The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-08-02
DR.. {. A. WASSON
INVITES HERESY
CHARGE IN WAR
Answering Attack of DIR. MagilI
lie Flouts Doctrine of
Apostolic Succession"

Because of the absence of the Rev
George Ernest Magill. rector of the
Church of the Holy Innocents'. Ho-
ooken, who is on his annual vacation.
1t could not be learned today whether
any answer would be made to the chal-
lenge hurled at him by the Rev. DR..
u. A. WATSON, of this city, through
Dr. Wasson's church organ, The
Crown.
DR.. WATSON, one of the low form"
ministers in the Episcopal Church,
f1outs the doctrine of apostolic sue
cession." one of the revered doctrines
of the high church. The tenet, In brief,
holds that only Episcopal ministers
have the right or the power to ad-
minister the holy communion, this
power having been handed down to the
bishops of the old English church and
their forefathers by the apostles them
selves.
Mr.. Magill makes plain his position
in a letter, dated July 8, which has been
made public by DR.. WATSON. In it he
practically asks that DR.. Wasson in
plain terms say that he publicly denies
that authority to preach the word of
God and administer the holy sacra-
ments in the Protestant Episcopal
Church is derived through the bishop
by the imposition of his hands," AS
his reason for asking for his out-and
out statement from DR.. WATSON Mr..
Magill says that he wishes to be on
sure ground before he attempts to take
any action. If the issue should be
brought up a question which has long
been a thorn in the side of many OF
the Episcopal clergy would be rooted
out. 1t would be the first time, more
over, that the new elective board. in
stead of the bishop. would decide on
the trial of the preacher.
DIR. Wasson's reply in part Is as fol-
lows:
You not only do not believe, but you
deny, that the ministers of these Prot
estant bodies have authority from Je-
sus Christ or from the church of Jesus
Christ to preach his Gospel or to min
lister his sacraments. Nay, the case is
worse. Not only have they not this
authority, but their claiming to have
1t and to exercise it constitutes a griev-
Gus breach in the order and a schism in
the body of the church. 1t is indeed
a disaster and scandal of the first mag
nitude. These men and their followers
are rebels against the true church of
Christ, and therefore against Christ
himself. 1t is true that they are not
aware of their sin, and this will ex en-
uate their guilt. But 1t will not I'M
do nor ] seh reduce the awful iGj Try
and des g inflicted by tn m on. the
bride of Christ. Their very existence
is day by day a continued offence and
affront to the church that Christ found
ed with his precious blood.
THE baptism that these ministers
perform is irregular, that is, unlawful.
And it is valid only because baptism,
duly administered by a layman, even
If in heresy and schism, is valid, IL he
intends to do what the church does.
But the Lords Supper that these
Protestant ministers q am not think
ing of Moravians and Swedes, as to
whose orders there is question: cele-
brate is not only irregular; it is also
invalid. That is, it is no genuine Lords
Supper at all, but only an imitation
Lords Supper. Nor have these men,
whatever their natural gifts inc piety.
authority or commission from Christ
or from Christ's church to preach His
Gospel. And this is true irrespective
of the character of their preaching"
LH |