New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10
PROTESTING AGAINST THE PAS7ORAL.

As will be seen elsewhere in this issue, the
Rev. Charles Ferguson, an Episcopal clergyman
Of Cohasset, Mass, takes stand in regard 10
the Bishops Pastoral letter that will probably
| bring him in conflict with his Church. While
he does not deny the virgin birth Of Christ. he
declares that he cannot teach that Ii is an aDso-
lutte essential Of the Christian faith. There are
numerous other bold statements in this letter
which will attract the notice Of rigid church
men, He assalls the very spirit in which the
Pastoral is conceived, declaring it TO be danger
ousy untrue because it makes religion to con
sist in a merely intellectual assent to dogmas.
To hold approved opinions, Mr.. Ferguson de-
clares, concerning the circumstances Of Christ's
birth is a matter OF the slightest consequence.
The really important thing Is 10 enter into
Christ's life and share its love, hope and faith.
Not only are formularies mpotent to-day. but
they are also menace to Christian civilization.
As for the doctrine that the Bible alone Is In
spired it is, in the opinion Of Mr.. Ferguson. I'M
tenable; there IS no "lnfalble standard Of truth
outside OF the still and humble heart Of man.
land the everlast ting realities Of the world around
us Truth is fact; and the thing to do with fact
as not to protect 1t, but to respect it-conform
zones life 10 IT,"
For these and other reasons Mr.. Ferguson
enters his solemn protest agans. the Pastoral
His letter shows signs OF mental perturbation
and strong feeling; but it is n clear and aggres-
sive avowal Of ideas that seem 20 run counter
10 the prevailing teachings Of the Church. and
il IS pretty certain that he will he called to an
account for them. Indeed, Father Frsby. an
ultra advanced Episcopal clergyman Of Boston.
has already announced his determination 10 take
action in the matter; and II the requisite mum
Der Of clergymen unite with him, there Will be
a heresy trial in the diocese of Massachusetts
that will mark An epoch in the history Of the
Episcopal Church.
1t has been evident for the last year or so that
the question Of Christs virgin birth was sure
70 come NJ for settlement When the Bishops
Pastoral letter reiterateit in such strong terms
il was hoped that the discussion concerning 1t
would cease. But instead Of that being the
case the conciliar authority Of the Pastoral it.
self is now being called in question The Rev.
DR. Mcconnell, OF Philadelphia. comes out with
a letter, saying that the committee which issued
the Pastoral was only appointed by few bsh-
OPS in an unofficial meeting and that majority
of the bishops first knew OF II when they re
ccvcd It by mail This idea seems 10 find con
nrmation in Bishop Potter's recent letter TO The
Tribune IN which he expressly declared that
the Pastoral has little more value than il ex-
pressed I'm the more or less close consensus OF
opinion Of some halfdozen individuals Even
more significant was another declaration in the
same letter, which, by the way, two bishops as
sail in The Churchman'' this last week. Speak
ing Of the dogma Of the virgin birth Of Christ,
the Bishop says: ut 'the PastoraD certainly
does not mean that II at any time in the future
! "the whole basis Of fact on which that article
"in the Greed rests can be shown to be false or
fictitious the Church is TO go on indefinitely
affirming IT,"
This statement Of Bishop Potter, who, by the
way was a member Of the committee that put
forth the Pastoral, Is a most interesting one,
and will probably play large part in the CON
troversy over the virgin birth. There are many
men In the Church who accept the doctrine but
who nevertheless, hold themselves ready 10 re-
ject it on indlsputable evidence. In their opin-
ion, II is simply question Of fact, as TO which
the opinion OF any Intelligent man today is as
good as the traditional belief Of the Church
fathers Their position Is analogous To that Of
citizen who accepted and obeyed law Of the
State without giving up his right to criticise It
| such Is the attitude OF Bishop Potter toward
| the doctrine OF the virgin birth. But those in
| the Church who feel So in regard 10 it will find
| much comfort In his letter