The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-27
THROW EN- OUT, SAYS POTTER
BISHOP MEANS THE REV. Mr.. FIJI
LINGHtM AND HIS FRIENDS.
II They Interrupt At ~. Mary the Wiz.
Gins, the Rector Is Advised TO Call
In tho POlice-Anti.RitW aiist Vicar
10 Told BY the bishop - Insult.
Ing and Ignorant, He RetOPts.

10 Told by the bishop - Insult.
/ Ing and Ignorant. He Retorts.
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. Filling
ham OF He1ton. Hertfordshire. England.
into the street II that jealous anti-ritualist
, ventures to interrupt or interfere with the
services which the Rev. Mr.. Fillingham
! describes as idolatrous and contrary to the
worship OF the Church Of England
The Rev. Mr.. Fillingham has had some
stormy times in England. where he has been
arrested for disturbing church ceremo MES
which he thought followed too closely the
Roman Catholic ritual. But his cores
| pondence never had been enlivened with
such letter as that which he received
yesterday from Bishop Potter. Here is
the letter:
CooPERsTowS. n Y June rs. 1908
REVEREND SIR In the public prints Of
yesterday find letter from you. addressed
, to me- and later this letter reached me through
the mail.
You call yourself clergyman in the Church
of England: but | doubt it. for clergyman
Is usually a gentleman and aware that he
may not print private letter until its re-
ceipt has been ackno wledRed by the person
to whom it Is addressed
That you are a lunatic ia much more likely;
for only lunatic could suppose that the
Church In New York is governed by the laws
of the Church of England. or that you could
! compel me or any incumbent in the diocese
Of New York to enforce or to obey laws Of the
Church OF England.
The rector Of the Church of ST. Mary the
Virgin possesses my respect and conf1den ce,
and though his modes Of worship ma = be "a
little to my taste as to yours he Ia not fol-
lowing them without my privity or knowl-
edge.
! have advised him. therefore. to apply
for detail of police: and have instructed
him. In case you your followers venture
in any way to interrupt or interfere with his
services. to direct the police to throw you
and your associates into the street. Happily.
we have law in the State OF New York
which deals sunimary and efectually with
, disturbers OF public worhsip. Very truly
, yours. he. POTTER.
Bishop Of New York.
The Rev. r. e. FILLINoHAM.
Mr.. dillingham; sent this reply:
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL. June 70
RlGHr REVEREND SIR: ! am in receipt OF
your extremely violent and insulting letter
Of yesterdays date. ! suppose 40 cSfraor-
binary production was never before
pcnncd by proiessedly Christian 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 oftcer has de-
cinred that she has no intention of differing
In anything from the doctrine. discipline and
worship Of the Church OF England. suppose
you are also unaware OF the fnct that the
ritual of ST. Mary the Virgin does differ abso-
lutely from that discipline and that Worship.
will not follow you tn your own choice
expressions and describe this As -Iunacy."
but il is certainly a singular exhibition of
ignorance.
l note that you condone and are privy to
the illegalities and idolatry practised by the
rector OF ST. Mary the Virgin. I also note
your threat of physical violence that you.
minister Of the Gospel. advise another minister
to throw me into the street. but | can
assure You that no threat will affect those
who are prepared not only 10 act but to suffer
in the cause Of Professionalism. Very truly
yours. X. {. FILLISGHAM.
Mr. Filngham will sail for England
July /. He is on mis- way home after a
vacation journey which has taken him to
Japan. He will do nothing further in this
controversy now. but he still promises
to return next spring and actively combat
ritualisn.
When note vas sent 20 The clergy of
ST. Mary the Virgin asking II detail OF
police had been applied for, according to
Bishop Potter's suggestion. 20 throw the
Rev dillingham; and his followers Into the
street, this reply was made:
"The clergy Of st. Mary the Virgin are
pretty certain that the Rev Mr.. Fiingham
won, visit the church again. II he doeA
the clergy are not saying now what will
happen to him"
AT the Forty seventh street police station
Capt Dillon said he had not received any
request yet from the church authorities
for help, but if the Bishop and others wanted
anybody thrown out, he could probably
accommodate them.
The Bishops letter WAS shown about
town yesterday "a the Rev. Mr., Richie
Of St. lgnatius's. 70 the Rev Dr. Clendenin
OF st Peters, and to others of the ritualistic
school. and caused intense rejoicing,