The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-04
THE BISHOPS 'SBANN
Rector Elmendorf Forbidden
To Circulate :" The
Book Of Sin.
JOSEPH PLENTY'S VICTORY
Confession Must Not Be Obli-
gatory- Holy Cross Church
Expects End of Ritualism.

Those members of the congregation OF
the Holy Cross Episcopal Church VINO
are strongly opposed to auricular confess
sion and the ritualistic tendencies of the
rector the Rev. Augustine Elmendorf,
feel that they have scored a victory. The
cause of their citation is the ruling of
Bishop Starkey, regarding the distribu-
ton of the book called 1.-THE Way OF
Penitence which has been described in
'.The News" which was given out by
the rector at the ten-days mission held
in January, and which the dissenting
members termed as wholly immoral.
The Bishop decided against the book
in the following words
.The Objectionable pamphlet to be
withdrawn, so far as possible, from those
possessing it, and not offered any more
for distribution. Confession to be entirely
voluntary. in effect as well as in name.
ut is the general sense of the Bishop
that the soul seeking the advice or aid
of the priest knoweth it's own needs, and
that detailed list of questions is not
helpful, even when not approaching to
evil suggestion
This ruling was brought about by Jo-
seph Plenty, the Junior Warden of the
church When the Objectionable books
were given out one was handed to the
daughter of Mr.. Plenty. He was so in
censed that it is said he threatened to
horsewhip Father Elfnendorf. This Mr..
Plenty never denied.
Mr.. Plenty wrote the Bishop asking if
the distribution of such improper books
was ever sanctioned by him. The letter,
which was sent at the time of the mission
was courteously acknowledged and time
was asked for consideration, as it was u
great matter. The Bishop did not an
swer Mr.. Plentys communication, but
about ten days ago the Junior Warden
happened to be in the fleghborhood of
the Bishops residence in East Orange,
and called to consult him regarding his
letter.
Bishop Starkey gave out the statement
quoted above. The Bishop said his ruling
was in general accord with the recent ut
terances of the English Bishops.
Mr. Plenty was seen this afternoon at
him home in Arlington avenue and he
confirmed the above statements. He said
he was very much pleased with the re-
suit of his recent visit to the Bishop and
that it clearly demonstrated that the con-
gregatien was right-in ebjecting to the
views and actions Of their rector. He
also said that he considered Bishop star
keys ruling complete set back for Mr.
Elmendorf,
''Our rector called on the Bishop about
a week previous to my visit he said,
"and was told the same as the Bishop
told me. Mr.. Elmendorf has never made
mention of his recent interview with his
superior and he has kept his congrega-
ton in the dark regarding the Bishops
views.
It feel quite sure, now that the matter
has been decided, that there will be no
more dissension. The rector will undoubt-
edly abide by the ruling of the Bishop"
Mr.. Elmendorf was not at home when
reporter of 1.-THE News called at the
rectory, on Ocean avenue and Forrest
street, this morning. He said when inter-
viewed oout three weeks ago that the
Bishop was not in the habit of interfering
with his rectors and would not answer
any communications from his congrega-
ton touching on confession or his work.