New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-02
BISHOP POTTER'S ADDRESS.

The address of Bishop Potter before the Epls-
copal Convention Of the Diocese Of New-iork.
which has lust held its annual session in this
CITY. gave evidence of the satisfactory growth
of the Episcopal Church in the metropolitan city
of the country Most Of the parishes are self
sustaining and are increasing in membership
and influence The mission stations of the do
cese are holding thcl: own, in spite of the hard
times. and the statistical reports of the various
diocesan institutions show that they are doing
the work which they were appointed to do. in
many cases with more than their usual aggres-
siveness During the last year no serious con-
troyerses have disturbed the diocese in spite OF
the fact that in no diocese of the Church are more
cburchmen TO he found of extreme and irrecon-
cllable views That they are able 10 I'VE To-
rether. in amity If not in unity is Striking
evidence of the tolerant spirit which Is coming
more and more to characterize religious thought
in this age.
In another respect the Bishops address was
noteworthy. His reference to the present civic
crisis was most happy. II involves. ne SAID 'he
single question whether. ut this PERIOD OF the
worlds history. any single people may nope sue
cessfully to divorce itself from all the past-Irom
other and older civilizations-and be law ana II
life unto itself THAT Is at this hour. ne auu-
ed. the question which involves the very Iouh-
"dations of our social order. and to which all
.other issues are secondary and inferior lhis
is well and wisely said. and is made more forciDle
by the temperate way in which Inc bishop eA-
plains why such thing Is seriously thought OF.
Americans. he explains. are especially IN danger
of coming TO believe that they can run counter
To the facts of history: for they have conquered
Nature and The race that has conquered Nature
Is quite likely 10 think that 1t can also conquer
the most stubborn facts. and invent new re-
lirion. set I'D n new political fabric create new
standard Of value or do business without any
standard nj all.
The Bishop holds that any such attempt -
fundamental mistake. not only In politics. nut I'D
relaion Good taste prevented him from NEIL
toning by name the party that Is trying TO carry
out this mistaken policy in the political lie Of
the Nation. But as the Bishop OF Church
whose orders have just been declared Invalid by
the Roman Pontlf. 1t was entirely proper Tor
him 10 express his opinion OF that deciaratioh'
lie did 80 In terms which cannot bc misunder'
stood While he regards rho Popcs declaration
as denial Of the facts Of history. he believes
nevertheless. that the Anglican Communion mas
reason to he profoundly thankful because 1t mas
been made. For somewhere. somehow. by ways
THAT no one OF us can as yet even dimly dis
"ccrn. the scattered forces OF Christendom VIII
find themselves drawn together with a common
purpose and In common fellowship But
"whcn they do. neither they ror we. any more
than IA the domain Of things CIVIC and tenn
"poral can consent 10 forget the lessons or the
authority Of the past. The Christian
"word has learned to read and TO think. II Is
"a jury before which the claims OF ecclesiastical
systems must needs be- arragred. whether they
will or no. . II must he clear that you
"and |. and all others who claim to be the organs
"of that Voice. the representatives Of Divine
"Authorty. have some other justification for
such a claim than the colossal audacity with
(which we make H."
Bishop Potter has often shown that he knows
how TO speak the right word in the right place
and in the right way. He has never done so
more truly than in this utterancc.