New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16
WHY DIR. SHIELDS WITHDREW.
REASONS FOR LEAVING THE PRESBYTE-
RAN CHURCH AND JOINING THE
EPISCOPAIIAN

EPISCOPALlAN.
In view OF certain erroneous statements which
have appeared In the public prints recently with
regard the late reception into the communion OF
the Protestant Episcopal Church OF Professor
Charles W. Shields, OF Princeton College Dr.
Shields yesterday consented for the first time. TO
speak the subject He first took occasion TO deny
that he a professor in the Princeton Theolog-
zeal Seminary and said that at time had he been
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presby-
terrain Church.
For the last thirty years" he said. II have held
the chair OF the harmony of science and revealed
religion In the philosophical department OF Prince
ton University. which. though practically Presby-
terrain Is under no ecclesiastical control
OF his withdrawal from the Presbyterian Churcn
and his subsequent acceptance OF the principles
OF the Protestant Episcopal Church. Professor
Shields said:
MY retirement from the Presbyterian Church
was voluntary withdrawal on my part ana
strictly constitutional and regular in form. The H.
cense of the much misrepresented Princeton Inn
Endorsed by other church members In good
standing and was not contrary to any Presbyterian
law applicable to the case. left the
Presbyterian Church on personal grounds. In order
protect myself from detraction. as we'll as to
protest against a fanatcal form of false temper
ance which be terrorizins that COM
munon. In my letter OF withdrawal | announced
an intention 10 enter other portion OF the
visible Catholic Church and I have now fulhled
this intention consistently with my public record IN
the cause OF Catholic unity | have long maintained
in my writings that the historic churches OF the
Reformation such the Lutheran. the Reformed.
the Presbyterian and the Protestant Episcopal. arc
generally or less normal portions OF the Cath
Ole and Apostolic Church VIII oh should be reunited
in this country. To the last-named communion.
the Protestant Episcopal church. have been
drawn By my studies, tastes afflnitles and opin-
ions
For many years Professor Shields has been an
earnest advocate OF the principles OF Church unity.
In 1894 he became the founder and first president
OF the League OF Catholic Unity. Associated with
him in the work OF the league as its original men,
bers were David Nelson Beach. George Dana
Boardman. Amory II. Bradford. Edward c. Moore.
Edward Abbott. William r. Huntington. William
Chauncey Langdon. Henry Y. Satteree. Charles A.
Briggs, Edward B. Coe and Charles Cuthbert Hall.
The ranks OF the league we're rapidly swelled from
the clergy Of nearly every Christian denomina ton.
The declaration OF the League OF Catholic Unity
aiiirms:
without de,aching ourselves from the Christian
mise relations thereto. or seeking 70 interfere
with other thoughtful efforts for Christian unity.
we accept worthy OF the most thoughtful con-
alteration the four principles OF Church unity pro;
posed by the bishops OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church Chicago X is $3.50 and amended by the LAM
We believe that upon the basis o, these four prin-
cipes ) articles OF agreement the unifcaton OF the
Christian denomination OF this country may pro-
coed cautiously and steadily without any alteration
OF their existing standards OF doctrine. polity and
worship which might not reasonably be made IN a
spirit 81 brotherly love and harmony. for the sake
OF unity and for the furtherance OF all the great
ends OF the Church OF Christ on earth
Professor Shields Is still the president Of the
league and is still active In the principles which It
advocates
Dr. Shields received the rite OF confirmation into
the Episcopal Church at the hands OF Bishop Little
John OF Long Island. nearly two months ago. and
not from Bishop Potter. previously reported. 1t
was his intention and that Of his friends 10 prevent
a public discussion At this time by maintaining
silence az 10 the circumstances OF the onfrmauon,
bu, the reception OF DR.. Briggs into the Episcopal
church soon afterward involved Or. Shieldss name.
and the latter decided TO issue authoritative
statement Or. Shields plans for the future are
still lncomDlete.