New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
DEFEND, FATHER WALLIS
Friends of st. Paul's Rector Say
He Is Within His Rights.
"TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT"
List of Petitioners Against Him
Doesn't Represent the
Parish. They Saw.

The trouble in ST. Paul's parish Is a
tempest in a teapot" said one comrnuni-
cant of the little Episcopal Church in Tomr-
kinsville, Staten Island, yesterday. Charges
were prepared by parisnioners against the
rector. the Rev Guy L. Wallis. recently. to
be laid before Bishop Greer, following
wh!ih his friends became indignant,
ard threatened to make counter attack,
The situation gave rise to wide discussion
in church circles, owing 20 divergence Of
opinion as 10 ritualistic matters. and II
seemed not improbable that larger and
more important parishes in this diocese
might be involved in the questions raised
Calner minds, according TO the communi-
cant already quoted, have urged that a
peaceful solution OF the difficulties be
sought, and for the time being an armed
peace prevails
The charges against the Rev. Mr.. Wallis,
known among his supporters as Father
Wallis, have soIidfed the ranks on either
side, but have failed to evoke a reply, public
in its nature, from the rector himself. His
friends therefore have decided to speak for
him.
Il cannot see why any one should use
our name as not pleased with our priest
said one Of the regular communicates last
night. 1T is true that one member Of the
family did sign that wretched petition. out
any one who knows anything about the
matter Is also conversant with the fact that
he has not been inside the church for years
We have this satisfaction. however: Any
one who knows us as family also knows
that we are loyal"
This case was said by one Of the rector
adherents fairly 10 represent the situation
IN many instances. He said that Father
Wallis, when shown a printed copy with
tho list Of names attached. was not able TO
say whether they were all valid recusants-
that is to say. actual members OF the
parish-unwilling TO acknowledge his au-
thority, because he said there was no rec
ord that some Of them had ever beer inside
the church, at least not in his time.
The only reasons set forth in the canons
Of the Protestant Church IN the United
States under which rector of parish
might be brought under ecclesiastical CEN
sure were two. One Of these * an irregu-
lar life, and the other the teaching OF
that which was contrary to the doctrine OF
the Church. Neither Of these causes had
been alleged against Father Wallis, this
parishioner said, and the question of ritual
and ceremony was, by TIE same canons'
made the peculiar province OF the clergy.
The canons Of the Church placed the
control of tho temporalues In the hands OF
the corporation, which consisted'of the rec
tor wardens and vestry, he continued. and
the splrtualities in the sole control OF the
rector.
This position had been affirmed by the
Code Of New York state and maintained by
several court decisions, ne asserted. adding
that one vestryman or any number. acting
as individuals, and not as q corporate body.
had no more authority than the youngest
child in the kindergarten department In the
Sunday school.
In the mean time Father Wallis IL. sc-
cording TO the slang Of the street. sitting
steady in the boat" and his friends say ne
is. confident that the Justice OF his position
will be recognized, and the church continue
to prosper, as It had besun 10 do under his
pastoral care.