The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-09
From the n. Y. Herald.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

From the n. Y. Herald.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE RECENT ELECTION OF PROVISIONAL BISHOP.
The election by the Episcopal Convention, on
Friday evening, of Rev. DR.. Creighton, as Pro
visional Bishop Of the diocese of New York,
which we announced in the Herald OF Satur-
day, appears to be generally satisfactory to
Episcopalians. DR. Creighton was the candl-
date of the Trinity Church influence, which
has heretofore controlled the affairs OF the do
cese. Of course he is of the high church party
and not low church, as was enormously stated
in an article giving an account Of the election
Indeed, it may be here mentioned, that all the
prominent candidates voted for at the election
were high churchmen and of the 200 clergy
men in this diocese probably not more than
five or six are low churchmen, strictly speak
ing; by which is meant that class of Episco-
palians who coincide in doctrines nearly allied
to Calvinism, with Bishop McIlvaine Of Ohio,
Rev. Dr. Tying of this city, Rev. DR.. Stone of
Brooklyn, and others. In England, the present
Archbishop of Canterbury, and perhaps ma
jority of the bench of bishops, are considered
low churchmen.
In the United States, a majority Of the house
of bishops and of the clergy of the Episcopal
church are understood to be high churchmen
but it should be understood that the high
church party, both clergy and laity, became
divided, few years since, on the question Of
Puseyism The doctrines of the Oxford Tracts
written by Doctors Pusey and Newman, were
considered as nearly approaching those of the
Catholic Church; and large section of the
high church party in America joined with the
low church party in opposing them thus form.
ing strong and powerful coalition against
PuseyisIn, and constituting a majority in the
bench Of bishops in England, and in the house
OF bishops in the United States In the New
York dascese, Bishop 0nderdonk and the infiu.
ehce on rnrry CHURCH,, Win fiieifs neesyapca
organ, the Churchman, have been enlisted in
the cause of Puseyism Accordingly, when q
canon had been passed by the last Episcopal
General Convention, to authorize the election
OF a Provisional Bishop, in consequence of the
continued suspension of Bishop Onderdonk by
the house of bishops the Rev. DR.. Seabury, for.
merly editor of the Churchman was brought
forward as the Trinity Church candidate at
the special Diocesan Convention called to elect
Provisional Bishop. On all previous occa-
sions the influence of that church had been
predominant but in the Convention referred ia
the old influence was for the first time in the
minority. The laity refused to elect Dr. Sea-
bury, and made choice of Rev. DR., Williams
of Hartford since elected assistant bishop OF
Connecticut, The clergy then withdrew Dr.
Seabury, and selected Rev Dr. Southgate, who
had been missionary bishop at Constantinople
The laity still adhered to DR.. Williams, and the
clergy then made choice of DR. Creighton, the
present successful candidate; but the iaity re-
fusing to agree with the clergy in their choice,
the Convention adjourned to their regular an
nual time of meeting, which was last week,
when, as has been seen, they were successful in
efecting choice on the eighth ballot, the Trim
ity Church influence being still triumphant, in
the election of DIR, Creighton How far the
difficulties and divisions of tho diocese will be
settled by this election remains to be seen.
The main difficulty caused by the suspension of
Bishop Onderdonk, by which the diocese has
been virtually without bishop for several
years, is of course removed, and the Provisional
Bishop elect being personal friend of Bishop
0nderdonk, and Independent in his pecuniary
circumstances, tranquility may be expected on
points which have heretofore caused much bit
terness and trouble in the diocese.
Dr. Creighton is native of this city, of Eng
fish parentage, and about sixty years Of age.
He graduated at Columbia College in 1912,
and offciated for time rs assistant minister
at Grace Church. under Rev. DR.. Bowen For
about fifteen years DR.. Creighton ofhciated as
rector of st. Marks church, in this city, and
about the year 1886 removed to Westchester
county, where he has since resided, and ofhci-
ated as rector of Christ's Church, at larry
town, which was erected, and is supported, en-
tirely at his own expense. Although not dis
tinguished for pulpit eloquence, he is gentle
man of fair talents, hospitabe and generous in
his disposition, respected by all his acquaint-
ance, and esteemed by a large circle of friends.
His election will probably put an end to all fur
Their efforts to restore Bishop Onderdonk, and
relieve the diocese from the unpleasant feelings
attending the agitation of that question.
There are now four bishops elect in the
Episcopal Church, awaiting conservation, viz:
Creighton, of New York Williams, of Connec-
ticut; Whitehouse, of Illinois; and Rutledge,
of South Carolina
Bishop Onderdonk was consecrated in 1880,
when this diocese comprised the entire State of
New York In 1889, the diocese was divided,
and Bishop De Lancey chosen to preside in the
Western diocese, the residence of the bishop
being at Geneva. There were in 1889, in both
diOceses 26S clergy, and nearly that number
of congregations. There are now, we learn
from the proceedings of the late Convention, no
less than 900 congregations in this diocese alone,
and it is proposed to divide it, committee hav-
ing been appointed to report plan The num-
Der of clergy in the Western diocese last year
was ia.
The following shows the progress of the
Episcopal Church in the State of New York,
including both dioceses, since 1919:
Number of Clerpu