Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-22


I ord had to nav. mart of the lot we have
tn share in this pressing struggle toward
social rest and righteousness. IN ne"
agony for the church of God. pursuit
of social ideals means seeking the church
of Cod defense of them involves our en-
listment as the churchs champions
For the church of God"-Pro Ecclesia
Dci-the diocesan motto of Vermont.
II.
our church has reason to expect Vaiu-
able contribution to It's life from the in
fuence of the diocese of Vermont Inc
history of ito older churches, as for ex-
ample in that most attractive of coun-
try parishes Arlington, records an IN
spiring faithfulncss in churchmen VINO
in times of difficulty strove to be loyal
to the prayer book. Although here as
elsewhere in the early part of the I9th
century there was no very clear grasp
of church principles, nor vigorous appli-
cation of them, there was still so much
to encourage that Bishop Griswold. writ
ing from Fellows Falls in 1921, could
say "rhe people here are better dls-
posed than elsewhere to hear sound doc
trine, and more nationally DESTROYS to
obtain the regular ministrations of tho
Christian ordnance" and In 1875 he was
able to refer to Vermont as apparently
the most iiourishing part of the eastern
diocese This was due in large degree
TO his own service during 20 years, I'm
which IL churches were built. the number
of parishes increased from three to "a.
the number of clergy from one to IL, the
number of communicates to LOO The
Civilizations of the diocese to Nermont's
first bishop who preceded the first bishop
of Vermont, to which Nermonts obiga-
lions were Justly acknowledged by the
convention sitting In Middlebury in 1922
But the distinctive character of YER
mont churchmanship comes in with John
Henry Hopkins. lie 1t Was-naturally-
who gave a special stamp to the work OF
the diocese. There was "A rugged sturdi-
ness in his labour which behtted the
rocl,-rlbbed state. In spite Of loverty,
Failure of schemes which We're pra cti-
cable as well as brilliant. disappointment,
incident to all cOuntry-work owing to mi
grafton of those won and trained with
difiiculty disbursements so profound
that for long he thought of resiGning his
diocese in the belief that his usefulness
was ended, he persisted in his efforts to
strengthen the diocesan foundations with
solid results at the close Of SO years.
With apostolic versatility he worked with
hands as well as head, Chis church has.
or used to have, many specimens of his
handicraft, toiling to promote Christian
worship and Christian education. giving
a striking example of generous. chival-
rous sacrifice
His influence was by no means restrict
ed to Vermont. More and more was his
judgment valued in general conventions:
as presiding bishop he seems to have i'm
pressed himself more than any of his
predecessors save Bishop White; he was
conspicuousy influential in the first l1pis-
copal conference at Lambeth. This seems
to have been due chiefly /" two
things, his fearlesSness and his fairness
He was an outSpokcn uncomprc missing
champion of church principles but his
Independence of thought and speech was
coupled with scrupulous respect for the
rights and opinions of others He could
allow for points of view different from
his own. for obscurites and stupidities
rest content when he had had a fair hear
ing, with no desire to dictate or dominate
he could exhibit a judicial patience This
Justice in tone and temper as we'll as
thought aspects of that most excellent
ence. His writings many subjects
made him one of the doctors Of ouI
church: and many sought for guidance
from the oracle of Rock Point The
whole church was debtor to Vermont for
giving this bishop whose Earnings, ex-
poricnce. noise and patience contributed
so much to her welfare. And who in our
church to-day exercises the same sort OF
influence in more marked degree than
bishop lIopkinss present successor?
There are Interestingly close parallels be-
tween the the work of that bishop whom
Vermont had from ireland by way of
Pennsylvania and that other whom she
summoned to service from England by
way Of Massachusetts.
But Vermont has produced as we'll as
imported good bishops. The missionary
cpiscopate has drawn from her SONS, for
Montana for Koarney, for Arizona. For
her second bishop. she chose one born
and bred within her borders, as also for
the first bi>hup-cpad iutor whose work
seems to us to have been so pathetically
short, so tragically terminated, yet whose
life and work in Gods sight We're doubt
less wel-rounded and entire, And now
once again for the episcopal office has
Vermont chosen one OF her own sons,
whose whole ministry has been spent In
sight of those mountains ana lakes amons
which The is To labor until the end.
Our brother the hshop-con sccrand
places a low estimate on his own abilities,
to which his friends can not assent. YET
without disputinE over this there are
some things that may De said, and must
be thought, of important qualifications
he brings to the episcopate, with which
even he himself can scarcely fail t. agree
sympathy. How important In a bishoI
that a man know and care for the details
of his particular task. At this time wht
better knows the diocese of Vermont, has
had more intimate association with the
diocesan affairs and cares more fol-
them than the new coadjutor? VINO could
bring more sympathetic appreciation OF
Vermont work-who else could bring s.
much-to use for the church of God?
Loyalty. That is but another name 70,
sympathy. Identified always with the
diocese especially with this parish witt
all its central associations, who is more
entirely devoted to Vermont traditions
and ideals? Moreover, who could bring
more of personal loyalty to the assistance
If the bishop, to preserve him for the dio
cese and tire church at large, more fila
affection to be translated into fraterna
cooperation? Who at this time coulC
bring more-who bring so much-for thu
church of God?
humility. In these days of pushint
self -asserton, vulgar advertisement an,
sef-complacency when we are 80 prone
to sound the note of penitence. so prom
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