The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-22
DIR. DE COSTA QUrrs THE p. E CHURCH
Talks About Rome-A Letter About His
visit to Dunwoodie.


Tho Rev. Dr. BENJAMIN r. De Costa has left
the Protestant Episcopal communion. He an
nounces tho fact to the world In Il farewell
letter" dated st. Luke's Day" and addressed
to "a member OF the Protestant Episcopal
laity." Rscitlng the fact that the acceptance Of
his resignation as a prssbyter left him in the
position OF n lay member. he says: That rela-
ton now sever. My experience in the Epis-
copal body has ended with disappointment.
Multitudes Of clergy. after persoverlng awhile.
and preaching strongly about our Catholic
heritage have rendered their obedience to
Rome. The Church OF England. as the result
Of the blessed Reformation became the
fruitful mother OF about 100 sects. nearly all
OF which have been reproduced in this ooun-
try.
You and know OF the clergy and laity who
frankly say that they will not bubble about
mere words. and that they accept the Real
Presence. Now II the doctrine he true II must
follow that tho Mass Ia the greatest OF all
truths. apart from the Divine Immanence. In
contrast with Rituasm. Ratonaism Is
strongly entrsnched and is very bold. 1t has
well nigh destroyed the value Of the Bible as n
textbook In Sunday-schoois and as an apthor
ity in sermons. The Bible OF our forefp theirs
has departed. and the men who impeach 4 hold
places ct high influence and power Sceptcs
o, various grades, and disseminated men. are
now being welcomed into the Church. which
promises to become. In due time. a vertable
cave Of AdulInm. Did we or did we not sell our
heritage at the time OF the blessed Reforma-
tian for mess OF potthge:
Yes. know what you will shy: Let US be
patient and sing: Lead. Kindly Light But
what Gun be the use OF calling upon tho Light
to lead when you do not mean to follow? II Il
hos 10 ~. -
what becomes of the bank: II a church is the
defender Of the faith and the faith is not de-
Tended, OF what is the church the defender:
Will God tolerate In church unfaithulness
that men will not condone In human trust;
The cowl does not make the monk. but
clothes form an index to montal ard moral
conditions: while thousand affairs and chan
cells strewn with saleratus bread crums. cast
Iwtngiian protest at the Sacrnmentaran
Can those things co-exist in branch OF the
Catholic Church? As matter OF history the
structure 10 crum bling about us. Many al
over the land are deserving the Church mis-
sionary societies are topping. lsa place In
such o body place for me With my views o
the situation. to remain would be immoral
Dscip line ia dead. Ecclesiastical police pro
lection shelters tho preacher OF untruth III,
Episcopal body Is afflicted not with case u
leprosy. The situation can newer We recovere,
by the Grevng o; the wise or the 'veptra
Rrum bling OF the 'JudiciouS
, Still. my brothers. II you will. keep YOU
place IN Your boat singing Lead. Kindly Light.
until 1t rOts aud sonris you to the bottom. /
would he better. however. to steer for som
goo port You may say that ain prejuIic",
against Professionalism. 1t IL true thnt see tn,
/ wreck it has wrought. Nevertheless | VIZ,
reared with intense prejudice AGAINST tn
Roman Catholic Church. even though the cot
| vent OF nv near kineWoman vas burned Owe
! her head at Mount Benedict hy Il mob O
| Boston Protes'ants. 1t was prejudice tina
| has long done duty aud which served me il
good stead. season on season. us | fingered II
: Rome. and stTolled innumeIa bic times thrOusi
/ ST. Peters and the Vatican. Yet perhaps
! have never paosei from under the hn!IowcC
spell woven around me- by Pho Mono. when h,
stood in his dienre chanher. gentle, he
nignant. holy. and gave me his blessing. II
! am preIudced | can only hope that II Is IL
| favor OF truth and righteousness.
DE-. DE COSTA VISIT TO DuSwoODIK.
| Tot EDITOR OF Tue SvN-.Sr: ] owe
! both to DIR. b. +. De Costa and to myself Il
/ correct the impression conveyed in your issu
! o. this morning by a paragraph heade,
| DR. De Costa at Dunwoode."
! Dr. DE Costa has never made any stay a
! Dunwoodie, nor given. az far AZ I know. tn
/ slightest in.imstiOn OF having any intention
| OF so doing. He merely visited the institution
| some weeks ago. spend ng n few hours, 4
several other. Protestant clergyman hav
| done. Truly yours. T. R. DYER. d. D..
Rector III. Joseph's Seminary
| DUNwooDIE. n. Y. Oct 20.