The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-12
Call the New Open Pulpit, Canon
of Episcopal Church Inita-
ton to Herctics.
------------
POINT TO THE DANGERS OF 1T
------------------
.churcl's Orders, They Say, Will
Lose Religious Cllaracter-To
Begin Life Anew.

the Rev. DR.. William McGarvey. its
rector. and his assistants. who have
withdrawn because of thcir attitude
on the open pulpit canon. the first
definite indication was given that 1t is
their intention to open negotiations
with the Roman Catholic Church.
While 1t has been conjectured that
the step taken by the four clergymen
would be followed by their entrance
into the Roman Catholic: Church. all
have. until yesterday. maintained an
absolutely noncommittal attitude on
the subject.
A statement made by the Rev. VIII
liam Fl. Mcclellan, who yesterday
preached the farewell sermon to the
congregation, was the first break In
the silence that has enveloped this
question.
Proposed Step Logical.
"The entrance of DR.. McGarvey and
his assistants into the Roman Catholic
Church" he said, rs the logical out.
come of their stand on this matter.
Until, however. we had absolutely sew
cred our relations with the Episcopal
Church It was impossible for us to
enter into negotiations looking to that
end. We are no longer in the Episcopal
Church and are free to proceed with
our plans
"of course, the views which we
hold are a plain indication that there
is no church beside the Roman Catholic
church which we would think Of en-
tering. We are to go at once to Reno
both Del, for needed rest. and l
expect that We shall shortly be with
| in the Roman Catholic Church"
Ministers Explain Attitude.
The assistants OF DR.. McGarvey. who
| lAara Tho E,piscopa1 Church with him.
are the Revs Maurice l.. Cowl. VIII
liam l.. Hayward and William II.
Mcclellan. A statement in the parish
paper. subscribed to by the four, ex-
presses their attitude on the open pull
pit canon. which led to sevcring their
relations with the church. and puts
| emphasis on the assertion that 1t was
largely through the agitation Of
Protestant bodies, particularly the
Presbyterian. that the canon was
adopted. The statement is labeled
1.-THE Future OF the Catholic Movement
in the Episcopal Church" and was cir
| culated yesterday among the members
OF the church.
| "Provision for the open pulpit" the
ostensibly in the interest of church
unity The suggestion seems to have
| originated with the Presbyterians. who
| had demanded it of the Episcopal
| Church as sine qua non prior to their
entering upon any formal negotiations
| looking toward union. The Episcopal
| Church has now obediently opened her
| pulpits at their bidding.
zone of the lines of apology by
| which II is being sought to reconcile
| Episcopalians to the open pulpit is the
! consideration that after the non-Epis-
copalian ministers have been invited
with sufficient frequency into Episcopal
pulpits, they will be SO flattered, and
will become SO enamored of the ways
of the Episcopal Church that they will
desire to receive the laying on of her
hands and to abide in her tents for
ever. /.
But these ministers are not fools.
1t is very likely that. having secured
the concession of the open pulpit, they
will demand still further concessions
from the Episcopal Church before they
cast in their lot with her. since she
allows them to teach from her pull
! pits without ordination. and to receive
| the sacrament without submitting to
confirmation, may she not in time be
| induced to allow them to stand at her
affairs without their being subjected
to the laying on of her hands?
Moreover. there are many things
yet remaining in the Episcopal Church
which are rather obsolete. Judged from
modern Protestant standpoint. Ought
she not be willing to lay aside all
| these features If she is really in
earnest about Christian unity?''
Point Out New Tendency.
Declaring that the Episcopal Church
| is now moving toward the other Pro-
| testant denominations. the statement
concludes:
This disposition to turn to the Pro-
testant bodies. and to make common
cause with them, Is not confined to the
Episcopal Church in this country,
Throughout the world. wherever Angli-
canism is found. the same tendency
is manifesting itself. In England, in
Canada, in Australia. as we'll as n the
\ United States, 1t is toward the churches
OF the Reformation that the Episcopal
Church is everywhere turning her face.
At first 1t seemed that this was the
result OF the ascendency of a new and
foreign principle within Anglicanism
that broad churchsnl had simply by
the force of worldly influence captured
the Episcopal Church and was com
hitting her to line of action contrary
to her essential life. A careful reading
of history and the consideration of the
whole phenomenon Of the Anglican
communion will convince the thought.
full student that this Is not so.
The Episcopal Church, in moving
toward the other Protestant churches
is but instinctively surrendering her
self to the logical current of her owl,
real life. That life has long been
pent up behind the dykes Of high
church theories. But these theories
are giving way one by one before the
pressure Of the energy impatient to be
1ree. And before very long Angli-
canism will be rushing onward IA tho
end to which It's origin predestinated
It, and from which no power can any
longer hold it back
ROBBERS MAKE GOOD HAuLs.