New-York tribune., 1869-05-15
IMPORTANT QUESTION OF RITUAL


MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH UNioND Mon
ruF CASE OF THE REV. COLIN TATE AMI
THE BISHOP OF OHIO.
There was large attendance at the reguiai
aetpg OF the American Church Union, in the scnoOr
house OF Trinity Chapel West Twenty
an consequence OF the announcements tha1 'uo
.ase NJ the Bishop Of Ohio against the heN.
Colin Tate Of Columbus in that diocese % %"ou.I
no taken into consideration. large number OF eerlo
and lay members present, and all ex'oeu '"o
intense interest in the discussion. MI l"'e' va"
is said by no means 10 hold extreme views On 0"u'oN
matters has lately complied with the request ., "i
regatiou TO introduce into his church surphceu cho
and professional singing as is so much the cuS'o ~
F,sJapd Ir McIlvaine, tho Bishop OF Ohio however
bashropk objections to these practices ana mas nSse"
that Mr. Tate should discontinue them Mr' la'e tnnA'
tbs BISHOPS assumption Of power in this matter Is not
only uncalled for but unlawful, and has nor yeI cGi s
DIicd with the Bishops injuuctlons The Bisn2p nss
consequently presented him for trial on Inc ioHo"uS
Ivoon Of bis engagement conform the doctrines
worship Of tie Protestant Epseopa Sluteu ~ .N5 J a. ,B
important preliminary bis ordination a minister 10 sad thSrSn TS R
CHARGE IIvosou Of the solemn promise aud y9N made az DIS
duaon Obedience 20 bis Bishop ana o. oWs A' t'
These charges have been further speched' lhal d1
officially sanctioned procesonal singing 9 PSans t door
hymns, by procession Of choristers entering az
of the church, such being an unauthorlze1 f ~
upon and violation Of the settled order OF w9rsnp o
and also the wearing the dress exclusively appIoP@so @
cowprtgtion and that the Bishop did formally declare
TO the said Rev. Colin Tate his gody Judgment In4I S
practices unlawful and ought TO 9e GlSco.eu,
Vel he not regarding and in violation OF his ordination
vow continued them and refused TO obey MS Blsnoli
Church Union FOR their aid and sympathy The case was
given over TO the Council 70 consider ana report UPON
sd was 10 hear and discuss the report OF the Conh
ci MAI so many members at ended the meeting. The
Rev DIR. Dix submitted the report ana concluded Oy
8as HE AHsncaa Church Union has been informed that The
Rev Cou Of St Psas Church Columbus One Ia.
Tor alleged violation Of the law ot'h church 10 having 'aTPhesa
eo That the members Of the American Church Union 90 hersoy
Ossr sIpon Of their hearty sympathy To the Rev Mr. Tate aud
i That tbe kHeriean Church Union pledge, itself provide
ard necs compensate counsel for the defense % Tie lie"
% fat committee sve be appointed to cooperate With the
Rev Mr. Tate his defense, aud to ear out the provisions we
Mr. Joseph Pirssone thought it monstrOus that Mr.
Tate should be put upon his trial in such matter as
it. 1t then became question how far the Union was
ablo to support Mr. TATE or course he had ther sym III
devised to put him in the way OF obtaining soOd leg
assistance. -. A.. -.o..u,.
might be read aud 1t was read amid much Laughter.
LAWYER Thought that Judging from the legal terms Of
the presentment it must have been prepared by some
Inember OF MS profession, anu l1dt ~ COnTqueny
pleased t. erTn that Mr.. Tate under the able gud'
of the Rev. Dr. Vnton as to the course he ought 70
Judge Bell after careful perusal Of the constitution
Of the Unio did think they had any right to inter
fere in any every diocese in America. He read the
constitution aud then asked the members they would
consider impertinent interference If Ohio were
10 New-York under similar circumstances :
ferencei He trusted the resolutions would not be passed
Another member thought that Judge Bell was III error
as 10 the rights Of Union. It had perfect right to
establish branches in every diocese IN the country ana
ne did rot seem TO think that thGr ght was aPiogaIeu
In the case Mr. Tates deense because they had not
The Rev DR. DIX expressed a wish that there mghtbe
thorough unity in the Union He explained the reasons
Emch bad impelled the Council TO take action IN TINS
matter Dr. Tate he said quiet peaceable clergy
mau living IN remote district IN Ohio His c0ngrega-
tOn had expressed wish To have supIced eh0lr ana
request Bishop McIlyaine strongly objected to the
pliccd choir and desired Mr. Tate to dscOnnueit Mr..
Tate, without refusing 20 comply, wrote to the Bishop
asking for to certain questions. TO tins letter
the Bishop vouchSafed no reply hut summoned bm Tor
trial on the charge OF violating the aw OF te enurcn
aud his ordination 20 obey the g0dy adnoniuon OF
his Bishop The question then, said Dr. Dix, amounted
aud siity9 Mr. Tate finding himself IN this painful posi-
ton. wrote to the Church Union IN NewYork, asking
their aid and advice; he wished the meeting 10 under
stand tnat the Union had offered their assistance
fore the Council, and though the views Of Judge Bell
then discussed they bad resolved their present
The Rev. Dr. de Coven Thought that as the American
Church continuation Of the Church OF England,
the law there regards surPliced choirs must
be the law here lie also expressed his views as to the
authority of Bishops, and said that Mr. Tate was entitled
To their sympathy and aid, lie Was fighting general
and not an individual bbtle.
The Rev Dr. McVicar did not think that the Bishop Of
New.York would oppose tho adoption OF these resOu
tions One bshOp could not interfere in the dOcese OF
another hut that rule did not apply To the Church Union,
which national in its objects.
Mr.. Cambridge Livingstone thought the main question
Ia decided Was, Is il the duty Of priest 10 implicitly
obey his blshOpi II the interference Of the bishop
might descend "a trivial everyday matters Of life.
Tie Rev. j. Coffee glad that the question 10
be- fy tried for had troubled the church long enough
In some churches bishops law Is absolute II he says
'get up" or sit down. you must obey No matter un
der what circumstances you must do whatever he d.
Tects They not going 10 back up Mr. TAFT In dis
obeyinc his bishop. hut fulfil their duty q Union
and aid HIM ~ testing an Important question The Rev
gentleman understood refer the Roman church,
Some few members seemed dcsirous Of postpQuiug a
final decision the matter future lBeeng but the
question OF the adoption Of the report and resOu One
to The meeting and carried almost unanimously.
subscription was then started furnish Mr. Tate with
the necessary pecBIay and the meeting adjourned
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