The New York herald., 1879-03-30

being so rapidly hoisted upon the Protestant Episco
pal Church" This millinery party has captured ir.s
Bishop Wees and has led st. Marks Protestant Epis
copa Church (Detroit) to go over in body-vestry,
congregation. rector aud ALTO the Reformed Epis-
copa Church. The diocesan authorities OF the Prot
estan Episcopal Church propose to resist III the civil
courts the attempt of the Society of st. Marks to
| carry their church property with them. 80
that we may see a contest equal duration and bit
terness TO that in which Christ Church Chicago and
its rector Bishop Cheney were SO long engaged Win
rents in the body OF Christ.
scHIsMs NORTH
This schism in Wisconsin il one that has been
smouldering for considerable time. and the out
break this time only dscloses its existence and the
rascbility which has been engendered i'll Bishop
Welles' domain The Cathedral is said so bo at the
bottom OF the strife. and Rev. + II. Ward prime
in it. The contendng parties have rushed into
print and are carrying angry and decidedly per-
sonal discussion The evangelisls chsrge the ruasts
ism the diocese of Wisconsin without having con-
suited the something after the manner OF the pro-
prietors OF the Christian at Work. as testified to the
other day trying sell out that paper without con-
sulting DIR. Talmage. No wonder that the evangeli-
Gals. like Brother Taimage object to the bargain and
into the diocese of Toronto. Canada. also. where
churchnen separating into parties represented by
the Trinity College Association. which includes
the ritualists and the 'Church Association,
which organized to protect the Fights
have for time made strenuous efforts to drive
the evangelical ministers out of he Church or out OF
the diocese but have not succeeded to their satisac
ton. The plan of the ritualists was to I'LL the
churches Of the diocese with Trinity College gradu
ates the evangelcals insisted that parish
should be left free choose its rector. whether
high or low church. The evangelicals in certain
parishes. not having been allowed this right OK
financial eblissons ana hence the rtuaists sought
have all such recalcirant churches and ministers
excluded from representation IN the synod or the
diocese This suicidal movement OF course failed
but the controversy not closed yet. and meantime
the Reformed Episcopal Church is reaping the ad
vantage OF the squabble
NEW sEcEDINa CHURCH.
But thing is not serene in the Reformed Epis
copal fold The work OF disintegraton has begun in
its body and Bishop Gregg who few years ago was
consecrated in this city Bishop for the Church in
Great Britain, has already seeded and set up rival
ornanizstion under the title of ..The Reformed Epis
copal Church in the United Kingdom OF Great Brit
ain ana Ireland" The Reformed Episcopal Church
is bounded by national limits The irst parish
that Joined it in the Dominion of Canada, and it
embraces congregations in England. Canada. Van.
couver's Island and Bermuda. we'll as the United
States.
land were received into its membership as Presby-
ters, complying with the canonical requirements
Among them was Dr. L. Hubbard Gregg. who, in con-
sequence OF the request of several OF these clergy
men, and the Endorsement OF other gentlemen in
England elected by the General Council Of
1877 Missionary Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal
Church. and assigned under the canons to the juris
dlction Great Britain and Ireland. Bishop Gregg
formed his standing committee and proceeded to
At the General Council of 1878 communication
was presented from Bishop Gregg to the effect that
it was essential to the proper prosecution OF the
work in England that the clergy and parishes there
should be allowed certain degree OF Independence
that in consequence OF diversity OF laws and GUS
| toms they desired to be permitted to form Gen.
eral Synod and enact constitution and canons for
their separate government, not inconsls ent
with the fundamental laws and principles of the
Church. and to adopt prayer book, to be revised
Of the Church Of England. which differs
largely from that used by the Protestant Epis-
copal Church. which had formed the basis of the
American revision. In view OF what has now oc-
pect this request to be granted; but If he then
sought excuse for secession he was disappointed.
difficulties being avoided by unanimous vote-and
appointed three commissioners to confer with three
be appointed in England. for the purpose of pre-
septing to the Council of 1879 such amendments
the constitution and canons OF the Church as might
be necessary to give to each branch Of the Church
that in England and that i'll Amcrica-such indar
pendence in local government might be consistent
with organic union and with the fundamental prin-
ciples OF the Church.
HIGH HANDED ACTS OF BISHOP GREGG.
One of the commissioners appointed by the Coun-
Gil visited London last fall and attended the Re
formed Episcopal General Synod where constitu-
ton and canons for the new organization we're
hastily adopted They were not fully in accord with
the wishes the commissioner with the consti
tuition OF the Church in this country. At this meet
ing Of Synod the Rev. n A. Toke. elected
sions relating to finances. and Bishop Gregg was
asked to reconvene the Synod. which he refused to
do, but contrary to the constitution OF the Church.
undertook to make the required changes himself.
This objected to and the Bishop. in vui-
gar parlance, "got his back up" demanded q letter
dimissory from Bishop Fallons. of the Reformed
Episcopal Church here, and then. without waiting
for its receipt REFUSAL set up his independent
| organization. III which he will not allow Reformed
Episcopal ministers to otficiate without a special
| license from himself: Each bishop consecrated
by him is Obliged. publicly, ut his con-
| reverence and obedience to the Primate of the
Church and to his successors. and to add these
solemn words:-''So help me God. through Jesus
Christ" He has consecrated the Rev. Mr.. Toke q
bishop in his church. altered the prayer book to
suit the new organization, and in its preface sets
himself up as primate and in ecclesiastical conro-
versies has made the prmate the ultimate arbiter
There is to be General synod as the supreme legis
can change the place and time Of its meeting, call
special meetings and alter the number necessary to
constitute quorum. And from the decisions OF the
prirnate there can be appeal. The Synod Of the
| reformed branch of the Episcopal Church. from
| which Bishop Gregg has seeded met without his
call and supplied defects the constitution that
he had the body and thereby added another
| to his tor secession.
| THE NEW PoPEs AUTHORITY.
In his constitution for the seceders. however,
Bishop Gregg is evidently guarding against any ques
ticaly makes these orders in the Church by provid
ing that all questions before tue Synod the bish
ops, presbyters aud layinen shall vote separately.
| No diocesan synod can be formed without his APP
proval. The trial Of bishop must be with his ap
there provision for trial Of the prmste him
self. and. indeed. why should there be2 He Is the
Legislative. judicial and executive branches Of the
from the practice OF the Reformed Epis-
copal Church the United states as
| to require the reordination of ministers OF
| other denominations who may desire to enter HIS
except with his special permit suspending that
emony. And thus. by various acts and ways Bishop
Gregg has carried things in the new Church with u
pretty high hand. But fortunately the original Re-
formed Episcopal Church in England was not lett
withouta bishop by the secession OF esss Gregg and
Toke Bishop Sugden who had been consecrated by
Bishop Cridge, of Canada. adhered to the mo ther
Church, and he stands now as the head OF that
Church in Great Britain and Ireland. The authori-
ties of the Reformed Episcopal Church in the United
States naturally feel bad this secession early
in the life of their Church. they hope. they say.
| ever maintain before the Christian world tho
fundamental principles that bishop cannot assume
| the position OF pope pontiff among then that
the will of individual override the will
the supreme body to which it owes allegiance. and
that the sacred rights of the clergy and laity shall
be faithfully guarded. IL Bishop dregg's secession
shall result In settling the disputed point TO the
| powers and Jurisdiction of missionary episcopate
II will not have been in vain. IL 1t II clearly under
| stood to be fundamental principle that local
primaes cannot spring up in the Reformed Episco-
| pal church. and that tendency 10 anything like
| episcopal despotism can always be checked by an
| exercise of the power OF assignment to another