The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-03
ELMEND()RF'S FAD
He Has Believed in Auric-
ular Confession Since
He Became a Priest.
PETITION WILL DO NO GOOD
The Father Will Pocket All
Objections Those Who
Don't Like it Should
Keep Still.

| The rumor that there is trouble in the
Church of the Holy Cross over the ques-
ton of auricular confession is heard on
all sides. Yet it is almost impossible to
find anyone who will tell what the trouble
is. That there are kicl1ers, every one
admits; but who these kickers are no
one will say. A News reporter saw a
number of the supposed DIRECTORS, who,
one and all. refused to talk.
The Rev. Augustine Elmendorf was
then seen and he was asked about the
| trouble. He said
80 far as l know, there has been no
/ trouble Two ladies, who live in Green
| vile, left a week ago, but for what rea-
| son / know not. They may have left to
| join the Grace Episcopal Church, as they
! live nearer that church than the Church
| of the Holy Cross.
81 am very much in favor of confession
and l have been since I was ordained
about three years ago. | have heard con-
fessions since 1 have been in charge in
| this parish and will always continue to
do SO.
There is vast difference of opinion
on this question of which the pubic has
but vague idea II is thought that it IS
obligatory on the part of the members TO
confess. This is not so. The majority Of
my congregation always conceded with
my views and hear confessions f'fleay
afternoon and Saturday evening or by
special appointment.
I consider it very impertinent on the
part of a person TO remark on the re-
ligion of any church members or ask any
| questions relating thereto. A person is
always entitled to his or her views, ana
a person may as well inquire INTO the
morning or evening prayers OF another as
to question his religion.
"If the members wish to confess, then
whose business is it? Nobody's, / say,
as it is purely voluntary, our rule beng
entirely different from that of the Roman
Church. Let those who wish to confess
do so, and let those who think differently
refrain from commenting on the. doings
of others. AS l said, it all depends upon
the views of the rector; there are many
heard
Mr. Elmendorf was then asked about
the sermons of the Rev g. NJ; Cnristian III
''Mr Christian spoke very forc.piy on
the subject of confessions. ne SAID, ana
1 am sure his words carried great aeal
of weight with them | am posittllxe w, tlas tns,t
there IS no dissension because of the ques-
ton of confession 1t is nothing new; as
/ said before, 1 have heard confessions
since nave been here, and It Is no diner
The meetings held in the ten days mission
were blessed by Bishop Starley, VINO sent
his benediction, because he was sneisposed
at the time and could not attend
Mr.. Elmendorf was asked this morning
If he had received a petition from those
who are supposed to have. objected to
confession, as was stated IN an inaccu'
rate local paper. He said:-
IF any such paper was sent TO me,
he said 81 should probably read It. ana
then pocket it, would pay no attention
to it, If the parishioners have any OBJ
lection to confession, then let them ap- i,l,-
peal to the Bishop. The, Bishop think
before | think it is very impartinent Tor
any of the members to interfere with
those members who go to confession.
Further there are no new rules pelng
laid down in regard to confession, ana the
books that were distributed during the
ten days mission, are precisely the same
as those l have given out for three years.
If any question asked at confessions, ana
only when the penitents need help, do
I ask them questions"
Other Episcopal clergymen OF the city
were asked about confession; Among
them was the Rev. Percival @. Pyle, OF
Grace Church, Ocean and Pearsall ave-
mes who said he is an advocate OF
confession, and is preparing a confirm m.
alton class of twenty-five members Tor
Confirmation services on February 1e.
The Rev. Mr.. Burnett, OF St. Marx s
also expressed sentiments similar to
those of the Rev. Messrs. Pyle ana
Elmendorf. s4oz
Mr.. Elmendorf mas OF ldte dqVpcd.,Su ~,
the use of a small book, prepared by tne
Rev. Mr. Mortimer, of st. Marks JplS-
coDal Church, on Jersey avenue, Which
gives many instructions N regara, q, 70 pre- pre-
IS Just the thing for the. young people
of his church to start with.
This book was s shown fSa ot,ssfions to noman ian
self-examination and the preparation Tor
confession are similar to those used by
the Roman Catholic Church;
Episeopal DISC Ieef,hu church, Newark who conduct
ed the ten days mission at the Chureh
Of the Holy Cross, is said to have brought
matters to climax py ms staieIiIg a;1 ser. ser
Of his sermons, that it is absolutely es-
sential to confess before confirmation,
and those who do not will not nave thelr
to heaven. 1t is known that at least
two members of the Church OF the Holy
Cross have left since these statements
were made, but who they are ana why
they left cannot be ascertained.
IT has also been stated that the Rev.
Mr.. MacNeil1, who up to the first OF the
year was an assistant at tne s M Jloiy E,pen Toens
DORIS views This Mr. Elmendorf denies,
claiming that his assistant left to take
charge of a parish in Indiana
Mr.. William H. Harrison q very pronl-
nent member of the church, who lives
At No 1872 Carteret avenue, was named as
one who had sent in his reslgnatlon,
"News'' reporter interviewed Mr.. Har--
rison at his home few days ago, and
heard that members statement. He SAID
that all rumors regarding res1gnations
dissensions and factional fights were
wholly fake.
II have not resigned, nor will I nor any
of nv family leave the church." he said.
INV daughter plays the piano at the Sum
day school, and as far as l know there
has been no disruption"
Mr.. Harrison was very emphatic IN his
statements, eharacteTizing all rumors
about dissension as false.
Although the members seem determined
great deal of smoke The cause and size
Of the fire has not as yet been ascer-
tanned.