The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-10
Tho Case Of Father Hall.

The EptscopalianS OF Boston are agttated
by q proceeding which may have important
consequences for the religious communities
or brotherhoods which have grown up In
the Episcopal Church Of recent years. and
which were established after the model Of
Roman Catholic orders. or. at least on
principles analogous to theirs.
The Rev. Mr.. HALL. or Father HALL, Is .
Brother Of the Society OF st. John the Evan
gelist. or Cowley Fathers. as they are known.
a missionary fraternity OF the English
Church. By his labors the mission Church
Of st. John the Evangelist has been built
up at Boston. and 1t has become one Of the
largest and most jealous parishes in the
whole diocese of Massachusetts. It seemed
hard soil in which to work because Of the
extreme Anglo Catholic position OF Father
HALL and his order. but he has cultivated
it with such success that he has dis
armed opposition and conquered the en-
thusiastic support Of his Pensioners and
the respect Of the clergy generally.
Though an Englishman. he has iden-
titled himself with American interests.
Is thoroughly imbued with the American
spirit. and has further linked himself to
US by becoming naturalized as an Ameri-
can citizen. q step which Is taken less fire.
quently by English residents in this coun-
try than by the representatives Of any
other nationality. As Bishop DoANR Of
Albany describes him in q letter to the
Bishop of Oxford. Father HALL has
adapted himself to the peculiar tendencies
of thought in Boston. and by his practical
wisdom. his manliness. his spiritual ear
l. fa nhnr 10
and judgment. has obtained position there
which gives him great influence In the do
cese and in the Church at large" and espe-
cially in the propagation Of ibis strong
Catholic views Of the faith"
From this place of so large power Father
HALL was recalled summarily and per-
emptorily at the end Of last September by
the command of the Superior Of the Cowley
Fathers. to whom he had pledged himself
to absolute obedience. The main ground
for summoning him back to England. as
explained In the letter of Father PAGE. the
Superior. was that Father HALL had
"signed the testimonial from the Diocesan
Convention Of Massachusetts In favor Of
DR.. Phillips BROOKS. the Bishop elect Of
that diocese. and had also supported the
confirmation OF his election" though
he had voted against him In the
Convention. Another ground was that
Father HALL was decidedly in favor
OF q completely Independent society in
America" division OF authority which the
Cowley Fathers are not willing to grant.
OF course. therefore. Father HALL was
obliged as o faithful and loyal member Of
the ordor to render obedience to the COM
mand, and. accordingly. on tho 18th Of Octo-
Der he resigned his rcctorship Of the parish
Of st. John the Evangelist, after having
been in this country continuously for
eighteen years. and another rector was sp-
pointed In his place.
His parish. however. resent this exercise
of authority by the Superior to take from
them Q pastor with whom they are con-
tent. and who. they say. Is alone capable Of
keeping them together. They look upon
1t as an outrageous example Of foreign
interference. inconsistent with the tho
DRY Of the Episcopal Church in this
country and dangerous to its well
fare. Yet in taking Father HALL as
their leader they knew tho obligations OF
his oath OF obedience. and that not they
nor the Bishop OF Massachusetts. but the
Superior Of the Cowley Fathers. had juris-
diction over him. They understood the
terms OF the contract. ana they cannot
rebel reasonably when these are enforced by
his recall to England 1t is useless for them
toassail the order. though they may proper
ly second Father HALLS efforts to establish
1t Independently In this country. and they
may bring pressure to bear on the Cowley
Fathers to induce them to resciud their
command. Such pressure they are exert
ing through American Bishops. who have
written to the Bishop Of Oxford urging him
to use his influence with the society to in
duce it to permit Father HALL to remain
in Boston. These Bishops take the ground
that the censure passed upon him concerns
"a matter not coming within Its jurisdic-
ton. but relating to Father HALLS position
as clergyman Of the diocese OF Massachu-
sets and q priest In the American Church"
That Ii. they contend that the society ought
not TO attempt to abridge his liberty In the