The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-08
A Case of Declared Heresy.

The Church Congress is q convention OF
individual clergymen and laymen OF the
Episcopal Church, which meets annually for
the discussion of moral and religious ques-
tons or course 1t has no legislative or
judicial function and no ecclesiastical juris-
diction, but Is merely for the exchange OF
views and opinions on matters OF concern to
the Church.
Accordingly, the committee which lays out
the plans for the meetings Of the Church
Congress selects speakers and essayists
with reference TO eliciting varying opinions
and bringing up subjects which will be
provocative of interesting and fruitful
discussions. In pursuance OF this policy
it selected the Rev. HOWARD MAC
OUEARY of Canton In Ohio as one OF
the speakers at the next Congress. to be
held at Philadelphia in November. He has
recently published book in which he
propounds theories OF the birth Of JESUS
and of the resurrection, which seem
to be radically opposed to the general
and authoritative belief and creed OF the
communion, and perhaps the committee
thought that 1t would be wisest to
let him explain himself at Philadelphia in
the face OF champions OF the faith ready to
come to Its defence II 1t should be assailed.
At any rate. they invited the Rev. Mr.. MAO
QUEARY, though he had shocked Episcopa-
lians by what seemed to them rank heresy,
If not outright profanity.
In his published volume he refuses to ac-
cept the literal meaning OF the virgin birth
of the Saviour, contending that he has the
authority of ISAIAH for interpreting the word
virgin" az meaning young woman"
"The story OF the Virgin Born, as IL stands
In the Gospel" says Mr.. MAoQuEARY.
ais 80 improbable, and the evidence
concerning 1t ls 30 uncertain. that criticism
could not accept It," Therefore he regards
it as merely poetic description OF a
great fact" We do not understand how
much he implies In this; but 1t seems to be
plain that In some way he reconciles the ex-
planaton in his own mind with the doctrine
OF the Incarnation. and OF the Sonship of
JESUS.
lie also rejects the theory that the resur-
rection OF tho dead Is "a gross material res
direction" and contends that he has the Ru-
thority of st. PETER for teaching, with
modern science, that matter is not to be
eternal" Therefore, answering the ques-
of JESUS, he says that 1.-The body
doubtless crumblei into dust some
where" But this cannot be regarded as
a capital divergence from the accepted faith,
for great part OF believing Christians, and
among them very many Episcopalians.
probably, hav" given up the theory OF a ma
terial resurrection. They cannot make it
consistent with scientific fact, The resur-
rection of the soul, in which inheres the ill.,
dividuality, seems to them to satisfy all the
requirements OF faith.
But the selection Of Mr. MACQUEARY as
speaker at the Church Congress aroused
Bishop POTTER to protest in the Churchmdn
against him as preacher OF false doctrine
who dishonored the Church by his teachings
and himself by remaining In its orders.
though he rejects Its fundamental doctrine.
Therefore the Rev. DIR. WINCHESTER DON
AID, the rector OF Ascension Church. on
the Fifth avenue, responds In the Same pSpS9
criticisinR the Bishop for oondemnin6 a
untried clergyman and for indirectly COZ