The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-10
DE KOyEN AND JAGGAI:.

The formation of a new religious dcnom-
nation or sect is always a matter of inter-
est to the general public, aside from that
which it necessarily incites in the particu-
lar denomination or denominations more
directly concerned. So the establishment
of the Reformed Episcopal church, follow
ing, as it did, the trial and condemnation
of Rev. Charles E. Cheney Of Chicago, and
the censure of Bishop Cummins of Ken
lucky, became matter of general consid-
Grafton and discussion, as well as of news
paper comment. When these men and
their associates withdrew from the Prot
estant Episcopal church, and formed new
denomination, no reasonable man, whether
he was an Episcopalian, Congi egationalist,
Baptist, or any thing else, could object to
their course or gainsay their motives. AS
honest men, as ministers of Gods word, no
other course was left them to pursue.
When they found that they could not con-
scientIously fulfil their ordination VOWS,
they must either dissolve their connection
Nith thC ShhiShJ Vi hlObS thcii Ohh Sch
sciences. They chose the former course,
preferring rather to obey God than man,
and they were right. We say they were
right, because it is always right to follow
the behests of conscience, and it is ever
wrong to remain where duty conflicts with
duty, and where cheerful obedience can
not be rendered to VOWS voluntarily as
sumed, and which must remain of binding
force so long as their clerical position is
unchanged, We say they were right,
without regard to the merits OF the contro-
yersy between them and their late associ-
ates-that is question to be considered by
theologians, not by us. AS to the merits Of
the case, we have no opinion to express,
any farther than that, from their stand
point, they were right, and that the ques-
ton must be RENTED to them, 10 be de-
termined in the realms of conscience, where
it's consideration and determination alone
belongs. AS faithful chronicler of cur
rent events, however, we may be permit
ted to say that this new movement has
seemed to lack force and, even, vitality
from the beginning. 1t would seem that
there was already sects and denominations
enough, that every one could find place
where he could worship according to the
dictates of his own conscience, without the
formation of new churches, always except.
ing, of course, that class who desire, each
for himself to have church of his own.
But Messrs. Cheney, Crmmins and theil
associates thought otherwise, and acted ac.
cordingly-and it copcerns no one but
themselves.
We refer to this matter now because this
movement seems to have acquired fresh i'm.
portance from the recent action Of The
Episcopal dioceses of Illinois and Southern
Ohio in the elcction.of bishops, and in re
ference to which every other diocese Of
that denomination is called upon to express
an opinion either Of approval or dlsappro
val. We trust that we may be pardoned
for considering this matter at all, but as
the action of the several doceses Is deemed
of sufficient importance to be made the sub
ject of special and general press dispatch
es, it can hardly be out of taste to present
the case to our readers that they may fully
understand the bearing of the action thus
from day to day, reported. AT conven
lions, called for that purpose, Rev. James
DeKoyen, warden of Racine college, was
elected bishop of Illinois, and Rev. Thomas
A. Jaggar as bishop of Southern Ohio. Be
fore they car assume the duties OF theil
office, il is necessary that the assent of the
standing committees of the majority OF the
dioceses in the Union, shall be obtained,