The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-18
IS ACCUSED
 OF HERESY Charges Against the Rev. Dr. Crapsey. THE SPECIFICATIONS SET OUT Alleged Failure to Conform With
 Episcopal Greed. Clergyman Admits Preaching the Sermons Complained of, But De- nies Teaching Anything Not
 Contained in the Holy
 Scriptures.
THE SPECIFICATIONS SET OUT

Batavia, N. r., April 1.-The first trial for heresy in years in the Protes- tan Episcopal Church was begun here toyad. when Rev Aigernon Sidney Crapsey, D. D., for twenty-five years rector of St. Andrew Church. charged with utterances from the pulpit of that church and in print which are charged to be violation of the tenets of the Protestant Episcopal faith was placed on trial.
 There is no dispute as to what Dr. Crapsey said. The question that will be at issue o nthe trial Is whether or not his questioned proceedings do or do not violate the doctrines of the church. In 1904 and 1905. Dr. Crapsey delivered a series of sermons. These were after wards published, under his authority, under the title. Religion and Poli- tics" The presentment against him contains fifteen extracts from this book, which are the basis for the charge that he intentionally expressed disbelief in these doctrines of the church..
 The divinity of Christ; the concep- tion of the Holy Ghost; the Virgins birth the bodily resurrection and the Trinity"
 A second specification under this charge is that he made utterances of a like nature as recently at December
 
 the same doctrines. as enunciated in the Apostles and Nicene creeds.
 Failed To Conform.
 The second and last charge in the presentment is that Dr. Crapsey viola ted his ordination vows by failing to conform to the doctrine. discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
 Under the second specification of the first charge the utterances attributed 10 him in his December sermon. are these:
 First--''Jesus was born of parents be- longing to the middle class"
 second-E"He was born of simple father and mother. -
 Third-s'He was the son of a ear penter."
 FourthA."rhat the fact that the early Christians predicted miraculous birth to Christ was to be regarded as one of the greatest misfortunes that had ever befallen mankind"
 The truth or faisity of the church's doctrines is not to be argued at the trial.
 The sole things is whether the things that Dr.. Crapsey said are con- trary to those doctrines and did he so intend them to be. It is understood that Dr. Crapsey's defense will hold that under a liberal Interpretation of the creed he has not contradicted it's doctrines.
 If he is found guilty of intentional denial of the tenets there is but one unishment-dismissal from the church.
 Complaint Filed by Ten.
 The complaint against Dr. Crapsey was filed by ten ministers of the Western New York Diocese. Bishop Walker appointed a special committee of five to investigate it. The commit
 
 taking of any further action against the accused. However, the standing committee of the diocese which t:ew up the presentment, believed it best for the welfare of the church to have a trial and unanimously decided to have one. The Bishop approved it.
 Dr. Crapsey was not present.
 Dr. Crapsey's answer was read by MT. Perkins as soon as the proceedings were under way. Dr. Crapsey admitted that.he preached the sermons contained in his book entitled Religion and Poli- ties" but denied specification No. of charge one, which sets forth that in sermon he expressed his disbelief in the virgin birth of Christ, etc. He said he taught or declared no statements except which were contained in Holy Scripture. and what may be concluded as true. He denied the right of the Diocese of Western New York to con slider his case.
 MT. Perkins then moved an adjourn ment until June. giving several reasons therefor. The court, by a vote of to 1, decided to proceed with the case.
 After the announcement of the decis- ion, MT. Perkins declared that 1t would be impossible for him to go on as he was obliged to return to Washington this evening. He said if the court re- fused postponement they would be obliged to let the case go by default. After some further discussion, it was decided to postpone the case until We'd nesday, April 25, at Batavia.