New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-08-03

theory attached" This contention
though lacking support from many
whose judgment is of special weight,
has that of many great names, of
the preponderance of lay opinion
and of important precedents. In COM
pairing the arguments for esse and
bene esse (the theory that the
Church in ordination confers a sacra-
ment, though many clergy do not
know it, as contrasted with the other
that the Church confers no sacra-
ment, though some Of the clergy
think SOY l have been forced to ad-
NIT that the defenders of the latter
seem to make out the stronger case,
and that this must be taken as the
more probable opinion of holy orders
in the Anglican communion. I have
yielded to the argument for this, bu.
| give up the orders.
Consideration of this matter had
created such grave doubts in my
mind last December that l had to
refuse requests from the bishops Of
New York and Pennsylvania to hold
ordinations for them during Advent,
at which time also finally decided
to resign my diocese. Only during the
last month, however, have I been
able to see what must Re the fur
Their consequences for myself.
To my mind orders to which mo
special theory is attached" arc
orders to which no special impor-
lance is attached. Orders of this
description do have the theory At
tached that no special theory is nee
essary, which excludes the sacra-
mental view To the orders of the
Catholic Church the theory is al
ways attached, or, rather, in them
the principle is inherent, that orders
is sacrament, perpetuating the
apostolate instituted by Our Lord.
If the "no special theory" be the
more correct one Anglican orders are
proved dubious, if not invalid,
through defect of intention. If so,
for one cannot perpetuate them, nor
can I hold them
as the creed worth defending?"
"Are the sacraments divine mys-
teries?" "Is Holy Orders a sacra-
ment?" I believe the only answer
the Church should make TO all of
these questions to be a prompt and
emphatic Yes" yet I have come to
feel that our communion by its non
committal attitude virtually answers
'No." Hence, have no choice but to
resign my place and to declare my
withdrawal from the ministry; the
bishops have no choice but to accept
the resignation and proceed to my
deposition, since resignation for
these reasons involves remuneration
at least of the discipline and orders
of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
ought not to regret doing what
under the circumstance is necessary
and right. do sincerely regret that
the action will cause pain to many
and sever ties and associations which
I supremelv value. Though forced to
give up the ministry of the Episcopal
Church, have not ceased to appreci-
ate the depth and reality of its re-
ligious experience, or to believe thai
through it our Lord gives His grace
to all who approach Him in good
faith; nor have | ceased to recog-
nize that it is training school for
saints and is making valuable con-
tributions to American Christianity.
My personal feelings for it can only
be those of gratitude. To it alone I
owe the convictions which have led TO
my present action.
With great respect and affection,
sincerely yours,
FREDERICK JOSEPH KINSMAN.
Birchmere, Bryant Pond, Me, July /,
1919.