Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire: His Life and Work

by Lawrence Foushee London

"That gratefully acknowledging our obligations to Almighty God for the many evidences of His Divine guidance in the affairs of His Church throughout this period of its history, we are especially grateful to Him for the love and care with which He has preserved the physical strength, the mental vigor and power, and the spiritual grace and consecration of our beloved Bishop. Resolved further, that this Diocese is greatly indebted to Bishop Cheshire for the sympathetic spirit, the unflagging zeal and never-failing wisdom and the statesmanlike vision with which, under God, he has directed its affairs, shaped its policies, and guided its growth and development; that we hope and pray he may long be spared to lead us in full strength and vigor of body, mind, and spirit; and that we take this opportunity of pledging to him our unswerving loyalty and undivided support in the prosecution of his labors for the spread of the Kingdom of God on earth."[57]

Dr. A. Burtis Hunter, for the clergy, and Governor Thomas Bickett, for the laity, brought to the Bishop messages of loyalty and affection. Mr. William A. Erwin presented the Bishop with a purse of gold from the people of the Diocese as a token of their love and esteem. Bishop Cheshire was deeply moved by these expressions from his clergy and laity. It would be difficult to find in any diocese a more sympathetic relationship between bishop and people.

As Bishop Cheshire advanced in years, changes were taking place in the church as in almost every other institution. Some of these he advocated, while others he accepted with regret. When the diocesan convention of 1919 met, a plan was introduced placing the administration of the affairs of the Diocese in the hands of the bishop and an executive council. Of the proposed plan Bishop Cheshire said that he thought it had "some advantages," but he earnestly hoped that the administration of the diocesan missions by the archdeacons would not in any way be changed. The archdeacons were a great assistance to the bishop in carrying on missionary work, and were invaluable in overseeing vacant parishes and missions. He referred to them as "the eyes of the Bishop in all matters of practical work," and stated that he wished to take this occasion to express his appreciation for the relief they had afforded him. In his opinion, whatever shortcomings could be ascribed to the present system of convocations under archdeacons were largely due to the lack of co-operation by the laity.

After considering several proposals, the convention adopted a plan of diocesan organization which provided for an executive committee to be elected by the convention. It was to be composed of the bishop as ex-officio chairman, three clergymen, three laymen, and three laywomen. The executive committee was to act as a co-ordinating and co-operating agent in diocesan work. The convention also provided the bishop with a secretary who should likewise serve as secretary of the executive committee. The functions of the archdeacons were not at this time altered. Several years later, however, the personnel of the executive committee and the scope of its influence were enlarged. Also, a field secretary, who was to oversee missionary work, was employed. These innovations made the old system of convocations and archdeacons unnecessary, and it was accordingly abolished.

The Bishop observed with regret the abolition of the office of archdeacon but acquiesced in it, since the majority of the clergy and laity preferred the new system of administration. In his annual address of 1929 he paid a final tribute to his archdeacons. He asserted that the missionary work had never been so well looked after as under their supervision, and that he would not have been able to advance this phase of his work without their invaluable assistance.

When Bishop Cheshire was entering upon his seventieth year, he felt little impairment of his physical strength and had no desire to diminish his episcopal duties. He realized, however, that others might feel he was growing too old to carry on the work alone. Placing the affairs of the church above any personal considerations, he asked the convention of 1919 whether he should continue to administer the Diocese without assistance or adopt some other course. The Bishop then retired, and the convention sitting as a committee of the whole considered its reply. Dr. Richard H. Lewis introduced a resolution which was unanimously adopted. It declared that the affairs of the Diocese had in no way been neglected; that there was no evidence of failure of the Bishop's physical or mental faculties; and that the convention was confident that he would ask for assistance when he felt it was necessary. The confidence his people placed in him, as expressed in this resolution, gave Bishop Cheshire much pleasure and encouragement.

In the spring of 1922 the Bishop informed the Standing Committee of the Diocese that he had been urged by several physicians and laymen to curtail his work and to request the convention for assistance. The Standing Committee promptly advised him to propose the election of a bishop coadjutor. Accordingly, on April 21, he addressed a letter to the clergy in which he announced his intention to ask the approaching diocesan convention to consider the question of electing a bishop coadjutor. The Bishop felt the clergy and laity should be informed of his purpose in order that they might give this important subject thoughtful consideration before the meeting of the convention.

On May 16, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Raleigh, the convention met and immediately took up the question of giving the Bishop assistance in his work. After consideration it resolved that a bishop coadjutor should be elected. Bishop Cheshire then gave his consent to the election, and assigned to whoever should hold the new office the episcopal oversight of the Convocation of Charlotte and the personal supervision of all postulants and candidates for Holy Orders of the Diocese.

The nominations for bishop coadjutor took place on the evening of the second day. After six ballots were taken, the Rev. Edwin Anderson Penick, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Charlotte, was elected. He received thirty-two clerical votes and twenty-four from the laity. The choice of the convention met with general satisfaction throughout the Diocese. Concerning the election, Bishop Cheshire declared: "We believe that the Spirit of God effectuates with His presence, His guidance, His blessing, the solemn functions of the Body of Christ. And never, I make bold to say, did we feel more sure of the Divine presence, guidance and blessing, than in the solemn hour of the choosing of our Bishop Coadjutor. Among the many happy and helpful experiences of my Episcopate, and of my life, I remember that as one of the best."[58]

On October 15, 1922, the twenty-ninth anniversary of Bishop Cheshire's consecration, Rev. Edwin A. Penick, D.D., was consecrated bishop coadjutor in St. Peter's Church, Charlotte. He entered upon the duties of his office almost immediately thereafter. From that time until the death of Bishop Cheshire the two men worked together in perfect harmony. Although they did not always agree on diocesan policy, they never allowed a difference of opinion to mar their affectionate relationship.