The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-04
OPPOSED BY lAI1Y
They Think Present Name Of the
Episcopal Church Is
Proper.
On the Other Hand, the Clerical
Delegates Favor q
Change.

The expected attitude was formally
taken this non by the diocesan council Of
the Protestant Episcopal church OF Min.
nesota in session at ST.. Paul's church,
Bryant and Franklin avenues. when q
vote was announced on the question rs
a change In the name Of the church de-
sirable?" Appreciated by Bishop Edsall
in his annual address yesterday, the clergy
Were in favor OF a, change while the laity
opposed it. The vote was: Clergy. yeas,
81; nays, 1S: tlaymen, yeas. 80; nays. So.
+ The majority Of the laymen were sup
ported by several Of the oldest clergymen.
Opposition to the change was more prorni-
nent. perhaps, among laymen from the
country than among those from the twin
cities. But the vote. altho indicative, was
not conclusive, for the voters did not num-
Der more than one-half Of the clergy or
Of the lay delegates elected for the council.
Rev. Irving P. Johnson of this city was
prominent among the advocates Of a,
change. II want tospledge myself he
cried, ,"that III be.ir favor of another
name 30 long as the word protestant
hangs over my head. Because in the
modern sense Of the word I'm not a
Protestant" u
Rev. 8. B. Purvis Of this city advo-
Gated agitation Of hte subject, tho the
change would not be made soon." We
should not allow Roman Catholics to point
out in our prayer books an argument ex-
Guiding us from the Catholic church," he
said.
Dr.. John Wright of st. Paul agreed that
Episcopal church would be the best
description. American church" would, If
adopted as a name, render Eplscopalians
subject to ridicule.
Rev. w. G. Pope Of st. Paul, In an argu-
ment that was read by Rev. S.aB. Purvis.
declared that "The Church In the United
States OF America" would be a name In
accord with Biblical precedent.
! Other advocates Of a. change were Rev
Ernest Dray Of st. Paul, Rev. Mr.. Rollitt
James A. Peterson, attorney Of this city
who thought the church had no reason tt
be afraid of dropping the word "Protes
tant"; H. F. Stevens, attorney, of st
Paul, who admired the frankness Of tn,
founders Of the American Episcopa
church in admitting that If they adhered
to apostolic usage they would have n,
parishioners, and r. 0. Osborne, attorney
| Of st. Paul.
/ w. n. Lightner, attorney Of st. Paul
opposing the change. argued that tn,
American church In the course of it's his
tory had given a special and restricted
meaning to its present name. regardless
Of original meanings. Former Governo
Yale Of Winona insisted that, II the pres
emit name was good enough 100 years ag
It was good enough to-day. DR.. G. L
Slattery Of Faribault contended 1--WE can
call part OF thlng the whole thing.
He opposed any change. A name showing
that the church was part of the Cath
Ole church In American could be oh
tanned.
Votes were also taken this afternoon t
enable delegates to suggest their favorit
names, and to express the opinion whethe
g. change Of name was now desirable.
line standing committee named thi
morning consists Of DIR. G. H. Davis, Mar
. kato: DR. w. p Ten Brock Farfbal,l1
Rev. c. D. Andrews. st. Paul; Rev. 8. I
Purves, Minneapolis: F. Paine and judo
Atwater, Minneapolis; v. M. Watkins an
Harvey Officer, st. Paul.
A committee upon the state Of tn
church reported this afternoon. The die
cesar treasurer was elected, and til
treasurer Of the episcopate fund.