The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1903-05-20
bishop PeterkIn's Anniversary.


Va, DIR. George w. Peterkin was
consecrated the first Bishop of the
new Diocese of West Virginia. On
Ascension Day next the Church of
West Virginia, in Council assemb-
led. in that same church, proposes,
in fitting fashion, to celebrate the
twenty-fifth anniversary of that
event, and to manifest its gratitude
for the guidance of the good hand
of God in all its Diocesan history
And all who know Bishop Peter
kin, and who are acquainted with
the history of the Diocese of West
Virginia. will recognize the fitness
of the celebration, and in the spir-
it, at least. join with the Church in
West Virginia on the occasion.
Twenty-Five years ago, Bishop
Peterkin was elected to what SEEM
ed to many competent judges an
impossible task; and because of the
splendid success of his administra-
ton, men wonder today how any
could ever have thought that task
an impossible one. They recall
that there were said to be great
burdens, serious obstacles, almost
impossible demands, enormous sac
rifices; but because those burdens
have been so patiently borne, those
obstacles so wisely met and over
come, those demands SO splendidly
responded to and satisfied. those
sacrifices made in such Christ. like
and Apostolic spirit, they are actu-
ally tempted to wonder if they ev-
er did exist.
Technically, Bishop Peterkin
has never been Missionary Bish-
op; but as matter of fact, he has
been one of the Understanding
and most successful Missionary
Bishops that ever did the work of
the church.
Nominally, his field was Do
cese from the start. but it was har-
dly more than a nominal Diocese
in the beginning. And it's Bishop
is one of the very few men in all
this land for whom the great aroh-
itect's epitaph can be taken as the
statement of his work. eff you
seek his monument, look around
you"
What the fresh, splendid. vigor-
GUS young Diocese of Vest Virgin
la is today, with all its fine accom-
plishments, with its strong-built
work, with its great open fields,
with its grand prospect for the fu-
ture, is the exact measure of what
its Bishop has done in that station
of life to which it pleased God to
call him. All who know Bishop
Peterkin recognize at once why he
has SO greatly succeeded; the en-
thusiasm, the "joy of battle" the
carelesness of self, the unhesitating
self-sacrifice, the boundless energy
the wise judgment, the power of
begetting trust and confidence, the
intense and self-forgetting interest
in his work, all are patent charac-
teristics of the man, all help to
make him a born leader of men.
But warm friend of his has writ
ten so we'll of him that we adopt
the words as our own. He says:
What had been officially report
ed in 1876 as impossible, he under
took in 1878, under discourage.
ments that seemed appalling. In
a few years he harmonized all sec
tions. He infused new life where
activity had almost died out. His
enthusiasm was felt in every or
ganization or gathering within his
jurisdiction. His personal manli-
ness appeal to the admiration of
widening orioles.
Everywhere welcome, the charms
and grsces of his character won
friends for his Masters cause.
Many believed in him before they
learned to care for his mission.
His abilities were commended by
men in all walks of life. His sound
judgment, foresight, patience and
wisdom left no doubt of his excep-
tional powers and executive force
and never failed of respect. His
self-sacrifce, zeal and devotion
have at all times marked his car
eer. Despising nothing of duty as
unimportant, he grasped larger
problems throughout his allotted
field, and to the remotest parts of
foreign missions. Nothing that
concerns mankind has been of in
difference to him. His services