New-York tribune., 1875-02-15
TIE BISHOPRIC or ILLINOIS.

OPPOSITION TO TIE CONSIDERATION OF THE REV.
DIR. DE KOvEN-A PETITION TO THE STANDING
COMMITTEES OF OTHER DIoCEsES TO REFUSE
THEIR CONSENT
A memorial has just been printed in Chicago,
addressed TO the Standing Committees OF tue Protestant
Episcopal Church IN the United States. asking them to
withhold their consent to the conservation OF the re-
Gently elected Bishop Of Illinois, the Rev. James
De Koven, d. d. OF Racine, Wis.
Tie memOralsS state that they oppose his cousecra-
dion on three grounds frat that in their judgment he
s ustly liable to evil report for error 10 reiGOn that
his souuncss the fath s at least SO far doubtful as
to form impcdiment to his conservation within the
meaning OF the canOu- secondly that his conservation
in their Judgment VIII NC disastrous to the Church, and,
thirdly, hat he not elected bishop by the Con-
venton Diocese OF Illinois, agreeaby TO the rules
lxed by Convention of that Diocese" Inasmuch as
the OF the mIibrity OF the Standing Committees
is essential TO the Grafton OF bishop during the
recess Of TIE General Convention, aud the members
OF the Committees have to testify that they believe that
there mpediment hs conservation, 1t Is there
fore, the mcmoralists argue, wise on the part OF the
members OF the Committees 10 listen TO testimony in
regard the BshOpeect and the circumstances OF his
election. The .rialstS further state that tue re-
sa Of the Committees to give their consent to the con-
secraon would not be conviction OF ohense or an IN
lIction of punishment.
In regard TO the Rav Dr. De Kovens "want of sound
the Committees to the Bshopelects speeches at the
Gen raj Convention OF 1871 and IS7 to his Catechsm
for COnirnatiOn" his Theological Defense. issued Ill
1874 land hls widely published utt, ranceS in
relation 10 the Lords supper. the Confcssionil the
Virgin Mary. &c." The mem0ralist declare 1--WE pro-
test that the Alteration of Cnr in the Eements Aurica
lar Confession Prayers for the Dead, the Perpetual
VTgniy OF the Mother Of the Lord, and Invocation OF
SAINTS and Angels, not doctrines Of our Church,
nor logically deduciDe from the Book Of Common
Prayer and the Articles OF Prayer" Between what
the Church affirmed and what she permitted on
suffareuce was Obvious, and because in spirit OF
large to!eraton she had not sought the judicial con-
domination OF certain OF her presbytcrs for the pro-
fesson of doctrines and indulgence in practices
pelilousy near a violation OF the law. il not quite
such" this formed for the approval OF such
doctrines and practices by the elevation OF him VINO
holds and enfOrces them TO the Episcopate" 1t had
been SAID the alleged Bishopeect in this instance
of learning, ability. and eloqueuce This, If
conceded, furnished stronger reason for refusing TO
consent to his occupancy OF office here these gifts
might be efectually exercised to the undermining
OF the faith.
In regard to effect OF the conservation of DIR.
DE Koyen upon tho Church. the memorialiss speak as
follows:
We leave Il TO you beloved brethren TO Judge each
for himself, ia the presence OF Almighty God, how
this will be elsewhere but we cannot refrain from cOu-
yeyng YOU apprehensons as to the result In this
diocese Illinois Is the battle-ground OF so-called
Reformed Episcopal" Church. Ii has mere strength
which thuk 1t possesses IN no other part or the
country, aud elements OF growth which need
only development to render IL formidable. We
believe that the pursuit OF proper course in the
election OF q bishop would have and would stlll set
bounds to the advance at our expense or this denoni
nation; but II consent be given " the conservation In
question, fear IL will receive, and wltnln no short
period, alarming accessOns. The departure Of DR..
Cummlus has been hitherto earnestly and successfully
denounced as unustliabe In every respect Ii he aud
his followers had grievances calling for redress,
fun opportunity and scope existed within the Church
for redress TO be sought and accorded but II pro-
DOunced Rtuallst Is 10 placed over us as bishop,
OF the supporters OF lr Cummins Will be
gwen great advantage the contenou for they have
always insisted. but without ability heretofore TO pre-
sent the question III proyabe shape, that our beloved
had surrendered to pseudOcathOcity and that
no remedy existed 10 retire from It's communion.
To cOnsecrate Bishop OF Illinois OF the leaders OF
movement, TO obscure the plain teachings OF the
Church by importing into them the subtleties Of
nedievalsm, Is to wrest our weapons from hands
ana to drive conscientious laymen from tue fold.
Tue invalldty OF the election OF DR.. De KOven is
claimed the ground that the Constitution OF the
OF Illinois does not authorize the Chancellor of
the Diocese for bishop they did the late
election Again, II had been said hat the Diocesan test
Inonias would probably bear the OF majority OF
both orders and this should be accepted rendering
the election valid. But bishop could only be chosen
by ballot IN the Diocese OF Illinois, aud the signatures TO
testimonials could not be resorted to equiv alent
Tor com pIIanee with "A cOnstit tutiOnal provision.