New-York tribune., 1899-05-14
THE ENGLISH CHURCH.
OPPORT1JNIsTs SEARCHING FOR A VIA
MEDIA-SELF- GOVERNMENT WITH OK
WITHOUT DISESTABLlsHMENT.

Christian world In these days of agitation and
controversy earnest and loyal men WITHIN the
communion are striving to find the middle way |
between ultra -Ritualism and utra-Protestant- |
ism and to rally great middle party for the
defence OF the Established Church. The infiu- !
entail deputation which has waited upon the
two Archbishops this week has represented alike
the conservatism and the opportunsm Of Angli- |
caDism 1t has presented TO them an address
Of confidence and sympathy signed by nearly
eleven thousand laymen. The Duke Of Rutland
and Earl Egerton laid stress upon the fact that
the signatures had not been obtained through
ordinary processes OF religious agitation at pup
lie meetings, but were those of peers, members
Of the House Of Commons. university professors,
and churchwardens who wished to express
their confidence in the Archbishops and Bishops.
The memorial was brief. but hearty, forecasting
peace and harmony through the acceptance OF
fatherly counsel and judgment, without the
-ecessity for compulsory processes. The chlef
motive was sympathy with efforts to secure due
Observance of the prescribed order OF worship
without Infringing that cOmprehensiveness
which has been characteristic of the National !
Church"
The replies Of the Archbishops to this me-
mortal from the Opportunists and staid mldole
party in the English Church were cautious ana
temperate The Archbishop Of Canterbury re-
ferred quietly to the duty Of checking irregu-
larities arising from the mistaken zeal OF yer!
eooS men. who did not always quite see the
exact limits Of their work. The Archblshops
must be allowed he softly remarked little
time for a task of considerable difficulty; but
they were very much in earnest in their desire
to keep the Church strictly within the limits of
law and prescribed order and at the same time
to retain the comprehensive character OF It's
services The first hearing would come on
within week and an opportunity would be
offered to the clergy of submitting to the au-
thorty Of those who, according to the prayer
Book, were the proper persons TO adNse theh'
The Archbishop of Canterbury fairly exhausted
the resources of optimism in minimizing the
sources of disturbance and controversy IN the
English Church. The Via Media as it opened
before his eyes broad, easy Of ascent ana
paved with good intentions
The Archbishop of York was in equally
comfortable frame Of mind. He began with the
consolatory reflection that so long as the Bishops
erioyed the confidence Of tie laity no serious
misfortune could come upon the English Church.
He expressed confident hope that when the
present storm of controversy had blown over
and cleared the air there would be leisure for
considering the position OF the laity in the gov
eminent of the Church and also Of revising some
of the arrangements of the Book Of Common
PRAYER Meanwhile he urged a clear recognl-
ton Of the limitations under which the Arch
bishops were compelled to conduct their IN
quiries respecting irregularities of worship
They had no power to enact anything new Tor
the government of the Church or for the admin
istration Of its services They could merely
ascertain and define the law of the Church and
urge compliance with it and patience In await
ing any alterations in regulations and ruprcs
which might be possible at favorable time OF
peace and leisure, when there had been SUD
sidence OF extreme opinions. Opportunlsm Is
the note of this tactful reply. The clergy anu
laity in these troublous times must get on as
best they can with the law as IT stands, with
out compulsory regulation but with much
fatherly advice and admonition from the
Bishops awaiting a halcyon period OF peace
when revision of the rubrics and reform in
Church government may be oppOrtune.
COMPULSORY PROCESSES CONDEMNED
The Opportunists in the Church of England
are of mind in condemning compulsory
processes in enforcing discipline through the
instrumentality of State or ecclesiastical courts
They are opposed TO the Church Discipline bill
which is now before Parliament without having
the sanction of Government; and they prefer
TO have ritual cases decided by a voluntary
spiritual court which can only exercise advisory
functions Nearly all the technical questions of
ritual have been argued and disposed OF by the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; but
the Opportunists consider it inexpedient to have
these decisions enforced. They believe that
discipline be maintained, not through the
operation of the principles of royal supremacy
and the functions of public law for Estab-
Iished Church. but matter Of good form.