The Washington herald., 1909-04-19

Surprise and CONSERVATION spread
among the Episcopal clergymen Of Wash
ington last week. when it was whispered
about thar one OF their number was on
the point OF leaving the church TO adopt
the faith Of another denomination.
Every effort was made 70 suppress al
information On the subject. but a careful
canvass OF the different churches disclosed
that Rev. G. ". H. Troop. curate Of ST,
Johns Episcopal Church, IN Georgetown
acting rector Of Trinity Chapel at Airing
ton, and son Of Rev. G. Osborne Troop
rector Of st. Martins Church. Montreal
one Of the foremost orthodox Episcopal
churchmen OF Canada, handed in his res
ignation last Monday 20 Bishop Harding
He has been accepted by the fellow
ship committee OF the National Confer
ence Of Unitarian and other Christian
churches.
Adopts Unit0riRuism.
Mr.. Troops action was a complete sur
prise 10 his rector Rev. Frederick b.
Howden. Of St Johns Church. On sun
day before last he took part in FIVE ser
vices. including a sermon al Trinity
Chapel Arlington. The next morning he
walked into Mr. Howden's office. inform
ed him that he felt he could no longer
conscientously retain his charge as
clergyman Of the Episcopal Church, and
presented his resignation as curate Of St.
Johns. In explanation he stated that
he had finally become converted TO the
teachings OF the Unitarian faith. AS soon
as he recovered his surprise. Mr. Howden
communicated with Bishop Harding. and
it was agreed. under the circumstances
20 at once accept the resignation.
Mr. Troop has not yet presented his
formal resignation from tie Episcopal
Church 70 Bishop Harding. but viii do
so within the next few days He has al
ready made several Intellectual attempts
20 see the Bishop. His deposition from
the Office Of clergyman OF the Episcopal
Church Will follow as a matter OF course
from his action in entering into negotia-
tioRs with the Unitarian Church.
VIII Be UnfrOcked.
In the eyes Of orthodox Episcopauaus.
the unfrocking OF q clergyman Of their
faith IS an ordeal something similar TO
excommunicadon from the Roman Catho-
lie Church. The only palliative in Mr.
Troops case IS that the records Will show
that he was deposed "fo- reasons not
Affecting his moral character" In the
past twelve years IN which the Episcopal
diocese OF Washington has been in ex-
istence, only three clergynen have been
deposed by the bishop.
Bishop Harding refused 10 discuss the
matter yesterday. Upon the first visit
20 his home yesterday a Chinese funzy
Informed a reporter from The Washing
ton Herald that the bishop was not at
home Later, \ member Of the bishops
family said the bishop worked very
hard to-day and cannot possibly be dis
turbed." Speaking Of the occurrence in
the Georgetown church. she said II was
a matter the bishop naturally would not
discuss with the members Of his family"
Mr.. Howden. rector Of the church from
which Mr.. Troop resigned. discussed the
subject frankly. He said that the resIgna-
ton was q complete surprise 10 him, as
he had never received the slightest in
timatiOn that his assistant contemplated
sucn a step. Up 10 the moment the
resignation was handed in, their relations
had always been most cordial Nothing.
he said that occurred in the parish had
influenced Mr.. Troop. he added that the
deposition Of his former assistant would
have 10 follow his resignation as a mat
ter Of course.
Mr. Troop states Position.
Mr.. Troop. who lives at 1923 0 street
northwest, said yesterday:
Il have absolutely nothing TO conceal
in the matter, and see no reason why I
should not state my position frankly. I
have been accepted by the fellowship
committee Of the National Conference OF
Unitarian and other Christian Churches in
the usual manner, on probation for six
months. If at the end OF that time they
still consider me a suitable candidate I
may receive a charge in the church.
My resignation from St Johns. OF
course. took effect at once. I will see
the bishop in a short zine and present
my resignation from the Episcopal
Church.
ANY one in sympathy with the broad
church party in the Episcopal and other
churches can easily realize how. by i'm
perceptible degrees. one can pass out OF
orthodoxy into Unitarianisnn. Ever since
have been IN the ministry ] have be-
ionged 10 the extreme radical wing Of
the broad church party, and gradually 1
have come 10 feel that I would be more
at home in the Unitarian Church
Doctrines Need Reinterpretation.
''The great principle Of the broad church
party is that the present age requires a
reinterpretation of old doctrines. I have
come 20 feel that this is an extremely diff
fcult task and, perhaps, one that can
never be fully accomplished. have,
therefore. come TO the conclusion that, IN
the words Of Christ, The new wine needs
10 be put in new bottles
II have profound respect" he con-
tinued. ''.or the work of the broad church
party and am far from thinking that they
are not engaged in q noble work. I feel.
however. that I woV2 enjoy much
greater freedom in a Church where I
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