Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-04-17
DErENDs REV. sTEINMETz.


ern Virginia in the controversy with
the rector Of Christ Church, Norfolk,
on the subject Of the intoned choral
service at that church, which was in
hibited by Bishop Randolph, has been
given to the public in a letter from
Rev. George S. Vest, rector of Ascen-
sion Church, Park Place, Norfolk, IN
order, as he states, that the people may
have opportunity to Judge OF how
nearly the action OF the bishop merlted
the appellation OF brutal, tyrannical Or
despotic, as his action was described by
Rector Steinmetz.
II appears that the bishop first inter
viewed Mr.. Steinmetz in person and
requested him to refrain from intoning
the service, as the head Of the diocese
considered it violation OF the rubrics
Of the church. This request Rev. Mr..
Vest declares, was ignored, whereupou
the bishop addressed an official com
munication couched in affectionate and
persuasive terms to the offending rector,
pointing out that the assignment toa
choir OF that part Of the public wor'
ship intended by the rubrics to be
said by the congregation deprived the
individual members OF the flock of the
personal participation in the worship
which the prayerbrook intends shall be
theirs. The rubrical laws" the
bishop wrote, which ia the ultimate
authority and the only one 70, the
rendering of the service, is made as
plain as it can be made, for the reason
that it is made for the people-the edu-
Gated and the ignorant--who have their
part in the worship, as well as a
minister"
No reply being received to this, and
the chancellor Of the diocese. Judge W.
". Old, informing the bishop that the
rector did not regard the letter as one
OF admouition, the bishop addressed his
final authoritative order to DIR. Stein
metz. reciting the facts Of the nersona'
interview and former COMMUNICATION
and declaring that his action had been
based upon the hope Of friendly
conciIiation and the desire to avoid a
direct order prohibiting the choral
service. The failure Of the rector to
meet him, however, left him no re
course but to make the formal order,
which was entered.
Rev. Mr.. Vest declares that no reply
was received to this letter, until the
telegram from Bishop Coadjutor
Tucker, announcing that he would not
otticiate at the confirmation at Christ
Church last Sunday showed Rector
Steiumetz the necessity therefor He
then replied, deuouncing the bishops
action as brutal. tyrannical and dcs-
potic.
1t is not believed that the subsequent
apology Of the rector for this letter will
close the matter, and it IS anticipated
that there will he further proceedings
before the council OF the dioceses, in
volying the possibility Of an ecclesiasti-
cal trial.
Several hundred Of the members OF
Christ Protestant Episcopal Church,
Norfolk, will shortly petition Bishop
Randolph to restore the portions OF the
choral service inhibited 10y him. They
will also present him with resolutions
indorsing their rector, Rev. Francis NJ.
Steinmetz, to whom purse OF 5000 IN
gold was presented by them on Satur-
day. The committee of members Of
Christ Church named to present the
resolutions indorsing Dr. Steinmetz,
which are interpreted as throwing down
the gauntlet TO the head Of the diocese,
were informed that the bishop was not
at home and that they would be ad-
vised when it would be convenient or
agreeable to him to receive them.