Evening journal., 1902-02-24
Tells Why Services We're
Held in Stanton Church
BUILDING WAS UNOCCUPIED
Episcopal Church 80 Remote From
Village That Presbyterian Build
inc Was Engaged

pended letter in reply TO that of the
ministers OF this city.
based on their objection to the Presby-
terian church in Stanton being used
by the Episcopalians for their services
during Lent II is understood that the
reason the Presbyterian church was
desired was because the Episcopal
church. in which services have been
conducted for over 100 years. is so re-
mote from the village. and the roads
are so bad for travel.
The bishops reply is as follows:
Blshopstead. Wilmington.
February %, 1902.
Dear Slrs: You letter. appearing
with such extraordinary haste in the
uhlic prints. would have been an-
wered sooner but for the absence from
home of both Dr. Rede and myself.
It's contents both surprised and sad
ened me. They surprised me by the
want OF that necessary information
which you could have obtained so
asily They saddened me because OF
he controversial and uncharitable
spirit which they disclosed
Let me first say that / am informed
that the permission TO use the unoccu-
pied building in question was obtained
of the only parties who were supposed
10 have control of t. This was after
careful inquiry, and we had. as l am
further informed. the assurance to this
effect OF the Presbyterian minister last
officiating there. / may add that, 50
far as I know. there has been no OBJ
lection to our procedure on the part OF
ANY resident in Stanton.
We had offered to pay for for it's use
any sum of money that might be
deemed proper. For the valued cour-
ltesy thus extended to us. made CRATE
lful acknowledgment before beginning
my sermon.
: Shall / tell YOU the text OF that SER
mon? The love of Christ constrain-
eth u.s." In the outset OF my remarks.
j laid particular stress upon the con-
lstraining power OF this love as that
which had prompted the series OF Len
ten services and sermons contem-
Iplated. / cannot recall one word that
i spoke that was out of harmony with
the spirit of the text, or that was not
the preaching OF the Gospel; TO which
preaching there you are pleased to say
that there Is no serious objection ON
the part of the New Castle Presby-
terry"
Nothing was said or done on that
Occasion which could have been more
foreign TO the animus which you have
$50 gratuitously and enormously i'm
lputed TO the rector of the parish and
myself.
Much stress is laid. / observe, upon a
phrase in the newspaper announce
lment OF the services as to the ways
of the Episcopal Church" This had
reference simply to the ways of wor-
sship belonging to our branch OF the
Catholic Church. II anything more like
p preaching the Gospel can be found
5 than Is found in our Book of Common
5 Prayer composed as it is either of the
iexpress words of Holy Writ or OF other
words in exact accordance therewith)
I should be most thankful to know OF
, It from yourselves, or from any other
source
That there was not the slightest in
tention 10 take advantage OF these ser
vices to enter into any controversy is
, lincontestably proved by the fact that
the several preachers were left wholly
to select their own themes. the only
suggestion that was made being that
they should be the simple old truths
! Of the Gospel.
We could scarcely have been tempted
to harbor the thought Of proselytizing
from your own communion--of which
. ] have never spoken except in terms Of
kindly regard-when we were about to
/. use a building that had been practi-
cally abandoned by your Presbytery
+. for several years (the Sunday school
even having been closed for several
, monthsl and in a town which. as far
y as / have learned. contains only two
= families owning allegiance to il.
I will not exchange with You contrO-
, lversial and irritating terms. They dc
! mot make for that peace and unity
. lamong the disciples of Christ for which
=, He Himself longs. and which it should
- = be OUTS to cultivate and enlarge.
y AS your letter was so speedily com
~ lmunicated TO the daily journals | may
perhaps. be excused if ] pursue the
same course with my reply.
=, / remain. with all kindly considera.
~ ton. Yours faithfully.
Leighton Coleman.
2. S. While not acknowledging YOU
uthority in the premises. yet. as Z
s. matter of charity and consistency. it Il
OF proposed to continue the Friday even
III ing services in the public hall of Stan
az on. inconvenient and unattractive a
le that may be.
To the Rev W. H. Logan. the Rev
W. +. ID. Lewis. etc.
IN
L John +. Malloy will lecture on tn