The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-10

AN EPISCOPAL MINISTER ENTERS A CATHOLIC
THEOLOGICAL SEmINARY.-[B Baltimore -4meri-
can, 7th1-The Rev. Edward Soutbgate,
holding deacun's orders in the Episcopal
Church. who came to this city from the do
cese uf New York little over two months
since, has Just entereda theological institution
of the Roman Catholic Church in this city,
with the avowed intention of uniting him.
SELF with that Church. The circumstances of
this case are somewhat peculiar, and are as
follows: Some time during the month OF
March last this young clergyman. who IS q
son of the Right. Rev. Horatio Southgate,
formerly u missionary bishop of the Church,
but now without jurisdiction, came to
this city to assist in the parochlal work
OF st. Luke's church, north Carey street,
of which the Rev. &. w. Rankin is
the rector. The young man was ut
the time personally unknown to the rector
of ST. Luke's. but came here strongly recon-
mended. He soon entered upon the dis
charge of the duties usually pertaining to
deacon in large congregation IKE that OF
st. Luke's church, and also became cindi-
date for priests orders in this Diocese. with
the expectation of being advanced to that
sacred office at the Trinity ordination, to he
held by The Bishop of Maryland on Trinity
Sunday to-morrow). After Mr.. Southgate
had bceu in Baltimore for some weeks the
rector Of st. Luke's became convinced that
the young man ought not TO be admitted 10
the priesthood-at least not torthe presents
This conviction became SO confirmed that Mr..
Rankin Informed the Bishop OF the Diocese
of his views. The Bishop also cnme to the
same conclusion, and finally It wis settled
that Mr.. SouthSa'e was not to he presented
for ordination to the priesthood at the APP
proachiug ordination. This !act was colll-
muuica'ed at once to Bishop SouthSate, AZ
well as to his SOD, who was advised to return
10 his fathers home in the city of New YORK!
The young man continued to discharge hsS
duties as deacon at It. Lukc'S church GOWN
to Thursday morning Of this week, Wten ne
ufiicia,ed ut morning prayer rs usual. he
was ulso among those who partook 0, Inc
sacrament Of the Lords Supper on the morn
ing OF the s;lme day at the hands OF the Kew!
". 4. Coale, one of the assistant priests OF
st. Lukc's congregation. But about noon
of that day. he suddenly abandoned his
post, lurrieiIy left bis lodgings and
proceeded at once in search OF the
ecclesiastical authorities Of the Roman Catho-
lie Church in this city, and before hight
Of the same day WAS an inmate Of "St..
Nar,'s Seminary Il Theological institution
Of the Roman Catholic Church. on Pennsyl.
yunia avenue Mr.. SOutbgate is quite II
Young man, and has been but short time
In deacon's orders. The grounds Of the obs
lection urged Ivy the rector Of St. Luke's
against the ordination of Mr. southgate are
understood to have been chiefly his mental
condition, which, in the Judgment OF Mr.
Rankin, was such as to unit blm OF present
for the roper exercise OF the functions OF
the sacred ministry. This affair has nntu-
rally given rise to mnch talk in church cir
clcS, and we have endeavored TO present n
correct statement of all the facts and cireuin-
stances.