New-York tribune., 1901-01-05
CLERGY CANNOT AGREE.
rENsuRE AND SUPPORT FOR DIR. DON
AID, OF TRINITY, BOSTON.
EX-GOVERNOR woLCoTTs FUNERAL CON-
QUOTED BY UNITARIAN sTIRs UP
EPISCOPAL PRIEsTs-MR. GRANTS
IDEA ON NEW CATHEDRAL.


rne action Of the Rev DR.. Donald. rector Of
Trinity Episcopal Church, Boston. in permitting a
Unitarian clergyman 20 conduct the funeral SER
vices OF Ex-Governor Wolcott In that church, has
caused widespread comment and a considerable
clash Of opinion among the Protestant Episcopal
clergy this city. The rector is severely criticised
by most OF the so-called High Church party and
by a few is considered liable to trial before
an ecclesiastical court. On the other hand, the ma
Jority Of the Broad Church men support the rector
in his action. They argue that sectional or denom-
inationa lines should be forgotten on such an oc-
casion As member of the Broad Church party
put IL:
THE Church is too great to exclude single
human being from its portal, no matter what his
particular creed may be. How much more then,
should the doors have been opened 10 a man of the
nobility and the character which were possessed
by Ex-Governor WolcOtt?"
According to the Boston dispatch. the funeral Of
the Ex-Governor was held on Monday. December
af. in Trinity Church. of which the Rev DR.. f.
w Donald formerly of the Church of the Ascen-
sion here, is rector, and the service was con-
Quoted by the pastor OF Kings Chapel, Unitarian
church The act Immediately denounced by
Father Osborne, who is the rector of the Mission
Church Of ST. John the Evangelist and who repre-
sents the advanced High Church wing of the Epis-
copal body. In a sermon which he delivered soon
afterward he declared the act of proclamation.
and ended by saying that the Church had fallen
into evil days. like the days of Arius.
SAYS DIX CtfhlSIlaN.
Among the High Church clergymen who were
by a Tribune reporter last night the Rev. DR..
George NJ Christian. rector of the ritualistc Church
of 81. Mary the Virgin. spoke the most frankly
'I cannot believe il is possible the rector began
''that a clergyman of the Church would commit
such an act. All l know of the matter is what
have read and when l first saw mention made of
10 I'm the papers glanced it by. because I thought
such thing impossible. would rather not express
an opinion on the subject until know exactly what
part the Unitarian minister played
"But it is reported in the very words Of Father
Osborne said the reporter. 'that Unitarian
Quoted the service
'Tf he did," was the quick answer. 'it was an
act OF proclamation violation Of the canonical law
and the rector of the church be summoned
before the diocesan ecclesiastical court and tried
for the act
''The law is violated because. according to it, no
except an ordained minister OF the Church
may hold service over the dead Yes. even IL the
Unitarian permitted to conduct the service
after the Episcopal fashion. which l do not think
probable. it would still De a violation of canons"
s'Do you remember a parallel in the past?'
mot in New-HOrk No. The clergy in this city,
] convinced. would not and could not tolerate
even the idea of such sacrilege. 1 have a vague
idea, however. that there have been instances
something like this before in Boston. but nothing
so ffagrant.''
',Do you think the Broad Church men will con-
oemn this act in the same way as do the High
"Undoubtedly.' was the emphatic answer. ''I
! h,
j no matter how radical he may be in other re
spects. entertaining the thought for moment that
in an Episcopal church without its being a prof
Even if the service was conducted by the rector
himself, and an address was made by an outsider
action a grave breach Of propriety"
who conducted the servioeorender the offence more
Jar is bound TO- strike e1iTchman the Hardest
1t is bad enough for one who is not ordained TO
does not believe in the divinity Of Christ. the
%ss5 spe is RR Tad6 r s W sFiqg ngnngon
Grace Church, read the dispatch he said:
This Is a Boston affaihk Aeannpt give my opin-
''Buf should it happen in New-YOrk. what would
i'It would never happen in New-Tork.' was the
nofhing.' '''' ''''''' say "''''-' ''O'|''
MR. GRANT STANDS BY DIR. DONALD.
As representing the view taken by the Broad
Church men. the Rev. Percy stckney Grant, of the
Church Of the Ascension, said last night:
'I cannot understand why such discussion
should have resulted from this funeral. I frank
the subject but what does that matter?
character. a man among men. one who would de-
was not position IN the service OF the Nation
short in a most remarkable career.
Whatever may have been his particular creed
hitting place for the last rites his body than
Trinity Church Here the man who was once %
chief sanctuary Of the capital city. What could
be appropriate more beautiful?"
''But did not the rector violate the canonical
rules in permitting Unitarian to conduct the
vice. the reporter asked.
The clergyman paused moment and then added
with increased emphasis and with gesture that
told Of his conVictiOn
why. tf ! were rector OF Trinity. I would have
permitted the funeral rules or no rules. The
thought Of quibbling about rules in the presence
OF the dead is abhorrent TO
"And when the great Cathedral of ST. John the
Divine I'm this CITY. is completed and service is
held within its walls think that IL ought not TO
he shut 10 all the world except Episcopaians. 1t
should be place where the great. the sacred and
the solemn events of our civil and religious life
NAV receive honor and celebration"
The Rev. DIR. David n. Greer rector of ST. Bar
tholpmew's Church, said:
II do not wish 10 enter into what appears TO be
personal controversy between DR.. Donald and
Father Osborne. Nevertheless. will say that I am
confident that Ehat DR.. Donald has done is proper
and merits the support and sympathy OF his fell
low clergy