New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-06
THE CHANGE OF NAME
No Mere Question of Expediency
Should Control.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; The letter anent THE Change or
Name" in THE Peoples Column Of your
issue 81 July 81. from the pen of the gem
tleman from Houston. Va. seems to call
for word Of defence OF Our rich men,
whose integrity. piety and compreheh-
sion are living reputation OF this unwar-
rantable arraignment The issue raised
by this letter Is entirely apart from the
question Of expediency or formal pro-
pricty" I'm the matter OF the change or
name. and certainly this Church has a
right 10 repose confidence IN the stability
and devotion OF the major part OF her
wealthy laymen as a body OF Christian
gentlemen whose allegiance rests on
foundation too sound TO be shaken by a
choice "a change OF name in which the
writer from Houston. Va. himself as
sur,s ~ mo question OF conscience -
involved" Is Il possible that the gentle
man can cnjole himself into the belief
that the Churchs best men are con-
structed along such narrow-gauge lines
as those taken I'm his article. that can only
be viewed as eyid snce OF total lack OF
a duo sense OF proportion, placing "A mere
technical nomenclature In juxtaposition 10
such a vital matter as foreign and domes-
tic mission support? And II. alas. her
best men" are no better than this, well
may the poor Church sit down desolate 10
weep I'm sackcloth and ashes
Let us turn from a consideration OF her
prosperous personnel to that OF her true
position. viz: That II the Protestant
Episcopal Church IN the United states OF
America. I'm General Convention assem-
bled, shall reach the conclusion that
change TO any name whatsoever, Profess
tant or Catholic, is desirable. and shall
decree such change and set II forth along
her lines of regular procedure II Is IN
cumbent upon her adherents, whether
wealthy or poor, to remain loyal 20 the
institution. whose Integrity cannot be
touched by any title. But even granting
there might be some who would refuse
to realize or recognize their obligation. Is
tie Church to be Influenced. think YOU by
any such mercenary arguments as those
emanating from Houston, Va? lneNpedl-
ency TO the hurt of souls Is brief TO
which she may justihably stop and listen,
but inexpediency to the tune or money
bags! Let II not be once named among
YOU as becometh saints" The great
Founder of Christianity did not build His
Church on such rock; ST. Paul did not
SO equip his missionary journeys; and the
Church Of Jesus Christ can well afford TO
sweep on to-day as In her historic past,
a Kingdom not OF this world, refusing TO
be bound or hlndeted by the pecuniary
standards OF this materialistic age STAND
ards already tottering. to tho amaze
ment OF their devotees). catholic at
least In this. that she IL too broad and
too deep to be comprehended or stayed
by the glitterlng coin whose Image and
superscription proclaim 1t TO be Caesars.
Gentle friend OF Houston, Va, provide
yourself with weapons more worthy OF
the great Church and the gigantic cause
Of Jesus Christ, or else hesitate to humil-
late that divine Institution TO which you
owe allegiance before the general public.
whose grasp Of her spiritual character and
position. believe RE, Is far broader than
that displayed in your article.
WARNER Il. l.. WARD.
Plaihneld. N. j.. Aug. l. 1913.