The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-26
A NEW ECCLESIASTICAL sCHIsM.

Close upon the announcement that the Rev.
Mr. Tate has been presented for trial in Ohio
for nOncOntOrmity with the doctrines and wOr-
ship of the Protestant Episcopal Church, comes
Il call from Illinois for a general meeting of the
Evangelical Clergy and Laity of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Chicago next month, to
discuss certain vital questions which have been
'forced upon our consideration by the situation
and perilS of our tme-hOnOred and Beloved
communion" In other words. the controversy
between High and Low Chmchmen, which has
been perceptbly increasing in intensity until
the two parties are separated by Il wide breech,
is about to be brought to head. The Low
Churchmen are to have convention, in order
to put their opinions officially on record, and
determine upOn some definite plan of action
Hitherto they have acted for the most part indi-
vidually, but henceforth it is expected they will
form a compact and efficient body. prepared to
enforce their peculiar views of doctrine disci-
pline, and ritual, or to scccde and organize an
independent branch of the Church in the United
States.
The call does not state the latter alternative
in many words but its general drift indicates
clearly that the SiGnCrs are prepared for and
indeed anticipate such a result. NO hope of
reform, they say, "Or release from unwarrantcd
ecclesiastical thraldOm can be expected in the
future official acts OF our General Convention
1t would be premature in this call to specify
what action ought to be taken by those to whom
their Protestant heritage is unspeakably preci-
Gus, or to debate the questions that are involved
imagine that the best course is silence and sub
mission have little comprehension of the dan
gers that threaten what is most vital in our
Church, and the rapid and insdous growth of
error. The leaven is widespread and powerful.
To continue inactive is to deliver our Church
over to Innovations doctrines and policy that
are destructive of its Protestant character. Are
evangelical churchmen prepared for this!' A
project similar to that undoubtedly contemplated
by this call was broached previous to the meet
ing of the General Convention of the Episcopal
Church in this city last October but failed to be
put into practical operation. 1t was said that
| the seceders could not count upon sufficient
| number of bishops to go with them to consti-
| tute n valid episcopate. More likely they hesi-
| tated to take so decisive step, and have since
| braced themselves for the effort.
| The call in question Is based upon protest
| signed by q number of clergymen and laymen OF
Illinois, against all teachings, innovations, ma
chinatiOns, and devices that are employed tol
unprotestanizing this Protestant Episcopal
| Church, corruping her doctrine, debasing hel
worship and Overturning her lOng-estabisheC
rites, ceremonies, and usages, and also agains
certain doctrines and teachings embodied in the
last Convention sermon of Bishop Whltehous(
of Illinois, and in manuals of instruction fo
candidates for confirmation by the Rev. Drs. Dil
and De Koven of this State. The Objectionable
passages refer principally to the doctrine of Bap
tismal Regeneration, and of the Real Presence
in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper-pont
upon which High and Low Churchmen hav
differed from time immemorial. DR.. De Kovel
seems also to have incurred the displeasure o
the signers of the protest by calling the Virgil
Mary the "Bringer-forth of God" and the Eve
Virgin Mary"
1t is possible, and many perhaps will think
probable, that the contemplated convention viii
fail of its object Be that it may, the ton
and language Of both protest and call show tina
the signers are in no mood for concession or re
Cancellation, but are going into the contes
against the High Churchmen with the determi
nation to make up in energetic action what the
lack in numbers. They will make strong fgh
and it will require all the prudence and fOrbeal
ance OF the conservative members of the Church
who constitute the greater part of it, to preveI
a rupture. That this should occur at time whe
the EplscOpalian communion, in both il
branches, is unprecedenlelly llyprosperous is unto
tunate The present aggressive movement
the Eyangelicals is also in curious contrast wit
the efforts making among Presbyterians an
Methodists for j reunion OF the opposing ell
ments in their respective bodies.