New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-02
EPISCOPAL FERMENT IN BOSTON
pr,cUsHNG FATHER PAGES LETTER REGARDING
THE RECALL OF FATHER HALL.
FGARDING

THE RECALL OF FATHER HALL.
Boston, Dec .-Eplsccpalans in this city and
vicinity are eagerly discussing the letter OF Father Page
Superior OF the Cowley Fathers, just made public
Though osensIbly addressed TO the Blshop Of Oxford
1t really written answer 10 the protest OF
American bishops and others against the recall OF
Father Hall from this city, The letter OF Father Page
Is courteous and dgned but 1t contains allegations
that have reused many Epscopallsns TO a white heat
OF Indignation. For instance, the American protest
declared that Father Hall should not have been dlsc-
pned for obeylng the laws OF the Episcopal Church
while he was member OF IT, Father Page assents 10
this but claims nevertheless the right TO recall Father
Hall for doing But the most offensive part Of the
letter TO Boston Epscopahans is that In which Father
Page distinctly questions Bishop Drookss soundness
In the faith. "A minority he says, sand we believe
large minority, OF bishops m America are not fully
satisfied In regard to Dr. Philips Brooks loyalty to
the faith and order Of the Church. The facts ID the
case as they have come before us lead us to agree
with that minority" And Father Halls offence was
that his intimate personal knowledge Of DR.. Brooks
for eighteen years forced him to disagree with the
hearsay views Of the Cowey Fathers IN England.
As might naturally be expected, this condemnation OF
their beloved bishop. by foreigner makes the Church
men hcreabouts mad that they can hardly DO justice
TO his point OF view. Two other things may be men
TONED as furnishing food for discussion In Episcopal
circles here. One IL the withdrawal OF the Rev. Dr.
j. F. Spalding from the Episcopol thurch 10 inc No'
Catholic Church. Both sides use this Incident as
weapon. The extreme High Churchmcn point to 1t as
an evidence OF the harm which DR.. Brools's election
viii do the Church. And the extreme Broad Church
men point 10 Il as an example Of the dlsloyal tendon
Giles Of the High Church party Dr. Brooks's election
they say, was blessing, because 1t will
force such men Dr. spading to show
their true colors and 20 where they belong
The other thing talked about is remarkable incident
said TO have happened on the day Of DR.. Brookss con-
secration. and which has not yet got into print 1t
is 10 the effect that Just before the conservation ser
vice Presiding bishop Williams read to the assembled
bishops protest against the conservation, signed by
two bishops who had been conspicuous in their opDo
sition 10 the bishop elect, and that after reading 1t
bishop Williams said that II any bishops were de
srous Of Withdrawing from the service they were at
liberty 10 do So According 10 the story. which con-
not absolutely be verified. though II Is generally be
uevci no one withdrew, and II was decided 10 Keep
tho whole incident secret Bishop Brooks Is winning
golden opinions. even from those who were opposed
To him, aud has certainly done nothing unChurchly
thus far His friends therefore feel that he can well
afford 10 ignore opposition that seems TO be both
bitter and unreasonable.