The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-03-09
Bishop Adams

moves from this community its best
known and most believed citizen
From one end CT the State to the
other no figure was more familiar
no presence more welcome. The
shock of his passing is too near us
to allow of anything like a complete
estimate Of his character and work
time alone can give us that; but we
are impelled by instincts Of respect
and affection, TO pay our tribute to
man whom everybody sincerely
loved.
For thirty-three years Bishop
Adams has lived and labored in the
Diocese of Easton. 1t is long re-
cord, long enough, in fact, to test
the calibre of any man by the most
exacting standards. Looking over
the years that have flown, connected
as they are so intimately with our
varied local history, the most capti-
GUS critic will gratefully acknow-
ledge the uniformly beneficent in
f1uence he has exerted in every stu
alton, official and general. in which
he took part.
He was a good citizen, first of all
profoundly interested in every move
ment connected with the welfare of
the people. What his politics were
he never revealed, at least publicly,
but no none could question his high
minded and resolute patriotism, or
that his duties were performed with
a proper respect for the opinions of
others.
AS the chief pastor of his flock.
he left an example of the faithful
shepherd, showing no exclusive par
tialities, always keenly alive to the
welfare of the parishes under his
charge, while no bUdy of clergy in
any part Of the Episcopal Church
ever had a more loyal friend, a
keener or more kindly adviser and
guide than he.
His abilities as a preacher are too
well known and too recent in the
memory of all to need comment. He
was acknowledged on all sides, by
the people of other communions as
well as his own, as an eloquent.
forceful, and convincing messenger
OF God. While liberal in his views,
he never allowed any popular'ism to
warp his mind from the Gospel of
the love of God as delivered by the
Master whom he served. and would
have all serve, with undivided loyal
ty and devotion. A conservative
churchman he was tolerant of ,prac-
tees with which he had small SYM
pathy, feeling that comprehension
was more important than exclusion
in a church protesting catholicity.
He made service the criterion of
authority, and care for the good of
others the one sure proof of the
apostolic spirit.
This tribute would be too incom-
plete should we fail to mention what
every layman would probably recall
as one of his strongest claims to
reverence and affection, his leader
ship in the practical affairs Of his
diocese. His wit, his genial spirit,
his full knowledge of parliamentary
law, made him an Incompatible
president OF conventions. q solver of
riddles involving often divergent
views Of policies. In these matters
he taught lis laity and clergy to
subordinate personal preferences to
he general ,n"i. n.son they can
EeveT forget and 30: ly needed at all
tiles.
His last official act occurred as
late as February % last, when con-
trary to the doctors advice he left
a sick bed to attend the memorial
service for the dead soldiers of his
own beloved Talbot County, held in
Christ Church under the auspices OF
the American Legion. On that oc-
cassion he blessed the colors of the
Legion in a fervent prayer which
struck the chord to which every
heart responded with a loud amen
1t was a characteristic thing for him
to do. 1t was the act of a brave
man, of a good soldier of Christ, OF
a citizen loyal to his God and coun-
try, and We can not help the impress
sion that it formed a fitting close to
q career of sigular consistency and
charm. His work is done. Let us
take note of the lesson of such full
and useful life, less we forget. He
rests upon the bosom of his Father
and his God.