New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-08
BISHOP POTTER'S CRITIC.
DIR. DONALD PRETTY MUCH ALONE.
HIS DEFENCE OF THE REV MR.. MoUEARY NOT
so POPULAR AS HIS SUPERIoRS
CONDEMN ALTON.

A Tribune reporter called upon several Of the
Protestant Episcopal clerymen of this city yesterday
10 ascertain their views in regard to letter written
by the Rev. Dr. Winchester Donald OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church Of the Ascension. finding fault with
Bishop Poters criticism OF alleged hereca book,
written by the Rev. Howard MacQueary Of Canton.
ohio Mr.. Dpnald's Ietter asserts among other
things that the author Of the book had neither been
enthusiastically accused nor condemned and that
bishop of the Church asserts without qualification Of
sort. knowing that there thousands OF people
in and out OF the Church who believe that anything
which bishop utters is truc because bishop utters
it, that this unaccused untried and uncondemned
clergyman denies two doctrines of the Church and BY
implication charges him with lack OF honor because
he continues to discharge the duties Of his Office
shall IL be said because he stu enjoys the emouments
Of his rectorshp" and the letter also the question
Are clcrgymen 10 be condemned by bishops without
a trial -
Tho Bishop OF New York. the letter continues,
without shadow OF ecclesiastical authority for
doing publicly asserS that an unaccuscd. untried,
and uncondemned clergyman Of the Church Is guilty
and ought to be allowed to speak meeting
Of the most pronounced unecccsiasticai character.
with neither legislative judicial functions. and
which cannot take vote, and yet there is pro
vided IN the Of the Church definite and easy
method for presenting a clergyman for trial and for
ascertainng In legal and orderly fashion his guilt
innocence
These quotations what the Bishop virtually
says. but not what h actually did say. II charltably
Interpreted said the Rev Dr. Edward II. Krans.
associate rector of the Church Of It. AIMS. e
gard DR.. Donald's position as the result Of over
sensitivencss to certain extent lie was one OF the
committee that extended an invitation 10 the Rev.
Mr.. MacQucay TO speaker at tho next session
Of the Protestant Episcopal Congress, which sits next
october at Buffalo and Bishop Pottcrs action in the
matter mainly due to this selection. Until Mr..
MacQueary published his book, in which hear he
denies that Christ born of virgin. and that he
rose again from the dead. he little known, and
his selection 30 fiji this place at the Church Congress
seems 10 Us who are outside the committee to he
mainly due to his heretical cncts. or rather to the
notorety given him by his book. feel As do
believe 80 per Of tho clergy Of the church. tlat
Bishop Potter acted wisely, and | am heartily glad
that he took tie step he did. | think Dr. Donald
point consccnously In trying to defend what
he considered an injured brother. but can't hep
thinking tina, tho fact of his own selection oeihI
challenged tended somewhat to put him on the dc
Isivc and led him ~ more severe ccn'uIe IN tic
Bishops letter than really intended
several other clergy expressed similar opinions
among them the Rev. Dr. De Costa. who said
I'm, +, certainly a very important matter and am
glad To that our Diocesan mas taken tAe suoJecI up
have not the volume In question ana Iiefei tI
cannot speak If tie manner IN which the Kew MI
NacQucay has treated the subject, when am SOFT!
to see iu dispute bat those VINO are aciua,n.'d WIN
tain essential articles OF the Christian faith
Assuming for sake of the argument tlat thls -
the actual ia,t have hesitation about tahlg ISSUE
with my excellent friend the Rev. DR.. Donald con
corning Ms position which. II understand him Alright
denies the Bishop of New YORK the right To express ms
opinion couccruIug the theological consistency o inc
hc, Mr. NacQucay iu trying 20 hold his place As a
clergyman 81 The PIote tant Episcopal Church.
Or. Donald j. su'h frank. ohtspG"c' man lhat
SURF he Viii not take II hni,s appear %Aiiy
frank and suggest that, In RESTRICTING tr unit OF
Ipi-c0pal prcrogatlNc. he ! Obliged 10 strill' ne"
simply one point bat several. Tie strain Is, III my
4. 4 4 ter
bishop doe, not lose me liberty Of prophc,yiuS ana
think that bishop Potter has simply availcd himself
OF hi, rehtn liberty Ia expressing Ms opinion con
d. sjJnald II uudcr- aid him. denies the right 81
Inc bishop 20 pronounce be has done, even though
the teachings alluded tn may hc iaiSc. A.. -.
think the Church is 20 be congratulated that her
Bishop has spoken ont. II may say 50 courteousY
| would add that Dr Donald, position seems rather
non,eu.ca IL Isn't necessary 10 drink all me water
don't think man should D" held 70 any great furuaIN
I'm such a matter Ia fact. "" have had quli" enough
moral status Of a man mo d'ni", Wulauc 'ai airy
oe- of the Faith and set tries 10 hold on % the Church
These Iuitirau- among %, think Iad better get
OGi and go 10 their own place, II they WISH - be 10
,pcctcd. have quarrel with Initarans when they
A., al home. but am sorry g. see any Of them strig
Cling around inside the fold where they don't belong.
and heartily glad tldt the b@h"p "l Nt" pTA Has
If The Diocese Of ohio ha, not through It, appointed
authorities taken N" matter mp. 10 j. certainly umc
for 10 begin Il the charge, ~ iN-f doctrine are T"
and II those authorities feel ~ all touched and re
buAcd by tho straightforward and wholesome language
u the bishop 81 New YORK, only that is \
before well read thcologian shall pronounce upon the
souudness or unsoundncss II certain teaching and
night which IS accorded 10 reviewers ~ G. rent thco
logical literature. This {, not case that j. 10 come
before him judge and hence he Is a. free Is the
humbest prctbytcr IN hi, diocese.