The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-15
DR.. BRIGGS IS IN.
Runs the Gauntlet and Lands
In the Episcopal Church.

New York, May 15.-In the pro-cathe-
dral on Stanton street yesterday DR..
Charles A. Briggs, who was suspended
for heresy by the Presbyterian assem-
bly,, was ordained a priest of the Epis-
copal church. He was ordained to-
gether with the Rev. Mr.. Charles A.
Snedeker, and the ordination ceremon-
les were conducted by Bishop Potter.
The little church was crowded with
people, and the ceremonies were notable
for the quietness that prevailed.
Those who expected, from the great
cutlery of the past three or four weeks,
some sensational features were disap-
pointed. There was no scene, no excite
ment, and no prospect was filed at the
ordination.
There was nothing notable in the
sermon preached by Rev. DR.. George
William Douglass.
The ceremonies were very long,
commencing at 1880 o'clock and con-
tinuing until late in the afternoon. If
anything, the services were hurried a
little, and the general communion which
followed the communion of the postu-
lants or candidates tended to extend
the time.
There was a large crowd in the little
pro-cathedra1 church as early as $50
o'clock This increased as the time for
the ordination ceremonies approached.
After the Sunday school had finished
v.
dock, was approached by Inspector
Cross, of the police, who held a con-
versation with him. Several policemen
were outside the church and some in
the church. The church does not seat
more than 500 people, and there were
tyice that many sitting and standing
Bishop Potter drove to the church
with the candidates for admission
Rev. DR.. Charles A. Briggs and Rev.
DR.. Charles A. Snedeker.
Bishop Potter was asked what he had
to say preliminary to the ceremonies
He said he had notice of protest.
and had received no protest. He smiled
at the thought of any of the Directing
clergymen appearing in the church and
making scene. He, however, said that
he had received a letter from a layman
protesting against the ordination of Dr.
Briggs and, as this letter was written
under a apprehension of the facts
and law, he had answered He did not
desire to give the name of the layman
who, he said, was high up in the coun-
ellis of the church. 1naSmuch as the
letter he had written in answer to it
was general in nature and set forth his
position, he had no objection to making
it public
Rev. DR.. Briggs was somewhat ner-
vous, though he did not betray it in the
church during the services. There was
a semblance of nervousness in all the
celebrants. There seemed to be a ten
dency to hurry through the ceremonies.
The church was not decorated. Only a
few ported plants and a few lilies were
in the chancel.
A simple service according to the
Episcopal church was gone through and
then the rites of the ordination in ac-
cordance with the form and manner of
Ordaining priests were begun
After a prayer and singing Rev Dr.
Douglass delivered his sermon. In his
charge DR.. Douglass spoke slowly and
impressively. At the conclusion of the
sermon of ordination, Rev, DR.. Osborne
read the Iitany Then the most i'm
pressive moment arrived. The sponsors
went forward and presented the candi-
dates to the bishop. The candidates
stood together with their sponsors be-
fore the bishop. After the postularlts |
had been presented to the bishop and
after those presenting them had given
the usual assurance that they had been
examined and found worthy, the bishop |
rose from his chair and proclaimed a |
general invitation to any persons know
ing of any impeachment or notable
crime" in the candidates to come for
ward and declare.
Then followed profound silence
People turned about as if expecting
someone to rise up and make a protest |
No one arose. There was no protest |
handed to the bishop, and the crucial
was over. Then the regular for |