Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-04
AN EPISCOPAL SCANDAL.
Charges Preferred Against Rev. II.
lBebcr Newton
@. ii. PEsKiNs

Charges Preferred Against Rev. II.
lsebcr newton.
The long talked OF presentment Of charges
az inst the Rev. II. IIeber Newton Of New
York has been made. A series of sermons
upon tl.c right and wrong uses of the Bible,
delivered by the pastor of the Anthem Me-
mortal Church, last Winter, furnished the
provocation for the arraignment. The charges
and specifications are assigned by Dr. L. f.
the Evangelist DR.. Randolph ii. Kim, rec.
tor OF the Church of the Holy Trinity, and
Professor James Buel, d. ID.
The first charge is violation of the seventh
| article of The constitution, which requires
| every cand ate for the ministry to sign the
following declaration ~ do believe the
Holy Scriptures Of the Old and New Tesla.
ment TO be the Word of God" This declara.
ton of belief Mr.. Newton, having twice
signed. now rejects, affirming that the Bible
is not the Word OF God, but only contains it,
thereby opening the the way for the whole
sale rejection Of various books of The
Bible and leaving every man 10 determine
for himself how much Of the Bible he slall
accept, position which is in direct conflict
with tho tormullrics and standards of tie
Church.
The second charge s, in the language of
the Canon, Holding and teaching, publicly
and advscdly, doctrine contrary to that held
by the Protestant Episcopal church.
There are several specifications under this
charge
First-That Mr. Newton has taught a
doctrine subversiye of the supremacy OF a
Holy Scriptures as n rule Of religious faith
and moral duty.
- = In ba- yir ;al,
Divinity of Christ and His incarnation by
The Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary.
Third-That he Las d,scredited the mir-
cles of the Old and New Testament.
Fourth he las enormously stated
the doctrine of tie Holy Ghost.
Fifth--That he has denied the second adj
vent of Christ.
Breach of Ordination vows.
The third charge is that Mr.. Newton has
been guilty of acts which involve breach of
his ordination VOWS.
Flrst-That In which, when ordained to
the dacona'e, he declared his 'unfeigned be-
lief in "all the clnonio.l scriptures Of the
Old amt New Testament
"ScCond-That in which he promised to
instruct the people committed to his charge
out of the canonIca Scriptures, and that IN
which he further promised always so to
minister the doctrine of Christ as this church
hath received the same.
ThiId-Ihat in which he promised to be
ready with all faithful diligence TO bauish
and drive away from the church all crrone-
Gus AMI strange doctrines contrary 10 Coos
| Worl."
The fourth charge embraces several of
| fences committed under one or another of
the previous heads.
First-Rcpresentiug the religion of the
jews as poytheistlc and idUlatrous-in fact,
as form of nature worship.
Second-Fals representation of the mis-
sion and teaching Of the Old Testament
prophets.
Third-Renrcsenling Christianity as the
outcome of natural, historic evolution, and
not as direct revelation from God in 9th.
or words, rejecting its supernatural charac-
ter, us always held in the church.
Fourth-R jcctius the protective charac-
ter of prophecy, and thus impeaching the
authority and denying the testimony Of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
These doctrines, thus publicly and DELHI
erateiy sol forth by Mr.. Newton, are, in the
judgment of the presenters, destructive of the
foundation upon which the Protestant Epis-
copa church is built. They assail the cita-
del OF the Christian faith. They rcdscc
Christianity to transient phase of natural
religion. They cnthrone the doctrine Of
evolution above that of Christ Himself.
AGraye scandal.
Aud the publication OF such opinions by
clergyman OF the church from pulpit and
press, under circumstances Of the greatest
n)toriey, has become grave scandal
throughout the church. To pass by such au
offence without rebukc or protest would be
to betray the faith once delivered to the
saints, to encourage in our ministry the most
dangerous forms of unbelief, TO put Il stumb-
ling block in the way If thousands Of the
church's children, and 10 expose our stand
arus aud iormularlcs to the scorn ard derislon
OF ChTistcndom. The presenters dlsclsim all
desire to narrow the recognized compTehen-
sivoncss Of the church. They are not acting
in the interest Of any party. They do not
challenge the rights If any party in tie
churcl-high or low or broad. But they in
sist that Mr.. Ncwtou's doctrines, taken as a
whole, have never been recognized as leeiti-
mate in the church. They are quite heyon-
the limits of any of its historical parties.
They are destructive OF the ba,is common To
them all
A Painful Task.
For these reasons the presenters have felt
10 duty bound to undertake the painful task
Of arragning Or. Newton before the occlesi-
astical authority Of the diocese. Their ACTION
is not an attack upon him personally, but a
measure Of defence on behalf Of the church
whose doctrines he has deiiantly assliled. |
The responsibility for the conflict and con-
troyersy which may result from any action
Of theirs must rest with him yho has by his |
erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to
Gods words disturbed the peace and broken |
the unity If the church.
No personal considerations, therefore, |
either as to Themselves or as to Mr. Newton |
(whose zeal and purity Of character they do |
not question:, can be allowed 20 stand in the |
way Of the performance of their duty as il is |
given them to see it. II they have mis- |
judged Dir NswtCps real sentiments; if they |
have mistaken the true consgquelcas Of h.. !
teachings; il they have been unconsciously |
biased in their judgment; If they have con-
ceived au erroneous view Of their duty in the
premises, they tust they will be found ready
to acknowledge their error when 1t shall be
shown
what the bishop yIay DO.
1t now rests with Bishop Potter to do one
Of two things-either to ignore the present
ment in which case there is an immediate
end 10 the matter or to designate twelve
clcrsymen from which DIR. Newton may
5. lect five to act as his judges If there
should be a trial 1t will probably not be
reached before the lst OF July. The trial
would be cpnd..sted according to the rules of
State courts Of equity,
"Blobson,' said Dempsey, the other day,
~ really wish you would tell me the differ