New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-07
N. J. DIOCESE CALLS
BISHOP c. H. BRENT
Episcopalian Leader in the
Philippines Unanimously
Elected at Trenton.

Trenton. y. j., May 6.-Charles Henry
Brent. American Bishop of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the Philippines, was
unanimously elected Bishop of the Do
ccse of New Jersey at the annual con-
vention of the clergy and laity OF the
diocese held here to-day cable mes
sage was at once sent TO the Bishop in
forming him OF his election and asking
his acceptance.
Bishop Brent was elected to succeed
the late Bishop John Scarborough. on
the fourth ballot he received seventy OF
the ninety clerical votes and sixty-one
of the seventy-two lay ballots. A motion
was at once offered and carried to make
his election unanimous. Twenty five
names i'm all were placed in nomination.
Among them were Bishop Sheldon Girls
void. of Kansas; the Rev. b. b. Shep-
herd. of Trenton: the Rev. Alexander
Mann. of Boston, and Bishop Burch, Of
New York
The convention voted TO make the SAL
AIRY Of the new bishop $500 and give him
a residence. Bishop Scarborough re-
ceived 5000 salary and a travelling al
lowance of 500.
Both lay and clerical members were
enthusiastic over the election of Bishop
Brent, but grave fear was expressed that
he would decline. II was recalled that he
was elected Bishop OF Washington in
1903 and again the following year. lie de-
clined both elections.
The Bishop is recognized as one Of the
most forceful and efficient bishops of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1901 the
General Convention elected him Bishop
of the new diocese OF the Philippines.
The influence ne has exerted during the
past twelve years in that position would
be difficult to overestimate
He has held strong opinions as TO the
correct policy this country should pursue
regarding the islands. His popularity
with army and navy officers, as well as
civil officials, has given additional weight
to his views
Approaching the advantages OF Ameri-
can control. Bishop Brent has been
strongly opposed TO any overhasty dis
turbance Of that system. Last fall, on
returning to this country, he gave i'm
prcssive testimony regarding the benefi-
cence of American government in the
Philippines, and urged the inadvisability
of granting the islanders independence at
the present time.
Last April he contributed 20 The Trib-
une a notable article on this subject, de-
clarng that the principles involved in
the Philippine problem are SO farreach-
ing that there is no question upon which
the nation could more readily wreck its
He did much to crystalline
American opinion against the "get-out-
quick" policy SO strongly advocated by
Representative W ". Jones and others.
Bishop Brent also raised fund Of $780,
90 in this country for building a cathe-
dral school and a bishops house in
Manila.
The Bishop is not an American by birth.
lie was born at Newcastle, ont. in 1862,
the son of a canon Of St Jamess Cathe-
dral. Toronto. He was graduated from
the University OF Toronto in 1854, and
two years later was ordained as a deacon
and as a priest in 1871. He began his
clerical labors at the pro-cathedral in
Buffalo, whence he was transferred TO a
church in Boston. where he remained
more than twelve years.
lie was particularly enthusiastic in
fighting the opium habit and the opium
trade. lie made thorough study OF the
opium evil in all its phases. and his
knowledge OF this subject and his ability TO
render efficient service in the fight against
il we're recognized by the United States,
and he was appointed a member OF the
government commission which inyesii-
gated opium trade conditions in China.
Bishop Brent has never married.