The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-13
VOTED FOR
BLACK GOWN.
Serious Split in the Reformed
Episcopal Church.

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS.
BISHOP CHENEY STARTED THE
MOVEMENT AND BISHOP FALL
Lows SAID 1T SEEMS TO BE THE
BEGINNING OF THE END.
New York, June 12.-To,day's session
OF the general council Reformed Episco-
pal Church was marked by serious trou-
bio over the question of vestments.
The substitute motion of Bishop Camp
bell permitting any presbytery to use
either black or white surplice and In
the case of a bishop a rochet was taken
UP. DR.. Miller, of Canada, said che
question of vestments was not important
enough to occupy time in the highest
council OF the church. It was only
matter of little church millinery. He
said Bishop Cheney's silence in the face
of all criticism of his wearing the sur.
plice spoke louder than many of the ar
guments put forth. DIR. Miller referred
to the interfering on the part of some
"sanctitied and oleaginous" person with
Bishop Cheney's mail. Bishop Latane
asked If DIR. Miller referred to him, and
Dr. miller SalQ ne dlu not.
Bishop Stevens, who has been in favor
OF the black gown, said the church de-
clared irrevocnbly against sacerdotalism
The wearing of black or white gowns
could have no Significance.
Rev. p. Il. Martin, colored, of South
Carolina, said the question seemed to in
dictate that the council was dealing in Gry
goods.
Bishop Campbell's substitute was
finally put to vote. The vote was by or
ders. the presbyters and iaymen express
ing their opinions separately. The SUBJ
stitute in favor of liberty in the use of
vesuEients was lost by total vote of 20
to 50.
The council then proceeded to vote on
the original motion to make the black
gown the vestmcnt to he used on all occa-
sions except by those who are now using
the s,urplice. The result was victory
for the black gown by &c to 10 among the
clergy and 81 to 12 among the laity.
Bishop Cheney, of Chicago, then an.
nouDced that he would himself read a let
ter which ordinarily should be read by
the secretary, but which, under the pecu-
liar circumstances, he would prefer to
read to the council. The letter, addressed
to the presiding Bishop began by saying:
LAS you are aware, l have kept silence
during the debate upon the vestment
question, not because | had not profound
conviction, but because it seemed useless
to waste words when l foresaw they
would have no weight with the ma
joIity."
The conclusion of the letter was as fol-
lows: "Such destruction of the larger
liberty which this church has enjoyed
from its birth hour and such a departure
from the solemn pledges of Bishop Cum
minis compel me to enter my earnest pro.
test cannot with good conscience hold
any office in tho gift of council which
am convinced has laid the axe At the root
of all Christian liberty in this church.
VI therefore most sadly, but posi-
lively, resign my position as member of
the special church extension trust, as
trustee of the Theological Seminary, as a
member of the committee on doctrine and
worship and any other place which may
hold by the au thorty of the general coun-
ciln
Bishop Latane, of Baltimore, with an
expression of regret at Bishop Cheney's
action had hardly secured the acceptance
OF the resignation by the council, when
Mr.. G. M. Motion, of PHILADELPHIA, an
nounced to the council that Miss Harriet
S. Benson had delegated him and Rev.
DR.. Villa III Tracey to state that on ac-
count of the action of the council in re-
gard to vestments che would withdraw
until further notice the income from her
contribution to the special church extern
sion trust and the special synod trust.
These trusts provided an income to the
church of $15, 900 year.
A hush fell over the council at this an.
nouncement. 1t was followed quickly by
the designations of number of promi-
nent clergymen and laymen from impor-
tant committees.
r w. Ware, of Chicago, resigned from
the committee on Sabbath schools. Rev.
William Farley, professor in the theolog.
ical seminary at Philadelphia, resigned
from the committee on constitution and
canons. Rev. f. j. Walter, of Chicago,
left the board Of trustees CT the publica
tion society. James Van Epps, of Cleve-
land, Ohio, resigned from the committee
on constitution and canons.
The old presby ters of the council show.
ed their concern in heir faces Presid.
ing Bishop Fallows' eyes filled with tears
as he said to Secretary Hendrix: SIT
seems to be the beginning of the end.n
The proceedings of the council were at
standstill for fully fifteen minutes
while men left their seats ard gathered
to whisper to each other. Finally Bishop
Fallows called for an immediate meeting
OF the general committee of the church
and an adjournment of the session,
a member of the council moved that
the secretary do not put the announce
ment of the withdrawal of the trust
funds on the minutes. He said the coun.
Gil should refuse to receive any such ncti-
fication except over Miss Benson's own
signature.
Rev. DR.. Tracey said he was in favor OF
leaving the announcement off the min.
ute. 1t had.teen made until further no.
tice only as notification to certain par.