New-York tribune., 1884-02-18
BISHOP POTTER on BIBLE ASPIRATION.
THE REV. DR.. DE COSTA QUOTES Ills VIEWS on 4
CASE SIMILAR TO HEBER NEwTONs.

THE REV. DIR. DE COSTA QUOTES Ills VIEWS on A
CASE SIMILAR TO HEBER NEwToN's.
The Rev DR.. b. +. DeCOsta at the Church Of
st. John the EVANGELIST in his sermon yesterday said
"bere are periods all down in the history Of the Church
when we need to reminded in forcble manner Of the
dangers BY which are surrounded. whoever studies
the signs Of the times may be persuaded that one Of these
periods has now been reached by the American church.
This church has actually reached condition that few
persons coull have predicted fifty years ago, and is
certainly making exhibition before the peo-
pie OF this land inconsistent with her
conservative character Il it not time, then, when
thoughtful people should study the situation and inquire
carefully concerning their duty Our Lord said Offences
must come The Church is a human organization and
the faithful must fom time time, witness more or less OF
frs humanity Has not the time for inquire
whether there is something htt We can anendl II Is
c that there are many whose opinion in the Church has
long been highly regarded who feel that there Is danger
ahead Yet tLey viii cordially agree with us in the
proposition that tie Church though always
in danger is nevertheless always safe. You
an readily anprehcud NY meaning gh'a | alludc
10 the existence o ground Of concern The public press
has kept well advised oi the progrcs, well as the
absence OF progress ia ecclesiastical Affairs You under
stand the situation and appreciate the Intentions OF those
who while wc.rns tne uVefy OF me me Chlrch 20 nov
scupc TO invade the constitution OF the Chrch Ihere
u a remedy for th,-happiy there Is more than one
The first 10 be mentioned that canonical discipline
which Tor such eases Is nde ana ptoNe' III the ORDER
of things ths comes rst; but E rates last. II Is lr--
oits1lipu ir hN
may put IN hl, knife Sud cut out an uicer, Dui
mat does not reform the bad condtOu OF
thr sv,tcm generating the ulcer Ecclesiastical courts
no more than civil court, VIII ene'uly ppir9S wrong
N,r.te the feeble parts and Hood the whole ChIuch
eyst.m with rides Ot lmm0uu lir are needed. Nhle
divisions exist Church. but II IL said ths' the vary
ing schools have agreed 10 diner. Ihat religion "Wich
re. 10 differ has much 10 boast OF a. ~ adhe-
rent suppose This not what our Iord IneEt when
he pavc that his disciples might he made one. pieId
lion be required among those VINO asree III lhl1
mental beliefs IN essentials But one must O'leVe an
thai he profesed and agreed 10 believe on entering the
Church TO be entitled fun 0ieraion There are to-day
men with us in the Church VINO are not o. Us
ct me qu0te from an address OF the senior Bishop or
This diocese There l. another warning which every
Christian pastor watevcr may be hs rank or position
may very well lay take that he does not
become too sided in his views, that he be not
carried along by inSensible current until ne becomes
In his reading aud thinking, and IN his feelings, narrow
and partia-whOy occupied with views looking one way.
general position quote what he says IN another al
dress vered after hi return from the Lainbeth Con
ference lie SAYS while Visiting thc Bishop OF oxford
was present cXinnaloh OF cthuu''- I'I pId'I.
ON This OCCASION the i-IOp submitted the papers OF
one Young luan 10 me. After the efdninhI'h was
forced Ia The conclusion that were he ms cauddat"
would reject him. Ihls young mih 10 W ~ : ~
candid t p and critic ana though disposed 10 bcIcve
u the inspiration OF the scriptures va. ~" cI hcls d7
posed 10 question the plcnary Inspiration Oh some 'uuS
Among objections be raised was one ia fclerfuce 10
of Jo.hua The reasoning Of tie candidate
on this was OF such q character mat II allowed 70
have any force al all 10 must reject Tue lFdth OF az e
miracles. I stated M objection 10 Inr cahululuile
. frankly and rmphIticiily. The andldatc was re
jccfcd for the time being, but after fenet t0 ie' MS
errors and Was subsequently admitted Inc o9ect Oh
these quotations l- 10 place before YOU lne nm, w 'e
general statement and to indicate that c"Tuai h.ceP
auce OF Gods wore with it, embodied miracles, forms
one Of the tests Of fundamental s0undnes without this
We have no Christianity aud smpJ iolIo" euhninsV ae