Evening journal., 1916-02-16
Church CONTROVERSY
BECOMES Nationwide
Cannot Last Long, Says
Episcopal Paper, Which
Suggests Conferences
CLERGY BECOME
GREATLY EXERCISED

The controversy in Episcopal cir
cIes as the result Of the movement
started by Philadelphia and New
York Clergymen Of the "low" church
10 prevent the extension Of Catholic
club principles is becoming nation
wide. Religious publications Of the
Episcopal Church are discussing the
propaganda at length, and reports
arc that the clergy throughout tho
country is greatly exercised
One OF the discussions that has
aroused some Of the low leaders is
published in the current issue Of the
Living Church. one Of the leading or
gans Of the "high" church followers.
After introducing the topic, this
article says:
'Of course. that means a campaign
Of Protestant propaganda. Yet our
friends who have entered into II need
not think that We of the Living
Church can easily be transmitted into
their enemies.
perhaps they will begin by invit-
inc the rest Of MS 10 leave the church.
This will not trouble us in the least.
For as years such invitations have
been periodically sent forth and no
body b. one whit the worse for them
unless il be those who send them.
The most recent year book OF ST.
Georges Church. New York, contains
such an invitation. u has not even
been able TO arouse an attack. The
strange thing 10 ms Is that priest
confronted with some Of the hardest
work i'm all New York should even
want TO say such things to his peo-
plo. the vast majority of whom know
nothing Of the interior problems OF
the Episcopal Church.
And perhaps they will continue by
asserting their own intense Prot
estantism aud lay assailing those VINO
disagree with them. We seem 10 re-
call such incidents before. They be-
long 10 the amateur stage OF Chris
tian activity"
Then the editorial ventures that the
difference cannot last long. and
praises the Rev Dr Floyd Tomkins.
rector Of Holy Trinity Parish, by say
ing that the paper cannot be made
suspicious OF any movement in which
he has a guiding hand
lt continues.
"But all this cannot last very long.
Association with one another will
curb the hot-heads Little men will
brush up against bigger ones. Mere
partisans will find that even among
Protestants there arc men OF larger
outlook than that OF promoting par
tisan disunion. None Of the nauisan'
can associate for example, with Or
Folyd Tomkins TO select one only il
the list of those who are said 10 havl
participated without being better 70
H. The mere partisans may believe
they are going 10 start a pretty littl'
war OF determination against Cath
Olics'--men who, in turn. are too busy
10 bother with them but for our part
we cannot be made suspicious OF any
movement in which Doctor Tomkins
has a guiding hand. The spirituality
OF men who practice the religion Of
the interior life and who live as i'm
the constant presence Of God Is a phe-
nOmcnon that mere parfisans do not
take into account
Many. no doubt. will enter that
ecclesiastical adyersaries: aud 10. the
real evangelicals of the movement
viii lead them. instead TO practice to-
true principles of New Testament
Christianity. among which principles
We seem not TO recall any admonition
10 divide the body of Christ or 10 drive
out those who stand for the principles
1f the Catholic faith.
1T is - years too late TO launch q
partisan exclusive Protestant move
menf in the American Church lt Il
not pleasant 10 find that I'm the two
great metropolitan centres OF New
York and Philadelphia there survives
a narrow unworthy Drovincialism tina
has been effectually wiped out from
most Of our cities. We look u
churchmen OF those cities for leader
ship. and we find them in many Of on
stronger parishes a quarter TO a hal
century behind the procession in
stead"