• U.S.

Religion: Bishop

2 minute read
TIME

“Receive,” said the Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, “Primus” of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Bishop of the See of Bethlehem, Pa., “the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands.”

He was addressing the Rev. Ernest Milmore Stires, Rector for the last quarter-century of St. Thomas’ Church, Manhattan, who knelt before him, pale and grave. In the chancel stood 35 bishops; 430 clergymen were ranked in files in the nave; hundreds of wealthy laymen were packed shoulder to shoulder in those stalls not reserved for the ordained. Already Dr. Stires had received a magnificent Bible from Mrs. George Hardwick, his 80-year old mother-in-law; already 80 of his admiring colleagues had presented him with an amethyst ring; already the great procession —so long that the processional hymn was sung through four times —had followed the crucifer up the aisle, while outside on Fifth Ave. motor horns blared interrogatively, and ladies on their way out to luncheon found their cars blocked by a crowd of the curious, who lingered about the steps of the old limestone fane kept in order by a cordon of special policemen.

Dr. Stires, who entered the church wearing cassock and rochet, had stood humbly before the carved reredos while his attending presbyters garbed him in a chimere. And now the prelates laid on him their hands, the “Primus” hung upon his neck the pectoral cross, placed upon his finger a ring, and he was consecrated Bishop of Long Island.

The service was broadcasted by station WJZ, Aeolian Hall, Manhattan.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com