The record-union., 1897-06-12
May Result in Breaking Up Of the
Church.
Bishop Cheney of Chicago and Many
Other Delegates Resign Because of
the Adoption of a rlOtion to Take
the Black Gown the Vestment to
be Used on All Occasions.

NEW YORK. June IL AT to-day's
session of the General Council of the
General Reformed Episcopal Church a
resolution of congratulations to Queen
Victoria upon the completion of her
sixtieth year of reign was passed.
After long debate the council adopted
the motion of Bishop Campbell to
make the black gown the vestment to
be used on all occasions.
Bishop Cheney of Chicago then an
nounced that he would himself read
letter which ordinarily should be read
by the Secretary, but which, under the
peculiar circumstances, he should pre-
fer to read to the council.
The letter, addressed to the presiding
Bishop, began by saying: LAS you are
aware, I have kept silence during the
debate upon the veStment question, not
because l had not profound convictions,
but because it seemed to me useless to
waste words when I foresaw they
would have no effect with the major
ity.'
The conclusion of the letter was as
follows: "Such a destruction of the
larger liberty which this church has en-
joyed from its birth hour, and such a
departure from the solemn pledges of
Bishop Cummins, compel me to enter
my earnest protest. 1 cannot, with
good conscience, hold an office in the
gift of the council which I am con-
vinced has laid the ak at the root of all
Christian liberty in this church, I
therefore most sadly but positively re-
sign my position as member of the
Special Church Extension Trust, as
Trustee of the Theological Seminary,
as a member of the Committee on Doc
trine and Worship and any other place
which l may hold by the authority of
the General Council. Without the
slightest question of the consciousness
of the majority taking the action of to-
day, and with profound affection for
yourself, I am faithfully yours, Charles
Edward Cheney, Bishop of the Synod
of Chicago"
BISHOP Latans, with an expression of
regret at Bishop Cheney's action, had
hardly secured the acceptance of the
resignation by the council when c. A.
Morton of Philadelphia announced to
the council that Miss Harriet S. Ben
son had delegated him and William
Tracey to state that on account of the
action of the council in relation to the
vestments, she would withdraw until
further notice the income from her con-
tribution to the special church extern
sion trust and the special synod trust.
These trusts provided an income to the
church of $4,000 a year.
A hush fell over the council at this
announcement. 1t was followed quick
ly by the designations of a number of
prominent clergymen and laymen from
important committees. r. W. Hare of
Chicago resigned from the Committee
on Sabbath-schools. Rev. William Far
ley, Professor in the Theological Semi
nary at Philadelphia, resigned from the
Committee on Constitution and Canons.
Rev. F. J. Waltmer of Chicago left the
Board of Trustees of the Publication
Society. James Van Epps of Cleveland
resigned from the Committee on Con-
stitution and Canons.
The old presbyteries of the council
showed their concern in their faces
The proceedings Of the council were at
standstill for fully fifteen minutes,
While men left their seats and gathered
together to whisper to each other
Finally Bishop Fallows called for an
immediate meeting of the General Com
mittee Of the church, and an adjourn
ment 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 that
the council should refuse to receive any
such notification except over Miss Ben
sons own signature.
The Rev. DR.. Tracy said that he was
in favor of leaving the announcement
off the minutes. 1t had been made un-
til further notice only as a notice to
certain parishes who had made appli
cation to the fund that they would be
unable to draw from it this year. IT
would be best to wait for further com
munication.
The council then adjourned.
Bishop Fallows was asked what the
prospects of the church were under the
crisis. He was inclined to take a hope
ful view. The trouble was serious. he
SAID, but he did not apprehend the
breaking up of the church.