New-York tribune., 1891-05-26
DIR. BRIDGMAN'S ACTION.
PEGRET EXPRESSED FOR HIS DEPARTURE.
HIS STATED REASONS NOT ACCEPTED AS EN-
r1RELY REASONABLE BY SOME
CLERGYMEN


,r,. .,rorrcor,ont IN Yesterdays Tribune that the
| , nv r NV Bndgman. formerly pastor OF the
madison Ayemue Baptist Church. had become heihoei
% tho Protestant Episcopal denomination was receFeu
with VARYING feelings and emotions Dy 'he D"P'''
ministers of this city. To most OF them IL was
matter OF regret to many Of them was matter oi
rnuse Some OF them believed that his departure
~ sooy while others were Of the opinion that he
might have remained pastor OF tho Madlsoh A'o"u'
Church. , h ,rore
Among the well-known Baptist ciersymeh VINO ~elo
saan hv n Tribune reporter was lne heN' Dr. " '
Macarthur. of the Calvary Baptist Church. ID repN,
inc N the reporters question, he said that tic hau
hoen unable to find that the reasons gwen ~
DR. Brdgman for his step, were consistent WV"
ona another "In my judgment" he ADDED
they prove the truth Of what SAID IN lhe irioui0
ot the time of his resignation, that the sermon "ion
created some opposition in the Church 'ehU oe INC
occasion of his resignation, but not the cause ~
occrrred TO me then that movement OF Ils "nu' VI
something akin to it, possibly undeIlay the reSlgna
ton" A.. c,., &c
at can saw that I regard the Baptist Church d.
tn1v catholic. regard the Episcopal Church as
comparatively recent in origin ana sectariah III Sp.
7 cannot understand how man VINO wants oe'"''
would 20 there to secure it. Baptists nave Away
boen believers In the right Of every man to interpret
the Word of God in the light of his own judgment anu
c,nsc,ence Our whole history has been pictes'
ea,nst the domination of ecclesiastical or civil au
| thorties We have suffered fines, imprisonment ana
death In carrying out this principle we s'ahu ior
| that principle stlll - -u,,
at IS too late IN the day, indeed 1t seems puere
to talk Of the intolerance Of such Church as u'o
psntist We are increasing with gratifying rapnty
IN mis- country During the twenty years from 1871
% 1900 we have more than doubled our numbers
while the country does not double its populauoh "
less time than thirty years. The "Orlu 10 NV
ANY man who thinks he can serve Goa Detter ouls"o
our denomnational ranks, Of course Is free 10 go ia
question must be left to a mans own judgment and
| conscience We cherished kindly feelings to"aru
Dr 1rldgman.p continued the Doctor, "when ne was
With us although IN many OF his interpretations Oh
Scripture he differed from many OF his brethren. We
shall still cherish kindly feelings toward hn ai'"ousn
| he has found home with another DooS
~ Christians have myself during twenty one years
:. ;ristr,v IN New.York received about 700 persons
,nto my church who were brought up In other com
,nunions We certainly ought 10 be willing 70 give
occasionally members to other churches wheh hey nave
given us so many. Several OF the distinguished nln
| sters in our denomination were trained outside l's
ranks" ., -,
| Regardna the Doctors views upon the question OF
communion DIR. Macarthur said that in them he coud
| find m adeauate cause for his resignation. There
| was nevern he added "any inquiry made by any
| official body into his views We have always known
Dr. Bridgman was liberal. The question was Drought
M soon after his ordination Yet he has gone on all
Of these years without any criticism, except that WHICH
| was fraternal. A man ought not to ask to be free
from criticism. The Baptists stand with remarkable
unanmity for the old faith; but at the same time
| they are great believers In soul liberty We
DO not bow the authority Of presbytery synod or
| Pope We hold that every man is responsible 70 ht
| conscience and his God.
"While the Episcopal Church Is about to try one OF
It's own rectors for heresy, 1t is amusing to sec
Baptist minister going into the Episcopal Church, on
the ground as have supposed. that some OF his
people have affirmed that he was guilty OF heresy.
felt disposed TO look upon the udicrous side OF 1t as
| 7 looked at The Tribune this morning.
DR.. E. Bright, Editor Of The Examiner said :
&" While do not wish TO detract from DR.: Brdgmans
nersona character in any way, yet IL IS absurd u
| magnify his entrance into the Episcopal Church. as a
| maITer OF denOmlnatOnal tnpoUanee Or. Brdgnan Is
man of aesthetic tastes. Rtuallsin appels 10 hifl
| lie has long been a friend of Bishop Potter
| The Rev DR. r. I. Middledtch, Editor OF The
Chrdan Inqurer' one Of the leading Baptist weekles
| said: " am sorry 10 have DIR. Brldgman leave the
denomination He personal friend OF long
| standing. We began our ministry near together III
New Jersey. think DR.. Brdgman has been more an
moved by the black prelacy OF printers INK than Dy
| ANYTHING else. Attacks have been made on him III
| dcnomlnatOnal papers which were exceedingly un-
charitable and untust.' . ,,- H.. l, L.,
| DR. Bridgman himself said yesterday that he had
nothing TO add his statement published IN The IT'D
rne he will apply for orders at once lie had no lde
| when he might eventually enter upon pastOTate'