New-York tribune., 1903-06-29
GOES TO ST. GEORGES.
mo RUBBISH THERE.
Says Vicar of Herton - Sees
"IdiOts" at COney Island.

threats against the Church of ST. Mary the Wiz
gin and other High Churches. were answered
by Bishop Potter said last night that he mad
made some interesting discoveries If so they
could be called He attended the III a. m ser
vice Yesterday at ST Georges Church. Of which
the Rev w. S. Rainsford is rector, and said ne
had found a church after his own heart"
Later he went TO Coney Island What he saw
there did not shock him. but bored HIM The
throngs hurrying to and from the cars reminded
him of "pandemonium; an earthly hell
While telling about what he did and said, he
referred to his return to this country about
February 1 next to thwart and IL possible ami
hiate the ritualist movement in this country
The Rev Mr. Fil1ingham is small Of stature.
has round, fat face and wears black clothes
He talks quickly and plainly. and frequently
laughs heartily at what he says or at the re-
marks of the person to whom he is talking
There is nothing in his appearance which would
indicate that he has disposition suited for a
leader IN religious controversy IN which great
physical activity might be necessary factor
He looks as If he loved peaceful ways and would
run away from person rather than provoke
him to anger. He entered the Fifth Avenue
Hotel last night If his cares or labors were
no greater than a chid's. His face beamed with
smiles
I'm st. Georges Church found no nonsense"
he said THE serrnon-which I think
preached by a curate-was able one Its
forcefulness was In marked contrast to the ser
mon which I heard at st. Mary the Virgins
The sermon at that rftualist church had about
the same strength as what would be found in
the utterances on religious topics OF ordinary
boy. 1 must say ST. Georges is a perfect
church, and if I lived in the city would try to
become a communicate there. went to the
church because 1 was told there no rubbish
hot a1t OfI16 vynr
| there and not be outraged. 1 did not know until
| after L had left the church that ]. Pierpont
| Morgan was vestryman of that church You
| may not know that the Rev. DR.. Rainsford's
father. who the Rev. Marcus Rainsford.
was for many years the rector Of fashionable
| church in the West End
Did you visit Coney Island to make a cru
| sade against vice?" was asked.
SAW NO VICE AT CONEY.
mo such intention ever entered my mind"
! exclaimed the vicar of Hexton. He then laughed
| for several moments Continuing he said:
"Coney Island is, you know. widely known.
I had read so much about its seaside attractions
| that I thought would go there to be near the
seaside 1 only there just the time 1T takes
to step off a car. gaze at the crowds. and jump
| on car again. I startled by the pande-
| monium, the earthly hell On my right there
were idiots shooting at targets; my left, more
| idiots trying to knock down rag dolls or sticks
with balls. On all sides people Fastening
hither and thither.
Scores appeared to be making exhibitions OF
human foolishness. How many intelligent hu-
man beings can be pleased at Coney Island I
cannot comprehend. I saw no vice there. In
fact, 1 did not know it's reputation was un-
savory. Even if had been told it vicious
| place and had gone there on vice crusade do
not think 1 should have expected to find vice
| faunted in the daylight
On Saturday the Rev. Mr.. Ffllingham said he
| intended to write a letter to Bishop Potter to-
| day, telling him what he intended to do when he
| came to this country about next February. He
| said the letter would make interesting reading
After his visit to St. Georges Church he seemed
| to be undecided about writing another letter to
| Bishop Potter. He said however last night.
| that he thought he would carry out his original
| intention.
| sulting letter and by that very letter he gave
| himself away" said the Rev. Mr. Fillingham.
| In England my stand High Church rituals
has met with some opposition, but none of the
| English Bishops has acted toward like
Bishop Potter.
| SHOCK COMING IN FEBRUARY.
| What do intend to do when L return to
| this country about next February?
| Well. L shall. previously reported, make
! public demonstrations against the High Church
rituals here in this city, Philadelphia Chicago.
| st. Louis and many Western towns I shall
make a special attack against the Bishop Of the
| Fon du Lac diocese, who is extremist. In
| England my movement is carried on under the
| name of the Protestant Pioneers of which am
| head. Maybe the movement here will be known
| by that name which think would be suitable
l shall on my next visit give the parishioners
| of the Church of st. Mary the Virgin a great
| shock. 1t will take the form of public dem
| onstration there. The demonstration will prob
ably be considered sacrilegioIs by the ritualists
! there"
| One of his hearers asked him if the demon
| stration would be a act than shouting
! at the elevation of the host
1T will De than that he replied.
My present visit to this country is considered
| as blessing by many anti-ritualsts here.
| They think that my actions have brought the
! feelings this important subject to ferment.
| l might be said to have taken the initiative
| here A supporter of High Church rituals is a
mean ass in VOLTS clothing I have been ad-
| viSed to visit st. Ignatiuss Church. l think
| we will give it a shock when l come back
My visit here has made the task of preparing
| for my February visit considerably lighter. The
| notoriety which I have received from the letter
| 1 sent to Bishop Potter has brought many
| recruits to my cause, and some of these recruits
| are we'll to do and well known persons. 1t
| would be breach of confidence to make public
their They will help me form the or
| ganizaton to carry on the work which nave
| decided do in this country.
HIGH MASSES AT TWO CHURCHES
High mass was celebrated yesterday morning
| at St Ignatus's Protestant Episcopal Church.
| at Eighty-seventh-st. and West End-ave. The
Rev Arthur Ritchie. who has been rector of St
| Ignatiuss for the last nineteen years, was the
| Celebrant of the mass.
| When asked at the close of the services as to
| his opinion of the Rev. Mr. Filltnghams anti
| ritual attitude and the bearing of the question
| on the Protestant Episcopal Church. DR. Ritchie
| said:
| I'm nv opinion Bishop Potter has placed the
| co-ract estimate on Vicar Fillingham and the
| anti-rituaI question. Further. I do not care TO