New-York tribune., 1919-06-16
Bishop Luther B. Wilson
Has a Man.Sized Job as
Head of the Methodist
Episcopal Church Here
Preacher of First Rank
Service During War Won
High Praise; Led Fight
of Anti Saloon League

There is much in the appearance Of
Bishop Luther B. Wilson that suggests
the ecclesiastic. There is little in his
manner that suggests the bishop. In
q measure he is pioneer in his work.
He is one of the resident bishops" as
signed by the Methodist Episcopal
Church in defiance of tradition. The
need of intensive supervision became
so great with the expansion of the
Methodist Church that it was necessary
to copy some features Of the Roman
Catholic and Protestant Episcopal
church administration programme.
The diocesan system was not dupli-
Gated, but it was held that bishop
regularly assigned to locality was
necessity. Bishop Wilson was assigned
for four years as PRESIDENT bishop" of
New York He served so successfully
that his assignment was continued, and
there is no indication of any intention
to remove him when the next and last
year of his new term comes to an end.
Having no diocese, he has no cathe-
dral. Also, he has no Episcopal resi-
dence-in fact, he has nothing but
big, man-sized job.
Thousands Hear Him Speak
The fact that he has no diocese and
no cathedral works to the advantage of
the church-going community, for he
does not minister in the same place
Sunday after Sunday, except when on
official visitations, as do bishops of
other churches. His voice is heard by
more church-going people, probably,
than any other clergyman's. And he is
in the first rank as preacher.
During the week, except when he is
called away to meet church problems
where they originate, he may be found
in an Office building on Fifth Avenue.
On his desk are the most modern aids
to business efficiency, and, except for
the clerical appearance of the man be-
hind the desk, one would never suspect
that his room was bishops headquar-
ters.
His office is typical of the man.
A few months after his arrival in this
city the Bishop had made close study
of the church conditions, and he knew
a great deal about the moral standards
of the metropolis. Called upon to ad-
dress the Methodist ministers of New
York at their first fall meeting, after
his installation as resident Bishop here,
he said:
"The moral condition of New York is
not what it should be-not what Chris
| tians wish it to be. 1t is discourage
ing to Christian workers. If political
power Is being prostituted to base pur-
pose, that fact is discouraging. l want
to give and want you to give all the
possible doubt to the tales we hear;
but, after expressing all possible doubt
and making all reasonable allowances,
it seems to me that the situation is one
to give US pause.
New York City Set on Hill
New York City is a city set on
hill. All the world takes note of what
it does. 1t is regarded as essentially a
Christian city. Is it? Do we wish it
to stand in the worlds eyes on its rec
ord of the moment? 1t seems to me
that as men, and as Methodists, and as
ministers, it is time we lent hand to
correct some of these wrongs"
The ministers al that gathering had
met to inform the Bishop as to the con-
ditions in which they were laboring.
They found him informing them. They
were astonished at his understanding
and vigor.
Soon they we're to learn that he was
more than mere functionary. He was
actually to be their leader. Other de-
nominations recognized his genius for
leadership, and by common consent he
was chosen to preside over most of the
gatherings of the clergy of all sects.
Just prior to his inaugural address
he had been suffering from a painful
illness. His sudden emergence was all
the more of q surprise.
On the outbreak of the war ministers
Of all creeds turned to him for
guidance. He had been interested in