Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-01

Rt. Rev. DIR. Morrison, bishop of Iowa;
Rt Rev. Dr. Francis, bishop of India
napolis; Rt Rev. DR.. Williams, bishop
coadjutor of Nebraska; Rt. Rev. DIR.
Anderson, bishop coaiutor of Chicago,
and Rt. Rev. DIR. Weller, bishop coad-
jutor of Fon du Lac, eight in all.
As might have been expected the
bishop coadiutor entered with zeal
and enthusiasm upon the discharge
of his duties without delay. The aged
bishop was absolutely incapacitated
from all active duty, and died on the
9th of October, during the sessions
of the general convention in San Fran
cisco the same year, 1901, and the
bishop coadjutor became by right of
succession. bishop of Quincy.
From the first Bishop Taylor made
himself felt as a power for good
throughout the entire diocese. Two
years of Episcopal service have not
yet been completed, and yet in that
brief period Bishop Taylor has accom-
plished a very great deal. His work
well begun win go on and carry the
impress of his master hand i'm admin
istration far on into the future. The
ever more than Il name in the history
of the diocese; he win be recognized
as faithful factor, whose works live
after him, and have produced blessed
results.
The late bishop was very dear to us
in relations of the closest friendship
began in student days, when he came
fresh from college to the halls of the
General Theological Seminary in 1873,
Ever since, with only a brief interval
of separation while he was Il deacon
we have been together, and the better
we knew him the more we loved him.
Bishop Taylor was man of the
most exalted character. Truth was
its corner stone. and other virtues fol-
lowed. and no one was left out.
His intellect was far above the aver
age. 1t was keen in its perception
and accurate in its touch. His learning
was varied. but it had its center in
theology. Bishop Taylor was a born
'theologian. Like st. Anselm, and
Bishop Andrews. and DR.. Pusey. he
had the divine gift of coming close
to the deep things in Gods revelation.
and he could bring them out and
make them clear and bring them
within the reach of the ordinary I'M
Outstanding.
He was a robust. strong churchman.
as might have been expected. He was
content to live and work on the Cath
Ollie foundation of revealed truth. and
within the restraints of the Reforma-
ton settlement. He was ever loyal to
his vows and promises and oath. and
would have died rather than incur
dishonor i'm seeking to evade and com
promise the truth.
The bishop had some private means,
but held them as a trust from God.
He paid more than his 1.-THE. He be
gan as the owner of property i'll his
own right when 21 by offering the
fact. because he made the generous
offering through us as dean of the
General Theological Seminary to the
seminary Improvement fund, which
we were raising at the time. In pro-
portion TO his means it was munifi-
cent gift. Such a sense of duty has
marked his career ever since.
1t seems as though the church could
i'll afford to spare our beloved broth
er now. but God knows best. and we
bow our heads in recognition of His
blessed will. feeling confident that for
dear Bishop Taylor ''to die is his
gain May light perpetual shine up
on him.
GEORGE F. SEYMOUR.
Bishop of Springfield