Smyrna times., 1920-03-24
MOVEMENT TO UNITE THE
DELAWARE EASTON DIOCESE.
EELING THAT DELAWARE
FIELD TOO SMALL TO ATTRACT


FIELD TOO SMALL TO ATTRACT
Question Raised by Death of R;sbo,
Adams of Eastern Shore of MARYLAND
DecllnIng of Call of Bishop Thomas
IN commenting on the decision Of
Dlshop Thomas to decline the unani.
nous call of the Delaware diocese +. .
il4l the vacancy made by the resipna-
tlon OF Bishop Kinsman, Rev. F M
hlrkus, rector of Trinity Church IN
the March number of Trinity Parrish
annals refers to the intimation of
blshop Thomas in his letter and also
IL conversations, that he regards Della
ware, under existing conditions. as foo
small a diocese to engage the undi-
VIded energy and attention of a vigor-
Gus and progressive bishop. Bishon
Thomas quite openly expressed the
nope that Delaware and Easton would
some day be combined as a single dio-.
cese, and could not see why it should
not be brought about at once.
Discussing the question, as the do
cese of Delaware too small to be at
tractive to capable and energetic
bishop" Mr.. Kirkus says that.
Judged by diocesan statistics, or meas
ured by its actual growth and devel-
opment during the last twenty years.
an affirmative answer would seem 10
be the true one. Former bishops
have apparently found it so. Bishop
Lee was rector of st. Andrews parish
during the entire period of his episco-
paJe in Delaware. Bishop Coleman
is said to have done more work out
side the diocese than he did in if.
He was first, last and all the time a
churchman, and when he thought he
was through with the diocesan work
at home, he looked for work that he
migth do elsewhere"
Outlook, Opportunity for Delaware
But" continues Mr.. Kirkus, eve
aIe not to measure the outlook and
opportunity for Delaware by the past
development of the church. The State
is growing rapidly in population and
in strategic Importance. It's industries
are multiplying. Theer is a higher
vision on the part of its business men
than ever before. Agriculturally it is
the most productive district
Of its size in the United States. Trans
pOrtatiOn facilities are constantly i'm
proving. Good roads will soon be
found in every corner of the State. It's
facilities are making rapid
progress. The Service Citizens move
nent and the new School Code are DO
ent factors for the best sort of social
development. Altogether the outlook
or Delaware is most encouraging.
and for those of us who believe in
he church and it's mission, there is
abundant hope that church growth can
'e made to Outstrip the growth even
# other institutions in Delaware. The
Influences at work are of exactly the
ort to encourage such growth in the
Episcopal Church, if we have a leader
f the right sort. This may be made
lear by a comparison with another
iocese in the one State of the Union
Which is smaller than our own. Rhode
sland has two-thirds the area of Del
ware and nearly three times the pop
lation. But the church (statistically)
; five times the size of the church
4 Delaware. Is there any reason why
ur future may not measure up to a
tandard like that?"
Mr.. Kirkus emphasizes the fact
nat the field of the Bishop of Della r
are is the State of Delaware and not I
lerely the church as at present rep ?
esented in the State. "The Bishop !
f Delaware can easily be among the 7
,remost of it's citizens-and even if
e must remain territorially the little
ocese we are l don't believe we need {
el shame in offering the post of
in our church to the best
I'd biggest man we can find to take
Mon Would Have Many Advantages p
With reference to the proposition to t,
lite the diocese of Delaware and Il
aston in both of which there are now u
lcancies, Mr.. Kirl1us says: "The con- a
ction in many minds that the church cl
uld be better served by consolida- S
IN than by continued Independent F
istence of two comparatively weak A
oceses on this peninsula, brings our ct
esent predicament to the attention T
the whole, church. The union would SC
have many advantages, d
t it also seems to present some al in
,st insuperable obstacles. Tradition al
Il preiudice are the two chief stumb-