The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-05
FIGHTING VICAR
OPENS CAMPAIGN
HIGH CHURCH REcT0RS
"HAVE NO ,"sAYs REV.
r.. c. FILLINGHAM.


bitiOn of the Wafer as Plagiarism.
A. CancerOus Growth Is Invading
the Episcopal Church.
High church rectors are without
conscience. They constantly violate
the laws of the Episcopal Church pro-
hibiting celebration of the mass, when
they display the wafer during the cele-
bration of the Eucharist. They are
leading toward Rome, and unless this
poisonous, cancerous growth of ritual
ism is checked, this country will, in
course of time, be as thoroughly de-
graded and priest-ridden as the Latin
countries of Europe and the South
American republics"
By these words Rev. r. G. Filling
ham showed the uncompromising posi-
ton he has taken in his fight against
the spread of ritualism in the Episco-
pal Church. 1.-THE Fighting Vicar of
Hexton" arrived in Savannah early
yesterday morning and registered, at
the De Soto. His purpose here is to
organize a branch of the American
Anti-Ritual League and fight ritualism
| wherever it exists. In speaking of his
fight, Mr.. Fillinghsm said:
1.-The poison of ritualism is invading
the Episcopal Church, and unless this
cancerous growth is stopped, the
American nation is bound to be ruined,
not only spiritually, but in every other
way. The leaning among the Episco-
pal Church to-day is toward the ritual
of the Church of Rome and the only
difference between the two churches
is coming to be merely the refusal of
Episcopalian rectors to recognize the
| Pope.
The Essence of Plagiarism.
"In many churches in England, and
in this country, the wafer is exhibited
as an object of idolatry. The whole
system is an essence of paganism and
| nothing more nor less. 1t is degrad-
| ing in its influence and contrary to
| the laws of God. I will wage an I'M
| compromising war against it, despite
the endeavors of the ritualists, desig-
mated as the High Church people. The
High Church directors are without a
| conscience.
THE rectors are catering to the rich
people in their congregational The
people Alike it and the rectors oblige
them by holding up the wafer in the
| celebration of the Eucharist, and
teaching that it is the body of Christ
and an object of worship. 1t is a di-
rect surrender to the church of Rome
1t is a poisonous growth that is sap
ping out the foundations of the ma
ton, and its inevitable result is de-
| generation in all lines.
Fights Through the Children.
/
| young people and the children" said
Mr.. Fillingham, land if I can show
them the sin, and the awful results
| of this practice, coming generations
will be saved. 1 shall visit churches
throughout the South until get the
lay of the land, and in all places
shall endeavor to organize an Ameri-
can Anti-Ritual League.
'The object of the league is to fight
the growth of ritualism, to stop the
ever-increasing injections of this pois-
on. Literature will be circulated
broadcast, and addresses made, until
the people are thoroughly stirred up.
When they are once shown the dan
ger of this practice they will take a
[ stand against it.
| History Only Argument.
mo argument but history is needed
to show the results of ritualism Look
at Rome, Italy, Portugal, Spain and
| the South American republics. The
people grew into the habit of depend
ing upon the priests for thought and
guidance, and ruination was the re-
| suit. Unless this pernicious growth is
stopped this country will, in course
of time, be as thoroughly priest ridden
as the countries 1 have mentioned.
"Ritualism is stealing rapidly into
our churches, and the entire tendency
| CHI IN
turn to Rome. The High Church rectors
are Romanish in all but allegiance
to the Pope, and they should show
their true colors. The displaying of
the wafer is contrary to Episcopal
Church law, which prohibits the cele-
bration of the mass. And yet they are
constantly celebrating mass in the
High Church"
Post Pickets at Church.
When asked how he was received,
| Mr.. Fillingham, who has earned the
title of THE Fighting Vicar" smiled
and said: well, not any too cor
daily in the High Churches. You re-
| member how Bishop Potter treated me.
| We exchanged several very hot letters,
and he even threatened to have me
thrown out of church by force.
They generally post picket or two
at the church door, and when l APP
pear they keep close to me. had
them badly frightened in Brooklyn,
and the High Church rectors were con-
| stantly afraid l would break up the
mass. by interrupting them while at
| the service.
But Bishop Potter Is my special
field" and Mr.. Fdllingham laughed
| heartily, land / will return to him
before l sail for England, on March 15
1t does little good to see the rectors
and bishops, as they are set in their
opinions, and cater to the rich in their
| congregations. l must strike from the
outside at the pernicious practice"
Many Marriages Are UngOdIy.
When asked for an expression of
opinion regarding the indissolubility
1 of the marriage tie. Mr. Fillingham
said: Il know that the Catholic Church
teaches that it is indissoluble. They
| give as their authority the verse
| What God has Joined together, let no
man put asunder But in my expert
ence l have found that there are many
! marriages with which God has nothing
/ to do.
For instance, when a rich Ameri-
1 can girl sells out to an English title, or
when a poor girl sells out to rich
/ man, God does not enter. Many mar
| rages. of which those are a few, are
the most ungodly things I know of. l
| believe in granting a divorce In all
cases where there is incompatibility."
Mr.. Fillingham was unable 10 outline
| the plan Of his campaign here He has
| been given "A letter OF introduction to
! Rev. A. NJ. Williams. pastor OF Trinity
| Methodist Church. and said he would
/ ta.Nr l.. -