The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-02-02


to find the funds for the maintenance of
the See, that Church should also have
choice of its occupant, Bishop Willis
expressed his willingness to retire, II
so desired, when the American Church
should be ready to consecrate his sue
cessor. From his reading of the Consti-
tuition and Canons Of the American
Church he further expressed the opinion
that these steps might be taken before
the end of the year. AS ar opinion it was
worth nothing, for it was not given with
any practical knowledge of the working
of the Constitution of the American
Church, nor had Bishop Willis any con-
troll over the action to be taken. Conse-
quently, to put this opinion forward IN
the Memorandum is unreasonable. The
Superintendent of Water Works might
as reasonably cut off ones water sup
p]y if. an expression of opinion being
asked as to the probabilities of q. rain
fail. an answer should be given on the
basis of observations, which should prove
erroneous. Bishop Willis has no more
control over the action of the American
Church than he has over the clouds.
| % It is stated in the previous para
graph that Bishop Willis offered to re-
tire if the American Church on relieving
the s. P. G. of its financial responsible
pant for the See But when, in reply to
This offer, the Bishop of Albany asked
that all words relating to the consecra-
ton of a successor be omitted from TINS
offer, the situation was entirely chang
ed. That the American Bishops olo not
feel bound to perpetuate the See was a
surprise as painful as 1t was uneXpect-
ed. For a bishop to engage to retire
from his see with the knowledge that
10 neSiPnated.
whose hands he can commit his pastoral
staff. would be betrayal of the sacred
interests entrusted to him; 1t would De
TO act the part of the hireiing shepherd,
and abandon the flock committed TO his
care by the Great Shepherd of the sheep.
YET this is the course the Bishop or New
York desires his brother In the Episco-
nate to take. He denies him the right
to ask for the appointment of a success
sor To do this is to make terms with
tho American Church, and he has no
slightest right to take any such posi-
ttion."
% Notwithstanding this strong con-
demnation of his position by his brother
of New York, the position Which BlsnoI
Willis takes is in accordance with the
mind of the whole Anglican Episcopate
as expressed in the Resolutions OF the
lambeth Conference of 1867. If report y
VII means diiy a. seAit, -
that a missionary bishopric founded py
one branch of the Anglican Church Is &c
he respected by the other branches.
is entirely at variance with the whole
enirtt of that Report that, when a mis-
ssonarv bishopric once founded by one
branch of the Anglican Church Is
through political changes brought into
relationship with another branch, this
branch with which it is brought into re-
1ationship. instead of receiving it into Its
organization, should ignore Its existence
or propose its extinction. Unless the re-
e1,,te arrived at by the Lambeth Confer
iance are not worth the paper they are
,1rinted on. the position taken by BishoI
WINS is one which ought to have thf
s,,,,nort Of every bishop of the Anglican
Communion.
o. IF Bishop Willis will withdraw. the
,,;shon of New York offers, on behalf
- tbe American Church, to provide fol
1,-ba+ is necessary In the way of Episco
~ duty in the Islands. That Is all
- is not word in his communica
49,, about making provision for the cler
syv English, American ana Chinese, Iron
Chose support the s z. q. mas win
lawn total sum of 600 year. OF
~ contrary. in answer to an inquiry
80, London whether the American
rt,-,[rch would continue these grants
I I,.J potter replied. on June "a, tina
Is.S Id no information on this point, tn
I r. of Missions having taken no &C