The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-16
From The News and courieS


have heard that Bishop Ellison Capers
has asked that Bishop Coadjutor be
elected at the approaching Council to
be held in Trinity Church, Columbia,
to assist him in his work, have given
the mater much attention and have
expressed the hope that the sugges-
ton that the Rev. John Kershaw, D.
D.. of ST. MichaePs church be elected
to fill the place, may be received with
general favor. Although the idea OF
giving Bishop Capers an assistant
has been discussed for some time,
particularly at the time OF the Dioce-
san Council, which met in Grace
CT arch, of Anderson, last May, it was
rot until his recent illness that Bishop
Capers decided such step would be
necessary, his friends urging it On
him in order to relieve him Of any
responsibility that would help him re-
gain his strength.
However, Bishop Capers has at last
realized that his health will not per-
nit him to do the immense amount Of
work placed on the Bishop Of this
diocese because Of its size and import
ance without an assistant, and sew
eral days ago he issued the following
letter:
Bishop capers issued the following
pastoral a few days ago, which is
seif-explanatory:
To the Clergy and Laity of the Dio-
cese of South Carolina.
Dear Brethren: You will recall that
in my annual address to the council
at Camden, in May, 1905, I referred
to the subject Of the election of
Bishop coadjutor for the diocese. The
reference was made only because 1t
had been suggested to me by several
of my brethren, lay and clerical, and
not FROM desire on my part TO pro-
pose such election. On the contrary,
Il gave you at the time my reasons for
declining nay consent to the proposal.
T did not feel then that I was in any
way disqualified for the full discharge
Of my Episcopal duties, "by reason Of
age or other permanent cause OF in
frmity,'' and I could not conscien-
ciously ask you to give me a coadju-
tor.
cannot say this now, dear breth-s
rem. My health has seriously suffer
ed in the past year, and has become
so uncertain as to interfere materially
with nay visitations.
Though / do not idistrust the good
Providence that has preserved me IN
the past I have reason to believe that
my health viii be very uncertain in
the future, if, it does not become per-
nnanently so. Under these conditions
the interests Of the diocese must suf-
fer. In this judgment I am support.
ed by the opinion and advice Of my
physician, whose certificate will SUBJ
nit to council at the proper time as
part of the record of my request.
For this reason, and with the best
interests of the diocese ip my mind
and heart, I hereby give notice to the
Church, that, Providence permitting.
at the approaching council, to be held
in Trinity Church, Columbia, in May,
1907. I Will reaa my canonieal consent
to the election oe Bishop Coadjutor,
and will expect his election by that
council
have not taken this step without
the most serious reflection, and not
until / had sought the Judgment and
counsel of the standing committee. It
is a matter of thankful satisfaction to
me that I have the sympathy and ap-
provai of the committee in address
ing this letter to you, and that, as far
dS hLlOS daO OS1lSNS, ~ WIZ 1iiSS1 @1AS
approval of my people.
Suffer me few words OF loving
counsel before I conclude.
It has been characteristic Of the
Diocese of South Carolina that our
Episcopal elections have been con-
Quoted without the excitement Of
nominating address and in humble
reliance upon the guidance Of God the
Holy Ghost, who gives right to
judgment in all things. Let US abide
faithfully by this rule. While we use
our best judgment in considering the
qualifications Of such Presbyters as
may commend themselves to US as
suited to fill the Office Of a Bishop Of
the Church Of God, let US determine
upon nothing and decide upon no
man without faithful prayer TO God
for His Divine direction. I have sin
cere confidence in ySur wisdom and