The Washington times., 1923-06-02
EPISCOPAL
CEN TER
Herr:
Or. Freeman Has Solid Lay
Backing and Progressive
Policy Is Forecast.

Backing and Progressive
Policy Is Forecast.
A new era for the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the diocese
of Washington will dawn with the
ordination of the Rev. DR.. James
Edward Freeman as bishop, en-
thusiastic adherents declared to-
day.
Has Solid Lay Backing.
Their first thought following the
I unanimous choice of the present
rector of Epiphany Church for the
denomination leading ecclesiastica.
post here is just what practical ad-
Vancements may be expected TO en-
sue. That the diocese will pro-
gress rapidly toward the goal
dreamed of by 10000 communicates
s-the leading division OF the church
in America-they postulate from
the following facts:
DIR. Freeman has the backing OF
practically all lay elements here,
IN other words, to state the thing
in mundane terms, the stockholders
ard money producers in a going
concern.
He has a very distinct executive
talent; preferring to formulate mol
icies and plans rather than to go
into intricate detail which may just
as well be attended to by carefully
chosen subordinates. Furthermore,
he is vigorous in health and thought
and is often cited as having done
the work of two men in the church
whose pulpit he now fills.
To Complete Cathedral.
His first utterance upon being
assured Of election at the special
convention at the Church of the
Ascension yesterday stressed the
Importance of the church in the de-
velopment of Washington as the
worlds greatest Capital. If this
city is to be the center OF the
denomination in the United States,
the great Cathedral Of st. Peter and
st. Paul at Mt. st. Adams must
be the inner shrine of that center.
The completion OF the cathedral
Is the ardent desire of all Episcopal
worshippers and clergyfnen, and 1t
is to be accepted as indubitable that
DR.. Freeman will do all In his
pO"CA W OAAAB hOOAI IA0S NSAA
pletion.
To Extend Publicity.
DIR. Freeman's policy as regards
publicity for the church has been
since his first day in the local field
one of utter openness, and 1t 10 to be
expected that this favorite theme OF
his will find full development upon
his attaining full power. 1t was de-
clared az almost certainty, follow
ing his election yesterday, that a
great bureau will be established in
a downtown office building where
the present diocesan board of pub
licity, occupying CONSTRUCTED quarters
in the basement of Trinity Church,
may find full space and an aug.
mented personnel for It's work. The
aims and achievements Of the diocese
are to be broadcasted throughout the
United States in accord with the
modern practice of several other de-
nominations, which have surpassed
the Protestant Episcopal Church in
this respect.
The triumph of this virtual new
conner to the clerical ranks Of the
| city may extend further than the
bishopric of Washington, 1t was prog
nosticated today. There is q very
good chance, many declared, that he
will be elected presiding bishop of
| the church at the. next triennial con-
| Vention in 1925. This would allow
DIR. Freemen's being provided with
q suffragan bishop, who would re.
| lieve him of much of the strain OF
Q long-overtaxed position.
Attends Reception.
The bishop-elect appeared last
night at reception accorded the
Rev. DR.. George F'iske Dudley, OF
st. Stephens, by his parishioners
on the thirtieth anniversary of his
rectorship. A great throng heard
| DIR. Freeman eulogiZe the man who
4 on the first day of the diocesan
convention was strongly in the run
ming for the bishopric, but with
drew when affairs became ap
parently hopelessly tangled, and
who was the first to announce the
arrangement by which the Stires
bloc of votes was transferred to DIR
Freeman, insuring his overwhelm
ing choice.
II see clearly in the future" de
clared Or. Freeman, that Mr.
1 Dudley will be one of my wises
advisers. could have served unde
him with delight. His action in thu
convention did much to bring peac,
and quiet and prosperity for tn
n future into the diocese.
u II do not hesitate to predict tina
spirit Of unity will prevail in thi
diocese; there will be no division
Tor nothing can separate common
priests OF a common altar, common
prophets of common puIpits. w
II VIII stand together: there will b
no schools, no parties. no factions.