The Washington times., 1912-06-11
JO|NTRECEPT|ON
TOCOM|NG BISHOP
sANDDEPART|NG ONE
.aAg4 ...
Cranston Is Welcomed Back
to Washington; Godspeed
to Thirkield. y

A joint reception to Bishops Earl
Cranston and Wilbur p. Thirkield was
held last night In Foundry Methodist
episcopal Church, with President Taft
making the principal address.
A welcome to his return to the epis-
copacy at Washington was extended to
Bishop Cranston, and congratulations
were returned to DR.. Thirkield on his
elevation to the office of bishop. A
notable tribute to the work of the
Methodist missionary bishops was paid
by President Taft in his speech. He
deplored the fact that many American
traders in the Orient have pursued
methods which have created a prejudice
in the Far East against this nation.
Knows Both Well.
President Taft said. In part:
When i heard that my friend, Presi-
dent Thirkield. now Bishop Thirkield,
was to meet his friends here, together
with Bishop Cranston, an old friend OF
mine, could not, II I would, avoid
coming here to give my felicitations to
Bishop Thirkield for his promotion-his
deserved promotion to a high office In
the church, and to tender my congratu-
lations to the church that, through its
proper chosen authorities, should have
mad the good sense to promote such a
man. I don't know why It is. but 1 sup
pose 1t Is an evidence of the great god
common sense of the Methodist Church
that 1t, too, turns to Ohio when ii wants
real good men.
Bishop Cranston, the senior bishop
and Bishop Thirlleld. the most junior
bishop, make both ends, and that is a
very important part of the bishopric.
1t has been my good fortune to
come into intimate relations with many
of the bishops of the Methodist church,
more, perhaps. with those engaged in
with those Immediately engaged in the
carrying on of the church In this coun-
Try With Bishop Thirkield I came
closely Into common action through our
common sympathy with the problem of
educating the colored race. Bishop
ihlrkield has done a great work at the
mead of Howard University. Howard
University Is one of few institutions
Lor the higher education of the colored
man that are carrying on a work es-
sentlal In the development of the race.
Problems of Education.
Now. among the bishops Of the Meth.
odtst church you number men who are
meeting these problems. Bishop Thir-
kteld here, in the education of the
idSc' olSHOp bdSnlOru, :Ol
China, Is a statesman. He bears Out
the view that think most men now
take who are at all familiar with the
progress Of Christisn civilization, that
the Christian missionaries In those
countries = that ~ need A. dsYeIopne5li
through Christian Civilization are The
leaders, the pioneers. the. men through
whom those of us engaged in govern
mental work and in trying to help along
the world as best We can, must look as
our leaders, and as men who exercise
an influence among ~the~pagan peoples
according to the service they render
and the character they display.
'I am glad to be here to congratulate
Bishop Cranston on becoming the senior
bishop of your church, and I hope he
may continue to be it's senior for a
great many years. His success at the
head of the church has been note.
worthy. but 1t is not for me to tell you
of that. / can only speak of my per.
sonal experiences with your bishops
whom ! have met in various parts OF
the world"
Justice Anderson. of the District Su.
preme Court, and who attended the gen.
eral conference at Minneapolis at which
Bishop Thirkield was elected to the
episcopcy, reviewed briefly the proceed
iings OF the, conference. Mrs. J. E. Gil
bert and George w. F. Swartzell alst
Addressed fha noaefin0