The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21

ana the statistics plainly enough indicated the
policy ofthe church in dividing doceses, and multi
plying bishops did not conserve or advance the
Interests OF the denomination. The findings in
the case and the reasons for the same were given
in the Journal but they appear not to have ex.
cited any comment. But when Dr. Thompson ad-
dresses his brethren IN their monthly gathering
ON the same subject and his address gets into the
HERALD there Is general outcry raised.
THE GENERAL CONVENTION
created vacancies Tor six or eight new bishops
and stopped IN Its work only by the expiration OF
time, as 1t were. The result. as declared In the
Church papers, now Is that some parishes contain
more wealth and have many more communicates
than can be found In some oil the new dioceses.
Notably is this the fact In the new diocese OF Fond
du Lac, to which DR.. Coleman had been elected.
Bishops can no more live on the wind than pres
byters, and those VINO have declined episcopal
nonors douetless navs had domestic comfort in
view IS well as the affections and ties OF present
charges But the progress OF ritualism In the
Church Is considered by DR.. Thompson and DR..
JOnn Cotton Smith and many other eminent min
listers OF the denomination bar TO It's growth
here, and they have SO stated. A vestryman OF All
Smith, and any persons who were present IN the
General Convention when the canon on ritual
was passed will remember that the COMMITTEES
urged It's adoption on the ground Of It's negative
ness The opposition to 1t from the ritualist side
OF Tue mousse competed ltS mOulnCatl0n so as TO
remove the prOhibltOry clauses and suDsti ute per-
miSsive ones. And the opposition that 1t received
on Its dnal passage was from Low Churchmen
mainly. who had no faith in negotiations, and
demanded some unmistakabe voice OF the
Church, through Its highest authority, on this
subject Certain clergymen OF the Church have
been interviewed lately In regard to DR.. Thomp-
sons Statements and Mr.. McDonough's letter. but
they almost with one voice, declare that
RlTUALISM Is DYING OUT,
and II left alone 1t will be dead in lew years. DR..
browne, DR.. Schenck DIR. Paddock and others, OF
Brooklyn. declare tnat ritualism does not exist
increasing In the United States. But the many
secesslons from the ministry OF the Church since
the adjournment oil the Convention and the rapid
progress OF the Reformed Episcopal Church seem
to tell different tale concerning the general
Church. DR.. Hall, OF Brooklyn, who Is a remarka-
oily low Churchman, thinks ritualism Is matter
and rectors, and with which none others have
any business to NEEDLE. But this can hardly be,
according TO the constitution or discipline OF the
Church; for what arfects one member OF the de-
national body must affect all>in o greater or
lesser degree.
In last weeks issue Of church and State DR..
John Cotton Smith expresses his belief that DR..
THOMPSON is entirely right in his assignment OF
the Romeward drilt OF the Protestant episcopal
Church as q cause OF It's decline. And he adds, of
his own observation, that the impression OF this
drift has unquestiOnably been a most serious him
lions OF the country where it has been less
known. The recent election OF DR.. De
Koven TO the episcopate Of Illinois viii
scarcely help to allay the fears Of Low
and the discussion OF the subject promises to
widen rather than diminish In volume and eX-
tent since 1t has obtained currency through the
ciaed to resume the discussion OF 1t at their next
meeting, and our readers will see that IT COM
mands the afternoon Of presbyters and people out
side Of New York and Brooklyn.