The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-03-17
Memphis Doesn't Know any Priest Newell.
MEMPHIS, TENN, F

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Feb. "a, 1879.
Editor Freemans Journal: -
Memphis is advancing rapidly in wealth
population and all the elements necessary
to make her one of the greatest cities O
the United States, and it is q remarkable
and glorious fact that the growth of the
Catholic Church has been equal, if not su-
perlor, to the other interests of this great
city of the Mississippi Valley. A few
years since, q small frame building was the
that the Catholics Of this city could speak
of, while now they can point with pride to
four beautiful churches erected to the glory
of God, that are filled on Sundays and
holidays with devout Christians. The few
score Catholics of the past have increased
large army of converts, including the most
talented Episcopal minister of the city.
lawyers, doctors and others from every
walk in life and from every station in
society. The progress of our church in
memphis is bright picture for Catholic
20 look at: But there is q cloud on the
horizon. 1t has gone abroad that one of
our priests has renowned his faith publicly
and joined the Episcopal Church. It ia
strange that no Catholic of Memphis ever
heard OF it. 1t is strange that our enter
PrisiDg city journals. ever on the alert for a
SENSATION, have published not line ON the
subject. It is strange that every one of
our good Fathers still offer the holy sacri-
nee OF the Mass regularly, and NO familiar
face is absent. But the following was pnb-
ished in Baltimore paper, is being copied
far and wide, and from abroad the ueople
OF memphis are receiving important local
news: "A
THE , AMER1cAN EPISCOPAL CHURcH-On Sun
a os tne nrss OF the Epiphany, the congregation
Oh ths st: Marys Cathedral Memphis, witnessed
thority and jurisdiction Of the American
Episcopal Church. The Candidate was Pa
R.Ghard Nelson Newell, NJ. University of
Tenn.,) now in bis seventy-fift year.
The first impression of every honest mo,
and woman who. read the above was to |
brand the whole thing as a deliberate
Iaisenood. But there may be a grain of |
gold 10 mountain of rubbish. An Episco-
pat frTenu states that the individual re.
Ierrea TO Is now in the city. He claims
ofiicIated at Newark, New Jersey, and
albany, New York; but his mind becoming
uoied in regard TO some points of faitR
ABOUT thirty gears since, he resigned his
position as priest in the Catholic Church.
since that time he has visited South
lived several years in Mississ-
ppi, where he married and buried a wife
las nlied positions in various educational
nstitutlons In the interior of Tennessee
mo now turns up in Memphis as one of the
s %o1; OF the nineteenth century-a Ca q
IN no nc pliest joining the Episcopal Church.
10 mas not considered himself a Catholic
lnce he abandoned his Church, until, after I
trty years tossing in sea of doubt, be at
ast found refuge in the harbor Of Episco-
Inc writer of this has no unkind feelinps
,r Mr. Newell. His object in writing this
eemM% aue is to defend the Catholics n
fh.
'stened upon them-tHat one of onr
ergy had forgotten his duty to God and p
:n1unced his faith. Mr.. Newell is not one -
'"en' CATHoLICUs. q,