The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-26
THE DEAN TO RESIGN.
Dean BOdley of Grace Cathedral
the Subject
OF Anfmadversion on the Part
of Church Members.
Action in a Recent Funeral Made the
Cause for a Church Disagree
ment Which Will Probably
End in His Departure.

There is trouble in the congregation
of Grace Cathedral in this city, prob
ably the weaIthiest Episcopal cOngre-
cation in the state, and as a result Rev.
Harry I. Bodley, dean of the parish,
will probably resign.
The cause of the trouble in general is
the condition which has ever been pro-
life of church misunderstanding and
ministers designations, namely, fac
tional membership-twO distinct classes
with distinctly different ideas, and the
cause in particular is incident to the
funeral of a Topeka young lady whose
death occurred not long ago.
Dean BOdley is a minister of ad-
vanced ideas, thoroughly up-tO-date in
his religious views, and while the ma
jority of the congregation of Grace ca
thedraI hold the same opinions in mat
ters religious as does Dean Bodley,
there are others who belong to q more
conservative class and look with no aP-
proving eye on some Of the advanced
teachings.
In this way trouble started in the
congregation shortly after Dean Bod
ley came to Topeka from Mt. Vernon,
n. Y, and succeeded Bishop AIillspaugh
as dean of the parish. He conducted
the affairs of the church and parish
along the line of his own opinions. and
while there were many who commended
him for his actions there We're some
that his religious views in many re-
spects were not agreeable to them.
For over two years Dean BOdley has
had charge of the Episcopal parish in
Topeka, and during that time there
have been numerous tits between the
minister and different members of the
conservative faction in the church
Dean Bodley gave up a splendid posi-
ton to come to this city, and every sue
cessive trouble caused him to regret
more and more the step he had taken
in leaving NewYOrk and coming west
The latest trouble seems to have served
as the proverbial last straw, and Dean
BOdley has declared his intention of re-
signing his charge in Topeka and re-
turning to New York
This latest trouble in the Episcopal
church was caused by the refusal of
Dean Bodley to participate with Rev
Dr.. Countermine of the First Presbv-
terian church in conducting a funeral
service at the family residence Dean
Bodley was asked to assist DR.. Coun-
termine in the funeral services at me
house by the parents of the deceased
who We're members of the Episcopal
church, although their daughter was
of the Presbyterian faith Dean Rod
ley refused on the ground that the
canonical law of the Episcopal church
would not permit him to take part in
a funeral in connection with A minister
of another faith, but offered to con
duct the services at the grave The
parents were satisfied with this ex-
pIanattOn, but relatives who are also
members OF the Episcopal church were
not, and hence the trouble started.
Dean BOdley was called upon and If
was explained that the parents of the
deceased, believing in the Episcopal
faith, would not be satisfied if he dfd
not participate in the funeral services
at the house and their tenderest FEELINGS
would be hurt by such neglect on his
part. Dean BOdley remained firm ex-
planning as he had done to the parents
that it was not a matter of choice with
him but matter of canonical law and
that under the circumstances he could
take no part other than conducting the
services at the grave.
Repeated appeals were of no avail
and Dean BOdley was finally notified bv
the relatives that he need not trouble
himself by taking charge of the services
at the grave. Although il was the wish
of the parents in the first place that he
conduct the services at the grave, when
the day of the funeral came Dean Bod
ley took no ministerial part.
The trouble did not stop with the re-
fusal of Dean Bodley to- participate with
DR. COuntermine or his notification by
the relatives that he need not take part
from one TO another of the congregation
and although the conservative faction
in the church would have been expected
to stand by Dean BOdley as his stand
for canonicaI law was a conservative
view, many failed to do so and con-
demned the action of the dean.
Dean BOdIey IS now thoroughly dis
satisfied. When seen by a Journal re-
porter this morning he refused to dis
cuss the matter, but it is understood
that he means to tender his resignation
as dean of the parish at the vestry
meeting which is to be held Monday
Bishop Mfllspaugh is now visiting in
Europe and will not return until Sep
tember. and it would be impossible for
Dean BodIey to leave the parish before
his return It is understood, however
that he means to return to New York as
soon as Bishop MIlspaugh arrives
Before coming to Topeka Dean Bodley
was secretary of the Episcopalian So
ciety for the increase of the ministry in
the United States, and had headquart-
ers at Mt Vernon, New York. In talk
ing this morning Dean BOdley casually
remarked that he had considera Bile
business interests in New York, which
demanded that he be there.
7 don't care to say anything in re-
ference to my resignation" said Dean
BodIey today. I'm fact. I am not in a
position to say anything at this time I
don't care to air my personal affairs in
the newspapers, and really have moth
ing to say about the matter at the pres
ent time.