The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-11-27
RIM. CRAPSEY RESIGNS
Convicted of Heresy Refuses TO Make
"COwardly Retraction."
He ReAFFlRMs HIS BELIEFS

Declares He Appeals From Authority
Of the Church to the People and
Decision Of Court Is Not Final to
Church or Him.
Rochester. n. Y. Nov. 2G-Bowing
10 the will of the church. but refusing
70 make a "cowardly retraction" of the
belief which induced the church 20
terminate his ministry, Rev. Algernon
5. Crapsey. rector Of St Andrew s
church of Rochester y. Y. renowned
his ministry in the Protestant Epis-
copal church in letter To Bishop VIII
liam David Walker, of the western do
Cese OF New York In this letter Rev.
MIR. Crapsey reahlrmed his belief that
the notion of the origin Of Jesus that
a son of man was born without human
father is without foundation in his
tory"
lie also asserted that when ! say
Of Jesus that He assembled into heaven
do not mean and cannot mean that
with His physical body of flesh, blood
and bones he Aoated into space and
has for 1000 years been existing some
where in the sky. in that very physi-
cal body of flesh blood and bones.
Such an existence would seem TO me
not glorious. but horrible
Declaring that he is about to carry
the case to the free intelligence ami
enlightened conscience Of the world.
he counsels the hundreds of clergy
men and thousands OF laymon in thc
Protestant Episcopal church who have
reached the same conclusion as he
has not to be dismaycd. and 10 stay
where they are
81 appeal" ne says. from those In
places of authority in the church Itself
TO the great b0dy of people He u.s.
serted that ht~loes not blame his
Judges and though he bows TO their
will and feels that it is final for him.
he says Il am equally certain that It
is not final for the church. When the
great tribunal of free thought has de-
cided this contention. the men who al
minister the church on earth will con-
form 90 this decision.
Having let go of the temporary and
unstable iuterpr tauons of the creed"
he declares that he holds more firmly
to the gospel
Rev Dr Crapscy then says in part
Il shall watch in Advent. be merry
1T Christmas. fast in Lent. weep on
Good Friday. rejoice at Easter. even
though the church's servants shut It's
doors upon me. Yes. all the more be-
ause they have shut its doors upon
me. driven from the earthly taberna-
lie. ! shall have TO take refuge in that
tabernacle not made with hands. which
is the tabernacle where God dwels
with all his saints and angels.
Let no one think for a moment
that DO not love the Lord Jesus
Christ. and would not have served Him
70 the last ia this church, which is to
me the historic church Of the great
Cnglish-speaking race, if only its men
in authority had let ne. All asked
If them was tolerance. But they have
refused to extend tolerance to such rs
/. and ! must with q grief which only
my own heart knows accept my dis
missal from the service of the church.
But though cast down. ! do not de-
pair. As | have been true TO God, so
believe God viii be true to me. l
believe He has work for me 10 do. and
his is His way Of calling me to that
work. In His name therefore. right
reverend sir. beseech you to forgive
me my onenses and let me co."