The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-01
SAYS BRIGGS LACKS PIETY.
TIE REV. DIR. RTCHET REPLIES TO
BISHOP pOTTER'S OPEN LETTER.

lie Maintains That the Bishop Is Solely Re-
sponsible for the Professors Ordination.
and Insists That tho Latter Lacks tho
True Spirit Necessary for the Priesthood.
The Chtrclrman this week will print two let
ters from priests OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church relating to Bishop Potter's open letter
on the ordination OF DIR. Briggs. The Rev
DR.. Thomas Richey Of the General Theological
Seminary sustains the Bishop OF PittsburR.
who wrote to the Chwchmnn last week That
Bishop Potter was wrong in saying that he
was powerless TO prevent the ordination.
Bishop Potter" says DR.. Richey. has laid
himself open to tho imputation that after the
manner Of well-known Wall street spectators
he was placing the Standing Committee 10 the
position Of an intermediary to save himself
from the responsibility imposed upon him by
the seventh article OF the constitution.
The constitution properly 80 called lays upon
the Bishop in the first instance tho cole re-
sponsibilty OF Judging whether the person
presenting himself for admission De found
worthy, after due examination on his part. to
lie ordained; and when ordained !he Bishop 10
again to be the sole Judge whether title for
orders. required by the eanons. is OF such
satisfactory nature as to Justify him in pro-
ceedlng to ordaiu. The Bishop must
be held solely responsible for the decision re;
Rarding tho evidence on which he proceeded
to grant the grace Of priests orders
true piety. 1T Is this spirit" he says. which
j. found lacking In 30 many professed re-
g0Hs iesehsT s6ey ms are wSo end h.
their lack Of culture that moral sense. OF the
true. .churchman trained to respect lor au-
thority, aud filled with the spirit OF piety In
tie old Roman meaning OF the word.
The man: be he who or what At he may: h Who
self wanting in the spirit Of true pIety TN the
true meaning OF the word. and needs above
all men to be made to serve IN tho diaconats
asaschooI OF manners before being advanced to
the priesthood ,
Dr. Richey concludes by hoping that the
Bishop may not suffer for any lack OF true
The ancient fathers is motto which is
inscribed over thu door OF entrance to our An;
or deed. would delace it or blot it out ought
never be allowed to enter there It Is this
article Of religion is intended to protect when
it says: 'Whosoever. through his private judg-
s6y and q tSs d1R By
not repugnant to tho Word OF God. ought 70 be
rebuked openly, that others may fear to do
mon order of the Church. anc burteth the
authority Of the magistrate and woundeth the
Of s the sy Tsnfef 7" say So with all
Bishop oi this great diocese OF New York. |
heartily indOrse the language OF the article.
and pray that. BY the mercy OF God he may be
saved the necessity Of ever seeing it. In his
enlScopate. carried lntO effect
The Rev. DR.. Hall Harrison writes from
EIcott City. Md. sustaining the Bishop. He
The outcry and panic over the ordination
Of Or. Briggs reminds any one whose memory
can 90 back thirty years Of the senseless UppO-
st;ion to the conservation OF DIR. Temple to the
See Of Exeter in 1859. because he had con-
tri 1uted to tho famous volume known as Es-
Eavs and Reviews This little panic
will pass away in like manner. The Bishop Of
New York will receive In time tho thanks OF
churahmen Of all schools for saving our Amer:
lean Church from what would have been a sad
blot on its fair name