Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-28
BISHOP POTTER REPLIES
ACCUSED OF LIVING IN SYBA-
RITIC ELEGANCE.

NEW YORK November 2S.-In state
ment issued yesterday Edward NJ. Shepard
of counsel for DR.. A. s. Crapsey, the Roch-
ester clergyman who was convicted OF
heresy by an ecclesiastical court Of the
Episcopal Church. sharply criticises recent
utterances of Bishop Potter. During a ses-
sion of the diocese of New York in this city
November Il Bishop Potter defended the
creed of the church. declaring that those
who attacked 1t should do so from without
rather than from within the church. In his
statement Mr.. Shepard says that DIR. Crap
sey's subsequent resignation of his ministry
was contrary to the advice of his counsel,
who assured him that civil courts would
hold as void the decision of the ecclesiasti-
cal tribunal DR.. Crapsey. however, he says,
refused to avail himself of a proposed ap-
peal to the civil courts.
Says Bishop Used Innuendo.
while the case was still under judicial
consideration and while every consideration
of fairness made it proper for one of his
responsible place to be silent upon 1t" says
Mr.. Shepard, Bishop Potter told his clergy
in unmistakable fashion-though resorting
to the device of not mentioning a name
that DR.. Crapsey's motive has been a NOR
bid desire to hold on to the money reve-
nues of his place. This false and inde-
cent imputation comes from bishop who
has for many years been conspcuously in
different to preaching in his own diocese
more heretical than Dr. Crapsey's was
deemed to be- The imputation deserves,
and I believe 1t will receive. moral con-
tempt from every right-thinking man who
knows Of 1t. DR.. Crapsey has not, ever
since he entered the ministry, lived with
the rich; he is not served today by butler
and a second man and a footman and
a coachman: he Is not one Of the chief fig
ures at the dinner tables of the private
palaces of his city: he is neither used to-
nor fond of, sybaritic elegance But although
Dr. Crapsey Is deficient in these he has
given his entire life to the work of carry
ing Christianity to the Industrious poor Of
the city in which he lives.
Would Show Shepard the Door.
Bishop Potter. aroused by the charge of
Edward M. Shepard that he lives in 'syba-
rite elegance" and dwells among the mil
lfonaire money aristocrats Of New York,
yesterday said:
Mr.. Shepards remarks form a gratuitous
and impertinent inference without any
foundation in fact.
When Bishop Potter was asked If he did
not think Mr.. Shepard's attack demanded
some further reply. he turned to his sec
ond man" and said:
II would ask this man to show Mr.. Shep-
ard the door should he call here"
The bishop said he would make no state
ment in regard to Mr.. Shepards remarks.
adding:
II can conduct the affairs Of my diocese
without the assistance OF Mr.. Shepard or
the newspapers"
Among churchmen here 1t is freely pre-
dicted that as a result of the Crapsey YER
dict movement for greater religious
freedom will be inaugurated next year
with DR.. Crapsey at Its head. Many prom
inent church people are supporters OF DE-
Crapsey. and some of them would like to
see a church established where he could ex-
pound his liberal doctrines. 1t Is hardly
expected a church can be founded by Crap
sey followers within a year. but the un-
rector is expected to devote HIM
self to literary campaign which will pave
the way for erecting a church later.
Bishop Denies Interview.
At Mendelssohn Hall. later in the day,
of the American saw the bishop,
and said:
II would like to show you an interview
supposed to come from YOU
You can't show me anything. my son."
replied the bishop of New York.
It'll be simpler If you look he was told,
and finally the bishop consented.
Very ingenious. but not word OF truth
in it." he commented after reading the In
terview and handing it back.
1t was said yesterday that DR.. Crapsey
would come to New York to establish him
self after he left Rochester. Mr.. Shepard
said that he knew nothing OF DIR. Crap
sey's plans