Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-17
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Bishop Leonard Stirs Up the Ohio
Diocese.
CRITICISM OF THE RITUALISTS
A Sensation Caused by the Vigor-
Gus Words Used.
TRAITORS IN THE CAMP"
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, May IA very in
teresting topic of informal discussion on
the part of the clergy and laymen in at
tendance upon the Episcopal diocesan con-
vention yesterday was the bishops annual
address, delivered the preceding day.
That portion of il which was Of most in
terest TO Them was the criticism of ritual
ism and rationalism, which, they say. had
direct reference, on the one hand, to ST.
James Church Of this city. and, on the
other to one or two other churches in the
diocese.
One of the visiting rectors said that
every delegate in the convention was glad
to hear the bishop express himself on the
subject, as 1T has been the source of much
anxiety to many. but now they felt re-
neved since the highest authority in the
diocese had placed himself on record in
the matter.
which relates to rationalism and ritualism
Is as follows: ut is passing strange that
men in holy orders should be found as
traitors in the camp There are such men,.
though, by their subtle and s0phistical ut
terances, they have most carefully made
such expressions as would protect their
authors from immediate discipline under
the laws o! the church. While they have
done great damage TO souls By their III
nuendoeS and their Interpretation OF SER
vice. | have profound contempt for such
uecelt!ul ana diShOnoraDie methods.
The bishops pastoral was introduced to
meet those persons. and of course, it has
bit hard against their shields. and caused
an outcry that only illustrates the necessi-
ty for the encyclical letter"
Another class of rcformers are those who
feel that the Episcopal Church is too
homey and plain and barren in her ritual
observances: they call themselves Catholics
without realizing that they have narrowed
down that glorious word to their own little
sect. and they, plying the old-fashione;i
ccnsecration of honest, steady Son &
churchmen, are attempting to restore what
they call the ancient glares of the Anglican
communion, and to reintroduce services
that obtained before the day of the great
reformation.
They advertise themselves extensively,
they express themselves freely, they in
troGuce Italian terms and are specially
devoted to the Roman Technology. Like
the rationallsts they are subtle and scTupu-
lously careful not to go too far. But they
go just far as they dare. They give
anxiety ard annoyance to other bishops:
they distress and ALLEVIATE many of their
less ritualstic brethren, and they stir up
the body of the people, who are led to
think by the holiness of their utterances
that the entire church is in sympathy with
them. but at present has not the courage
of its real convictions.
II dare not trust myself to characterize
these gentlemen, but | am very thankful
to the state that in this diocese We have
little of these two sorts of annoyance and
toy receive the sympathy or encourage
ment from the bishop of Ohio or his flock.
This attack of the bishop IS directed 10
a few very high church rectors in this
diocese. and has caused CONSERVATION at
the convention of the Ohio diocese, now in
session here