The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-06

BISHOP POTTER from certain
quarters. In fact, some of the so called
money kings have said he was certainly
a socialist in effect if not by profession
and really little less than an anarchist.
When New York celebrated the four
hundredth anniversary of the discovery
of America by Columbus, he preached
a sermon before the president of the
United States and his cabinet in the
course Of which he denounced "plutoc-
racy'' in almost unmeasured terms and
declared that of all dangers to the re-
public it was perhaps the worst. This
sermon created no end of talk, though
it was not more outspoken than many
others delivered in the hearing of less
prominent auditors from time to time.
Bishop Potter is Of very distinguished
bearing and Of strong though comedy
countenance. With the exception of
rather modest side whiskers his clean
cut face is shaved smooth, and were it
not for those little hirsute appendages
he might readily be taken for Catholic
prelate He wears the conventional at
tire of the high church Episcopalian
priest, and it well sets off his tall and
excellently proportioned figure. In many
ways he resembles and recalls his de-
ceased brother, Clarkson NJ. Potter, who
was so prominent in congress about 20
years ago.
Although the bishop is radical in some
directions, he is very conservative in
others. He does not believe it to'be spe-
cially conducive to the good of the
church or of the community for clergy
men to be as prominent in social affairs
as they are in England. He believes
there are times, however, when it should
not only be considered the privilege but
the bounden duty of the clergy to take
part in public matters. This does not
mean that he favors what is known as
"politics in the pulpit, but it does
mean that he believes the spiritual lead
ers of the people ought to take part in
any reform movement of Importance
when it is clear that they can thus help
along the proposed reform. At such
times he favors Sensational preach
ing" if preaching that makes a sensa-
ton may be properly known by that
term, and this is shown conclusively by
his own occasional sermons that make
sensations, one of which has been spe-
officially referred to above. He holds
very pronounced views as to the duty Of
the citizen at the ballot box and be-
Ieves that when all good men go to the
polls at every election, if that time ever
comes, thorough and permanent reform
will be practically accomplished
Bishop Potter holds strong and we'll
defined views upon the duty of the cler-
gymen of his church toward that organi
cation. In charge which he delivered
to the clergymen of his diocese three or
four years ago he made clear to them
just what his views are upon this and
other subjects Of vital Importance to
Episcopalians. This document was is
sued during one of the earlier periods of
excitement over the liberalism Of Pro-
fessor Briggs Of the Union Theological
seminary and its bearing upon the Pres
byterian church. The Briggs excitement
had brought about very general discus
sion of the essentials of belief not only
among his own denomination, but also
among commandments of other churches,
including the Episcopal
The first point brought out by this
charge of the bishop was that the clergy
lie under different obligations to their
church than do the laity. When ordain-
ed, they are sworn to teach 'the doc
trine of Christ as this church hath re-
ceived the same,'' and the bishop said
the notion that after such an engage
ment they are at liberty to renounce the
doctrines of the church and yet continue
to hold place and emoluments to which
they are entitled only by reason of that
promise is 'tan immoral one" If a
clergyman concludes that he can no lon
ger continue the propagation of the faith
''as received by him, there is no course
left to him but withdrawal from his
clerical position. At the same time the
bishop was very careful to draw a clear
distinction between vital matters Of
faith and matters of opinion, articles Of
belief and personal views of those ar
ticles, which must necessarily differ in
the cases of different men.
Bishop Potter's determination to per-
sonally help in work among the poor Of
New York will undoubtedly prove a
great stimulant to such work on the
part of the Episcopal clergymen in the
future and is therefore greatly to be
commended for its general and farreach-
ing tendencies as well as for the imme-
date benefit that may be received by
those among whom he has located him
self for the time being.
NJ. I. DEXTER
Electricity In Canning.