New-York tribune., 1909-04-20
TRINITY AND ST. JOINS.

y
,r,,,o sorrnon Inv the rector of Trinity on Sun
da1 last was the latest word in the controversy
over the affairs of that parish ana pa " 'i0u
1arIv over its policy toward st. Johh Chdpe''
and while it may not be the last "'iu -
ass11redIv invested with much cohciusiNe
weight That some of DR.. Manning colnPldlIl'S
and criticisms were well founded Is 10 De
frankly conceded. but without III iHe ledsl
obatnc the sympathy which has been ana Is
generally felt, and which has recently Deeh
nvnrassed bv the Bishop of the diocese, with
tha COMMITMENTS of St Johns in their earnest
and IaudabIe desire to protect their beautiful
ecclesiastical home from destruction ana III
their sorrow at the prospect OF peihg uhdole ="
retain il for the uses 10 which IL mas 50 lonS
been devoted. Well meant as the campaign III
behalf of St Johns has been, and earnestly dS
IFS success was 10 be desired. 1t must De ac-
knowIedged that it has in some respects been
conducted with a regrettable lack Oh uiS'lo
tion and even with serious injustice to lndl-
vduaIs.
We shall not. however, we believe, d1stort
the nurport of DR.. MannngS remarks II we
discern between the lines a certain lhdlcauoh
that the intent and even the spirit OF the au-
thorities of Trinity have undergone a slShlhcahI
and salutary change a result OF the recent
agitation and of the important manifestation Oh
public sentiment which it has evoked we
NAV confidently assume that there Is now 10
Thought of demolishing St Johns Chapel or
even of closing it against the members OF the
narish who desire to continue worshlpplhS
there In that there is cause for general gratit-
tion Nor is it less gratifying to observe an
increased recognition OF the public duties ana
obligations of such a corporation as that "l
Trinity. including the obligation of granting 10
the public 4 more accurate and comprehensive
knowledge of its status its operations ana lis
general affairs. and of reasonably regarding
public sentiment in the shaping Of its public
policies.
In the recent election Of parish officers the
existing administration Of Trinity over
wheIming victory. and in the proceedings in the
law courts ii has thus far been successful and
seems likely 10 he successful. no matter how
much further the case may be carried. we
cannot imagine that the vantage ground thus
gained will be utilized in any but broad
minded and generous way. \ full measure OF
sympathetic and helpful consideration should
and we expect will be given 10 st John
Chapel and TO those of its congregation who
have so IoyaIIv contended for what they Ic-
gard as its vital interests. 1t is time not for
continued antagonisms but for wise concilia-
ton and mutual forbearance and for placing
and keeping all the affairs of Trinity parish
and its various chapels and their activities on
a basis which Will conform 10 the Church's pro-
fession of faith and to the enlightened eccle-
siastical spirit OF the age. Having won their
victory and established their authority, the
vestry could not better earn for Trinity parish
and the whole Church in New York popular
sympathy and cooperation in Christian work
than by now adopting conciliatory policy. not
merely Of preserving st, Johns Chapel prom
iSed and using it as missionary centre, but
also of making il in a substantial measure still
the church home Of those who are so attached
10 II by ties Of association and sentiment.