Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-29
APRorEsrANr EPISCOPAL


The imposition of the VOWS of the Order
of the Holy Cross" was administered to
Rev. J. o. S. HUNTINGTON, of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church, last Saturdayin New
York city. The ceremony was private, there
being but several bishops and clergymen
present, among whom were the bishop OF
Tennessee, Bishop HUrrrNGroS OF Central
New York, Rev. DR.. MORGAN DIX OF Trinity
Church.
One clause of the provision runs thus
81 desire, for love of Jesus, to devote my
self-body, soul and spirit-to the service
of Almighty God in the religious life as a
member Of the Order Of the Holy Cross, and
TO that end to take upon me OF my free will
the VOWS of religious poverty, chastity and
obedience.
1t will be interesting to any of the laity of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, who may
not be aware Of the existence OF this Order
in the United States, that there are
but two members as yet, to-wit
Rev. HUNTINGTON and Rev. r. s. DOB.
The garb of the members OF the order con-
sists of black beratta and long, dark,
mOukish looking gown confined at the waist
BY black cord passing three times around
the body.
The action of Assistant Bishop POTTER,
who received the profession and asked the
questions of the novitiate, is causing de-
cided furore. To conservative clergymen it
looks as if he had given his official approval
Of monastrc orders in the Protestant Episco-
nal Church. 1t does look as if the high
church" wing was trenching upon and
toward the forms and ceremonies of the
Roman Catholic Church with great rapidity.
In commenting on this ceremony and the
part Bishop POTTER took in it, the New
York Sun uses the following language:
For years past sisterhoods have existed
in the Episcopal Church, and they have &C
comphshed vast amount OF good, both for
| those admitted to them and those who en-
| loved the miuistering mercies of the pious
women. The orders have given to the Sis
tiers, or jeaconesses. occupation which was
| congenial to them, and for which they were
by temperament peculiarly fitted. Women
who were wasting away in an idleness which
was doing them great moral and physical
harm were thus put into useful activities,
and that they are happy in them their faces
show uDuistakaby
But at first great objection to this sister
hoods was made BY Episcopal clergymen
and laymen, more especially 5y those be-
longing to the Low or Evangelical school Of
the Church. They were regarded by such
critics as step Romewsrd, snias establish
ing a dangerous precedent Now, however,
we hear Of no opposition to them in the
Church and their value seems to be pretty
generally acknowledged.
SO, also, Bishop Potter is now censured
for taking this young mans VOWS. 1t is
said that he has transcribed his authority.
aud paved tie way for the introduction Of
monas,icism into the Episcopal Church.
But if that church allows sisterhoods, why
should it not also have brotherhoods2
We cannot see how Bishop can be
said TO be dangerously exceeding his au-
| ,tority when be does as Bishop Potter did
in the case of Mr. Huntington. The young
man, 10 be free to wholly serve his Master,
wished TO promise that he would re-
frain from marriage. abandon the
pursuit Of worldly gain, and be
obedient to the rules Of an order es-
tablished for religious and merciful pur'
poses. These VOWS he made before the
Bishop, who received them to the end that
the Young man might feel that his devotion
10 his pious and seltsacri6cing task was
formal and absolute.
What harm was there in thst2 1t seems
to US that Bishop Potter was only eucour
aging a desire which Christ taught should
be possessed BY all men. Aud we thins
that ordinary clergymen have before nov
taken such VOWS.