Religion: Comforting Coadjutor

Being Bishop Coadjutor of a diocese in the Protestant Episcopal Church means lots of work, little money, little kudos— unless you are an astute politician. In seclusion last week the rector of a rich, socialite church was trying to decide whether he wanted to be a Bishop Coadjutor. The diocese of Connecticut had none; since 1928 Bishop Edward Campion Acheson had been his own Coadjutor. Now he had found he needed an assistant. A diocesan convention was held in Christ Church Cathedral. Hartford. Chief candidates were High Churchman Rev. Dr. Samuel Smith Drury, rector of St. Paul’s School (Concord, N. H.); Low Churchman Rev. Dr. Howard Chandler Robbins, onetime dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine who a week before had been belaboring his oldtime superior. Bishop William Thomas Manning of New-York (TIME. Sept: 14) ; and Middle Churchman Rev. Dr. Frederick Grandy Budlong, rector of Christ Church, Greenwich, just returned from junketing in Paris. Soon as balloting began, the race was between Dr. Robbins and Dr. Budlong. On the fourth ballot Dr. Budlong was elected, subject to ratification by this week’s General Convention in Denver. He thanked his electors, said he would seek release from his Greenwich parish before accepting definitely.

Born 50 years ago in Camden, N. Y., Dr. Budlong did missionary work in southern Minnesota, held parishes in St. Paul, Winnetka. Ill, Chicago and Pittsburgh before going to Greenwich in 1925. He is grey-haired, affable, plays a fair game of golf at Round Hill Club. For Independent Syndicate Inc. he writes a daily ”Word of Comfort” to be used at the head of obituary notices in newspapers of 30 States. Sample: “Do you feel that your life is in complete disarray and that you are a victim of hopeless bewilderment? Lay hold upon certain pivotal facts: God loves you; the earthly life is preparation for a richer life beyond”; etc. etc.

Friends of Dr. Budlong thought he would accept the Bishop Coadjutorship. If he does so he will give up a pleasantly middle-of-the-road-ish parish; a salary of $12,000 a year; a large residence; an automobile ; an impressive socialite congregation. As Bishop Coadjutor he would get $7,000 a year and $3,400 for expenses.