Smyrna times., 1905-06-07
BISHOP COLEMAN GIVEN
AHEARTY WELCOME HOME
HEAD OF DIOCESE OF DELAWARE RETURNS
FROM ATRiP TO THE HOLY LAND.
Services and Reception Held at St. Johns
Church, Wilmington, Wednesday Even
ing Before a Crowded House.

Expressions of genuine Joy and
thanksgiving for the safe return of
Bishop Leighton Coleman of the Epis-
copal Diocese of Delaware, who return
ed on Monday from an extended tour
to the Holy Land, were paramount at
the thanksgiving service and the gen.
eral reception rendered to him by
members of diocese and many others
Wednesday night. 1t was an occasion
to be long remembered, and not word
was spoken, not a resolution read,
which did not abound in cordial ex-
pressions of Joy at the fact that the
bishop has returned enjoying fine
health and much pleased with his trip
abroad. TIE thanksgiving service was
held in st. Johns Episcopal Church,
and the reception in the parish house,
and though the weather was unfavor-
able, both places were crowded, and if
the weather had been favorable it is
likely that there scarcely would have
been standing room. Not only were
the clergy of the diocese and members
of the different churches we'll repre-
sented, but there were present many
who belong to other denominations,
but who are glad to count the bishop
their friend. None of the greetings
bestowed upon him had more of the
true ring of sincerity of feeling than
those of outsiders. The thanksgiving
service began at s o'clock and st.
Johns Church was filled to the doors.
This service consisted in the reading
of the lesson by the Rev. F. Nj. Kirkus
of Trinity Church, and the reading of
the prayers by the Rev. A. M. Rich,
of Newport and Stanton, and the be-
stowal of greetings upon Bishop Cole
man by the Rev. Mr.. Phelps of New
ark. Mr.. Phelps said in his address of
greeting that it gave him greet pleas
ure to welcome Bishop Coleman. back
to his duties and to express the thanks
of the clergymen, whom he represented
for the safe return of their beloved
bishop. The speaker said that while
the bishop had been absent the clergy
had followed him by means of letters
which had been received from abroad
and that he had been in their hearts
and those of his people. He expressed
the wish that the trip of Bishop Cole
man had been one of profit and Joy
and he made feeling mention in con-
clusion of the love which is felt by the
members of the diocese for their bishop
and their anxiety for his safety while
in foreign lands.
In his response Bishop Coleman was
plainly affected by the earnest worde
of the minister who had bestowed the
greeting, and he said it gave him
pleasure to think that he had been re-
membered. He told the story of the
wife of noted minister, who on the
death of her husband had been pre-
sented with resolutions eulogizing him
and her fearful wish that the kind
things had been said about him when
he was alive. Bishop Coleman was
pleased that such a service had been
held, not for his sake alone, but be-
cause he thought it showed an increas-
ing spirit of gratefulness on the part
of the church. He related the story of
a minister who had expressed the fear
that many of his flock were being lost
at sea because they asked him to pray
for safe voyages and never asked for
thanks for safe return. He dwelt
upon the necessity of such thanks and
after dwelling briefly upon his trips
abroad asked tor the hearty co-opera-
tion of his people in his duties and
again expressed his deep gratitude
that they had been mindful of him
while abroad.
1t was at the general reception which
followed that Bishop Coleman re-
ceived many more greetings, including
those from the organizations cf the
Episcopal Church and from outside
friends, and prolonged applause greeted
the speakers. The first greeting of this
service was Mrs. McIlvaine represent
the women's auxiliary, and she on be
half of the members, congratulated the
bishop on his safe return and extended
a warm welcome. Archdeacon Georgs
@. Hall, of st. Johns Church presided
at this service and called upon the diff
ferent speakers. A resolution wa
read by Mr.. Coyle, of the Brotherhood
of st. Andrew, welcoming back tn,
bishop and similar resolutions wer
read by the Rev. F. M. Munson, O
New Castle, representing the Babies
Hospital and Day Nursery, and Henr
b. Thompson, representing the Churc
Cab of Delaware. Both sets of re
solutions had the true ring Of thank
fuiness and were loudly applauded
Other remarks of welcome were mad