The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-12
WHITE SURPLICE BANNED,
BISHOP CHENEY RESIGNS ALL POSTS
UNDER THE CHURCH COUNCIL.


Founder or the Church EStension Fund or the
Reformed Episcopal Church withdraws Her
'Blacks, Say She Can't and Call Her
Notice "a BluT"-Nvm = Split Foilowi
The members OF the General Council of the
Reformed Episcopal Church wrestled all day
yesterday with tho question of clerical robes
and wound up hours OF earnest talk late In the
afternoon by banning the white surplico. Tho
resolution OF DIR. Samuel Ashurst prohibiting Its
use save in the parishes where 1t is now used
was passed by an overwhelming vote. 1mme-
dintcly thereafter Bishop Charles e. Cheney of
Chicago resigned all his posts in the gift Of tho
council. Four other adherents Of the surplico
did likewise. In the opinion OF the defeated
faction, the action OF the council means a split
in the Church. The Blacks profess to believe,
on the other hand, that after tho defeated men
have had time to cool of things will run along
smoothly.
1t was expected hat n vote on the resolution
would come the first thing in the morning, but
efforts to shut Off the debate were promptly sat
upon. Even the inquiry OF the Rev. p. II. Mar
tin, q colored delegate from South Carolina,
who wanted to know whether they were doal-
ing in dry goods or saving souls, failed to mako
an impression.
Il attach no Importance to the question Of
Dress declared Bishop Stevens. who wanted
the, matter left alone. why, I've preached
without any garment whatever"
WhSrenpon the men all laughed and the
mouths; II mean, OF course, insignia of office"
the Bishop added, and sat down in some EN-.
At tho afternoon session some one moved the
previous question, and 1t was carried by so to ..
nhis Sf% SiloMsd HB Boi hhaf tho w SGhit%p pSppliee sn nnd blaei:
gowns as well as robes for the Bishops, but di;
vested them rG Of a symbollcal or saserd2 2n
Chair ruled that the original resolution
Sas : sti naoro open to ,n debate o. and forb RiaiaIh3op
absolutely the use of any Geneva. robe save the
black gown. He explained that he did this be-
s Sigma sh on 4 tsose Wo rSiGi9t iSo M Rhrihe' sarpiic put 4 {
branded them with shame. he said, rather than
compromised with them. The amendment was
matter to be settled by the various synods, was
also beaten. Tho Ashurst resolution. was then
put through by, a vote of 81 TO %. and the ques-
ton was settled.
For almost ayo minutes there was a hush in
He has been the recognized leader Of the
Whites" for years. To the surprise of all he
had taken. no part in the discussion. He arose.
and, drawing a letter from his pocket, walked to
dressed to tho presiding Bishop. and explained
words could do no good. He felt that the vote
had been n fatal blow to Christian liberty In the
Reformed Hio1ot,oS u Ef ,hs sosm Gh n1sSa. 1t IT EisSo a del lbm
In the founding of the Church. He quoted words
OF Bishop Cummins to show that in the Re-
formed Episcopal Church they had merely gone
was just after the American Revolution. The
council had declared that certain vestments
used in that Church Mt that time must not be
used now because they were leading to Rome.
This Interpretation was imposed upon a large
minority in the Church against its will. In view
OF such a destruction OF liberty in the Church he
could not in good conscience hold any gift Of the
council.
Il. therefore," the letter said in conclusion,
most sadly but positively resign my position
rs a member OF the Special Church Extension
member Of the Committee on Doctrine and Wor-
ship, and any other position / may hold by
authority of the General Council"
No action was taken on the letter. Charles ii.
Morton of Philadelphia followed the Bishop
with an announcement that. in view OF the de.
ctsion in the vestment question, the founder OF
the Church Extension fund had authorized him
to withdraw the gift. The interest from this fund
amounts to $l5,OOO a year. $4,000 OF which
must be used generally and SIS, 900 in New York
city. II has been in existence for many years,
the name Of the founder. n woman, being kept
secret.
No action was taken as to this. The Blacks"
assert that the deed of the gift is such that it
cannot be withdraw, They GGThharaeterized the
other members Of the council who resigned all
positions on committees are: r. w. Hare. Chi
cago;. the Rev. Dr.. William Farley. Phila.
dclphia; the Rev. 7; j. Walton. Chicago. and J.
As Bishop Cheney left tho church after ad.
iournment he was asked IL he would leave the
Church.
Certainly not" he answered. Il merely 70.
signed the positions given me by the council.
The council did not make me a Bishop"
He would express no opinion as TO the future
of the Church.
At the night session the council passed a reso.
luton calling upon Postmaster-General Gary
to close all Post Offices on Sunday and run no
mail trains on that day.