National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-08

ence to that unhappy controversy that one Of
the eulogists of the late Bishop Whitehouse
spoke of him as being possibly better fitted for
a metropolitan than Western diocese, for
more conservative and yielding man than he
would have avoided the issues that forced
Cheney out Of the Church of his choice. Now
that same diocese has put forward as bishop
elect a man over whom a contest has arisen,
which agitates the entire Protestant Episcopal
denomination throughout this country, and
issues have been raised which Will not be cas-
fly settled. DR.. DeKoven, the bishop-elect, is
q learned and eloquent man, and his moral
character is above reproach, but he is gener-
ally recognized as a High Churchman of most
marked proclivities. On that account there
has sprung up against him strong opposi-
ton, which is taking shape in the refusal of the
standing committees of several dioceses to
confirm his election. 1t is charged against
him by his Low Church opponents
of the diocesan convention of I'LL
nois, who signed a memorial to the
standing committees of other dioceses protest
ing against his ratification, that he has ayowed
his belief in the alteration of the eucharist,
and he has encouras yed the use of the auricula,
confession-or, in others words, that his belief
approaches too near that of the Roman Catho-
llC SHuICu 40 " buO Ecdl presence
in the Holy Sacrament, and in the practice of
confession to priest-and that the views held
by him constitute Terror in religion" sufficient
to debar him from becoming bishop. In his
favor it is replied that DR.. DeKoven has con-
siderably modified his views since, in 1871, he
gave expression to the sentiments on which
his opponents base their accusations. 1t is
further claimed by the Low Churchmen that
the election was Illegal, on account of q suffi-
cient number of the convention not voting, but
there is considerable question as to the point.
The contest now going on Is as to whether or
not a majority of the standing committees of
the other dioceses will ratify DR.. DeKoVen's
election. Of those thus far heard from the
dioceses of Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Penn
sylvania, Delaware, Central New York, Cen
trail Pennsylvania, Texas aud louisiana have
refused to concur in his election, while those
of Alabama, Maine and Wisconsin have de-
clared in his favor. Should he be ratified by
majority of the committees, his election must
then go before the bishops, who would, doubt
less, confirm it; but should he be rejected by
a majority of the committees, the question
then arises as to whether or not his election
will be altogether null and void. His oppo-
nents claim that it would be, while many of
his friends aver that it would not, and that
the refusal Of the committees to concur in the
election of bishop does not constitute an alb
solute and arbitrary rejection.
The main and SIDE issues OF the controversy
are likely to keep the active adherents of both
High and Low Church busy for some time,
and to do the Episcopal Church no good. 1t
is unfortunate that the diocese of Illinois
should have selected any man whose extreme
views on either side could give rise to such an
unpleasant and improbable discussion. 1t is
somewhat singular that at the same time the
Southern diocese of Ohio elected as bishop OF
that diocese DR.. Thomas A. Jaeger, who, be-
ing Low Churchman, is now made the mark
for some High Church guns, in retaliation for
the shots fired at DR.. DeKoYen. But DR..
Jaeger has not such embarrassments to con-
tend against as DR.. DeKoVen has, and will
without doubt be confirmed by a majority of
the committees, as there has been no protest
against his confirmation from the diocese which
elected him. The only cause for complaint
against him is that he joined with a numbered
other Low Church clergymen in addressing a
letter to the Rev. Mr.. Cheney, in 1871, express
sive of sympathy with him in his trial and
punishment for refusing to use the word ere
generate" in the baptismal service. The do
ceses of Central New York and of Texas have
seen fit 10 refuse to concur In his election, but
the others, so far as heard from, have approved
of it. Thus the latest High and Low Church
contest stands, and "the end is not YET"