Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-18
GIVES HIS ATTITUDE
BISHOP BRENT EXPLAINs IN
LETTER RECEIVED TODAY.

Bishop Brent's attitude toward the bish
opric of Washington, to which he has
been twice elected by the diocesan con.
vention, is shown by letter written by
the Philippine prelate to Rev. DR.. Ran.
dolph H. McKim, president of the con-
vention. received in this city today.
No reply to the second call has arrived
Bishop Brent in the letter points out
clearly that the cause of missions is the
in the Philippines or come to this city
as he thinks that cause will be best pro.
NOTED. This communication was written
the day after Mr.. Brent was notified by
cable of his first election.
Had the letter been received twelve
hours earlier, it is contended by some, II
would have had great significance, and
might easily have changed the result OF
the election yesterday.
Text Of the Letter.
The letter follows:
'BAGNIO, p. l., May IL, 1908.
Dear DR.. McKim: On the morning oi
the 9Th instant received your cablegram
announcing that the diocese of Washing.
ton had conferred upon me the high
honor of electing me bishop. The mes.
sage reached Manila on the 9th but as
1 was land ami in the mountains, there
was delay of twelve hours before I got
it. The same day I wired the reply:
Your great call under consideration. My
duty not yet clear. AS God bids, will
do / hope this reached you before the
adjournment of convention.
There is little further that I can add
now. When l came to the orient 1t was
with the expectation that the remainder
of my life would be devoted to the task
committed to me by the church My
ordination until now, has been OF a pure
ly missionary character. This was my
deliberate choice from preference and
conviction. so that it costs me little to
make an offering Of myself to the mis-
sible for me to change the sphere Of my
activity only IL I felt assured that In SO
doing l was selling superior oppor-
tunity for the promotion of the mission
airy interests of the church.
mo one has grieved more than I over
the death of that great souled man who
until now has been your bishop. He was
my loyal, loving friend, and to him
owe it in large measure that am here
done thing which binds me to you for
ever in asking me to be his successor. II
Is a call to be like him in simplicity
righteousness and piety. God helping me,
it will not be in vain that you have given
from your wonderful confidence in me az
spiritual leader and American citizen feeds
and will feed my manhood with new
strength from day to day.
when my decision is made you will
rest assured. will you not. that have
shorn the problem Of personal preference
and side issues and reached my conclu-
sion solely upon the real question at
stake? Where can best be used in
behalf of the kingdom of God and Of the
nation? The opportunity presented by
the diocese of Washington Is. I believe.
the greatest in our country. and l shall
rejoice to embrace 1t II 1t be In the eter-
nal counsels that I should do so.
What power I have for good is due to
the fact that for long years. though
through many struggles and miserable
failures, l have honestly tried to discern
and do Gods will. I can 90 only where
He bids me go. can do only what He
bids me do. I now await His word.
You are willing. I apprehend. that I
should defer my answer for q while
This I gather from the cable from the
secretary to await letters You will have
my decision by cable about the time this
reaches you.
"Humbly commencing myself to the
prayers Of those who have honored me
with this extraordinary token Of trust
and Affection and with grateful recollec-
tions of your own Outlines kindnesses,
remain.
your faithful servant in Christ.
&C. H. BRENT.
Bishop Of the Philippine Islands
1.-The Rev. Randolph H. McKim, DID,.
President of the Standing Committee,
Washington"