New-York tribune., 1901-10-21

PARISHES and 70 600 communicates And this diocese
2, ssf Foa Tea au anonseS to oniy $4,000 While in this
diocese 81 GOO raised has two oishops' ahd
the diocese of New has And there is little
possibility that the present system VIII De chanssu,
smaller doceses. being the greater in number have
the power to oppose effectively any change in the
system of representation which would curtail tnel
power in the general convention
DR. Batten then commented at some length on
the proposed change OF the name to the Church
of America"
This has been one OF the most hotly contested
questions before the general convention" the
preacher said But We we'll aware that the
Church. by simply changing its name, cannot
change it's character and that is where change
OF name might work mischief. II we. by changing
our name and calling ourselves the Church OF
America could become the catholic church OF all
America I think we would gladly have walked to
San Francisco and begged on bended knees tnat
the change be made. AS IL was. the change was
not made but may safely predict that this same
question Will be brought up again and prooaoiy
cause a hot fight at future conventions.
''yyhen we consider the simple beauty Of the title
OF our Church in England. the Church OF England
ii is not without fond longing that we might De
able TO call our Ch Irci. here the Church OF Amer
ica' But the Church of England had the right TO
adopt its title: we have not hope with fervent
heart that some time in tie future We may adopt
that name not for what our Church dreams 70 De-
come but for what 1t really is
In commenting upon the action taken by the
convention on the divorce canons." DIR. Batten
focused his attention Section Of the Fourth
Canon which, he said. had it become the law OF
the Church he would have refused TO obey. even at
the risk of a Church tria. and dismissal from the
ministry OF the Church
The first section of this canon reads as follows:
No person divorced for arising after mar
riage and marrying again during the lifetime or
The other party the divorce shall be admitted TO
baptism or confirmation or received to Holy COM
munion except when penftent and separated from
the other party of the subsequent marriage, or
when penitent and in immediate danger or death;
hut this canon shall not apply 10 the innocent party
in divorce for the cause af adultery
.I would go before a Church court or lose my
office rather than obey like that" said
DR. Batten 1T is clearly my business to bring
these sacraments to men. Suppose they are lead
ing lives of shame. has the Church any right TO
cast them out? If so. then the Church should
farrat ont all who lead sinful lives and punish
them in the same manner. and not single out any
special class of offenders. 1t contradicts the
teaching of the New Testament. the teachings of
Jesus Christ and gladly as l would obey my
Church and its rulings | will not do so II to do IL
7 have to dlsobey the command of Jesus Christ, the
true head of the Church.
II am glad that this was lost by the lay
vote IN the House of Delegates, and hope this Will
be the last we hear of 1t. We recognize the evils
OF divorce, but should strive to cure II by going
beyond the teachings of our master, Jesus Christi?