New-York tribune., 1900-07-28
RELIGIOUS CONTRASTS.
Mr.. KENSIT AS A DISTURBER OF PEACE
AND OPPORTUNISM-THE MUSTER OF
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORFRS
london Ir1lrr IL

commando Of religious fanatics in Yorkshire
Nr- Kensits followers have been entering
churches and cemeteries tearing down crcssAs
and CruciiXes and other ornaments and en-
blems, and removing them from the sacred
places where they have been erected by reverent
hands. The Archbishop has disclaimed theoIogi-
cal 5'as in raising this question and has asked
whether agitators despoiling churches and defac
ing memorials TO the dead are not TO be consid-
cred disorderly mobs Of lawbreakers. who are
liable to punishment for offences against prop
eTty. The Lord Chancellor has promptly cited
an act OF Parliament under which marauders
guilty Of looting churches and removing sacred
emblems can be arrested and imprisoned for
three months at hard labor Mr. Kensit's W,clif
preachers may be pious, God-fearing men. but
their religious zeal not condone offences
against property which does not belong to them
Instead Of escaping with fine o2 Is shiIIings. as
they have been allowed to do N quarter sessions
they are now warned that they will be dealt
with hereafter - Iawbreakers
The Lord Chancellor has strengthened his case
against outrage promoters Of the Kensit type
by referring to similar acts Of lawlessness on the
part Of High Church extremists He las con-
de11ned the action Of clergymen who forbid
marriages authorized by the law Of the realm
and instigate public brawls in churches. Divorce
was legalized by statute. and religious zealots
who did not approve Of it were guilty of dis
orderly conduct by interruptng marriage cere-
monies with noisy protests and vehement denun-
ciaton. There was ample power in the statutes
for the punishment Of lawbreakers In the
churches, and the Lord Chancellor reminded
magistrates and constables that IL was their
duty 10 repress all outrages committed by re-
Hgious extremists. The Lord ChanceIlors warn
ing was directed against all disturbers Of the
peace who usurp rights belonging properly to
the State and have recourse to acts of violence
in emphasizing their private views on contro-
yersiaI questions.
There have been few anti-divorce nobs during
recent years, and the Kensit raids on churches
and cemeteries are repudiated by the evangel-
ical section Of the English Church as disgrace
ful proceedings for which il is not to be held
responsible. There can be sympathy with
rowdyism and wanton damage 10 property in
law abiding country; but there are divisions in
the Anglican communion over ritual and doc
trine which are too wide and deep TO be perrna-
nently bridged over by a convenient quietisrn
There are many religious questions which are
smoudering and ready to burst into flame, and
Il will be difficult to keep them out Of politics
One reason which has been assigned for the
general eagerness among Unonist politicians to
have the elections brought on soon possible
has been the desire Of candidates to escape
religious catechism. They have known that
party allegiance will be seriously impaired when
the religious question is raised in politics; and
they are anxious to have the next elections con-
Quoted on the issues Of imperialism and to pro-
tect Unionist candidates against cross-examina-
tion upon the enforcement Of discipline in a
church established by law. When the war in
South Africa is brought to a close and the
crisis in China passes. the question which
deeply interests the Anglican communion will
again be uppermost; and there will be hundreds
of electors in every division and borough who
viii insist upon knowing how the candidates
stand on the essential principles of Protestant
ism and what are known as the Remaining
tendencies IN the English Church. These are
dangerous issues for the Conservative party to
face for the old fashioned Churchman has al
ways been a natural Tory and he is easily
frightened by the menace Of Disestablishment.
Mr.. John Kensit by his lawless brawls in
churches and by his vehement protests against
'idoatry" in the sanctuary alienates public
sympathy and strengthens the High Church ex-
rremists. When he assures the Lord Chancel-
p Of his eagerness to be imprisoned for three
nths as a convict at hard labor and pro-
ms that "an insuIted Protestant English
rIe will not much longer submit TO being
out Of their parish churches by Papal
Tors" he repels by his intolerance and fanat-
zeal the support Of a large body Of conserv-
e churchmen who are not in sympathy with
.-tremists at either end Of the line. Mischief
ious question before the public at a time when
opportunists are trying to thrust It out Of poll
tics and out Of sight until they can find some
Va Media by which the English Church can be
armed with self-government and Parliament re-
leved from the necessity for enacting Church
Discipline bin and compelling the clergy to
carry out their contracts with the State. The
Archbishops. by their court Of spiritual sweet
ness and light" and their judgments respecting
incense and reservation Of the sacrament, have
been applying palliatives where remedies are
needed Whether the Church Discipline bill be
q remedy or not Parliament viii not apply 1t.
but viii prefer to cut the Church loose from
the State rather than 10 assume the direct re-
Eponsibility for governing It and regulating rit-
uaI and doctrine The opportunists believe that
the essential problem Of self-government by
convocatfon can be solved If the religious ques-
ton can be kept out OF politics for few years.
Disesta bltshnent when II comes VIII throw back
the Church upon its inherent resources for
establishing It's own authority over every dis
puted point Of ritual and practice: and a radi-
cal reform in ecclesiastical government will sub
Etttute the authority OF a living Church in place
of medieval formulas subject TO the individual
Interpretation Of every vicar and curate. Mr..
Kenslt is not only a vioator OF the peace Of
rural cemeteries and city churches, but he is
also disturber Of the opportunism and laisser
faire optimism now prevailing in the English
Church
There could be no stronger religious contrast
than that offered between the invasion Of the
Christian Endeavorers and the passive Opportun-
ism which has taken possession Of the English
Church. Nineteen years ago a young peoples
society with thirty members. was formed by