Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-04-14
CHURCH TROUBLES.
A Cry for Justice to q Prosecuted
Minister-Hfxh Church vesfrynsB
Trying to Run OF an Antf-rituaJist



Rector.
Editor Of State Joprnal:-SrB: Since
Bishop Lee mas SO determinedly ard persist
emily shut his eyes to the facts existing Ia
the history OF the unlawful and unchristian
persecution of the rector OF Christ Church,
Delaware City-refusing to come to the
parish and institute an investigation; and
considering the current report, that the no.
called vestry intends making an attempt to
close the church doors against godly men
and women who are trying to do their duty
aud fulfil their vowe and crediting the re-
port that they have mirled the bishop into
deplorable mistake Cthe report which !a-
excited the amazement aud b lrror of nlu,'
tenths OF the entire population of this toy 49,
i hasten, after much deliberatiOl, to pltei.
before the public few facts, hoping tii.'
venerable bishop may speedily open his ewes
to the situation and make an effort to rep il
the injury done to that servant of God
whose crime is obedience to the laws of tis
church and his bishop,
First, / will quote the Bishops own words
addressed to the Delaware convention ef
1879; The htndrance to our growth AMI
extension from this SOURCE viz. introduc-
ton of novelties in the services ''caurlot a
fully estimated" "Ihe responsibility for
retarding her growth and impairing her
influence; for tho alienation of those WHO
would otherwise have sought her fold, and
for the bitterness and unhOly feeling flowing
from strife and contention, rests upon thusr
who, to crafty their own fancy, introduce
novel usages. Even If there be naught
Objectionable i'll the way of counteuGncins
error, 1t Is certainly serious question for II
Clergyman to consider, whether, for matters
OF mere taste, he shall break up tho harmon,
of his parish, disturb the unity of his die
cese and forfeit the affection and confidence
OF single member OF his flock Although .
majority, or large majority of his parish
toner's agree with him in sentiment, tlil
would not justify such changes and innoNlt-
lions. The feelings of the humblest are To
be considered"
In an interview with the Rev. Mr.. Phlllips
he told me that in addition to these senti-
ments the Bishop enjOined him not to make
any such promise as the yostry required. when
he (Alr. 7. told the Bishop one OF them said
IL would make peace il he would promise to
let them have the service az they used To
have 1t.
Here will certify,as can many of the con-
municants and few clergymen who have
been present with the Bishop that the little
novelties occasionally introduced were
omitted by request of the Bishop when he
visited and oificiated in tins parish.
In defiance Of the Bishops well defined and
plainly-stated wishes and directions, the
yestry asked Mr. Phillips to resign, laying the
foundation of the request upon the fact that
directions OF the Bishop an6 conduct tine SER
vices according to the rubrics Below is n
copy of the original document, with notes in
serted.
DELAWARE CITY, April, lSSO.-Rcu H. l..
phtiipS, Rector Christ Church, Dcidrnre City:
The undersigned members al the vestry of
christ Church, this place. respectfully submit
that events have recently transpircd which
render any attempt ut reconciliation appar-
emily hopeless. That the said members OF the
lint tI...t.4
and deep sense of humiliation to which the
church and parish have been subjected by dis.
cord recently created. and which in our view
owes its origin and present state to an inleSi-
BILE determination on the part of the rector to
raise unimportant and harmless obseryanecs
lmarlt what the Bishop said of them and those
in quite common usaEc-t9 the magnitude ~
rnbrical disobediencc. This little parish.
hitherto distinguished for harmony, la preyari-
cationl has i'll the short space Of three months.
under Your direction arrived at its present
call to this parish MIR. r. was unanimously
elected by the vestry before placing foot III
this parish ,,ho,a Or town, and did NOT
other worthy clergymen, who were reiected1
and at the request of our people, You came
among us-lhe came 10 look up the prospect Oi
additional missionary work whereby, possibly
to add to the salary 0iteredl participated IN the
church services, learned intimately OF our way
1.-THE sequel proves dittercntl and wishes in ref
erenCe to said scrvicc-and expressed your un-
qualified accordance Herewith [complimented
the niusicl. To this understanding you now
demur and therefore our compact [another
prevarCatiOn. Mr. T. was the RcctOr-elcct
when he visited the parshl no longer exists
We do not believe it will be possible for the
treasurer to collect the necessary funds for the
support of yourself and family collections
were made after that date and Withheld by the
treasurerl We think 1t fair deliver us from
such fairnessl to make this fact known to you
without any delay and To add that, acting from
sense of duty Ia few more words and the
farce ends to the interests of the parish, We
feel compelled to ask for your resignation
Yours very respectfully,
The above document had seven aigners-
one gentleman who had misunderstood the
matter recalled his name. Another signer
went and apologized in the humblest manner
to the rector, stating that lie signed it from
fear Of losing his means OF providing living
for himself and family.
The rector did not resign the difficulty
went before the standing committee aud the,
rendered a judgment or decision justiiyIng
and endorsing the rectOrs course.
/ will quote from canon 8 Sin cases of
difference between the minister and his con
gregaton. the bishop in charge shall. with
the standing committee, duly examine the
same. and said bishop and standing commit
tee shall have full power to settle and, if pos
sible, adjust such differences upon the receg
nized principles of ecclesiastical law, as laid
down i'll the Canon Law Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. 1t is a fundamental prin-
cple of jurisprudence that no person can be
tried twice for the same utTense. And
although this was not trial for crime. the
following will show the acceptance of that
principle by the ecclesiastical authorities.
Article 10, section IL (of the trial Of clergy
mem III the accused he acquitted the
bishop or president of standing committee.aa
the case may require shall give him certiti
cate of acquittal. embracing Il COPY Of the
presentment; and he shall not lie subject to
presentment again on the same charge
The yestry failed to submit to the decision
of the proper authorities, and ordered the
rector to yacate the parsonage. Since then
they have never ceased to stir up trouble
thinking that for peace's sake the mildcr
element would agree to anything. Mr.. p, has
gone on in his duty. refusing to participate i'll
their quarrels after they had treated him
rudely at vestry meeting. One of the
vestry said he was constrained to leave in dis
gust at the language used toward the rector
| will not press too heavily upon your space
but have many more facts and details which
may be given shortly; also some evidence
which has been forgotten by the vestry in
their haste to ruin. JUSTICE.
DELAWARE CRY ADril .