The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-22
A Startling Suspicion.

The suspicion, or rather conviction, Of the
Rev. DR.. CLENDENIN that the burning, last
week, OF st. Peters Church ut West Chester,
OF which he Is the rector, was caused by
an incendiary, seems to be justified by the
circumstances OF the fire as he relates
them but his further suspicion that the
crime was committed in revenge against
him because OF his course recently In opposi-
ton to the ordination OF DR.. BRIGGS into the
Episcopal priesthood, Is almost too astound-
ing for belief.
Unquestionably his attitude in that con-
troversy provoked resentment among tho
partlsans of the so-called Broad Church"
school, and 1t was 80 violent in some quar-
ters that he received abusive letters be-
cause Of 1.-THE "vilest and most villainous
communications, written in the name OF
Broad Churchmanship," no describes them.
The feeling Of the West Chester commu-
nifty itself toward the venerable church
is 30 unanimously friendly that il
the fire was the work OF an incen-
diary the inference is justified that he
came from outside. Nor is there any indi-
cation Of any reason for the crime IL
crime was committed, other than mali
IL bh0 utbJTuCblOu was IuucnJlOllul ~
is nothing to suggest that its motive "
pillage. Moreover, the circumstance that
the fire occurred last Wednesday, a fow
days before the time appointed for the
ordination in the church of deacon who Is
a representative Of the High Church party
tends to increase the suspicion in the minds
Of DR.. CLENDENrN and his friends. The
long and short of 1t is that they are con-
WINGED, to use the words OF the rector, that
The setting fire to the church is only an ex-
ample Of the bitterness OF the battle that Is
upon us. 1t is not High Church against
Broad Church, 1t Is belief against unbelief."
or course. he has no suspicion OF the
Broad Church leaders, but their cause,
he says. has attracted those whom they
cannot control. to whom their unbelief is
everything. the Church nothing"
The fact that DIR. CLENDENIN, an intelli-
gent man, particularly informed as to the
Incidents OF the fire, is so free In con-
Tossing this suspicion regarding it's origin
is undoubtedly, very serious matter. 1t
must produce widespread sensation in the
Episcopal Church, even if the feeling does
not go farther and extend throughout the
religious community. If it Is justified 1t Ia
dangerous symptom, and even it's mere
entertainment by the rector of st. Peters
and by others Of that church will be provo
cative Of alarm. At any rate, its frank ex-
preston must tend to embitter the con-
troversy growing out Of the ordination OF
DR.. BRIGGS into the Episcopal Church and
to make inevitable the continuance Of the
contest it has stirred up until the question
can be settled at the General Convention Of
that Church to be held at San Francisco in
October. 1901.
1t ia impossible to believe that the re-
ligious intidelty which Is distinctive Of
this time moro particularly would vent it
self in any such crime, for its special char
acteristic is Indifference to the Church. It
has no motive to burn down, because 1t has
no enmity to crafty. 1t has no quarrel
with belief, but simply exercises it's own
right Of unbelief. Undoubtedly, it is a
moro dangerous enemy Of faith than was
the bitter and vengeful infdelity OF the
past, which only aroused the faithful to
tho more vigorous defence Of the citadel
of the Church, but it is no longer an aggres-
sive enemy. 1t Is inspired by no feeling Of
vindictiveness, but is content to undermine
the foundations Of faith with the aid even
Of many Of those commissioned to defend
the citadel. Indifference Ia not incendiary.
By whom, then, could the crime suspected
by DR.. CLENDENN have been committed
|. and what were the motives that could have
inspired 1t 1t is perplexing question.