The Topeka state journal., 1897-06-12
The Organization of the Re-
formed Episcopal Church
Is Shaken by Action of the Gen
eral Council.
IMPOSING BLACKGOWN
On All the Priests and Digna-
taries Of the Body.
Trust Funds Are Withdrawn
and Noted Men Resign.

y
session of the general council of the re-
formed Episcopal church, the substf-
tute motion of Bishop Campbell
permitting the use of either black or
white surplces, and, in the case of a
bishop, a rOchet, in place of DR.. Asher's
motion, which allows only those now
using the white surplice to continue to
do SO, was taken up and a lengthy dis
cuSSiOn enSued.
After a long debate the council pro-
ceeded to vote on the original motion
to make the black gown the Vestment
to be used on all occasions except by
those who are now using the surplice
1t was voted on by ORDER" and the re-
suit was a victory for the black gown
by 26 to Is among the clergy and 81 to
II among the Iaymen. The Joint vote
was 81 to 27.
Bishop Cheney of Chicago then read
a letter to the council, addressed to the
presiding bishop:
LAS you are aware I have kept si-
lence during the debate upon the vest
ment question, not because I had not
profound conviction, but because it
seemed to me useless to waste words
| when I foresaw they would have no
! weight with the majority
The conclusion of the letter was
follows:
Such a destruction of the larger lib
erty which this church has enjoyed
from its birth hour, and such a depar-
ture from the solemn pledges of Bishop
Cummins, cOmpels me to enter my
earnest protest.
Il cannot with good conscience hold
any office in the gift of the council,
which am convinced has laid the axe
at the root of all Christian liberty in
/ this church.
L therefore most sadly but positive
ly resign my position as a member of
special church extension trust, as truS-
tee of the theological seminary, as a
member of the committee on doctrine
and worship and any other place which
may hold by the authority of the gen
era1 council.
Without the slightest question of
the consciousness of the majority tax
ing the action of today and with pro-
fonude affection for yourself, I am
faithfully yours,
''CHAS. EDWARD CHENEY,
Bishop of the Synod of Chicago"
Bishop LaIanS, with an expression of
regret at Bishop Cheney's action, had
hardly secured the acceptance of the
resignation by the council, when Mr..
G. NJ. Morton of Philadelphia annOunc-
ed to the council that Miss Harriet S.
Benson had delegated him and VIM
Tracey to state that on account of the
action of the council in regard to the
vestments she would withdraw until
further notice income from her contri-
button to the special church extension
trust and the special synod trust.
These trusts provide an income of
$4,000 a year A hush fell over the
council at this announcement. 1t was
followed by the designations of a num-
Der of prominent cIergymen and lay
men from important committees R.
w. Par of Chicago resigned from his
committee on Sababth schools Rev.
VIM. Paisley, professor in the Phila-
delphia seminary, resigned from the
committee on constitution and canons.
Rev. F. J. Waltmer of Chicago left the
board of trustees of the publication so
ciety. James Van Epps of Cleveland,
o., resigned from the committee on con-
stitutiOn and canons. The old presby-
terS of the council showed their con-
Germ in their faces.
Business was at a standstill for fully
Is minutes While men left their seats
and gathered together to whisper.
Finally Bishop FallOws called for an
immediate meeting of the general COM
mittee of the church and adjourned the
session. a member of the council
moved that the secretary do not put
the announcement 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 BensOn's own signature. The
of leaving the announcement off the
minutes. It had been made until fur
ther notice as a notice to certain par
ishes who made application to the fund
that they would be unable to withdraw
from it this year. It would be best
to wait for further communication.
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
full view. The trouble was serious, he
said, but he did not apprehend the
brea king up of the church.