from the pulpit
his own cheeks wet, men and women
throughout the church were sobbing
Many women gathered about the entrance
of the church, some with young children in
their arms, to receive DR. Colton's blessing
His conservation will begin this morning
at $50 o'clock in st. Patrick's Cathedral.
Following the consecration a banquet
will be given to the clergy Of the arch
diocese. Solemn pontifical benediction will
be given by Bishop Cotton in his old church
Tonight at 7;30 o'clock, The Bishop, ac-
companied by Archbishop Farley and
about seventy clergymen and prominent
laymen, will start For Buffalo tomorrow
morning. and his solemn installation will
be held in the Cathedral there tomorrow
evening.