New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-08
BISHOP l. NJ. CLARK DEAD.
Oldest Episcopal Prelate-Conse-
Grated an Rhode Island IN 1854.


Newport. r. L. Sept. THE Right Rev
Thomas March Clark Bishop of Rhode Island,
and by virtue OF his seniority Presiding Bishop
OF the Episcopal Church in this country
well as the Oldest Bishop in the Anglican COM
munion, If not in the world, died to-day at his
home. in Middetown, few miles from this
city. Bishop Clark was thrown from his car
rage while driving here about month ago. out
apparently recovered, as he had been about to
some extent since then. He taken sud-
denly ell this afternoon and died within an
hour. His son. J. Mitchell Clark reached home
just before his father expired
-Four years ago Bishop Clark gave up the ac-
tive duties Of his diocese to the Rev w. VI. Nc
Nickar. who becomes Bishop OF Rhode
Island. Bishop Clark became the Presiding
Bishop of the Episcopal Church in this country
in 1899. Since his retirement from active life
he had devoted himself to writing. and the cur
rent number Of The Diocesan" contains an
article from his pen. He leaves a daughter.
Mrs Eugene Sturtevant The burial will be in
st. Marys ChuTchyard. Portsmouth. beside his
wife.
Thomas March Clark born IN Newburyport.
Mass. July g. 1872. He graduated at Yale In
1881, and was edu~ated for the Presby terrain minis
try at Princeton. In ISIS he licensed to preach
in the Presbyterian Church in NewbuTyport- Soon
after this he became CANDIDATE for orders in the
Protestant Episcopal Church and was ordained dea-
con by Bishop Griswo.d in Boston In February
1896. and priest in November Of the same year. He
CHOSEN rector OF Grace Church. in Boston. and
held that post for years. In 1siS he accepted
the rectcrship OF St Andrews Church, Philadelphia.
but few years later became assistant minister AT
Trinity Church. Boston Thence he removed to
Hartford. where he became rector Of Christ Church
and continued in that phase TIL his election to the
epscopate. He was consecrated the second Bishop
Of Rhode Island in Grace Church, Providence. De
cember 6. 1854 For twelve years, IN addition 70
his episcopal duties he served this church as rec
tor
During his long service as Bishop OF Rhode
Island. post which he retained til his death.
Glshop Clark became Of the most prominent
and highly esteemed bishops Of his denomination
He obtained ho,d the affections not Only OF his
own people but Of every body else with whom he
in contact that few are privileged TO
obtain The circ4e Of his friendship was very wide.
and he well known by many OF the most dls-
unguished men IN many walks OF lie IN America
who visited America Bishop Clark was a
preacher OF great power and convincing earnestnes
and he'd in tn greatest affection not only oy
the people of his diocese but by many outside OF
IT, One Of the chief characteristics OF the man was
his genial and never failing humor. and many are
the stories OF his sales Of wit and his irrePTesS'-
bic love OF a joke that have become famous
Bishop Clark celebrated the fortieth anniversary
Of his conservation as a bishop In 1891 In Provi-
dence Grace Church crowded with church
digntaries from all over the East, who had come to
do honor to the venerable pre.ate. AT that time
Bishop Clark feeble that he had to be car
ried from his carriage 20 the church.
Bishop Clark came Of a family prominent IN the
Church. His brother. Rufus WheelWright Clark.
who died IN 1885, gained distinction as Presoyte-
rian clergyman; he held pastorate at one time IN
Brooklyn, his last charge being in Albany: GeoTSe
Henry Clark was a prominent Episcopal clergyman
In the South. samuel Adams Cark was an Egsc2-
In his "Reminiscences" Bishop Clark states that
his entrance into the Episcopal ChnTeh was pre-
eiPtated by the consciousness OF his unInsSs 70
express in extempofaneous prayer the sentInienIs
periences had in a great many cases been matured
before he born His election to the ONCE
Rad not even known that his name had been men
TONED until the telegraphic announcement OF his
was ordained in 1856 the Episcopal Church in this
There we're only four bishops in New-HoIk and
Newnfanf s9ficaI hstfHnoTs for broadening
tie relations OF the Church with the peop.e. sucn
knoSH. Bishop Clark was tie leader Of the Broad
Church movement and iostered ana enS nc T1.S
preaching in that denomination Bishop Potter says
sense ii Of the real He IVES, and he taught others
70 be. natural and direct ara money, WITHOUT 20
becoming vulgar He spoke t from Shs Gss eT q snd
and manly sympathy" He was popular. dpio,
Rmsef fP that TRe he had been Bishop Rhode
Island 90 clergymen had been cohrsc.ed Win ons
any other Protestant denomination, and only three
had gone over to Rome He had built no the
Church in that state. until It has become strong
hold OF the .aith.
Bishop CIarks services public speaker were
In great demand during the lyceum lecture period;
and he had delivered one lecture so times, until
he had become familiar with II that he used 20
say that he could start in with his lecture and
carry il through successfully and he thinking OF
something else all the time. He was q popular
writer also. For ten years he contributed an
article a week to '"The New-York Ledger" He
had written one boys story. John WhOpper'; had
published his lectures. and had contributed nu-
merous miscellaneous writings \ vein or gracious
htImor permeated al of his lectures and writings
He was a man without enemy within or out
side Of the Church. The words OF Bishop Potter
at the fortieth anniversary of his conservation as
bishop we'll voice the sentiment Of all who knew
him. His simplicity. dignity and kindly benefi-
cence have been impressed upon the community"
He was no scrvile followed In the matter of espOus
ing great causes. If a had arisen which
seemed to demand support, Bishop Clark never
waited to see whether not II would be popular.
He was an ardent se2rcher for the truth. and when
the truth fOuHG. matter in what guise IL
came ne was quick TO espouse and proclaim il.