New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-28
HIS FAREWELL SERMON.
THE REV. DIR. PAGE LEAVES HIS CHARGE.
WILL HE ENTER THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL

WILL HE ENTER THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
CHURCH g-HE DOES NOT DENY IT
The Rev DR. william W. Page preached his farewell
se-mon YESTERDAY morning in the Ncw.York Presby-
seran Church. onehundred twenty elghth-st and
seventhave His congregation did not accord him the
hearty and warm farewell which would have seemed
natural after his twenty years connection with The
church After the services many OF the members re
manned behind to shake hands with him. but most OF
them fled out usual. There general appear
ance as II the majority of the congregation believed the
published accounts Of their pastors intended change
from the Presbyterian to the Protestant Episcopal
Church. DR.. Page would neither admit nor deny the
truth of this report in conversation after the sermon,
but ne did say the account published in Saturdays
Tribune was fair statement of the case.
, His sermon was from the text Finally, brethren
FAREWELL He reviewed tho changes Which had come
durinc the last twenty years, and said 1--WE STAND
ON the threshold OF an era Of great changes IN inc
Christian world There has been in some respects
falling away 1t Is true but this is but the throwing
on of the debris of ages that Christianity may awake 70
a new spring-tlme and SOW for grander harvest
We are passing the point where Catholicism mas i's
strength and pleasure In matchmaking the sec' anu
where Protestanism turns its poisoned arrows al the
Roman Catholic Church. There may be iniehciues III
UNCONVENTIONAL expression, and the universe may iis
take them as marking real divisions, but IL there
anything have emphasized in my ministry 10 is .he
49,
il Is my intention to apply for admission 10 the
Protestant Episcopal Church has brought to me many
letters of kindness and warning One OF them reads
follows:
Dear DR.. Page: 1 was Of course quite sur.
prsed at the publication in the press concerning
your alleged purpose Of entering the Episcopai
ministry. 1 never PREJUDICE my brethren's motives
or actions and know that you would not do any
thing without desire to follow the will Of God Yet
uresume on our friendship, and the many thlngS We
hold in common, to ask whether you have fuly con-
sidered the aspects of the case. Your being con-
frmed according to the requirements and rites OF the
Episcopal Church. Just ore from the world is
received is to admit its claim to be the only true
church of Christ and that you have never been
member of His body; and that besides that, your
acts in receiving sinners into the Presbyterian
Church have not been valid. Accepting new con
secraton TO the ministry in the Episcopal Church IS
again TO concede its claim that your past ministry
was not valid and that the ministry Of the Piesby-
terrain Church is not valid and its ordinances nave
M divine warrant. If you have not been brought
10 accept this position, do net want. as your friend
and brother, to have you appear in so unweicome
light before the Presbyterian Church and the world
Your friends in the Episcopal Church may try 10
smooth over this aspect of your transfer, but the
fact will remain greatly to your discomfort, and
fear, discredlt' ~, M.
admission 10 the communion OF the Protestant Episcopal
church | do not know what would be the result II
I should apply. Ny own opinion is simply this-that
could not become a minister or member In the
Protestant Episcopal Church without submitting TO
rites and rules of that Church. and that is Just as niue
OF the Baptist or any other denomination. 40 nor
believe that IL Is essential To membership IN the bsco
pal Church to hold that outside that fold there Is no
Christian minister and child of God think the
position of that Church is misunderstood upon that
point. AT all events You who have known me SO
long and have trusted so, Will rest in the belle
that l will never take step knowingly which VIII
place a stigma upon you upon the work which nave
hed so sacred have tried in the past 10 be governed
by what believed to be the will of our God, TO follow
what seemed to me His guiding hand. may be mis-
taken but still shall have the comfort OF knowing That
! was LOYAL 10 what believed to be the word Of God
/ long for your approval and crave it, but would
not be dsObedient to what to to be the right
thing to do 80 -
Or. Page said that he would rest for awhile. Next
Sunday the Rev. DR.. Marlng will preach and declare
she pulpit vacant.