The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-03

New MOVEMENTS IN REILGIoN-THE EPISCOPAL.
CONVENTION AND BISHOP ONDERDoNK.-This il a
wonderful age for new movements in religion
as well as in everything else. They are almost
as rapid and beautiful as the coruscations of
the aurora borealis, the play of the lightning's
wings, or the fight of balloons.
For example, ex-Judge Edmonds and ex-Sena-
tor Talmadge have been hunting after new re-
lgion, which they call Spiritualism, and they
are still in pursuit of the phantom, which flies
before them, and ever eludes their grasp Just
when they think they have it, The Mormons
are looking out every day for the descent Of
the New Jerusalem from heaven in the vicinity
OF Salt Lake DR.. Bellows has grown pale and
lost several pounds of flesh in search of new
Catholic church, which he has not vet found.
He is dissatisfied with the lifeless. worn ont
sects, and their dry bones of abstract theology.
and he signs for something new and healthy.
suited to the spirit Of the age.
And now we have the Episcopal church
assuming new phase-the forgiveness of sins.
1t has pardoned the sins of Bishop Onderdonk.
and rendered him as white as snow. He has made
confession and the Episcopal Convention has
given him absolution. In the exercise of
Apostolic power it dispenses plenary indul-
gences to bishops, and the sentence of guilt
and punishment is cancelled in the case Of DR..
Onderdonk, who is restored to his functions
and to the favor of the church. This is good,
for it is following the example of the Pope
Buff the shepherd can thus have dissolution,
why not the sheep and the lambs of the fold.
Why not repentant laymen as well as bishopss
There is Daniel E. Sickles who has repented.
Why not absolve him from his trangressionsg
And there is the Chevalier Webb, great light
of the Episcopal church, who has not only re-
pented, but has so grown in grace that he
knows not what to do with his excess of re-
ligion. 1t is absolutely spelling with him. He
could sell $50, 900 worth of it and never miss
t. while the money would be very useful in
paying off his mortgages. VIII nobody buy?
The Episcopal church ought surely to do for
him what it has done for Bishop Onderdonk-
wipe out the old score Of sins in order that
he may begin new leaf. There is ex-
Governor Seymour, who is one of the lay
representatives from New York State to the
General American Episcopal Convention, to
be held at Richmond on the 9Th inst, at which
delegates will attend even from Canada and
Nova Scotia. Why not give him absolution
upon making clean breast touching the circu-
lation and publication Of Governor Wise's pri-
vate confidential letter, the political assassina-
ton of that distinguished Southern chief and
all the other dark deeds of the Regency OF
which Horatio is silent member? He would
thus feel more at ease in the capital of
Virginia, and might then and there esta-
blish an entente cordiale with brother Wise of
the same church, who is Of frank, for
giving, and Christian disposition. BY all
means let brother Seymour be whitewashed.
One of the new and peculiar phases of the
late Episcopal Convention was the introduction
by Mr.. Jay of petition 'to take steps to stay
the growing evil Of the African slave trade,
which hath been reopened. and is now being
prosecuted from the port of New York, within
the limits and jurisdiction of this diocess." A
resolution to submit this petition to commit
tee to report at the next Convention was almost
unanimously lost; whence it may be inferred
that the Episcopal church is in favor of the
slave trade. As for slavery itself, even Mr. Jay
could not summon resolution sufficient to say
word against it.
Are not, therefore, the rapid changes and
new movements in religion truly wonderful
and startling in this age of universal reyo-
Luton?