Evening journal., 1907-12-16
Monday, December 10, 1907.
LEIGHTON COLEMAN.


IN HIS civic life Bishop Leighton Coleman was
i an all-around man From his arduous duties
as the head of a diocese he snatched time to par
tcipate in affairs and, as good citizen, he was
concerned in the important matters OF every day
like taking an intelligent and active interest III
the doings OF his fellow and fulfilling his OBJ
legations as a worthy citizen as well as an eocle-
sastic His influence for good was widespread
No man in Wilmington was better known, none
perhaps was more beloved. Few men were as ac-
tive as he. 1t was his cheering disposition his
hopeful nature, his uplifting spirit his rugged
constitution, his marveious energy and endurance
that enabled him to accomplish such vast
amount of labor IN SO brief time. The bishop
in civic matters was broad in his conceptions. He
was an American and Delawarean His name
in Delaware was household word, and his death,
so unexpected. was a profound shock to this COM
munity. No man in the city will be more missed
or mourned than this good bishop will be. His
daily life was known to all. 1t was the open
book. 1t was an example. One OF his marked
characteristics was his unsel6shness His gem
erosity knew no bounds. He practiced what he
preached. He was charitable, and his charity was
mot limited 10 his own religious sphere The
him. lie was free with counsel when asked. He
sought to make humanity's life brighter and bet
ter. and he succeeded.
In the church the bishop also was remarkable
His death will be greatly lamented throughout
the Episcopal domnons Few bishops were more
widely known, none more active, none more de-
voted to the high standard of the American Epis-
copal Church
DR. Coleman was of the high church. or
rituastic party of the church. Coming, he
did, to a "low church diocese, and following the
late Bishop Lee, Bishop Coleman at once held a
position requiring tact and delicaoy. How well
his administration of the affairs has been, is
shown by the condition Of the church in this dio-
cese by the life and energy he infused in many
parishes, by the warm place he held in the hearts
of his followers. The diocese of Delaware, under
his direction became better known and more in
fuential throughout the church at large
The bishop had the highest conception of his
duties as the head OF a diocese one in whom is
entrusted the faith He was a rigid exempar Of
Catholic doctrines as interpreted by the Anglican
church. He considered the church as Cod
made and not man-made and that he held his
commission as a descendant, enthusiastically, OF
the apostles. He had no tolerance of religious
modernism" The faith to him was the faith
delivered by the saints, as his church saw it.
ST. Paul to Timothy wrote OF the qualifications
OF abishop as follows:
If man desire the Office Of bishop he de-
sreth a good work.
A bishop, then must be blameless the husband
OF one wife, vigilant sober of good behaviour
given to hospitality, apt to teach.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy oI
filthy lucre; but patient not brawler, not cove
tous
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride
he fall into the condemnation of the devil
Moreover, he must have good report of then
which are without lest he fall into reproach anc
the snare Of the devil
Leighton Coleman lived up to these standard.
as well as any bit Of frail humanity could exem
plify them