The New York herald., 1873-12-15
THE REFORMED EPIsC0PALLANs.

It1E REEVRMED EPlSCUPALIAtaS.
Conservation or Bishop Cheney in
Christ Church, Chicago-Intcnse In
terest i'm the Ceremony-Scrmon by
Bishop Cummins the New Faith
Public Opinion on Mr.. Chcney's Posi-
ton.
CHICAGO Dec. IA, 1873.
Intense interest has been created in religious
circles OF this city to-day by the conservation OF the
Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, rector OF Christ
church, as Associate Bishop OF the new Reformed
Episcopal Church. No event in ecclesiastical
affairs for months past has created such pro.
found sensation, Mr.. Cheney still insisting that he
is presbyter of Protestant Episcopal church
while accepting the office OF Bishop of another
ganization. The congregation OF Christ Church
have also not officially severed their connection
with the Episcopal Church, the vestry having called
no meeting at which the project OF formally joining
the new Church could be discussed.
THE EXCITEMENT Is INTENSIFIED
by the fact tnat Mr.. Melville w. Fuller, coun-
sci for Mr.. Cheney, in the suit brought by Bishop
Whtehouse, OF the see OF Illinois, yesterday filed
o reply to the supplemental bill recently entered
by the Bishop. This additional bill claims that
to the other reasons formally alleged why Mr.
Cheney should De ousted from the position OF
rector OF Christ Church, and why the property
should revert to the Protestant Episcopal Church.
is now added the conclusive one that Cheney has
publicly accepted high position in another religious
organization. Tne arguments on the motion to re-
ject the supplemental bill, which is alleged to set up
new and different case from the original bill upon
matter will be heard at the close OF the present
week. Mr.. Fuller states that the dispute Will be
fought out to its bitter end, but public sentiment
is decidedly opposed to Cheney on this point and
much angry comment is made, especially by Episco-
palians on his double dealing in endeavoring to
preserve relation ship to two distinct religious or
ganizations at one time.
THE MORNING SERVICE.
This mornings ceremony OF ordination was an
nounced to commence at eleven O'Clock, by which
time Christ Church was crowded to suGocation by
members OF the regular congregation and sight
seers representing all religious denominations.
Extra precautions were taken to preserve quetude
and order throughout the vast audience. At ths
commencement of the service Mr.. Cheney ap-
peared in the cnancel looking Jubiant and deter
mined and at his side /, a asppeavred the Right Eey
Smith and Rev. Mason Gallagher, OF Passaic, n. j.:
Rev. B. 3. seacock, OF New York city: Rev. W. v.
Feltwell, OF West Farms, N. Y, and Rev. Charles
IL. Tucker, Of st. Georges chapel, Of this city.
BISHOP CuMMINs' SERMON.
At the close Of the regular service, alter the COL
lect, Bishop Cummins preached taking as his
text the first four verses OF the fifth chapter of
the First Eplste of st. Peter. In the course OF the
discourse, occupying over an hour in delivery he
| discussed the position and tenets OF the new
Church, the ONCE OF bishop and the future OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and pointed out
changes which had been made IN the Prayer
new Church not even building anew; it was
standing on the old Episcopal faith in It's
purity ressons sne od aaey s
the epscopacy OF the second century.
not OF the third much less Of the fourth century
| the epiScopacy OF Ignatius and not OF Cyprian.
Bishop Cummins reierred ut length to the cere-
mony OF conservation, urging the view that the
material thing was the election OF Bishop by the
people and not the mere form Of ordination. He
compared the conservation OF a bishop to the
swearing In OF the President, and contended that
eectlon by the people in the one case and election
by the Church in the other formed the real basis
OF official character and not the mere ceremony OF
Inauguration or conservation The new Church
realized the glorious idea or Christian fellowship,
for its pulpits would be open to all evangelical
ministers In closing the Bishop addressed his
remarks TO Mr.. Cheney, urging him forward IN his
THE CEREMONY OF CONSIDERATION
was then proceeded with. Bishop Cummins, who
was arrayed in his prmate's robes. took up his po-
sition on the steps OF the altar, Mr. Cheney stand.
ing in 'front.' with his back TO the congregation.
The other clergymen mentioned were grouped
around. The conservation was then proceeded
with, according to the manner prescribed and the
form adopted at the recent convention OF the Re-
formed Church in New York. To the several in
terrogatories to his fitness and earnestness Mr..
Cheney replied in stated manner:-"I am so per-
suaded and determined by Gods grace.n tes-
timonia, signed by Herbert 7. Turner, Secretary
OF the New York Convention, that Mr.. Cheney had
been duly elected Bishop, ana another signed by
Bishop Cummins, several presbyters and many OF
the leading members OF Mr. Cheneys congregation
as to his pure and blameless life, were read. Then
Bishop Cummins and three OF the presbyters
present laid their hands on the head OF Mr.
Cheney, who knet before them. the Bishop say
ing:-"Take thou authority TO execute the office
and work Of bishop in the Church of God, now
committed unto thee by the imposition Of our
hands, in the name OF the Father and OF the Son
and OF the Holy Ghost. Amen"
The communion service followed, hundreds Of
EVENING SERVICE.
This evening Bishop Cummns dscoursed on the
relations OF the Reformed Episcopal Church to
other churches. Another immense congregation
was present. The day has been one OF intense re-
llgous excitement throughout.