The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-03

in tho majority. the control of the machinery of
tbc Covernment is in their hands, they are bent
on their own course; the minority, so long as IL
remains in the Union, is powerless; IL must with
draw and set up for itself" mo hope of reform
or release from unwarranted ecclesiastical thral-
dom can be expected in the future official acts
of our General Conventions" eXclaims the call
for the Chicago meeting, which bids fair to
be as memorable an event in the history of
the Church as the Charleston Convention
of 1860 is in the history Of the nation "a
succession of measures, legislative and
judicial on the part of ruling majority pro-
scribing and repressng the principles Of Evan
geliCal Episcopalians," continue the protesting
Protestants, 'pnmistakably indicates the policy
that will be pursued hereafter Just as the
Southern leaders deemed il impossible to remain
and fight for their rights in the Union with any
hope OF success, so must these clergymen feel
that under the circumstances il is useless and
worse than useless, to longer attempt to make
headway in the Church as 1t exists against "the
doctrinal errors and superstitous practices that
are becoming widely prevalent, and which
threaten the rapid extinction of its Evangelical
and Scriptural principles Fearful indeed is the
catalogue of these "false doctrines and super
stitious practices which the ifty-sX clergymen
recount as the proofs of the assertion that "a
powerful party dominant in the Church is not
only devoid of sympathy with the Protestant
spirit of the age, but in many cases hostile TO its
aims, principles, and Institutions There is
manifested, say they, on the part of many high
in authority, "a desire to affiliate with the cor
rupt Roman and Greek Churches Touching
the core of the whole controversy as with the
point of needle, they declare that ga sacer-
dotal system is made to take the place of the
simple Gospel The Saving grace of the
sacraments is taught, and, instead of limiting
the sacraments to the two recognized by Pro-
testants, three others are enumerated as hav-
ingR'an outward sign and an inward grace"
TransubstantiatiOn is "amost BADLY taught;"
the Manual of Instruction for Confirmation
Glasses, by Rev. Dr. Dix laying it down that
the tbread and wine used in the Eucharlsnc
sacrament undergo mystical change, whereby
they become the forms under which Christ is
present after manner ineXplcable
and without parallel in the range of our know
ledge, * not bodily or physically, but
supralocOlly, hyperphysically, and spiritually
in some way believed in by the Church, but
advocated; 'puerile and cumbersome cere--
monies" are substituted for sober
worship; the principles OF the Retorma-
tion are derided and denounced; and 'the grand
historic name which expresses them is repu-
dated with scorn." From the pulpit ''priestly
claims" are put forth, and into the services of
the Church an unspiritualizing symbolism Is
introduced. Cooperation with other Protestant
bodies is opposed and ridiculed; their ministry
is denied and coolly committed to uncovenanted
mercies.' And Mariology is taught by ascribing
to the Blessed Virgin Mary the titles of ''the
Bringer-forth of God and the Eyer-Virgin
Mary All this is confirmation strong as
holy writ, in the opinion of the fifty-SiX
protesting Protestant cergymen, of their
assertion that "a scheme exists to under
mine the Scriptural foundation of the
Protestant Episcopal Church con the specious
plea of a revived Cathocity,' and is sufficient
not only to justify but to cOnstrain them in pro-
testing against these teachings, innovations,
Vaccinations, and devices for unprOtestantiZ-
ing this Protestant Episcopal Church, corrupt
ing her doctrine, debasing her worship, and
oVerturning her lonc- established rites, cere-
monies, and usages.' As it is useless to hope
for reformation or relief inside of the Church,
they must seek it ouJside and the French gour
mand who complained that we had hundred
religions and one gravy, will have to add one
more to the list of our sects without n cores
ponding addition to the number Of our sauces.
This movement cannot be surprising, although
it may be grevous, to those who have watched
the progress of the so-called rtualistc senti-
ment in the EpiscOpalian Church, and have re-
membered at the same time that the Protestant
right of private judgment was secured to any of
its members who chose to exercise it. Leaving
the theological view of the out of the ques-
ton, it is interesting to inquire what is the
prospect for the success of the movement for
secession? d? 1t must be observed that, among
the ffty-siX clergymen who have given their
adhesion to the movement thus far, there is no
bishop. Perhaps, however Bishop Mcllvane,
who is about to discipline one of his clergymen
for the offense of ritualism, may go with the
seceders, if they so secede. If not, what
are they to do for bishops when they
have set up for themselves And how are the
questions which will arise concerning the church
property to be settled? Shall we see the civil
courts appealed to in order to decide whether
Trinity Church, which was endowed for the
purpose of maintaining one form of religion,
has SO far departed from that faith as to forfeit
its right to its property? OF these ffty-six pro-
testing cergymen, ten are in New York, six in
New Jersey. two in Iowa, ten in Pennsylvania,
six in Massachusetts, six in Ohio, two in Ken
lucky, seven in Illinois, and one each in Michi-
| gan, Rhode Island, Maryland, Maine, Tennessee,
and Mississippi The number, compared with
| that of the entire number of clergymen belong
ing to the Church, is small; but they are enough,
if they remain in their present temper, to rend
| the Church in twain.
THE WORKINGMEN's MOVEMENTS.