New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10
TILE DRLFT 10 EPISCOPICY.

The decision of Professor Briggs to apply Tor
orders in the Episcopal Church suggests the
fact that in recent years many men OF influence
in other Protestant bodies have joined that
Church either a. clcrgymen or laynen. Dr
Brown. Of ST Thomas's Church, in this city
was formerly a Methodist; DR.. Brdginan, OF
HOLY Trinity. was for many years the pastor
Of The Madison AyepLe Baptist Church. in this
city: Dr. McGrew. recently one of the clerical
stat Of 81. Barhoomcws. in this city. was
formerly pastor of -. Paul's Methodist Church.
And another Methodist minister the Rev
Charles r. Snedckcr. Of Ncwburg. ~ Y, has
,ust announced his intention of seeking orders
IN the Episcopal Church. after which h. Is TO
have charge Of 81. Barhoomcw's Parish
House. in East Forty second-st. In fact. some
of the most prominent and influential clergy
men and laymcn Of the Episcopal Church have
come into it from other Christian bodies and
the Indications are that This movement VIII
continue for some time at least.
Nevertheless. The Episcopal Church continues
10 be among The smallest Christian bodies in
the United STATES. and The likelihood of IFS max
Ing any wholesale additions 70 lis membership
X rather remote The talk about the liberal
wing OF thu Presbyterian Church following IN"
example OF Or. Briggs and entering the Epls-
copal Church Is without any basis of fact
There Is no such general movement toward
Episcopacy anywhere apparent. Indeed. taking
the conntrr at large EpiScOpalans themselves
would probably admit that its growth Is by no
means phenomenal In most rural districts
there is n latent feeling OF hostility 20 the Epls-
copal Church. and IN many populous farming
communities It has no organization whatever.
In view of these facts. therefore, the fear OF
some good people that the Episcopal Church
will soon be- 50 strong that It will be able 10
dominate all other Christian bodies seems rather
premature.
VIVA, * really happening IS this Some pco-
pie In the larger cities are attracted to The Eps-
copal Church because IL uses a liturgy There
Is feeling among The non-llturglcal churches
thar they have mad. a mistake In wholly dis
cardng forms Of worship. Such forms of wor-
ship creeping into use IN many non-Epis-
copal churches Int IN the meanwhile many
Christians decide 10 join n church which has
a liturgy that on the whole admirably meets
the cl.glous needs Of Christians Still others
are attracted 10 the Episcopal Church because
they think they VIII ind IN 1t larger intel
lcctual liberty than they can find In The evan
gclical churches. It's sole qualification for mem
bcrship IS m acceptance of The Apostles Creed,
which Is probably the simplest possible state
meat OF the fundamental positions Of Chris
tlanlty. More than that, n certain latitude OF
Interpretation Is allowed In explaining the
clauses Of this creed. 50 that, rs result. the
Episcopal Church allows A wide diversity of be-
lief and opinion Some Of lts members held
views that approx innate closely 10 the creed OF
the Roman Church. while the belief OF others
brings them very near 10 Tnitarianism. Some
Eplscopalians are Calvinis;s and others
Arminians In these days OF theological renais-
snnce. when so many beliefs once deemed
fundamental are being questioned. II IS not
strange that many men and women seek mem
bership in Church which allows the widest
possible diversity Of opinion IN regard TO &C.
clcSlastlcnl dognas. Those who believe In lib
erty Of thought. but who do not desire 10 give
up historic Christianity. find In the EpiScopa!
Church a congcna home.
But this drift Of liberalism does not please
tho ultra High Churchmen. They fear that 1t
Will make them relatively weaker In the coun-
sells Of the Church. They want no one 10 enter
the Church who will not accept the Ango-C Cath
oUc view OF the Church and who will not
brand the other Protestant bodies as mere man
made "sccts" outside the pale OF The true
Church. If any considerable number Of men
like Professor Briggs should come into the
Church the Anglo Catholics might find them
selves shorn Of much OF the influence which
they now possess. and something might be done
In the direction Of making tho Episcopal Church
even more liberal than 1t is now.