New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-30
NEU-YORK EPISCOPALIANS.

The Convention Of the Episcopal Diocese Of
New-York which was held in this city last week,
will call general attention to the steady growth
md prosperity Of the Episcopal Church in TINS,
IFS greatest diocese A non-Episcopal religious
journal a few months ago declared That no
other denomination is growing so fast in TINS
city as the Episcopal Church; and though man!
may De disposed TO question this statement, IL
is undoubtedly true thar in membership, wealth
and influence II has made remarkable strides
during the last twenty years. Various reasons
will Of course be given To account for this fact,
the more noteworthy because Ep!scopacy In
\cw.York after the Revolution had To fight its
way to the front against widespread popular
prejudice that was not altogether undeserved
The rigid High Churchman will say that 1t is
the result Of the Churchs claim to be the only
dvnely authorized society in the country
Broad Churchmcn will say, on the contrary, that
the virtual abandonment Of that exclusive the
DRY by So many Church leaders has promoted
its growth Outsiders who dislike Episcopacy
will repeat the old snccr that the Church of
Pussy and CocnSo is popular In these days OF
indvdualsm because ii does not interfere with
a mans religion or politics. While men OF the
world who are swaycd by neither likes nor dis
likes will explain the fact by saying that the
Episcopal Church. more than any other dcnom-
nation. has learned to put itself in right rela-
tons with the world ~ II is. Its corporate NE
is analogous 10 that of Il wcllnanagod business
house. and It's numerous diocesan and parochal
activities are conceived and carried out on cX-
acily the same lines that a shrcwd and hard
headed business man would adopt.
As matter IF fact. however. no one Of these
explanations cmbodics the whole truth. The
Episcopal Church hourishcs in this city because
il has shown itself be working Church.
That Is the whole story in "A nutshell. The
claims TO exclusive divine authority made by
some rigid churchmcn are not admitted by large
numbers of people who for other reasons. at
tach themselves 10 the Episcopal Church. They
may not say much about the matter 10 their
rector: they may even listen with dccorouS at
tcntion whcn rs occasionally happens he de-
clar,s all non-Ep>copdl Christians to b" outside
the pale Of Gods covcnantcd mercy. But they
simply refuse e. believe him. And yet. when
h. gets down Of his Church" hobbyhorsc. IL
they would express II. ana appeals for help in
starting a mems club or Il girls friendly soci-
ETY. they are am,ng the first 10 come forward
with their sympathy and money. Some of III"
most muniiiccnt contributors 10 The noble work
u the Episcopal Church In the diocese Of New
York are men who have little sympathy with
extreme Church" views. but who know good
practical work when they see IT, and al
WAYS ready 10 give II Il generous support.
But not only has the Episcopal Church In this
city organized an army ~ workers. both men
and women, among ls laiy but 1t has also
produced men among H. clergy who have the
gifj OF leadership. Few Of the Episcopal clergy
In this city are men Of profound learning ar
great oraorlcal power IN the pulpit. But nearly
every one ~ them Is a good parish organizer
and worker: or, II h. is not. he does not long
hold his place Moreover. all the large parishes
have a staff Of clergy. fact To which they owe
much Of their success And finally. in Bishop
Henry 6. Potter the diocese of Ncw-iork has
leader who possesses ~ once high religious
ideals. practical commOn-scnsc and the most
exquisite tact. To his wisdom and executive
ability much of the recent growth Of the Church
in this diocese Is due