" In him," said a writer of the day, " the Church in America loses the further services of one of her oldest and wisest Bishops. Descended from one of the oldest and best families in this country -- which dates far back in our colonial history, and was from the first one of the staunchest pillars of the Church -- Bishop de Lancey had also the good fortune to be personally connected w-ith the leading minds in our American branch of the Church Catholic. After studying for holy orders under Bishop Hobart, and being ordained by him both Deacon and Priest, he became assistant to the venerable Bishop White, and continued in the closest and most confidential intercourse with him to his death in 1836. * * * During his connection with the Diocese of Pennsylvania, he filled numerous posts of dignity and useful service, among which were the Provostship of the University of Pennsylvania, the Secretaryship of the House of Bishops, and of the Pennsylvania Convention; his activity, high character and living influence, were inferior to those of no other Priest in the Diocese. This early jiromise was not disappointed, but abundantly fulfilled, in his career as the first Bishop of Western New York. He was one of the men whom nature had marked out for a ruler among his fellows. With sound principles, earnest devotion, personal gravity, and spotless purity of life, he possessed a clearness of head, a keen knowledge of human nature, and a coolness, caution, readiness, and boldness, which all combined in making him a successful Bishop. His skill in debate was remarkable, and was fully equalled by his mastery of all the resources of parliamentary tactics, either for carrying a measure which he favored, or defeating one to which be was oi)posed. His vigilance and unflinching tenacity were fully on a par with his other (|ualities ; '