Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-11
REV. DIR. DE COSTA RESIGNS.
He Leaves the Episcopal Ministry
Result of the Briggs Case.
lNeW York Times

The Rev. DR.. Benjamin r. De Costa.
late rector Of the Church Of ST. John the
Evangelist. made public yesterday his
resignation from the Protestant Episco-
pal priesthood.
While it was known that DR.. De Costa
had become much exercised over the adj
mission OF the Rev DR.. Charles A. Briggs
to the priesthood, and had felt keen dis
appointment over the failure of the re-
cent diocesan convention 20 substitute
new members on the Standing Commit
tee for the ones who had voted 10 admit
DR.. Briggs. stil in no quarter was it
though he would adopt such a radical
course as the one he has taken.
DR.. De Costa, when seen yesterday at
his home. was asked whether it was so
that he had sent his resignation 10
Bishop Potter. Yes" he answered. cit
is quite true. Has it been accepted? |
do not know; | have had no reply. The
Bishop can hold such a case I'm allegiance
several months. giving the person who
resigns the opportunity 10 reconsider
But In my case | suppose he will act
with little delay"
When asked 10 give his reasons for re-
signing, he responded: Il must refer
sVN ~ iAlN i'tkNl huul EEE-N w NnN
Bishop Or. De Costa was asked II he
would not permit his letter 10 be put
lished. but replied: by no means. not
at present. At least not to-day. l will
say, however, that it contains no dis
paragement Of the Episcopal Church and
refers mainly TO maladministration.'
Continuing, Or. De Costa said: Now,
that the diocesan convention is Ove',
and the Bible. so far as Episcopalians
are concerned. has met with its Sedan.
l have concluded that # would be quite
as well 10 drop out Of the Episcopal
ministry altogether. | shall always hold
the Episcopal Church IN great respect.
j should be glad 70 see il rescued from
the present mismanagement and placed
on true foundation. To my mlhd'
unless the unexpected comes to pass
the poor future OF the Episcopal move
ment must be considered as clear.
The action OF the Diocesan ConYen-
ton il one OF the signs Of the tunes.
am spinning the story ont. but had De-
ter TO DO the talking myself and not leave
other 10 put words in my moulin.
member OF the convention said, very in
nocently: There was no ill-feelinS al tne
session. 1t was simply Il question or tne
true faith, and now that the true fnlth
has been promulgated. there IA hoth'ns 10
DO dono except TO asquiesce or resign, /
have. indeed been urged 20 reconsider,
and alas. ] have had several offers or
complimentary copies OF the Socinian VOL
umes devoted to the propagation Il the
true faith and in the hope Of illuminate
Ing my unbeleving mind. But II Is OF no
uss.
This diocese and the Episcopal Church
at large is dominated by what the ruling
foction call the .sDirif of the age They
forget to say what age. This spirit that
they talk about is simply the belated
ghost Of the age Of Arianism. II reealls
the words OF one who spoke or the 'feor-
gian az period when things were shelv-
ing down into a wel-written, able, moral,
gentlemanly deism.
THE Episcopal church has made new
departure. and | cannot go along wth II.
II any OF my old friends are grieved L
shall feel very sorry. | have adopted mis-
course unwllingly. | regret being ont IN
the ministry OF the Church whose history
I have studied and eXtolled over many
admiring years, but the requirements of
the case leave me no choice. Still i shall
love my friends just the same ! rrieve
that / can no longer serve them IN the
oden relations. but the failure in conven-
tons shows. think, that the departure
is permanent"
The resignation OF Or. De Costa from
the priesthood. according 10 well-known
authorities in Church affairs. will be fol-
lowed by his public deposition by the
Bishop. DR. De Costa, however may in
the mean time withdraw his resignation
II he so wishes. The deposition OF priests
by their own wishes Ia not an uncommon
occurrence and has many presidents.
1t occurs whenever a clergyman desires