New-York tribune., 1885-01-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
is MR.. NEWTON A HERETO :
NEW CHARGES AGAINST THE CLERGYMAN.
FORMER FRIENDS SHOCKED by HIS LAST SERMON
WILL DIR. POTTER ACTf

FORMER FRIENDS SHOCKED by HIS LAST SERMON
WILL DIR. POTTER ACTi
A strong pressure is being again brought to bear
on Assistant Bishop Potter to subject the Rev. Il.
Heber Newton to ecclesiastical discipline foi having
denounced last Sunday in his pulpit the doctrine
of the Trinity utterly grotesque If not sort OF
ID midsummer nights dream, for which Christianity
is indebted to the influences of Egyptian and probl-
bly, Hndoo speculation in the carly church." and
also for having said that the doctrine OF original sin,
not less than that of the Trinity, is contrary to
science, revealed truth and tho genius and spirit
of religion" Orthodox churchmen who have stood
by Mr. Newton heretofore anc upheld him in his
criticisms of scriptural inspiration stand shocked
at these utterances, and movement stronger than
that which wasipreviously employed Intellectually s
being MADE to induce DR.. Potter to take action in
the case.
One of the gentlemen who is pushing the case said
to TRIBUNE reporter last night "The pressure
brought to bear upon the Assistant Bishop Is one to
which in all probability he will be constrained to
yield from high sense of duty. We are urging
him to take such step because we consider tho
question to be settled not question OF high church,
or low church. or broad church, but whether tho
fundamental doctrines of our religion, which every
shade of churchmanship holds in common. shall
thus be openly assaulted, while the assaulter re-
mains in position which make him appear as
speaking by authority"
Nicholas Quac kenbos who is considered an au-
thority on ecclesiastical law, was asked what no
knew of this fresh presentment against Mr. Newton.
" In my Judgment he replied. the responsibility
for the disgrace brought upon the whole church by
Mr. Newton's inide teachings rests solely upon the
shoulders of the ecclesiastical authority tor the
diocese"
"Has not Mr. Newton once been arraigned for
heresyI"
"The preseutment was ne acted on. and still
holds good But do not propose to proceed
under the old presentment this time. We have
much stronger case now"
us there any evidence upon which Bishop Potter
Mr. Newton's sermons are reported every Nom
day in the daily papers. and Christians and church
members stand aghast at the utterances OF TINS as
pirant for notOrety. am told that the written re-
ports of Mr. NewtOn's sermous submitted TO and
approved by Mr. Newton himself before they are
published Thee sermons, they appear in the
papers must therefore be taken as authenticated re-
ports of his utterances."
+" Can the Bishop on his own motion act upon
these papers r.
"He has not only the right but the duty to do 50
by Section |, Canon II. of the Canon5 OF the do
cese of NewYork. These canons which are the law
of the church make public rumor suihclent ground
for the Bishop to proceed $500 a,
Mr. Newton when waited upon last night by tho
reporter. declined to make any statement on tho
subject. I be reporter next called on Assistant
Bishop Potter but he was engaged and could not
be sern The Rev. George +. Nelson. tue sec.etary
who has been associated with Bishop Potter for
eight years and is thoroughly familiar with the
affairs of the diocese. said: When an attempt was
made some time ago TO present Alr. Newton ior
heresy Bishop Potter only admonshed him to keep
silent about his doubt for the time, Tie treated tho
young clergyman with great consideration and ten
derness. Since then Mr.. Newton has become Doides
in his utterances and am not especially surprised
at the doctrine he enunclated last Sunday from tho
pulpit. Mr. Newton is talented young man p!,i who
means we'll but he should not preach from the Bible
because he does not look upon that Book as tho
work % Divine inspiration. lie places the BiDle III
the same category with any other ancient nook-
Beyond all doubt, Mr.. Newton does not belong IN
Christian pulpit. Dynamite Is at present iayorte
explosive. If that be so. might as well expect
some dynamite in the pulpit. aud Mr.. Newtons ser:
mons have the effect of that explosive among an
Christian church members aud orthodox theolo,
gians Last Sunday he undertook 10 euiogize DoU
IugeTsou from the pulpit"