The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-19
Interesting to Episcopalians.

NEW YORK, February l6,--The very
rositive announcement, by the steamer
Palmyra, at this port to-day, that the
bishop of Oxford has openly gone over to
the Roman Catholic Church, is making
great breeze among the Episcopalians--
some Of whom are unwilling to credit it.
The authority for the statement, you will
observe, is private letter, said to have
been writer. by the Bishop himself, to q
friend in Cork. So positive are some OF
he Rornan Catholic clergy here Of the
truth of the story, that am informed they
'iil refer to it in their pulpits tomorrow.
This incident impsrts new interest to the
contest going on in this diocese Of the
Episcopal church, between tho so.called
oxford" party, and the Evangelical
churchmen, as developed in the. Tying
trial.
The courtroom this morning Fourth
day., was thconged to excess, and many
persons of both sexes, as on yesterday,
had to 20 away, unable to obtain sitting or
standiIg room. Most of the forenoon was
occupied by Mr.. Nash, counsel for the pro-
Scution.
In summing up the case, he contended
that the charges against the respondent
had been fully proved. Even his own wit
uesses had confirmed the fact that an in
;rUSion had taken place, ind that, too,
against the express protest of the incum-
tents Of both churches. The words of the
Saviour, upon which counsel for the other
side had laid so much stresSt "Preach
the Gospel to every creature," was not
given to every man, but to Christ's chosen
witnesses, who had been with him, and saw
them, and by consequence to their success
sorS; but to none others. That command,
therefore, was to be interpreted in 8
limited sense.
The learned gentleman, then, at great
length, went into an elaborate exposition
of the canon law, and defined what was
meant by parish limitations. The whole
field OF canonS, he said, were all in har-
:nonv, and one could not be disturbed
without marring the whole.
In conclusion, Mr. Nash said if it were
desirable to procure modification of the
canonS so as to allow Of the larger liberty
for which the respondent was craving, the
legitimate way would be to send delegates
tothe General Convention to show the rea.
sons for that change, leaving the result
with that body.
Courtlandt Parker, Esq, of New Jersey,
followed for the defence. He contended
that Mr.. Tying had done nothing deserving
Of ceuSure. He had only preached the
Gospel. His only crime was that he had
not the consent Of the Rev. DR.. Stubs or
he Rev. DR.. Roggs-two gentlemen who
had committed great ecclesiastical blum
der. If these reverend gentlemen had
assisted, instead of opposed Mr.. Tying,
possibly the whole of that Methodist con-
grcgation in New Brunswick would have
been brought into what they considered
the true fold.
This was the first time that clergyman
had ever been put On trial for violation
of the canon in question. The canon, how
ever, was not violated if it was correctly
Interpreted. The fact is, the canon was
made in order TO prevent persons encroach-
ing on the limited salaries of clergymeD,
and any Interpretation differing from that
would stultify the Church. The gospel
should be preached everywhere, and no
ole could or should prohibit it.
Various precedents were quoted and
authorities referred to to maintain the po-
sition that the respondent bad done no
thing calling for ecclesiastical censure.
The following is uerbatim:
"CoeS minister violate canon If he
,,rcaches, or lectures, or prays before q
poor sufferer in a railroad car or in an
almS-houSe, hospital, Or even in that
house where the proceedings are always
opened with prayer, or in his (counsel's}
own family! And will it be contended
that every time minister reads prayer in
New Brunswick he must get the permits
sion Of Messrs. Stubs and Boggs? [Great
laughter.l Why, certainly not. And in
that case he had better pray extempora-
aeousiy." [Laughter.l
Counsel also put the case in this light i:
Suppose brother to be sick in New
Brunswick, and you are asked to 60 and
see him, must you run all over the city to
ind Stubbs and Boggs? Great laughter. ]
Counsel: don't wonder at the laughter.
The President: Nor l either, sir; but l
would like a little order.
Counsel: Or suppose you have Metho-
dist sister about to be married, and you
are asked to officiate, must you run all
over to find Stubs and Boggs5 Laugh
teri The whole thing is absurd.
Mr.. Parker occupied the floor for more
than two hours, aud, like Mr.. Nash, who
preceded him, enlisted the unbroken at
tention of the auditory. The court then
adjourned till Tuesday morning next.