Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-15
Bishop Hall Believes He Is No
Longer Equal to Work.
Has Been III in England but Hopes
to He Able to Return to the Do
ccsc Of burlington Early
Next Month.


steamship Laurentic on August 81 and
will land at Montreal about September
5, proceeding Immediately to this city.
He first attended a conference at Lam
beth Palace. London. with the Archbish-
ops Of Canterbury and York and English
Bishops. At the meetings the subject dis
cussed was Faith and Order in the
Church" The result will probably be a
big International conference to promote
the movement. The ultimate object Is to
unity all the Christian churches in the
world including the Greek Church. Since
the movement was first started there
have been 20 conferences in this country.
but the one that Bishop Hall attended
was the first one held abroad.
The Bishop In his letter, which has to
do with the situation in the diocese, says:
Strong objections were expressed to my
proposal of resigning the see. which still
seems to me perhaps the simplest solu-
ton, though I recognize and appreciate
the arguments urged on the other side.
So far as am concerned. this course
is still open. If the diocese on further con-
sdtration should favor or approve It,"
In the event of his resignation the ar
the next meeting of tho general conven-
ton in October. 1915. The general canons
require the consent OF the House OF Bsh-
ops to n Bishops resignation Of his juris.
diction.
Concerning the election Of a coadjutor,
Bishop Hall SAYS
For the election of n coadjutor, regular
provision Is made in the general canons,
and we have an almost ideal ilustra ton
of the working OF such an arrangement in
our neighboring diocese of New Hamp-
shire. To introduce the system in YER
mont would require no previous canonical
legisla ton, though subsequent recognition
OF the coadiutor's status would be neces-
sary. Nor In the present circumstances
would the previous consent of the church
at large he required, the bishops pcrma-
nent intirmity being sufficient reason. The
election however. according to our exist
ing canons, could only be held at spe-
cial convention for which delegates from
the several parishes and missions must be
specially elected, The work could not be
undertaken by the annual convention,
though that were yet to be held. At the
postponed annual convention called for
this matter should be determined. II It Is
considered desira BILE to elect a coadiutor,
then a special convention would he called,
with at least four weeks notice. Special
delegates would he elected by the parishes
and missions. At the special convention
there would be required for a quorum the
presence of two-thirds OF the clergy, and
representatives Of a majority of all the
parishes and organized missions. For
election a majority Of the votes OF the
clergy and n majority OF the votes of the
lay delegates present are required. The
consent Of a majority of the standing
committees OF the several dioccses
throughout the country and of a majority
OF the bishops. Is necessary before the CO.
adjutor can be consccrated
When duly consecrated. the coadjutor
would succeed to the full charge of the
diocese on the death or resignation Of
the diocesan. Meanwhile, ne would
act as his assistant, certain du-
ties being formally assigned to him
before the election. My idea, in case
Of a decision in favor of q coadiutor.
would be to reserve all cases of disci-
pline and Of ordination (save by special
ueltRHuOnI 10 tnb ulOfPSHT. anu V'If1In1t
the care Of the missions Of the diocese to
the coad tutor las the bishops representa-
tive along with the missionary commit
tee; and to ask him to take the chief
part in the visitation Of the parishes and
congregations, especially In the countr,
and at a distance from Burlington Cribs
is where the risk of exposure and fatigue
is greatest for Il Rishop getting on in
years and with delicate throat and heart
The division and delegation of other work
could be easily arranged as time and cir
cumstances might require.
The coadjutor need not i've IN Bur.
lington- II might be better for him to
make a second center for work and influ-
ence. The Bishops house Mt Rock Point
would remain a meeting place for the
| clergy.
I cannot think that In our conditions
would not have the right OF succ-ss,uny
would be suitable arrangement There
could be no easier or more expeditions
election Of suffragan than of coad
tutor. But on the accession of a new do.
| cesar with full health and unimpaired
vigor. the assistance of a suffragan would
be needless. The diocese would have ere.
ated a permanent officer during his
lifetime. and unless he were chosen tc
be the diocesan Bishop for a temporary
| need; whereas in tho case of coad.
Jutor II would have anticipated the choic.
OF successor TO the present Bishop
1t Is this Sst point which makes ar
election so serious. While not wishing
unduly to press my own opinion. | still
| hold that it is better for a Bishop on his
conservation to assume full responsibility,
and to have freedom to work In his owr
way. Whether in particular case the
| advantages on the other side are suffi
cient to counterbalance this, must h.
considered and carefully weighed. I would
| ask you In connection with this lette,
| lin which have marked out what woult
| have to be our procedure in the electibr
Of coadjutor) to read over again m,
previous letters in the February and Ma,
numbers Of the Echo; so that by the tim,
Of the convention In September the mint
OF the diocese may he ready for intelli
| gent action Meanwhile ] assure you tha
] am carefully husbanding my strength
and trying to gain a reserve OF nerv,
force with which to take up on my re
| turn whatever work I can. / steadily re
| fuse any requests for addresses, etc, an,
havc not once officiated In public, ONLY
celebrating in the Holy Sacrament thre,
umes in the Chapel of St. Edwal Is