New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-11
PROTESTANT HIERARCHY:
SOME TENDENCIES IN THE EPISCOPAL cHURcn
CRITICISED

To the Editor OF Ths Tribune
| Sir; What nextf An Archbishop These are ap-
propriae questions for Protestant Episcopslians 10
ask This week has witnessed assembly IN this
city which. whether IL be acknowledged or not for
reasoning minds VIII Doubt is In the intent OF its
authors to be q step. and a long and very decided
step, in the direction of the establishment of a
hierarchy in the Episcopal Church IN this country
similar TO that which marks the Church of England
and rules the Church Of Rome The Federative Coun-
Gil OF the five doceses into which the former Diocese
OF New-York is now divided is but another step In
the limo Of human ambition and Episcopal assumption
and well would It be for the Episcopal Church that
its purposes aud the motives Of ifs creation should
not DO concealed
great and good man, whose ministry was glory
10 the church of his adoption and who for many
years has been wearing his crown said have
known many good bishops, but have never known
good man who was not injured by being made q
Bishop' II such could be said in the midst Of the
dgmhed simplicity which characterized the Episcopal
Office and the Protestant Episcopal Church seventy.
hve years ago, what might be the intensity of tho
expression of the same thought If the present state
OF the Church could be surveyed the successors
OF the good mem who were " so injureds then by
their elevation 10 the Epscopate coud be observed In
the regalia which to have such attraction for
so many, manoeuvring and manipulating for
constantly increased power, not by the
force Of their own spiritual character
and graces, but by means Of the Influences
which appropriately belong to the maohnstions and
efforts OF those who seek only their own aggrandige-
ment and not the good Of their felow-men What
sensible man does not know the influence radiating
from centre Of power, though II be an imaginary
power only; the influences exerted by the ocoupans
Of an ONCE who is disposed to surround himself with
The tinseed appearances of dignity and power though
breath almost would blow the whole sham awayf
rowds Of sycophants IN this ecnnectIon they might call
themselves courters will flock around one in whose
'adance they may for season bask as In the SUE
tne or the glory rejected from the presence OF one
'earing high sounding-title aud viii be tho willing
Ion OF his schemes Of personal ambition. That they
nay enjoy little OF the distinction so much
oveted, but which by their own efforts ability
hey may never atain they ready 10 encourage any
Ian OF mans desire which viii carry with it even
no pretenoe OF power and they only obtain ttjo
Which VIII appear to dignity them IA 9 world OF
hings, they win be the ready servants of any as
med authority IT Is by such men that all the innoya<
ons all the exercise upon the body Of the Church
no cltvstc and 70 such men the successive
nd customs due, however unnecessary or however
nrE they may be 10 the growth Of the true spiritual
le Church Of God.
ing win IL be before such men are taught that they
not the true representatives OF spirit and the
,ctrnos on which the Protestant Episcopal Church
the United States was founded, and which are the
ng VIII 1t be before Il be learned that the much
,ssed longing for the union OF Christian believers
not TO be attained BY the cry The Church, the
such system Is to disgust ihoss who arc not 70
mised into tho mere blind following Of fhose WIZ
elk their own exaltation. rather than the glory OF Il
viour whom they profess to serve.
Ncw.YorS March q 1890