New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-30
Mr.. CowLEY's STANDING IN THE CHURCH.

A TALK WITH BISHOP POTTER-PRoBABiLlIiks of
An APPLICATION OF DISCIPLINE
The Rev. Mr.. Cowley, against whose management
of the Shepherds Fold in this city most Serlons
charges have been preferred. is regularly ordained
clergyman OF the Protestant Episcopal Chnrch.
member of the Board of Trustees of the Fold nav
ing recently stated that although he believed Mr.
Cowley unfit for the management oil Inc III
sttution, it would be dficult 10 displace
him. as he had strong social and religious eie-
ment supporting him. reporter OF TIE TRIBUNE
Yesterday sought information on the subject from
Bishop Potter. After learning that Mr.. Cowley is
regularly connected with the Church as one of its
minister's and that the Fold, though not nominally
an Episcopal institution, is practically under the
patronage and control of that Church, the reporter
asked:
Twill the Episcopal Church, as body, take cog
nizauce of the charges against Mr.. C0Wityf
81 do not know as yet" replied the Bishop; " Dut
think that very probably it will, though not unti
the civil courts have rendered some decision In tne
matter. Ii would be hard and uncharitable for the
Church tribunals TO lay hands upon man while he
is in the grasp of the civil law"
If the Church does inquire into the matter
eventually what will be its course of action ~
at is usual in such for the Bishop to ap-
point committee of ministers and laymen' VINO
will investigate the charges against the accused
man and receive his explanations, il he has any TO
make. They Will then report to the Bishop an tne
facts of the case, and he will then decide whether or
will pronounce the sentence , :, ,.
"What are the methods of discipline employed
by the Church ~ 49,,
ways only. If the offence Is, not grave ore the
minister may escape with an admoniton II, though
his offence is grave one ne IS known TO pc or a u
length of time, at the discretion OF the Bishop ana
If there is found no excuse for or Pallat9n OIL DIS
offence he NAV be depOsed by the BISHOP"
Then Mr. Cowleys fate as far as the Church is
concerned lies in your hands alone Bishop OF this
diocese"
"Are such dispositions of frequent occurrence In
the Church I"
al think not. believe Ibid not depose any one
last year. and there were only lew dcpOsltlohs III
the whole Church"
"Have you formed any opinion as to what would
be your action If his should be brought before
your
81 Do you think that the charges brought against
him are we'll founded ~
II am afraid must believe they are"
Have complaints against MIR. CONVEY ever
reached you personally ~ o.
"When the boy Louis Victor was removed to st;
Luke's Hospital received notice from the hospital
that the law would be appealed TO, and that pro-
ceedngs would be taken wnlch would proDaoy
prove somewhat disagreeable to Mr.. Cowley.
wrote to Mr. COwley in reference TO the matter.
knowing that unfOunded charges are often maze
against ministers. He says, / believe. that the
amount of bis appropriation did not allow him to
Are there not enough charitably disposed per-
sons in New-York to have provided IA remedy =
" lie should have made known his needs. and
either the children would have been removed. or
money would have been furnished to feed and
clothe them properly"
"What has been Mr.. Conveys general record III
church affairs ~
"Complans were made AGAINST him when he was
IN charge of the Childrcn's Fold. and also when he
was prison chaplain. He has occupied anumOer OF
posltions of trust and in all of them he seems to
have been continually getting into trouble. When
ne was connected with the Chldren's Fold be was
president of It's Board of Trustees. and when he APP
nIed TO me for that position in connection With the
Shepherds Fold declined to grant his request"