The sun., 1908-06-21
SECOND SECTION.
TOO LIBERAL RECTOR QUITS
MR.. RICHMOND OF ROCHESTER,
AND HIS CHURCH TROUBLES.
spoke Ills Mind OF His Bishop and Pitched
Into q Leading Laymen--Married
Actors on Burlesquo stage and De
Icndcd tho saloon-Sunday Baseball.


Ic,,ded the saloon-sunday Baseball.
ROCHESTER, June is.-Now that the days
of the Rev. George Chalmers Richmond
as rector Of 81. Georges Episcopal Church
In this city are numbered. affairs In the
Diocese Of Western New York seem likely
10 assume tranquility which they have
not had for upward Of three years.
The ferment caused by the trial and ex-
pulsion Of tho Rev. DR.. Algernon s. Crap
sew for heresy had not subsidized when the
diocese again became agitated by the utter
ances Of Mr.. Richmond. They have brought
much notoriety to the rector and have
placed little church on the East Side promi-
nently in public attention. The Crapsey
case, with all it's ramifcations, probably
did not cause the Right Rev. William d.
Walker, Bishop of the diocese, half the un-
easness and concern that the rector OF st.
Georges has.
The end is in sight. however. Mr.. Rich
mond has presented his resignation, to take
effect October II, II is expected that early
next month he will take vacation. which
will continue until just before the time
set for him to sever his connection with the
Church.
The resignation came as the result Of the
diocesan standing cGnmittees hearing on
charges made by the vestrymen that MIR.
Richmond had brought the church into
contempt by his sensational performances
and that the parish was being disrupted.
Whether the resignation was forced or not
cannot be stated positively. Those present
at the secret hearings of the standing COM
mittee pledged themselves not TO reveal
what took place and they have kept their
word faithfully.
is retiring with flying colors and that he is
simply leaving in the interests OF harmony
frr the church, One OF the conditions Of his
resignation was that all his vestrymen
should resign also, and Mr.. Richmond
considers this victory, although 1t is ex-
reelected t the annual meeting.
Amazing sermons have been elivered
in the last two ears In st. Georges by Mr..
Richmond. He has openly defied his
Bishop and toll his parishioners to pay no
attention to what the Bishop might say.
social necessity and that II Ii In the world
10 stay He has admitted from his pulpit
that he takes a drink when he feels like 1t.
He has often told Of how he despises the
-sanctimonious parson' and he has called
me orthodox clergyme2n n "peddle ,f,i Of
affirmed himself in sympathy with the open
theatre on Sunday, card playing, dancing,
clubs and Sunday baseball.
The browning defiance Of conventional
conduct, however, was his marriage OF two
variety performers on the stage OF bur-
lesque theatre before an audience OF 500
men at q night performance. This brought
general denuncfa ton, but Mr.. Richmond's
only excuse was that he was preaching the
gospel Of Jesus and believed In going t.
II. .v-I I1tr a,,1hf hfpn
This wedding he followed up by holding
a series OF MONDAY Lenten services in the
same theatre. Then as Lent drew to q close
he announced his intention Of celebrating
the sacrament OF the holy communion on
the stage on Holy Ihursday; This oeoat Led to
men Of the city met and framed a protest
to the Bishop against what they con-
sidered a proclamation Of the saoraments
Of the church. Bishop Walker sent copy
Of the protest to MIR. Richmond and also q
letter Of his own in Which ne Ss HaY W
This was the first official effort to sup
press Mr.. Richmond. Bishop Walker and
bis advisers had evidently been reluctant
and seemed to be willing to allow the rector
to 60 to any lengths he chose: But the
Holy Week programme was the last straw.
II was not long after this that the vestry-
men brought matters to q climax by pre-
ferring charges against their rector. At
him, apparently believing fully In his fear
lessness and independence OF thought
But they could not 60 to the extremes to
which he went. One by one they Joined
the ranks of his opponente and when the
yeetrymen who stood on his side.
Mr.. Riohfnond's hrEt open defiance Of the
Bishop came as the result OF Dr.. Walkers
utteranoes at q confirmation service IN st.
Georges. In the course Of the sermon he
said my friends eslisys Shs. in the literal
., This indirect rebuke to the rector for his
liberal sermon aroused Mr.. Richmond.
and the following Sunday night he spok Q
to his congregation as follows:
As a clergyman Of . great free church I
deplore the intellectual attitude of our be-
loved Bishop over the present day discoveries
He has right to give counsel and advice to
his brethren In the ministry. but he must not
enforce his views upon any man.
! take my stand In behalf Of freedom Of
thought and speech in this ancient church.
The higher criticism Is good for our church.
and our great colleges uphold my word.
The broad churchmen Of this diocese are
sick and tired OF hearing this everlastn 6
ranting about higher criticism. In this
hear one word against 1t. and I warn you to
take no counsel regarding It from any one
WHO speaks against II.
aaa loyal TO my church. but cannot up
ho,d obscurantis and will not allow my
I",oele to- be perverted by men ignorant of
the new scholarship and obstructionists of
spiritual progress.
Bishop Walker paid no attention to this,
but since that time ne has not set foot within
the church.
The action OF Mr. Richmond which aroused
the greatest interest was his attack on
Harry B. Hathaway. wealthy brewer
cf the city and one Of Rochesters most
prominent residents. Mr.. Hathaway is
senior warden Of st. Luke's Church, the
eldest and most fashionable Episcopal
church in the city. He Is a former presi-
dent Of the Chamber Of Commerce, is presi-
dent Of the beard of managers Of one of
the hospitals and has been a generous
giver not only TO the Episcopal Church but
ovarious charitable enterprises.
Mr.. Richmond had been invited to preach
at St. Lute's, but the invitation was after
ward withdrawn through tho influence
II Mr.. Hathaway. it was charged. Then
Mr. .Richmondturnedh hi guns onthe brewer,
Lut not until after tho Bishop had tried to
prevent it. The Bishop had hastened to
Rochester when Mr.. Richmond announced