New-York tribune., 1889-10-19
RESlGNING HIS MINISTRY.
A CHANGE FROM ONE CHURCH TO ANOTHER.
THE REV. DIR. JOHN MCDOWELL LEAvITr's
REASONS FOR NO LONGER REMAINING A
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PRIEST.


| PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PRIEST.
Inc Reformed Episcopal ministry has recently had
| al important addition TO It's numbers I'm the Rev DR.
Inn McDowell Leavitt, for many years a we'll known
rFotesant Episcopal clergyman whose reputation was
made chiefly in connection with educational and
EDITORIAL labors. DR.. Leavltt's antagonism 20 many
VI INC doctrines OF the Protestant Episcopal Church
mas been no secret for years but he has never
cared TO resign from its ministry until about two
weeks ago, when his decision do SO was expressed
! III letter 10 Bishop Potter a novel by Dr.
LeaVitt, entitled Americans in Rome, published
aoout five years ago, first brought before the public
MS views In regard to the doctrines OF the Church
with which he was identified This excited so much
comment that last December he published an article I'm
inc independent stating his position fully and
completely. The opinions therein expressed showed
practical agreement with the doctrines Of the Re-
formed Episcopal Church, and he has been lately
called to the professorshp Of ecclesiastical history
ana christian evidences in the seminary of that Church
III Philadelphia His acceptance Of that post
was Immediately followed by his resignation from tho
ministry Of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Dr. Leavltt graduated from Jefferson College
Oahonsburg, Penn, when but little over seventeen
years old, and after studying law with his father for
over forty years judge of the United States District
Court In Ohio, he entered the Theological Seminary
III Gambler, Ohio When his course in that nstitu-
uon had been completed he embarked in educational
work and met with much as teacher In
1875 he became second president OF the Lehgh Uni
versity at Bethlehem, Penn. Remaining there until
$780, he then became the head of St. Johns College,
Annapolis, Nd. In 1854 he came to New York and
has since been engaged in editorial work on The
Church Review" and "The International Revewo the
latter being founded by him.
DR.. Leavitt was seen yesterday at his home in
brooklyn and talked freely the subject of his
resignation. The Romeward drift as he expressed
II, I'm nh
stance, what had caused him to separate from II.
The great point I'm the controversy between the EpiS-
copal Church and its opponents he said. ais Of course
The question Of the relation which the Scriptures bear
TO the Church. According to the articles and homiles
Of the Church Of England and its offspring in the
United States, the Scriptures the sole rule OF
faith; nothing IS essential 10 Christianity unless
proved by the Scriptures. This the fundamental
principle of the Reformation Now 1 hold first
that the baptsma Office OF the Episcopal Church
teaches the regeneration of Infants that for this there
is no Scriptural proof. and without this l can know
nothing the subject. That is, the Article teaches
that doctrine be proved by the Scriptures, and
the Office teaches fundamental doctrine not proved
by the Scriptures. Therefore, the Office and the Ar
tice in direct antagonlsm. Having spent moro
than quarter Of century in vain efforts to recon-
"Again, nowhere in the New Testament
had either 10 abandon my ministry in the Church or
leave the Church
is apostle, evangelist minister or teacher
called priest. The priest is dcsigna-
tion Of Christian not a minister and out of
the unlawful of this word I have seen grow
up in tho Protestant Episcopal Church confession
absoution, penance, mass, worship Of the Virgin,
invocation Of the Saints prayers for the dead, etc.
all OF which aIe practised in tho city Of NewYork
in defiance of canonical law and Of the Scripture
withdraw from the Church in protest against such
pTactces
"I deny, TOO the doctrine Of the Apostolic Sue
ces~ion as Of the essence Of tho ministry. /
willing no more to acknowledge tho orders Of Greek
and Latin priests while l deny tho orders Of Dr.
John Hall and DR.. storrs whose wonderful ministries
l have attended with such edfcauOn
cannot any longer submit to charity which
embraces the extremes indicated and also toerates
a ministry in Now.York which denies tho doctrine of
the Atonement the inspiration of the Scriptures and
all that / believe vital in Christianity. believe
such liberation bluns the conscience ema5cn.a,es
faith and unsnttcs the wholo Christian chiI&rr
For the last FIVE years I have made IT point 10
attend every form Of Christian seTVe rom C9ak.r
meeting In HrooINn 10 erAiI ctiGo "'nh a. n,,
Peters IN Rome. In my work here ! nave hai M an
Church and its life In New-lork AND ! consider, 10
my duty 10 warn all men against being entangI3u
IN the snares which entanglcd me- and TO protest
against such doctrines and practices which believe
10 bc tagrant departures from tAe articles ana
homilics Of the Protestant Episcopal Church and III
DR. Ieayia closed the interview by saync that,
while he was constrained by his pnnr pies TO MAKE
his statement and 10 depart from the '&uh ne Wds
also happy to remark mat man could have been
lie by those who knew him to hold opin ons different
from thoir own and especially was ms rue 9i 5ne
and he iate DR. Morgan, Of St Thomass Church
with whom he had been on terms OF intimate TREND
ship.
Dr. Lcavttt Will preach tomorrow morning in The
First Reformed Episcopal Church. at Ma.isonavc ana
The pat tcllars wherein ne differs from the doctrines
of tho Church from which he has withdrawn.