Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-03-01
BISHOP THOMAS
DECLINES CALL TO
DELAWARE DIOCESE
Believes Work in Wyoming More
Important and is Larger
Field.
EXPRESSES HIS REGRET

The declination NJ R,. Rev Nathaniel
s. Thomas, missionary bishop of Wyo-
ming. 90 become bishop Of the diurese Of
Delaware IL a source Of regret today To
Episoopalians throughout Delaware.
BISHOP Thomas in nis letter to Rev.
r. NJ. kirkus. rector of Trinity i. T..
Church. said he could not sec his way
clear TO abandon his work in the Western
State. and minated that Delaware and
Marvlend should be united in one diocese.
Without such a move i, Is now thought
likely il will I've difficult TO attract man
Of Bishop Thomas aitainments. Who
ALREADY has largp iield. The
seed has been sown for combination
that will place the two States IN ono field.
Bishop Thomas said in a letter Tint the
present sliooerc il too small to Justify him
in giving up tho West. For some time
there haa,bcsn considerable sautimrnt for
Joining Delaware with Maryland and
many regard It now a. essential
II believe TINT no diocese with only 20
clergy can properly function under urtit-
nary conditions" the bishop said in a
personal letter to pr kirkus. The official
reply 10 the calreads as follows.
ITO tho Committee of Notification.
Diocese of Delaware,
Per Fred NJ kirkils, Chairman.
brethren. | have gwen long and con.
slant thought 10 the call from Delaware.
have sought council. | have said my
prnyers Now ! come 10 my decision, NJ
| hope. led by the spirit of God.
Il have considered the great oppor-
tunities for service which Delaware at
present affords, and the remarkable out
look for hclpfl:lness 10 the wosk Of the
General Church, which the bishop of
Delaware must enjoy have also weighed
the needs and opportunities of Wyoming,
and the probable effect upon the mis-
sionary cause, should leave these needs
and opportunities TO accept Others OF "a
weight seemingly so nearly equai.
"Ihe burden of proof rests not with
me. | am not convinced that | should
leave Wyoming to go to Delaware. /
must. therefore, decline to accept my
election to become bishop OF Delaware In
spite OF its remarkable unanimity. With
thankfuness to God that you esteemed
me worthy OF this high honor, believe me
TO be
Faithfully yours,
~ s. Thomas
The work in which Bishop Thomas is
now engaged appeals to all Episeopalians.
1t includes two hospitals, a cathedral,
schools for the Indians and various other
church and missionary enterprises OF great
importance. DIR. kirkus replied to Bishop
Thomas as follows:
"My Dear Bishop Thomas: / have just
received your letter addressed to the
committee of notification, announcing
your decision TO decline the call To be
bishop OF Delaware.
az am sure that express the feeling of
hi yuhg |
that it is a great disappointment to us.
With our intimate knowledge OF Delaware
and its needs we feel that we were entirely
justified in calling to the task man of
broad vision, unhounded energy, and
proved devotion to the church and its
mission. At the same time we are not un-
mindful of the great work you are already
doing for the American church, and 1t
was for you to decide where the balance
lay in comparing the one with ehe other.
"Your recent visit TO Delaware was q
pleasure and inspiration 10 us, and In re-
signing the hope of securing you as our
bishop, we can at least be thankful that
our church's mission in Wyoming is so
ably directed and so admirably carried on.
"i'raying God's most abundant blessing
upon you and your work, and with cordial
personal regards, believe me
Faithfully and sincerely yours,
Fred NJ Kirkus"
The likelihood OF another special con-
vention to consider another bishop Was
discounted by many. The regulation con-
ventiop will be held in May at Emmanuel
Church here. and as 30 days notice would
have t. precede a special CONVEX. ton, none
is likely. The election can be held at the
regular CONVEX ton and that program,
most likely, will be followed.