New-York tribune., 1897-01-17
4 SOIEuN "a ROE.

Th, recent protcst of the Rev. Mr. BrownJonn
against the confirmation of DR.. Temple as Arch
hishop of Canterbury has given rise to an ln'cr-
cstinp discussion in England In point of tac''
the clergyman made two protests during the
service each of which was ignored when me
ROYAL mandate was read declaring the el'c'ioh
and citing all opposers. If any to appear Mr'
Rrowniohn arose and entered his protest on 'lie
ground that Dr. Temple held views "lncompat-
..iblc with fidelity TO the teaching Of the Book
.of Common PRAYER" Failing 10 be heard on
This nojnt he protested again after the Appari-
torGcncral had made the following procama-
ton:
ovez, Ovez, All We and sundry who have
anv objection to the confirmation Of the Rt. Rev'
Frederick Temple as Archbishop OF Canterbury
come forward and We shall be heard.
Rut he was not recognized this time either
Now. it is quite likely that Mr. Brownjohn
could offer no valid reason why Dr. Iemple
should not be made Archbishop OF CanerD'lry'
but that is not the question. lie was lorii'i!
invited to give his reasons such as they were.
and he was assured that he should be heard' Ill
spite of which he was told in effect that ne
would not he heard and could not De hearu'
In other words. this portion OF the august cere-
monio for the induction Of Anglican prelatcs
into their office is a solemn farce. Ihat GER
,oinlv is the view of the ease which most peO-
pie take. including many reverent churchih'"'
When the Crown nOminates clergyman ior
see everybody knows that any protest VIII pe
Ineffective. Yet the Church goes through 'he
mockery OF asking objectors to come forwaru
and guaranteeing that they shall be heard. wneh
I, is nerfectly we'll known that they will not be
heard In thus conscnting to sacrileslons
farce the Church puts an effective weapon III
the hands Of unbelieyers. Messrs. BrowhJohh
and Greenwood. who tried to protest against the
elevation of Dr. Temple and John Nenslt' VINO
tried to prevent the confirmation OF Dr. 'reigE-
ton as Bishop of London on Friday may nave
been lll-advised in their proceeding. But they
were entirely within their rights in asking 10
be heard and the refusal TO hear them pit the
Church In the position Of taking part in bit OF
llnmeaning mnmmery.
II Is only fair however to say that another
view is taken Of the matter. Bishop Davldson'
of Winchester. has written letter to "Ihe Lon
don Times" saying that the object OF the Ap-
parifor-Gencrals proclamation is to make sure
that the person presenting himself is the person
who was chosen. But this Interpretation Is not
horne out by the words of the proclamation.
"All We and sundry who have any obJectois'
etc That language completely covers all kinds
of objections. whatever may have been the ms
rorc origin Of the ceremony. And unless the
Church is prepared to live up TO it. the call FOR
obicctors should be eliminated from the service
IN the interests of truth and reverence. IL l.
worth while 10 call attention to the incident. be-
cause nearly every Christian denomination Is
in danger of doing the same thing Words ana
phrases snd ccremonials are retained. out of a
mistaken feeling of reverence. long after they
have been rmptied Of their original meaning
through the vcissitudes Of time. II is this I'M
belief Of belief and rrcvcrence of reverence
that Il one of the most deadly. because most in
sdolls foes Of true religion.