The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-12
Sensational Outcome of Action Taken
by the General Council AT New
York Yesterday.
EMINENT DIVINES RESIGN
AND WEALTHY CONTRIBUTOR
WITHDRAWs HER DONATION.
Views of Bishops and Others on the
siOns of the Lutheran Church.

of the General Council of the Reformed
Church a resolution of congratulation to
Queen Victoria the completion OF her
sixtieth year Of reign was passed. The
substitute motion of Bishop Campbell per-
hitting any presbyter to use either black
or white surpice, and in the case of a
bishop a rochet, in place of DR.. Asher's
notion which allows only those now using
the white surplice 20 continue to do so, was
taken up, and a lengthy discussion ensued.
At the afternoon session the vestment
question was taken up again and after d
long debate the council proceeded to vote
on the original motion to make the black
gown the vestment to be used on all occa-
sions except by those who now using
the surplice 1t was voted by orders" and
the result was victory for the black gown
by 26 to 10 among the clergy, and 81 to Il
among the laymen. The joint vote was 81
to 81.
Bishop Cheney, of Chicago, then an
nounced that he would himself read let
ter which ordinarily should be read by the
secretary, but which, under the peculiar
circumstances, he should prefer to read to
the council The letter, addressed to the
presiding elder began by saying: LAS you
are aware L have kept silence during the
debate upon the vestment question, not be-
cause ! had not profound conviction, but
because it seemed to me useless to waste
words when | foresaw they would have
no weight with the majority" The con-
clusion OF the letter was as follows such
a destruction OF the larger liberty which
this church has enjoyed from its birth hour
and such a departure from the solemn
pledges of Bishop Cummins compel me to
enter my earnest protest. | cannot with
good conscience hold any office in the glIt
of the council which / am CONVINCED mas
laid the at the root of all Christian
liberty in this church. l therefore, most
sadly but positively resign my position as
q member of the special church extension
trust as trustee or the Theological sem
mary, as member of the committee on Coc-
t-ine and worship and any other place
which l may hold by the authority OF the
general council
Bishop Latans. with an expression of re-
greet at Bishop Cheney's action had hardly
secured the acceptance of the resignation
by the council when Mr.. {. Nj. Morton OF
Philadelphia, announced TO the council mat
Miss Harriet 5. Benson had delegated him
and William Tracey to state that on &C,
count of the action of the council IN regard
to the VestmentS she would Withdraw until
further notice the income from her con-
tribution TO the special church extension
trust and the special synod trust. THESE
trusts provide an income to the church OF
SIS 600 a year.
hush fell over the coBncil at this an
nouncement 1t was followed quickly by
the designations of a number of prominent
clergymen and laymen from important
committees. II. w. Hare, of Chicago, re
signed from the committee on Sabbath
schools; Rev. William Farley, professor in
the theological seminary, at Philadelphia
resigned from the committee on conSutu-
tion and canons; Rev, F. j. Walter, OF Chl-
cago, left the board of trustees OF the e pun
LEGATION society: James Van Epps. of CleVe-
land o. resigned from the committee on
constitution and canons-
The old presbyters of the council showed
their concern in their faces. The proceed
ings of the council were at standStll LOT
fully fifteen minutes while men let tnelr
seats and gathered together 70 WHISPER a,,d ~
for an immediate meeting OF the general
committee of the church and an adjourn
council moved that the secretary do not
nut the announcement of the Withdraw al OF
the trust funds on the minutes lie SAID
that the council should refuse 70 receive
any such notihca ton except over MISS Ben
sons own signature The Kew d. Tracey
said that he was in favor of leaving the
announcement off the minutes. 1t had been
made until further notice only as a hotlce
to certain parishes which had made appli-
cation to the fund that they would be UNI
able to draw from it this year. 1t would be
best to wait for further communication.
The council then adjourned. =. +,o
Bishop Fallows was asked what the
prospects of the church were under the
crisis He was inclined to take hopeful
view. The trouble was serious, ne SAID,
but he did not apprehend the breaking up
of the church. Bishop Campbell the leader
of the surplice party. said that the crisis
was serious, but he ala not take gloomy
view of things.
The general committee, after adjourning
for dinner reconvened at S o'clock, the
night session of the general council being
adjourned to allow of the meeting. The
committee meeting was held behind closed
doors. 1t was stated that the committee
was not considering the result OF the vest
nent legislation or the financial condition
of the church on account OF MISS behSol 5
withdrawal of her money. Conversation
with clergymen and officials of all shades
OF opinion i'm the church showed that while
II is the general sentiment that the church
will feel the result of the action of the
council there is little danger of its disrup-