The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-22
Defense by the Rector.
The Rt. Rev. Bishops Counsel.
The Defense Dissected.
Etc, Etc., Etc.. Etc. Etc.

For some time past there has not been that
harmony of action and oneness of spirit SUB
sisting between the rector and vestrymen of St.
Clements Protestant Episcopal Church, that is
so necessary in the up-building of the strength
of Zion and the extension of Christian infu-
ence; so that now the congregation, rather than
for the purpose of mental and spiritual edifica-
tiop, attend the services to discover what new
action may transpire between the contending
forces. But instead of giving our own account
of the difficulty, we refer the reader to the fol-
lowing information, which we glean from a
pamphlet just circulated among the parishioners
that they may have fair idea of the silua-
tion-and which is issued under the title "Ex-
tracts from the Minutes of the Vestry of St.
Clements Church in the city of Philadelphia,
made in accordance with resolution passed
February %, 1871"
A PRELIMINARY INSIGHT.
1t is doubtless known to the congregation of ST.
Clements Church that differences have for some
time existed between the rector [Rev II. G. Batter
son, d. D. and the vestry. Many rumors are cur
ture of these differences Ttey are confined TO
matters of ritual and doctrine and in no way aect
prove of, and unanimously desire to retain. In
order that the facts of the and the points at
the members of the congregation whom they repre-
sent, and to whom they are responsible, the vestry
for the information Of the congregation an Accurate
statement from the minutes OF all the proceedings
6a in as ar Oo An as g that me
soon be obliterated, induced and determined the
action OF the vestry. Governed by this principle
the resolutions OF Messrs. Morris and Thompson
were adopted, and the questions put by Mr.. Morris
The question of Mr. Morris and the rector's an
swers thereto were re- referred to a committee. BY
only was aurcular confession practsed and
81 ee sctSr Church, and puf Sssp%
there with the Rector's consent, by a
clergyman not belonging to the parish or TO this
Sarmopy motion was offered by Mr.. Lambert to tbe
effect that the differences be referred to a COM
mittee consisting Of the rector and the rectors
warden (Mr. Morris). The members OF this COM
views and as neither was satisfied with the PROPOSE
prepsrea severa PaRsrS s rector aaa and NJ
morris, were by the latter, in letter supervised
Bishop the proper ecclesiastical authority. OF this
action OF M. Morris, the vestry subsequently ap-
writing to Mr.. Morris. was by him handed to the
rector and afterwards laid before the vestrY.
INOTE.-Mr Allen desires to state in explanation
SO civ for the purpose OF pointing out the changes
which had been introduced in the services
HENRY l. LowBER, GEORGE N. ALLEN,
PnS 7, M9RELs, 41I,S H. H. Q; LIT THOMPSON, Q
J. although not present at the meetings OF the
vesny, have read the proceedings and concur in this
action OF my colleagues
sign the above simply to express my dsapproval
of the doctrine and practice OF aurcular confession.
CHARLES s. PANCoAsT.
March, 1871.
THE questions, resolutions, and papers 'B''
and "M' will be found below: The signatures
above are those of members OF the Vestry OF St.
Clements Church.-REP.
FIRST ACTION OF THE vEsTRY.
On the 9th of November last the vestry met,
with the rector, Rev. III. @. PATTERSON, ID. D., in
The chair, when p. p. Morris offered the follow
ing, which was adopted:-
Resolred, That in the opinion OF the vestry, the
ritual of this church should conform to the use of
States OF America. While we agree, ''That partcu-
lar forms Of Divine worship and the rites and cere-
monies appointed to be used therein, are tnlhgs IN
their own nature Indifferent and alteraoIe, we
think, at the same time that there are SOME rites
and ceremonies which have become so peculiarly
the property OF what we conshuea . M an erroneous
church. that their use, however innocent III itself,
ia source or scandal cCasions uneasness, and is
accomnanied by discordant and irreverent feelings
i'm MANY beholdeTs. We think all such should be
avoided.
which was done to check certain changes which
| The clerical head of the church had Intended.
| II was adopteo;-
Resolued That no alterations additions shall be
made in the furniture fixtures OF the cnancel or
auditorium OF ST. Clements Church or OF the parish
building, without the consent OF the vestry being
first had.
Mr.. George N. Allen offered the following,
which were laid upon the tablet
Whereas As great and radical changes have been
made in the manner oi oonaueung , she services IN
are not in accordance with the usages OF the PTo-
testant Episcopal Church OF the diocese OF Pennsyl
yania and in the judgment Of this veetry 60 no
a. EoU