The Washington herald., 1908-07-11
LETTER FROM BRENT
Tells Why He Declined the
Washington BishOpric.
EX0NERATES REV. DR.. McKIM
CRbIeErnm from Rector Had No
Bearing on His Refusal, Which
OF ChurehIy Duty-Twice Honored
Prelate Now En- Route to America.

Upon his return from Colorado yester-
day, DR.. Randolph H. McKim. pastor Of
the Church of the Epiphany. and presi-
dent Of the diocesan convention which
twice elected Right Rev. Charles Henry
Brent, Bishop OF Manila. 10 the blshOpric
Of Washington. received long letter
from Bishop Brent. setting forth fully
his reasons for declining the first cleo
ton.
In the letter. the bishop. for the first
time. gives in detail the reasons for his
declination. and the communication also
refutes the charge. made Immediately
after the election. that Bishop Brents
cabled refusal Of the honor conferred
upon him was FASTENED by a cablegram
from Dr. McKlm.
The letter states that the bishops delay
in giving reasons for his decllnation was
caused by a cablegram from the Rev
DR.. Arthur Johns. secretary OF the con-
vention. dated May s, the day after the
election. advising the bishop to await
letters" before either accepting OF de-
clining the election.
Bishop Brent's CabIegrRm.
After waiting nearly month Tor the
promised letters, Bishop Brent, on June
8, sent the following cablegram TO Dr.
McTIim. president Of the convention:
Randolph MeKim. Washington:
Must decline. I would have gone. God bids mo
stay. John Y:30 II can Of myself do nothing I
hear I Judge and my Judgment Is righteous. because
fr-fN ffrf ha UrtIN ff
sent mel. BRENT.
This was the last official communion
ton relative 20 the matter sent by Bishop
Brent until the receipt yesterday by DIT.
McKlm OF the following letter:
Cathedral Parish Of St. Mary and 81. John.
The Rectory. 2B Gale Nozaledl. Manila
Bishops House June g. l98
Tho Rev Randolph Il. McKm. ID. D.. Ii. D..
President q the Diocesan Convention. Washing
ton II. e..
Dear Mr.. McKim: Ny delay in coming 20 a dcci-
sion has been due chiefly TO the caoitgram from the
SECRETARY uf your contention dated '-h 0f May. slJ
ing Await letters" which ! intciprC,cd advising
me. II IN doubt about accepting. 10 hold my judg
ment in suspension until I could hear from you by
mail. ! now find. however. that / can hardly hops
TO get your letters before the 2d instant Moreover.
my conviction that 10 IS God VIII for % decline
has become 80 settled that u would De an injustice
% you 10 withhold my answer any longer Hence
my cablegram Of yesterday
Il Is not that I fall u recognize the ApcndOr 0i
the missionary opportunity in Washington and the
dignity * the heritage which you bid me enter
they inspire me; nor that I shrink from The tasks
and problems q leadership which You invite me %
face 10 clmpany with you-they challenge me. nor
that / do not oftentimcs yearu 90 serve the church
iu the home land again. am human But God
charges me to-day-the morrow can take care %
itself-to continue my witness 90 the high i'm
poftanee OF The far-0G missions " the church and
Cd o. aah IN
Orient by abiding on uls spot where I am.
Some day the soft Ideal that we woo.d
Coufronts us fercely Zoe bcset. pursued
And cries reuroachful. Was st then my praise
And not myself was loved Prove aow Thy truth,
claim Of thee the promise Of tly youth.
Give me thy life. Or cover In emUty phrase
The victim u thy genius. nor its mate.
In being loyal 90 Christs inner leading here on
the churcfs sud the nations frontier am sorTine
you at the center In the most effective way possible
and I rejoice 10 feel that this Is 90. for would
d0uhic-kuoJ the oord With which your own bands
have bound me % you
II was due % he statssmanship and insight q
your late nob.ehearted bishop that this missionary
district came into being. and he was, IN Lrsa
measure. responsible Cor my coming here hls
affection for and trust in me. in which ! glory,
were deeper than words Il IS my desire 20 justlJ
his confidence in me BY gladly making any sacrlncg
that God asks IN behalf q the work. even % sutCr
ing or. need be. death. The Orient to-day Is
rapidly becoming the center Of the worlds graves,
problems No capital city seat Of government N
de Western world can fail % have it constantly Ia
its thoughts and deliberations; no portion Of the
Chri5tEn church can afford 20 neglect or discount
its ceaseless appeal the strong Tor hep-help that
America. with her unparalleled wealth Of manhood
and means. Is abundanuy able 90 give Hence
the cause which I represent and I myself must
alYlys be you.
Before this reply reach-s you you viii have been
guided By God, tust. 10 select the bishop Of his
appointment, the leader who was destined for you
I'm ;ne eternal cpansels, Which I was not. May
God ever bless you and him 20 the upbuilding Of
His kingdom among men. and the preservation in
righteousness q our nation together with those
weaker peoples for whose wcIl-bcng before Him il
Is les NEsibie.
Your faithful and afecdonate servant
CHARLES H. BRENT