New-York tribune., 1910-10-09
BIBLE NOT GODS WORD"
impossible to Maintain 1t, Says
DR.. Morrison, of Oregon.
TITLE OF CHURCH STANDS
Episcopal Deputies heJect
Change - Bishops vote
Against open Pulpit.


Cincinnati, Aug s-The house Of deputies
of the Protestant Episcopal Church IN con-
vention here. refused to-day to change the
name Of the Church by rejecting by an
overwhelming vote new preamble for the
constitution. The Rev. A H. Morrison OF
Oregon. led the opposition. and by strong
address, IN which he intimated that the
Bible was not the word of God, was largely
responsible for the action
The clerical vote on the project was IS
aves. 42 noes and divided. The lay vote
was 1s ayes. 42 noes and divided. The
voting was by delegations It was proposed
TO eliminate the word Protestant
DIT. Morrison's speech startled some Of the
Delegates He said that inaccurate state
ments in the amendment were sufficient TO
Justify its rejection. saying, among other
things, that the preamble stated that the
Bible was the word Of God
1T is impossible in this age Of scholar
ship to maintain that the Bible is the word
of Cod he said. 1T would be unfortunate
to bring up a discussion on this now so l
merely mention it in urging against the
adoption Of such a statement"
The widely discussed question affecting
Canon l9, the various interpretations or
which led to the vexed open pulpit" ques-
ton. and which provides that only ordained
clergyrnen may occupy pulpits OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church, was decided
against the open pulpit to-day by the house
Of bishops
The question, one Of the most important
to be brought before the present trienniai
convention, came up to the bishops on a
petition signed by twelve hundred laymen
and clergymen, who asked for an authori-
tative Interpretation of the church law. The
reply Of the bishops follows:
1T Canon 49, cannot be fairly inter
preted as in the least degree modifying the
position Of the Church, as expressed in the
PRAYER book and ordinaI. which restricts the
ministry of the word and the sacraments in
our congregations TO men who have re-
ceived Episcopal ordination"
The bishops failed to reach an under
standing for a reconsideration of the ballot
by which the proposed creation of sufragan
bishops was rejected. It is pointed out that
because of the bad weather on Thursday
ten of the 1o4 bishops were absent when the
vote was taken.
4 majority of the entire membership is
necessary to pass the project, which lacked
only one vote Of this margin, although
clear plurality of those voting was recorded
in its favor The matter was made special
order for next Wednesday.
While the convention body was in session
A communion service was being held IN
Christ Church, where the donations were
being received from the Woman's Auxi-
iary for the general missionary fund
At the conclusion it was announced that
the plates placed upon the tables in front
of the trustees had been piled with funds
aggregating s242, ,11O So. said to be the largest
collection taken up on plates in an Amer
ican church.
The presentation of the united Offering
Of the auxiliary took place at solemn re-
Hgtous services in Christ Church early In
the day. The amount of the 1910 contribu-
ton will not be officially announced until
the general mission meeting, but it is under
stood to be approximately 100000
The Offering represents funds collected by
the woman's auxiliary for mission work. or
the amount given to-day $4,000 has been
apuroprtated for a building in memory of
the late George c. Thomas, of Philadelphia,
treasurer of the board of missions of the
| church for several years Where this
memorial will be placed has not been de-
| cided.