The Washington times., 1903-06-28
FILLINGHAM A tUNATIC,
ASSERTS BISHOP POTTER
Advises New York Rector to Throw
Him Out.

NEW YORK. June 27.-Bishop Potter
has directed the rector Of the Church OF
st. Mary the Virgin TO call in the police
and throw the Rev. R. c. Fillingham. Of
Hexton, Hertfordshire, England. into the
street If that Jealous anti-rituaIist
ventures to interrupt or interfere with
he services which the Rev Mr. Filling
ham describes as idoIatrous and con-
trary to the worship of the Church OF
England
The Rev. Mr.. Fillingham has had
some stormy times in England, where ne
has been arrested for disturbing church
ceremonies which he thought followed
too closely the Catholic ritual But his
correspondence never had been enliv-
ened with such a letter as that which
he received yesterday from Bishop Pot
ter. Here is the letter:
"Cooperstown, n. Y, June %, 1903
Reverend Sir: In the public prints of
yesterday / find letter from you, ad-
dressed TO me. and later this letter
reached me through the mail
You call yourself clergyman in the
Church Of England; but doubt 1t. for a
clergyman is usually a gentleman and
aware that he may not print a private
letter until its receipt has been
acknowledged by the person TO whom
II is addressed.
That you are lunatic is much more
likely, for only lunatic could suppose
that the Church In New York is gov
erned by the laws Of the Church of Eng
land. or that you could compel me or
any incumbent in the diocese of New
fork 10 enforce or to obey the laws Of
the Church of England
The rector of the Church OF St. Mary
the Virgin possesses my respect and
confidence; and though his modes of
worship may be as little to my tastes as
TO yours, he is not following them
without my privity or knowledge.
Il have advised him, therefore, to
apply for a detail of police: and have
instructed him, in case you or your
followers venture in any way to inter
rupt or interfere with his services, TO
direct the police 10 throw you and your
associates into the street. Happily, we
have a law in the State OF New York
which deals summarily and efrectually
with disturbers OF public worship. Very
truly yours, H. c. POTTER,
Bishop OF New York"
Mr.. FilIngham sent this reply:
Fifth Avenue Hotel. June 20.
nlB0L reverend or. am IN receipt
of your extremely violent and insulting
letter OF yesterdays date. / suppose SO
extraordinary a production vas never
before penned by a professedly Chris
tian minister.
You are. or affect to be, unaware
that open letters are frequently written
TO public men. You also are apparently
unaware that the church OF which you
are an officer has declared that she has
no intention OF differing in anything
from the doctrine, discipline. and wor-
ship OF the Church OF England. 1 sup
pose you are also unaware of the fact
that the ritual of st. Mary the Virgin
does differ absolutely from that dis
cipline and that worship.
Il Will not follow you in your own
choice expressions and describe this us
lundcy. but 1t is certainly a singular
exhibition OF ignorance
II note that you condone and are
privy 10 the illegalities and idolat.y
practiced by the rector of St. Mary the
Virgin l also note your threat OF
physical violence-that you, a minister
OF the Gospel advise another minister
to throw me into the street, but I can
assure you that no threat vii affect
those who are prepared not only 10 act
but TO suffer IN the. cause Of Protest
antism. Very truly yours.
"R. c. FILLINGHAM' =