The New York herald., 1871-10-23

Episcopal Church, which has been sitting in
Baltimore for the last couple Of weeks, has
already accomplished much and promises,
before II adjourns, to accomplish much more.
Perhaps, however, its greatest work so far has
been to show the religious world that it is pos
sible TO discuss such infammatory topics as
'ritualism and infant baptism without losing
of Christian gentleman. Some Of the
speeches made on these and similar questions
have been earnest and excited, but We have
yet to hear Of such violent and undignided
debates as disgraced a convocation in England
a few years back. The Convention, by the
temperate wisdom Of its conduct in this regard,
has won the respect of all American Episco-
'palians. 3s y als
The struggle between the two great parties
Of the Church-'High" and LOWS, how
ever none the less real and severe because it
ts neither noisy nor unseemly. The Episcopal
Church now embraces men who differ from
bach other in theology almost as widely as
Greek Catholic and Congregation alist. The
one party believe in the real presence, the
sacrincil character Of the priest, the saving
change wrought by baptism, even upon an
unconscious infant, and other kindred sshigh
sacramentarian" doctrines. They approve as
adjuncts Of the discipline of the Church, con-
'Tession, penance, vows of celibacy, &c.; and
they place high value upon what Bishop Butler
xof the Analogy called ''external religion
such practices, for instance, as making the
sign Of the cross and bowling at the name Of
Jesus. Opposed to this party is another, who
disbelieve In transubstantiation, and take SLOW
eiews" Of the functions Of the priest, and hate
with an uncompromising hatred anything that
aSmacks, however family, OF the doctrine and
practices Of tho Romish Church. It seems
wonderful that a Church should have existed
kor couple Of centuries thus divided against
Itself by two schools Of thought SO decidedly
SAtaa a6nlstc. There are no signs, however, as
yet Of . coming disunion, and the present Con-
Nention officially declares that the Church was
never before In state Of more perfect unity
The debates indeed, show tolerance and for
bearance and spirit of reconciliation which
conclusively demonstrate the impossibility OF
IN immediate schism. The fight may 60 gal
Jantly on within the lines Of the Church but
the victors seemed disposed always to make
magnanimous use of their triumph and
10 save the conscences Of the vanquished-
as far as possible, by accepting verbal COM
promises.
So far the most important action taken by
the Convention has been q declaration by the
House Of Bishops that the word degenerate"
in the Offices for infant baptism Is mot so
nsed as to determine that q moral change in
The subject of baptism is wrought in the sacra-
ment." The conflict upon ritual excesses has
yet 10 come on but the indications are that
The Convention will adjourn without taking any
decisive action upon this perilous question.
There ia, however, now before 1t the report Of
y committee recommending the passage Of
canons forbidding certain specific acts in the
administration of the Lords Supper and
prescribing the vestments to be worn by the
priest. Such canons would be very obnoxious
10 all men Of high views, and even the ex-
kreme evangelicals avow their belief that any
provisions Of this character could be evaded
In the future as In the past 1t does not seem
probable, therefore, at present, that they will
be passed.