The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-30
FAIrH AMONo TIE CLERGY.
4 Reply 70 MF. Geld ain smith by .
Clergyman Of the Episcopal Church.


Clergyman Of the Episcopal Church.
To TRE Enron or The sUN Sir: Mr..
Goodwin Smith. In his communication in
THE Sun Of April 20, seems 10 imply that
there IL not only falling away IN faith among
the Wall street men, but a decline In faith
among the clergy. As far a. Wall Street IL
concerned. the large number Of stock brokers
aud Wall street business men who have reFu-
larry attended the midday services at old
Trinity during Lent IA OF Itself an evidence
OF a belief In a future state among that sec
ton OF the community.
As regards the faith Of the clergy, re-
member Prof. Westcott, Aftervard Bishop
OF Durham. saying at Cambridge that be
thought the time was coming when we should
have 10 contend with inhdellty and unbelief
within the sanctuary. A. the time partly
believed II. But moro than thirty years
have elapsed. and after personal inter-
course with clergy Of the Anglican commun-
lon and ministers OF other religious bodies
throughout the world. must confess that
am surprised 70 find that there 10 90 much
real faith and vital religion.
Let me take a retrospect OF the rell gious
condition OF my own Church. the Church OF
England, and her sister Church in America,
Bishop Joseph Butler IN his advertisement
preh1ed 20 the first edition Of his Analogy
not how. 70 be taken for granted by many
persons that Christianity IL not 40 much
subject Of INQUIRY but is now at length dis.
covered TO be fictitious. Somewhere about
the year 1898 find an article written by the
Rev. Sidney Smith IN the Edinburgh RerisV.
In which he grossly CaTicatuTes the efforts Of
william Carey and Others In the work Of for
elgn missions. About the same time / find
DR.. Provost, the first Bishop Of New York.
that he never held conhrmations and the
ergyman elected for the Bishoprlo Of
Virginia 80 notorious for his bad livins
In and and back for conseoTstlon. in the
year 1901 Bishop Provost after fourteen
year, OF service. Identified his functions to
ance Of the Episcopal Church, be thought
the Church would die out with the old
At the present time IL IL but natural that an
outside observer should consider that there
is "A sad falling on in faith. but It e really
Wesley, Romano and Whitehead now perme-
ates all parties, and one result Is . treat re
ylyal Of earnest religion on both sldes Of the
london, who Was the first rector Of old Trinity.
STE pre NR9 10 G26Sasb A6s.gp
who when the gelicsl ChUrch Missionary
Society commenced its operations in 1900
sionartes to the heather.
It is oultetrue that some Of the most earnest
but preach an eternal hope. as the late Dr. Dr.
FaTrar did In Westminster Abbey but this
does not imply disbelief in a future state,
4
clergy DO not believe that the first and second
chapters OF Genesis are real history, but this
does not imply disbelief in the Inspiration Of
the story Of Jonah and the temptation OF
Christ are inspired allegories. but this does
not in any sense imply " ant Of belief in the
inspiration Of the sacred records. Ny eX-
one years, during which time have conversed
with most Of the learned clergy In all parts
Of the English speaking world. Is that there
lie more, vital religion and more real faith
among the Bishops and clergy Of the Anglican
Church than there was in the year 1895, when
Mr.. uoldyi Smith retired from the chair Of
modern history at oxford, which he had held
with great distinction fdf eight years, II IL
not easy TO conceive what object he has in
constantly reiterating his unbelief in what
many Of US consider the verities OF the Chris
mS3ks S Enable Inc one ceq = Tde a
and heightened ministry 70 contradlct-and
repeatedly 70 contradict-hs assertion that
have only referred TO the Protestant
section OF Christianity, but there has been
a very marked revival in both faith and prac-
The present Pope is an example Of what
state. A friend who has recently visited
s.ns%lsm nfSTPs me thSt Bishop Rlyh
by the Patriarch Gerasimos 70 celebrate the
Holy Communion In chapel in the Church
Church there Is a marked revival Of vital
religion. During the past Lent have seen
churches in Greater, New York. crowded.
half OF the congregation has been Of men.
In England there has been quite revival in
~ P@rts d sTdHds lent ssd IN Ss GA
Pauls Cathedral and In the churches through
out the metropolis. When ! entered the min
istry in iS6t such a condition Of things was
absolutely unknown. GOOD Friday was used
a. public holiday, and not day for solemn
worship. In fact IN every direction we md
practise scarcely dreamed Of hfty years ago.
NV YORK, April %. b. D., OxoN.