Evening journal., 1920-03-09
NO Merger OF
TWO DIOCESES
Discussion of Such Sugges-
.tion Futile" is View OF
Rev. Alban Richey
NOT
URGED BY EITHER

Discussion over a suggested merger
OF the Protestant Episcopal diocese of
Delaware and Maryland IS futile ac-l
cording TO the Rev. Alban hichey, rec
Tor of ST. Johns Church, who discuss
ed the subject at some length today.
.The death Of the venerable bishop
Of Easton appears 10 have aroused
again the futile discussion OF the sub
iect OF the union Of the two dioceses
OF Delaware and Easton," says Dr..
Richey.
ANY one familiar with the situation
must realize that the difficulty Of ad-
iustins the civil and ecclesiastical leg
islation necessarily involved, would
make union practically Impossible,
quite apart from the fact that evident
ly. neither diocese desires It and voices
from both have protested against the.
first suggestion Of ii.
"The question, however, hving been
mooted on the ground that the size OF
The diocese OF Delaware is such that 1t
cannot challenge the ability Of men Of
large vision, etc, and the further ques-
tiOn OF material resources having been
so prominently brought to the fore In
the discussion, beg TO say, that be-
lieve the diocese Of Delaware is 20 be
congratulated on the fact, that the true
challenge OF spiritual opportunity Is
/ still open. The challenge OF Oppor-
ltunity in the work OF The Kingdom Of
God is not limited by size Of territory
or abundance OF riches.
"The opportunity lies in the hearts
and souls Of protesting Christian men
and at least three-fOurths OF whom, by
actual estimate, are as yet only luke
warm women adherents, nominal
church attendants, and have no per-
sonal interest in building up the
church Of the Living God. no thought
/ Of advance and growth and progress In
piety and devotion and who ask TO be
let alone and not urged onward and
upward to greater sacrifice and ser
vice.
Delaware may be a small diocese,
but Il offers an opportunity for which
there is no man too big in the PROBES
tant Episcopal Church. Il offers the
opportunity that bigness often defeats,
the opportunity for readiness to use
his high and holy intensive cultlva-
tion. II offers abundant opportunity
to q man who is big not in the Wo. Idly
sense Of readiness to use its high and
holy office for professional profit, but
big in the sense Of a desire 70 give
himself heart and soul to the service
OF the little flock which Jesus Christ
was not ashamed 10 shepherd Here
In Delaware there IS a unique oppOr-
tunity for a man OF God 10 be a real
Bishop and Shepherd OF The flock
Here there Is, by reason OF Size and
faculty Of reaching every part Of the
diocese with frequency, an opportunity
for a bishop TO know his sheep by
name. and to have something like per-
sonal interest in them.
I'VE frequently lament that in The
Protestant Episcopal Church we have
no places which afford the opportun-
lty OF leisure for study. Here again
Delaware offers a man Of scholarly
habits and attainments just the op-
portunity needed for anything like in
tellectual development.
1T Is our big instituilonallzed par
ishes and our territorily vast dioceses
which are rapidly reducing the stand
ard Of scholarship in the ranks Of the
clergy Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church and furnished the enemies Of
the faith with the opportunity they
welcome, the opportunity Of attack
which meets with no defense, by rea-
son Of poverty Of resources.
Yes, Delaware wants a big man for
her bishop, but he must be big flrsi
in piety and devotion and strong in
The faith once delivered TO the saints
The church needs TO be reminded in
these days OF drives and campaigns
that her weapons are. not carnal bul
SPIRITUAL and she is mighty to The
! pulling down OF The strongholds ol
sin, not by power. nor by might. bu
by my spirit, saith the Lord
"The problems with which the Ma.
tion is confronted today, are at th,
bottom great moral and spiritual prob
e lens and the great need Of the churct
Is not, as, so often said, men Of larel
: vlsion.' but men Of vision. crystal clear
vision deep and true, vision uncloude,
by worldliness, not superficial vision
vision TO distinguish the mirage. Whicl
may lure to the pursuit Of vanity an'
emptiness. from the verities Of thing
eternal In the heavens"