The Washington herald., 1907-06-19


years rector Of the Pro-Cathedral Church
of the Ascension. has resigned 10 take
effect July l. The clergyman's Tesigna-
ton, which was presented TO the vcstry
last Saturday. came as a surprise to that
body, as Il had been thought that while
Rector Brown was 10 receive a leave Of
absence Of several months to recruit his
shattered health. he would return next
fail TO continue his duties as pastor Of
the parish.
The vestry, after due consideration of
the matter. accepted the resignation at a
meeting held Tuesday evening. The yes
try held a meeting last night, but only
questions of finance were at that time
considered. The resignation Of DR.. Blown
will be formally presented to the church
next Sunday morning.
As 10 the reasons for Rector Brown
leaving his position at the head Of one
Of the most important and growing COM
gregations of the Capital, the vestry and
the rector are equally reticent. Members
Of the vestry say the rector has seen fit
to resign for reasons that seem con-
vincing to him. and that there was no
other way open than for the vestry to
accept the resignation, which in the Epis
copal church represents final action in
the matter Members of the vestry stated
that they had nothing 10 say and referred
The Washington Herald representative
10 the rector.
Rector Declines To Talk.
pa,+,- ur,.,-y 81, t,,~v atataT fb4f for
good and sufficient reasons he had severed |
his pastorate with the Church Of the As
cension, and he referred The Washington
Herald reporter TO Bishop Satterlee for
any further statement in the premises. !
Bishop Satterlee is in New York. where |
he viii remain for several weeks, and no
statement could be obtained from him.
Members Of the vestry and Rev Mr. |
Brown agreed last night in saying that |
no mystery attended the action taken, |
and that there was still the best of feel /
ing between all parties. The rector de- |
clared that he had no grievance against |
the church. the vestry. or the bishop of |
the diocese. Members Of the vestry de- /
clared that they had only the highest es-
TEEN for their rector, and that there had /
been no III feeling. or the suspicion of /
any, between him and the church.
After a fun investigation Of the matter /
and talking with a number Of persons, |
the situation appears 10 be about as fol- /
lows: The PrO-Cathedral Church while /
It occupies relatively the same position 10 /
the diocese that other churches do it is /
the home church OF Bishop Satterlee, and /
he exercises a supervision over IL that is |
not felt by other churches.
Have Worked in Harmony.
For example. it is the bishops option /
whether he shall preach at a stated time |
or whether the rector shall do so. More /
by fact than intention or circumstance, |
the rector occupies what one Of the men, /
bers Of the church designated as the post /
Of second fiddle 10 the bishop.
Il is understood that for a long period /
this situation in no wise became strained, !
but that the rector and bishop worked to-
gether like true yolk fellows. Indeed. |
Bishop Satterlee paid a long friendly call /
TO Rector Brown yesterday before leaving /
for New York.
It is said, however, that q time came /
few months ago when there was a parting |
Of view as to ways and means best calcu- |
lated TO advance the interests OF the con- |
gregatiOn Matters were discussed be- /
tween the bishop, the rector. and the yes
try and only the best Of feeling charac- /
terized the situation at all stages. There /
was, however a difference Of opinion, |
which. il Is understood, has widened In /
the passage Of time and the application Of /
means to ends.
It is understood that this difference Of !
view, resulting from the divided authority
existing between bishop and rector In the
administration of the affairs Of the parish, /
had reached a point where it seemed best /
TO the rector, at least, to step down and !
give place TO another, who might not |
share in this divergence views as 10 the
conduct Of the parish
No Hard Feelings.
This situation, however, did not at any
time reach point where any bitterness
Of feeling entered. On the contrary. the
best of feeling exists and will exist over
the resignation of DR.. Brown He has
simply resigned, as one expressed it. to
save the situation and leave no room for
a possible rupture in the good feeling Of
all concerned.
There is no trouble, and no one is TO
blame" was the terse way one of the
vestrymen put it last night.
DR.. 7. Percy Hickling a member Of the
vestry, stated last night that in securing
a new rector Bishop Satterlee would is
sue a call 10 some available clergyman
and would nominate him for the vacant
position. The vestry would then act upon
the nomination, which would constitute
the election OF the new rector
DR.. Brown stated last night that he
was rector of a church in Auburn. y. Y.
seven years ago. He went from there
20 Chicago, and was rector of Trinity
Church for one year. While there he ac
cepted the call TO Washington. and shortly
after coming 10 this city was married
his wife being a Washington woman.
DR.. Brown stated that he had no plans
for the future beyond an extended trip
10 Europe which will occupy the months