The herald., 1897-06-12
Sole Vestment of Reformed
Episcopalians
A CHURCH WAR Threatened
THE FIRST GUNS ARE PRETTY
HEAVY ONES
Bishop Cheney Resigns All His Offices
and Miss Benson Ceases to
Contribute
Associated Press Special wire.

Oontr1puto
Associated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK. June 11.-At today'f
session Of the general council of the
Reformed Episcopal church resolu.
tion of congratulations to Queen vic-
toria upon the completion of her six
tieth year Of reign was passed. After a
long debate the council adopted the mo.
ton 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 q
letter which ordinarily should be read
by the secretary, but which, under thu
peculiar circumstances, he should prefer
to read to the council.
The letter, addressed to the presiding
bishop, began by saying: "As you arr
aware. I have kept silence during this
debate upon the yestment question, mo-
because had profound convictions, bu'
because 1t seemed to me useless to waste
words when I forsaw they would have
no effect with the majority"
The conclusion Of the letter was as fol
lows: "Such destruction Of the larger
liberty which this church has enjoyed
from it's birth hour and such departure
from the solemn pledges of Bishop Cum.
Minis. compel me to enter my earnes!
protest
II cannot with good conscience hold
any office in the gift of the council
which am convinced has laid the al
at the root Of all Christian liberty In
this church.
II therefore most sadly but positively
resign my position as a member Of the
special church extension trust. as trus-
tee of theology seminary, as member o.
the committee on doctrine and worship
and any other place which may hold
by the authority Of the general council
without the slightest question of the
conscientiousness Of the majority taking
the action of today, 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 G. A.
Morton of Philadelphia announced to
the council that Miss Harriet s. Benson
had. delegated him and William Tracy
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 provide an income to the
church of $4,000 year. Ahush fell over
the council at this announcement. 1t
was followed quickly by the designations
of a number Of prominent clergymen and
laymer from important committees. r.
w. Hare Of Chicago resigned from the
committe ON Sabbath schools. Rev. Will
liam Farley, professor in the theological
seminary at Philadelphia, resigned from
the committee on constitutions and can
ons. Rev. F. j. Waltmer left the board
of trustees OF the publication society.
James Van Epps Of Cleveland resigned
from the committee on constitution and
canons.
The old presbyterles 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 adjournment
Of the session. A member of the council
moved that the secretary do not put the
nf "a 4 A..
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 of the minutes. It had
been made until further notice, only as
notice to certain parishes who had
made application to the fund that they
would be unable to draw from it this
year. It would be best to wait for fur
ther communication.
The council then adjourned.
Bishop Fallows was asked what the
prospects of the church were under the
crisis. He was inclined to take hope
full view. The trouble was serious, he
said, but he did not apprehend the break
ing up of the church.
THE LUTHERANs
MANSFIELD, O., June 1.-THE
Lutheran synod got down to business
today, and as soon as the opening serv-
Ices Of the morning session were over
began raising $4,000 to cover a deficit
that had been troubling the board of
home missions for the last year.. It took
almost the entire morning session and
part of the afternoon session, but It
was finally accomplished.
6unken Treasure
MILWAUKEE,. Wis, June 11.-If the