New-York tribune., 1891-05-21
BISHOP POTTER'S ACTION.
MUCH SATISFACTION EXPRESSED
RELIEF THAT TRIAL OF THE REV. DR.. NEW

BELIEF THAT TRIAL OF THE REV. DR. NEW
roy WILL BENEFIT THE CHURCH
The publication OF the news in The Tribune ycs'ot'
day that Bishop Potter would Institute inquiries Nv
10 the Rev. DR.. II. Hebcr Newton's orthodoxy lcn
like bombsheI into the Episcopal camp. Al the
rnra, commencement Of the theological seminary ih
On. morning and at tue Church book stores 1t was an
.heorhng tOpIc OF conversation. No circumstance hss
moro deeply agtatcd the Episcopal world OF new
York for many year. There is general ioehns .,
admiration for the Bishop for his prompt ana deceu
action and It is asserted by those who know Bishop
Potter best that he will endeavor to be far ana iin
| Martial throughout the whole business
To cuote the words OF one OF Bishop Potters per-
so,.I friends: "The Bishop promised at his conSe-
cra,Ion 10 Danish and drive away from the Church
all erroneous and strange doctrine and Henry Oo"
man Potter is not the man 10 oc Ais'u u O." W
ponent, however subte'" -
rh rr,hrre renorter finds determined decision on
,h mart Of the clergy not TO talk the subject for
the edacation Of the public, except under promise
that their names shall be withheld. The reason
assigned Is that at least twenty clereymen VIII
be involved in the controversy Twelve nave afeany
s,cnnd the reouisition, ive will be selected by the
n;sbop rs committee OF inquiry, and In addition to
| these seventeen cergymen, the Bishop will IN the
| o,c,t of n trial select twelve other olergymen'
whose names will be duly submitted to the accused
| rector and from whom he may select hve for 'he
tribunal public expression OF opinion on the part
of any clergyman ii IS said may therefore diSquhy
linn from acting on any committee OF inquiry or Oh
| tho final court OF trial.
| +ta pev T. Walpole Warren OF Holy Trinity, one
- Tho original twelve signers Of the requston. says
al have cleared my conscience, and there is an end OF
my connection with the business. II DR.. Newton De-
reves the teaching OF the Church, shall be only too
glad to know lt.' -
| A vellknown IowChurch clergyman says: III -
high time that we should know what DR.. Newton docs
| te.ch for have had many instances brought 10 my
notce NJ vounc people whose faith has been compeey
undermined in the vertes OF the Chrs'"n a'' W INV
| teaching Of AL Souls rector"
| A broad Church rector, who sympatnizes largely
| with Dr. Newton, says g. do not see now Dr' No"
ton can hesitate to declare his views lie nus po0o.
recognized public teacher with large followhs' su
his people will expect him TO be GEAR anu
| regardless OF the consequences
II Is mainland BY every Of the signers OIL tne
oouis,t,on that there IS no desire to persecute Dr.
newton All that is asked is that he VIII clearly ana
| honestly declare whether not the rumors OF HIS
teachings are true and whether he Is prepared 10 sand
trial on the charge of teaching doctrines contrary l"
| the avowed belief of his Church.
When Dr. Huntington's letter in yesterdays Tribune
was shown 70 theological professor he said: u 90
NOT think that even failure IN bringing home the
| charges will do harm. The prosecution OF Bishop
Colenso and OF the writer OF the Essays ana Re7cs
failed brt II declared the faith OF the Church OF Eng
land and compelled stopford Brooke, Mr.. Voysey and
other ministers to resign their churches. Should Dr.
Hcber Newton by any subtle art chcanery endeavor
10 establish his orthodoxy, the victory viii be Just as
complete We want to show the Christian public what
| Dr. Newton does teach"
There is no analogy between the trial OF Dr. Briggs
and that OF Dr. Newton, it is asserted, because the
standards OF the Presbyterian Church and OF the Eps
copal Church are so totally different. Dr. Newton Is
charged with denying historic facts believed by the
Church confirmed by the scriptures, and declared In
the crecds namely that Jesus was born OF virgin
mother and that his body was raised from the dead
and if the inquiry extends beyond this it VIII be the
| outcome OF unforeseen circumstances.
| The old members OF the AntlOn Memorial ChFch 10
| West Forty -eislth-st, who are for the most part
found i'm f. WalpOle Warrens congregation, are said
10 be enthusiastic in their delight at finding that
after lapse OF so many years an inquiry VIII be
instituted regarding the views Of the pastor OF theii
Old church, which once regarded as the most
orthodox temple of evangelical churehmanship In tile
| whole city Of New-Iork. . .
| The Rev. DR.. Ryance, who is a personal friend OF
| DR. NewtOn's refuses 10 talk or the subject. lie
| thinks ecclesiastical trials are mistake
ON account of the college commencement alreaoy
referred TO- there many clergyinen from the country
i'm the city the present time and as far a Tribune
reporter could ascertain the opinion of these men, tht
| consensus seems i'm favor of regular trial, Whlcr
IL H. believed will in the long run benefit the nurcL
II is said be unfortunate that the discussion OF
Dr. Phillips election should be open at the
same time, for Dr. Brooks, IL IS maintained, Is al
honest believer in those vertes which DR.. Newton Ii
said to deny.