The Washington herald., 1908-06-19
BELIEVE DR.. BRENT
WILLAGAIN DECLINE
Clergy and Laity Do Not Ex-
pect Favorable Reply.
CONVENTION IS CRITICISED
Ministers Declare More Considera-
tiOn Should Have Been Given Phil
DIR. McIIim Gets Letter Which
Might Have Changed Vote.

Might Have Changed Vote.
There is a general impression among the
clergy and laity who participated in the
election Of the Right Rev. Charles Henry
Brent as Bishop Of Washington. on We'd
nesday in Epiphany Church. that he will
again decline to accept the call. II a
message to that effect should reach Rev
Dr. McKlm, the next session for the elec-
ton Of bishop viii not take place until
some time in October.
The standing committee OF the Wash
ington diocese does not expect that any
reply will be received from the Philippine
bishop for several weeks. There is talk
of a delegation of Washington clergymen
aud members Of the laity journeying 10
Manila to lay the official notification be-
fore Bishop Brent in person, and urge
him TO accept. The names OF Rev. VIII
liam De Vries, Rev. George f. Dudley. and
Rev. G. Ernest Smith are mentioned in
connection with this mission.
Friend Says He'll Decline.
Regarding the cable dispatch notifying
the Bishop of his election. It was decided
that no other cable should be sent after
the first, sent on Wednesday. which read:
You have been elected Bishop Of Wash
inston. Affectionate greetings"
One OF Bishop Brents most ardent sup
porters in the convention. who declines TO
permit the use Of his name. said yester-
day that any one who was personally ac-
quainted with Bishop Brent would know
that he would not accept the position
after having once declined Il.
"Of course, there cannot be any objec-
ton TO members Of the clergy going 10
Manila to advise Bishop Brent of his
election in their individual capacity" said
Rev. DR.. w. NJ. Morgan-Jones, yesterday;
but they Will go. If they do so. without
authority OF the convention. This delega-
ton would be a self-appointed one, and
would be without official standing I be
lieve. however, that no seriousness need
be attached 10 any such rumOr."
Speaking Of the question Of Bishop
Brents accepting the charge, DR.. Nor
gan-JOnes saic that the bishops deClina-
tion of the first election was couched in
such positive terms that it did not seem
likely that he would now accept.
should Have Needed Gable.
DR.. Morgan-Jones is Of the opinion that
a mistake was made. In so far as no ac-
ton was taken by the convention on the
cable Of Bishop Brent declining the Office.
THE declination" said DR.. Morgan
Jones. should have been submitted 10 the
convention before any other business. It
was the duty of the convention 20 dispose
Of it. either accepting It or asking the
bishop 10 reconsider or defer his decision.
This should have been done as the first
number on the programme when the con-
ventiOn met in the afternoon. This course
In my opinion. would have been the
proper one, and would have made another
election superfluous.
Rev. DR.. McKim, president OF the con-
vention. received a letter from Bishop
Brent yesterday. which. II II had been re-
ceived before the convention was called 10
order. probably would have changed the
result Of the election.
Why Bishop Brent Declined.
The letter follows:
Bagnio. T. l.. May H. 1903
Dear DR.. NlcKim: On the morning Of the Sth
instant ] received yOur Cableg1m announcing that
the diocese Of Washington had conferred upon me the
high honor OF elccting me bishop. The message
reached Manila on the 9Th but as l was land am
In tho mountains thero was delay Of twelve hours
before l got Il. The same day ! wired tho reply:
Your great call under consideration My duty not
yet clear. As Cod bids will do / hope this
reached you before the adjournment Of convention.
There is little further that I can add now. When
came 20 tho Orient L was with the expectation
that the remainder Of my life would be devoted 20
the task committed 20 me- By the church. Ny whole
experience from the day of my ordination until now
has been Of purely missionary character. This was
my deliberate choice from preference and conviction.
that II costs me little 20 make Offering Of my
SELF TO the missionary cause. Hence, IL would Be
possible for 70 change the sphere Of my activity
only II felt assured that in so doing was seizng
superior opportunity for the promotion Of the mis-
sionary interests Of the church
Grieved over sntterIee's Death.
No one has gTieved more than / over the death
Of that great souled man who until now has been
your bishop. He was my loyal, loving friend and
10 him ! owe It in large measure that am here.
Whether or not I 50 20 You, you have done thing
which binds me to you forever In asking me to b.
his SUCCESSOR. 1t is call to 10 like him in sim
plicity righteousness. and piety. God helping me,
it viii not 10 in vain that you have given me this
call The inspiration flowing from your wonderful
confidence in me spiritual leader and American
citizen feeds and will feed my manhood with new
strength from day 20 day.
When my decision is made you viii rest assured.
viii you not that / have shorn the problem Of
personal preference and side issues and reached my
conclusion solely upon the real question at stakei
Where can best be used in behalf Of the kingdom
Of God and of the nAtionf The opportunity pre-
sented by the diocese Of Washington is / believe.
the greatest IN country and I shall rejoice 70
embrace IL il Il DO in the eternal counsels that l
should do 50.
Waits Command of Deity.
What power I have for good is due to the fast
that for long years though through many struggles
and miserable failures have honestly tried 70 dis
cern and do Gods viii l can go only where He
bids me go. 1 can do only what He bids me do I
now await His word.
You are willing. approhend. that should defer
my answer for a while. This 1 gather from the
cable from the secretary 90 await letters" You
win have my decision By cable about the time this
reaches you.
Humbly commanding myself to the prayers Of
those who have honored me with this extraordinary
token q trust and affection and with grateful recol-
lections q your ofttines kindnesses. I remain
Your faithful servant In Christ
G. II. BRENT,
Bishop Of the Philippine IslandN
The Rev. Randolph H. MoKim. d. D.. President Of
the Standing Committee. Washington.