New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-28
APPEALS TO BISHOP
THE CHURCHMAN'S" VIEW
authorities Urged to Adopt
Spiritual POLICY" on st. Johns.

Bishop Greer is the subject Of editorial criticism
by THE Churchman.' which appears to-day. II
also discusses Trinity Corporation and the closing
OF St Johns Chapel. in Varick street. The
Churchman" says Bishop Greer should not have fol-
lowed lead of Trinity Corporation, but instead
should have taken stand against cutting OF Ave
hundred members Of St. Johns from their pa
rochaI work.
1t refers to remarks made by Bishop Greer to
The Tribune that not quantity but quality, is de-
srable in the clergy. and that there more church
posts in New York than he Ill with min
listers Of the Gospel The Churchman" says:
~, The Bishops plans for improving the quality Of
attitude toward the Closing Of St Johns can hardly
De reconciled with the statement we have auotec
Rishop Greer declared, Il am m favor Of the plan
at St johns At THIS Chapel three youns eiersy
men, Iayman AMI a sister have been doing, at
work that has given new life to a congregation
Weakened for many years and almost DESTROYED ~
OF clecgy and ayworkers have won the CONFIDENCE 6s
the respect and the admiration of all those who
have investigated the 9SndSns at ST 4be
need Of more posts in New York, now heartily
and now ably equipped post in part Ct New YORK
practically deserted by the Church ns fsas
naTS assd n rs This tbe way to the
o Of Clergy? resources anu p'O'''~'
This was not the only course open to Bishop
of Trinity Corporation. He might instead OF tax
ton against dependent compensation in tene3
hmse a the Chief pastor Of this
personally and accurately of the actual conditions;
signed az BY over ST i've hundred q that
sn oa their f the stGs des o. and
the corporation: If you unable TO support this
ha part an6 Of e New maEs K
York will undertake IT. 1 will call to my assist
from the professions. and will sustain this work at
every Kind in this city stall know that the church
is theirs and that am their chief sheph1s;.d5 ~
New, York would have found, himself leading an
and ali the en- men that he needed would have been
at his command. Trinity Cooperation itself must
guide it needed: It is not too s late now for the
The plans of Bishop Greer for improving the
quality of the ministry must remain unsqbstantiel
he is to-day pursuing: Such a course is not what
the CHURCH expects OF bishop anywne fe leasT 81
thought. said Bishop Greer, in an interyew
I should never consent to it's abandoning St
Johns" But the Church expects something ese
cal thinking 1t demands craftsmanship based on
knowledge.
THE Churchman' prints letter written in 1856
to DR.. Berrian, that time rector Of Trinity, by
William Jay. grandfather OF the present senior
warden of the corporation. Colonel William Jay
and son of Chief Justice Jay. Speaking OF Mr.
Jays letter The Churchman" says:
He lays bare the selfish policy Of Trinity Corpora
ton in his day and gives figures and facts to de,
monstrate that economic and not spiritual
plains of the enormous wealth accumulated by me
corporation IN his day. with no corresponding
growth in the spiritual life of the parish. He con:
dennis the chapel system OF Trinity. us negIeCt OF
the poor, its selfish accumulation OF wealth he
advises the building OF churches in the most de-
turning over OF these churches 10 their own congre
cations for self government and spiritual develop
ment. He spoke as a prophet and was ahead OF MS
What was true Of Trinity then is true hundred
fold more to-day.
The Churchman'' reverts to its original idea
that the Bishop OF New York is the responsible
ruler of the Church in this city and that he should
assert his authority over that Of Trinity. 1t says:
Does this mean that distrust the Bishop, the
public had not had and did not have faith in
All three. would feel obliged to do anything
cerned in it. But Trinity needs now, Mr. Jay
said it did fifty years ago, friends who VIII speak
the truth. loyal friends on whom 1t Will need 70
do unless Trinity changes its policy. Concealment
and misleading statements must give way 70 me
fun and frank expression or the truth SeIhShneSS
must give way to unselhShneSs
The plan to use ST. Johns Chapel for evangelical
and weIfare work, The Churehman'' says, IL IAN
unworthy makeshift In the presence Of so grave
problem" 1t says that better plan would be 10
close the doors completely. Continuing, IL says:
Is it unreasonable to hope that the Bishop OF
New York will vet speak out Tor GOO ana MS
will gladly obey. and that the eminent body OF
men who have done such wonders for the properly
of Trinity Corporation VIII De converted 10 WI
wonders spiritually by turning an economic INTO
spiritual policy, a corporation into church!
Bishop Greer was not in the city last evening. 1t
was said at his home in Grsmercy Park that he
had gone to Staten Island.
N-