New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07
BASIS OF PROTESTANTIsM.
The Rev. MI Fay Takes Exception to Utter
ances of the Rev Mr.. Richardson.
, the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of November Is there IS an
account of an interview with the Rev. Mr.. Richard
son. of Milwaukee. in which he criticises the ser
mon preached by the Right Rev. DIR. Grafton in St
Edwards Church. New-York Thanksgiving
DAY. He takes issue with the bishop to what
was said concerning Professionalism.
Mr.. Richardson says: Professionalism is not
founded upon a book; II is founded upon truth"
This of course. is Mr.. Richardson's private opin-
ion, in which he counter to the well known
Protestant maxim, The Bible. and the Bible only
Is the religion of Protestants." Neither is this
mere maxim, for the idea of the Bible the foun-
dation of Professionalism is enshTined i'm the West
minister Confession. the Irish Calvinistc Articles
the French Evangelical Confession. the Formula of
Concord and the Belgic Confession of Faith
But, allowing, for the sake of argument
that Professionalism is founded upon truth. 1t gill
remains to inquire. Upon what truth? Not upon
Justification by Faith for it has become proverb
among non-Catholics that it does not matter what
one believes. does what is right; not upon
the Divinity Christ for the Unitarians deny this
and they are certainly Professionals. There is only
one thing upon which all Professionals are agreed.
and that is the right of private judgment No one
has any reason to suppose that his private judg-
ment is any better than any others. Therefore If
this is a truth then indeed may say that Prot
estantism is founded upon the truth-that nothing
certain and that it is diviney revealed there
is no revelation at all.
Mr.. Richardson says that the Episcopal Catho-
lies do not agree among themselves 1t would be
impossible for him any one else to show that
Episcopal Catholics differ from one another in
matters of faith. Catholics know very well what
is of faith and what is mer private opinion. and
they confne their differences entirely to the re-
gions of pious opinion.
Mr.. Richardson says that we believe in salvation
by drill. If he by this that are trying 10
go to heaven by the straight road and the narrow
gate I certainly agree with him. THE straight
road" the narrow gate" the good fight and
the armor of God" are not phrases but those
of Lord and His Apostles.
Lastly. cannot believe that Mr.. Richardson has
been correctly reported 1t Is hard TO believe tina
any Clergyman would allow himself TO fall so far
from good taste to speak OF venerable preIate
as having IAN Oriental microbe the brain and
being "add!e headed" but have waited several
days now. and Mr. Richardson has acuuiesced s.
far | can learn And pust say that IL il Mr.
Richardson, and not Bishop Grafton, who has for-
gotten how 10 talk to Anglo-saX Cheep vi,
and personal abuse are not the methods which m
peal 10 that love OF fair play which acteri~as
the American people. If a is a bread cburch-
man he ought at least to be tolerant. His breadth
and liberty of free thought should extend 10 his
opponents, we'll as 10 himself The whole inter
view. II was published, is example of that
bitter intolerance which Is characteristic OF the
so-caled broad churchman."
SIGOURNEY ". FAY JR
Philadelphia, Dec. 4. 1908