The New York herald., 1873-11-23
THE LUTHER 70 LOUISVILLE.
Bishop .Cummsns' Secession and Western
Episcopalianism-A Chicago Church
Joins His Banner.

~
Joins His Banner.
CHICAGO, Nov. II, 1879.
The letter OF Bishop Cummins OF Kentucky,
wherein he announces his withdrawal from the
communion OF the Protestant Episcopal Church
and the reasons which have induced that course
OF action on his part has probably created more
excitement in Chicago than in any other Western
city, Louisville not excepted. There has already
been notable tendency In the Episcopal Church
here towards the views proiessed by Bishop Cum
mins and the active rebellion and secession OF DR..
Cheney and the congregation Of Christ church has
met with much sympathy, both from the outside
world and from those within the church who lean
towards liberalism and believe that the action Of
the Illinois Bishop has been somewhat high
handed. To these the secession OF Bishop, with
the possibility OF the formation OF q new Church,
has been u great encouragement, while strict
churchmen have been proportionately dispieased
or Saddened.
THE BISHOPS ACTION,
as indicated hy his letter and by the remarks Of
DR.. Cheney, with whom he has been in corre-
spondence for some years. Is not doubtful. He
expressly states that he Will transfer his "work
and office to anolner sphere OF laboru plainly
indicating his intention ol taking such action as
he contemplates in his character OF Bishop. Tne
cergymen OF the West are discussing as a fine
point whether he carries with him the apostolic
succession and seem agreed that he does) In
deed, under the canon law, he has six months to
reconsider his action, and he cannet be formally
removed before that time. During that period he
may undoubtedly exercise the functions OF his
ONCE and hold combinations, the persons thus re-
ceived into the Church holding precisely the same
position as II they had been received by Bishop
Smith himself DR.. Cheney, in addressing the con-
gregaton of Christ churcn yesterday, said he had
no doubt that II Bishop Cummins was invited to
come here and hold confirmation he would do SO.
After service yesterday the wardens and vestry-
men OF Christ church met and formally expressed
their sympathy with Bishop Cummins for the noble
stand he haa taken. ''recognzing," says the reso-
utons, "in this action Of Bishop Cummins the re-
suit OF deep conviction, shared by ourselves and
by large number OF the Protestant laity OF the
Episcopal Church. that the only adequate remedy
for the Komish tendencies now pervading that
Church is to be found in thorough and scriptural
revision OF the Book OF Common Prayer" The con-
eregarion reverenty thanks God for inspiring one
Bi hop shrink sacrifice to maintain pure
gospel, glorihes God that DR.. Cummlns has fol
lowed the footsteps Of the great English REFORM
ers, and pledges its prayers, sympathy and practi-
cal cooperation "in the effort to unite an Evan
gelical pulpit with scrptural liturgy and mod
crate episcopacy." This may be considered
THE CREED OF THE NEW CHURCH.
Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, in his sermon yes
terday, said lie felt that every in his con-
gregation had read the Bishops letter-that every
heart throDbed with thank fulness and JOY because
OF its publication. For tour years Bishop Cummins
had warmly approved OF the stand taken
bv The CONGREGATION OF Christ church and
had maniuly defended 1t. He had written to the
speaker many times rendering his sympathy and
encoui agement Thank Godi there was one
N
truth OF God TO the applause OF man, who had the
courage g proclalii tne truth. This was grand.
good and hopeful hing.
DIR. EDWARD SULLIVAN,
OF Trinity church, one of the most eloquent
New YORK and Canada, undertook the Office of
champlOnIg the cause OF EpiscOpaanism, and
Delivered lengthy and able sermon TO crowded
congregation. The following is synopsis Of his
address,
With some things in the Bishops letter we must
all agree. concede his right to withdraw from
our communion voluntarily as he entered IT volun-
tarliy. ] also believe that he has exercised this
right OF withdrawal conscientiously. Iurtner be-
lieve tnat believing as he aid, he acted with com
mendable CONSISTENCY, and regret that there are
otl ers who profess 10 believe with HIM, but lack
the manliness TO follow his example. These men
would be better out of the Church than in it, pro-
fesslng 10 belong to 1t but violating its laws and
VITA Bishop Cumnns, while ascriong his
errors 10 the head rather Than the heart.
It Would think have been manlier nile
to have remained within the Church and combated
the errors and false practices which IN hts belief
obtained there, than TO have left 1t. Not Of such
Stun was the great Apostle Paul. who, though often
CALLED by errors and shortcomings he was power
less 70 overcome. kept the faith despite them all
and died in the Church uumphing. Here, espe-
clay, the Bishops logic Is at iault; he was not
countenancinR ritualsm because duty called him
to otlciatc In church where ritnallstc practices
obtained. His pi essence was merely bodily. lie
places himself in a dilemma If he assumes other
wise. Either the resence oi rtuasm invadated
or did not invadate the service lit did not and
the service was truly one OF divine wor-
SNIP y wnai AZ, hn ooss,ons he,n could ne nave
God In heart. though among unbeevers was
blameless IL was even az il would be had he
knet at the sacramcntal communion, firm be-
lever In vicar0us atonement. Though his neigh
bor might nave thought differently, he would not
have been compromised.
do not deny the existence OF the right OF seccs-
sion. There are times wnen il IS justlhable. Our
Protestant Episcopal Church Is glorious living
and eighth centuries the Church Of Rome dc.
parted from the truth; in the sixteenth
Luther. NOW, again, Rome has departed
even iiriher rom the truth than she
nad IN the days o. luther. Papal niallibty has
her steps; hence we applaud the noble ana lustia-
able secession oi the Old Catholics OF Europe
But is the condition OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church In America sucn as to justify secession from
ity lsit as corrupt as the Rome OF Lutners time
to-day Sc ,ess Is only justidable when there
Is whole abandonment OF the true faith our
Church Is far rom that. do not say that the
Church ls free from all fault. for there is no per-
lection this side OF Heaven We have IN the
Church such society as the "Conraternity OF the
Blessed sacrament which Bishop Cox has Justly
denounced as reasonable organization.
u society which is committed To false
doctrines, which holds that the Lords
table s an altar and the minister "A sacrificing
priest, which enoeavors to subvert all authority IN
the cnurcn. Then there Is Culpable want OF
agreement among the authorities OF the church
aud injustices in the administration OF Epjscopal
authority which are reprOach TO us. The MINIS
ter who breaches IN q Methodist church IL laid
hold upon While the extreme Ritnalist Is unre-
proved. But the Cnnrch as body adncres 20 the
old anu pure doctrine. The prayer book may need
ally u Is perfect. When any other tnan CHRIST il
preached rom our pupts, when the Church ad-
voeales fsierolatry. or the alteration OF saints
then, and not TIL then, VIII u be time for men To
obey the divine command and come ont OF her
BISHOP WHITES PRAYER BOOK
The course which DIR. Cummns VIII pursue he
does not leave Ia doubt. lie will he saws take his
WORK and his ONCE with him and return to Whites