Evening journal., 1915-12-13


of Missions of the Protestant Episcopal
Church as protest against sending ieie
gates to the Panama Congress. had he
been a member Of the board was the
statement made yesterday by Bishop
Frederick } kinsman, of the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. Roman
Catholics are barred from participation
in the Panama Congress, which has
caused a division of opinion among high
prelates of the Protestant Episcopal
Church throughout the land as to
whether their church should be repre-
sented at the congress.
Bishop kinsman is not member OF
the Board OF Missions, recently from
which five bishops and clergymen with
drew after the board decided to send
delegates 10 the Panama Conference
Bishop Kinsman yesterday defended his
attitude regarding the Panama Congress
and on the question of Professionalism
and Catholicism in long statement
that was read by rectors of some of the
churches Of the diocese Of Delaware TO
their congregations.
Bishop Kinsman made il clear that the
is aligned with Che Catholic party of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. His letter,
printed in pamphlet form entitled "rhe
Issues Before the Church" aud address
ed to "Brethren of the Clergy of the Dio-
cesc Of Delaware" comprises thirty-siN
printed page with an appendix of eigh-
teen pages in which the bishop discusses
doctriual questions Of the church. At
The outset Bishop Ninswan's letter says:
Would Have Resigned.
Our people in all parts Of the
country are at this time perpleXed
and disturbed by the discussions
reused over the recent action of our
Board of Missions i'm regard to parti-
cipatOn in the conference TO be held
in Panama between representatives
OF a number Of Protestant Churches
of the United States concerning mis-
sionary work in South America.
wish to call your attention TO some
Of the issues involved because Of my
conviction OF their serious import
ance. and because in a matter of this
sort the clergy and people OF the do
cese are entitled to know the position
Of the Bishop. My comments relate
more to the principles involved in
determining such action as the Board
Of Missions had ia take, than TO de-
tails Of the action in itself. They
would be equally relevant. had the
board taken different or contrary ac-
tion and they are Independent of the
correctness or incorrectness of my
own opinion as to the exact signih-
canoe OF the boards action.
IL have definite opinions as 10 this
action, and think il 10 have been UNI
wise and unfortunate. Had ! been
member of the board, | should have
opposed it; and to show my convic-
: tion that no far-seeing churchman
could seem 10 he committed 10 the
boards policy. l should have Joined
the i've members who resigned Bui
7 am concerned less with the special
occasion of present discussions than
with the perplexity which lies back
OF the occasion. The Board OF Mis-
sions was perplexed as TO what action
il should take in special circum-
stances. The Church Is perplexed as
to what to think OF that action. We
cannot escape perplexity in the face
of many similar problems that con-
front us; all of which compel serious
reflection on the foundations Of ou'
Church's life.
Board OF Missions and PanamI
Conference.
"The chief facts concerning th'
Panama Conference which have de
termined my judgment of the mattel
are the following:
Il The conference will contain rep
resentatives of Protestant religious
bodies only. and its action will b.
/ 4 In. hr~ TlfsnfaGfnnf
tions. No other inference is possible
in view of the preliminary statement
and plans. Share in its deliberation
is a move in the direction Of Prot
cstant Federation, even if it sto
short Of actual cooperation at TN
time. This has been plainly avoWe
by some of those who wish on
Church to be represented as the rea
son why they wish it. II is so under
stood by those outside who have con
sidered the matter. Share in 1t b
our Church tentatively commits us {
Pan-Protestantism. This would al
pear from the statements OF tn
Committee on Cooperation IN Lati
America representing various mis-
sion boards in New York, to who's
Initiation the Panama Conference
due. The committee was appointe
in 1913 TO deal with the whole sui
iect of work in Latin America, an
especially the question OF co-operi
ton. In a letter issued Februar
l4th. 1914, various questions TO
considered we're suggested, includin
% possibilities of educational q
operation or union (2) 'consolid'
ito nof periodicals. and CD union
theological education all apparent
on the assumption of the substanti
unity of missions in their message
also CA redistribution OF territor
and (5) transfer between denomin
lions Of church members moving fro
one section OF the country to anothe
II was naturally assumed that the
would be one program for all e
operating denominations The uli
mate result OF these suggestions w
arrangement for a conference al Pa
ANA in regard to modes OF cooper
tion. The plans are all among lin
leading to Protestant Federation. Fe
Grafton among PrOtestants. constitu
ing one-fourth Of the Christian Worl
Is 10 be desired; but it would only
posslble for our own church TO 10
such a federation through abando
ment OF principles held in comm
with the other three-fourths of I
Christian world. and OF special o
portunities for promoting the in
nitely greater cause OF Christi
unity Protestant is not Pa
Christian.
"2. Il is an act distinctly hostile
the Raman Catholic Church Alth0u