The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-02
DIR. GREERS ELECTION.
Bishop POtter's New COadJut0r Described
by Fellow ClerEyman.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-!Sir: The cleo
ton OF the Rev. DR.. Greer. rector OF st.
Bartholomew Church as Coadjutor Bishop.
and his ready acceptance Of the same, are mat
tiers OF congratulation and subject OF general
interest to the people of New York city, in
which DR.. Greer is destined to become re-
ligous leader. The statement that DR.. Greer
has been regarded by his brother clergy more
as "a man of business" than spiritual Lead
err is certainly incorrect. 1t has been thor
oughly understood that DR.. Greer is Low
Churchman, but it has never been asserted
by the most advanced churChmen that he Is
lacking in spirituality Of mind. He is deeply
religious man. with heart as tender as q
child During his incumbency Of the wealthy
rectorship Of St. Bartholomew's no clergy
man. Of whatever school, has ever applied
to him for help in vain. He Is singularly
popular among his brother clergy. In yes
terdays election he would have been opposed
by the extreme High Church wing Of the con-
vention. led by the esteemed rector of West
Chester, but he was nominated by the veneer
able rector OF Trinity, who is known to be a
very pronounced High Churchman. and it
was felt that the Endorsement of DR.. Dix
should silence all dispute as to DR.. Greer's
churchmanship.
By the arrangement made by Bishop Pot
ter, DR.. Greer will be in spiritual charge OF
the city of New York. and he will have the
adjustment OF all matters affecting the dis
cpline OF the clergy. In this the, new Coad-
tutor Bishop will excel. For he is known 70 Do
prejudice. When the Rev. Mr.. Fillingham
again arrives fresh from England in the
HeW Sosausor Bishop viii proSsb NOT
suggest that the Britisher be thrown into
the street but he will not be in sympathy
man will probably receive such advice AZ
will make him both wiser and better man.
The election of DR.. Greer is almost unique
in the history Of our American con INVENTIONS.
hold Of the wrong man. Having declined
three Bishoprics. DR.. Greer was before the
determln alton to stand by the diocese Of
sentative = Of the HiSh church party. and
tive Of the low Church faction. be carried
the election on the first ballot by the. sub
stantial majority OF 81, and Immediately
was not the case With Dr. Mackay-smi
at Philadelphia.
Being, Just under 80 years of age in these
IN the yoSth age e in the Very prime
his mental life. Being universally beloved by
brother clergy and very much respected by
hearty reception, in his new Office But be-
yond this he will be acceptable to the whole
city of New York as leader Of religious
nominated Prof. Roper Of thd Theological
Seminary, man " every way Ntted for the
man. and could not possibly have carried the
American vote in the convention VI was on
this account that ] did not place his name
among possible candidates in my former
In the election of DR. Greer. under thess
peculiar circumstances. very great compn-
CATION Of st Bartholomews who, while they
lose him as their rector, will still keep him as
their chief pastor It would therefore seem
TO be suitable occasion for DR.. GreerI
wealthy supporters TO give some snbstantiai
contribution toward the fund of the cathedral
Church Of st John the Divine. on Columbia
Heights where, In course OF time, the newly
elected coadjutor will occupy the Bishops
chair
AT the convention yesterday the only OBJ
lection raised to DR. Greer was the SUPPOSE
ton that he had not shown any very great
interest in the Cathedral scheme. me mil
lionaires Of ST Bartholomew can soon re-
Il may be OF interest to state that the Rev.
David Hummell Greer was born at Wheeling;
" ya March l' 20, 81 He srad,Ssa a1 a.
studied theology at the Episcopal SEMINARY
AIRY degrees of Doctor in Divinity and Doctor
in Laws from Brown University and Kenyon
College. He was ordained deacon IN 1888
by Bishop Bedell, and was advanced TO the
by bsh9o w h T bh% T Sn
come 10 pass that our new Coadjutor Bishop
is not an advanced High Churchman. He
commenced ministerial work AS rector OF
Christ Church, Clarkshurg. W, Va, where
he remained two years. He then became
rector OF Trinity Church. Covington, Ky,
where he remained three years and attracted
consderab Bile attention as popular preacher
He was elected TO Grace Church. Providence.
X. l.. in 1872. and remained there sixteen
years. And II was his popularity IN Proyi-
dence that attracted the attention OF Mr..
Cornelius Vanderbilt and other members Of
the yestry of st. ,Bartholomew,s. New York.
TO which he was elected rector in 1883.
Since he became rector of this important
church he has declined election TO three
Bishoprics Island, Western Masss-
chusetts and Pennsylvania. | am not aware
that there il u single clergyman in America
who will question Dr. Groer's fitness for hIs
new position, and with the long record Of
con ven ions before me, believe there Ia not
a man who would repeat the common asser-
ton that con ven iOns usually elect the wrong
man" with regard to tho work Of the conyen-
ton in New York city Yesterday rlornng
DR.. Greer was prompt In announcing his
acceptanc. Of the Bishopric. He knew hat
his name had been prominently placed befofs
the diocese. He knew that under ordinary
circumstances he could not have expected
an election on the first ballot, lie probably
did not know that the venerable rector Of
Trinity would nominate him. But yester-
day morning the whole clergy Of the diocese.
from the reyered rector Of Trinity 10 the
Youngest curats who had vote, solemnly
was not only the choice OF the diocese but
OF the whole city.
May Or. Greer be long spared TO bold his
DOsitiOn and NAV tina lind NJ all 0raAn llaidA