The San Francisco call., 1906-04-18
DIR. Crapsey Placed
on Trial in the
East.
Accused as Result
of Sermons and
Writings.

BATAVIA, n. Y, April 1.-THE first
trial for many years in the Protestant
Episcopal church was begun here today.
when the Rev. Algernon Sidney Crapsey.
DID, for twenty-five years rector of st.
Andrews Church at Rochester, was
placed on trial before an ecclesiastical
court charged with utterances from the
pulpit OF that church and in print which
are alleged TO be in violation of the
tenets of the Protestant Episcopal faith.
In 1904 and 1905 DR.. Crapsey delivered a
series of sermons. These were afterward
published, under his authority. under the
title Religion and Politics. The pre-
sentiment against him contains fifteen
extracts from this book, which are the
basis for the charge that he intention
ally expressed disbelief In the divinity
of Christ, the conception of the Holy
Ghost. the Virgin birth. the bodily resur-
rection and the trinity.
a second specification under this first
charge is that he made utterances Of a
like nature as recently as December 81
last, with the same intent to deny the
same doctrines
The second and last charge in the pre-
sentiment is that DR.. Crapsey violated
his ordination vows by failing to conform
to the doctrines. discipline and worship
of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Under the second specification of the
fIrs1 charge, the utterances attributed
to DR.. Crapsey in his December sermon
are these:
"Tirst-Jesus was born of parents be-
longing to the middle classes.
''second-He was born of a simple
father and mother.
"Third-He was the son of car
penter.
'Fourth-The fear that the early Chris
tians predicted a miraculous birth to
Christ was to be regarded as one of the
greatest misfortunes that has ever be-
fallen mankind
The truth or falsity of the church's
doctrines is not TO be argued at the trial
The sole question is whether the things
that Dr. Crapsey said are contrary to
those doctrines and did he so intend
them 70 be.
II is understood that DR.. Crapsey's
defense will hold that under a liberal
Interpretation of the creed he has not
contradicted its doctrines
II he is found guilty Of Intentional de-
NAL Of the tenets there is but one punish
ment-dismissal from the church.
The complaint against DR.. Crapsey was
filed by ten ministers of the Western
New York diocese. Bishop Walker ap-
pointed a special committee of five to
investigate tt The committee reported
8 to 2against taking any further ac-
ton against the accused. However, the
standing committee Of the diocese be-
lieved il for the welfare Of the church to
have e trial, and unanimously decided to
have one. 1t was the standing committee
that drew up the presentment. The
Bishop approved it.
The members of the court are: Rev.
Walter C. Roberts, president of the trib
unal: Rev Charles H. Boynton, Rev. G.
Sherman Burrows, Rev. Francis Dur
ham and Rev. John Mill Gilbert, who
was appointed by Bishop Walker in
place OF Rev. Nathan w Stanton, who
was challenged by DR.. Crapsey.
DR.. Crapsey was represented by Con-
gresham J. B. Perkins of Rochester,
who said that Edward NJ. Shepard of
New York was associated with him, but
that he was unable to be present today.
After a brief discussion the case went
over to April 25.