The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-13
SCHISM THREATENS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Attempt to Revise Prayer
Book Strongly Opposed by
Virginians.
FIGHT TO LAST DITCH
Fear Of "High Church" Prac-
tees Entertained by South
ern Delegates.

DETROIT, Oct. 12.-Breach of unity.
possibly amounting to schism, in the
body Of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in America, may result II further attempt
to revise the prayer book is made in the
present triennial general convention. ac-
cording to opinion expressed by many
leading churchmen attending.
There is a distinct lining up of dele
gates in the House of Deputies for and
against revision, with the controversy
centring about the attitude OF the dele
cation from the three Virginia dioSeses.
Both clerical and lay delegates from
Virginia have made plain their deternli-
nation to fight to the last ditch"
against further revision of the devotional
services and, 1t is said, their stand is
having strong influence on other south
ern delegations.
The general convention has gone as
far as 1t can on revision of the book of
prayer" said one Virginian to-day. IF
| an attempt Is made to force the Issue
| on the reservation of the sacrament, and
It Is successfully pushed. the Virginia
delegation will meet the situation. The
Virginia church was out of the general
convention four years (the Civil War;
| and successfully stood as an autonomous
| church body. II necessary we can stand
alone again."
The Virginia delegates opposing the
changes state that the proposed revision
! tends toward what they designate high
church" pratices.
Prominent among the Virginia repre-
| sentation in the convention ares Roswell
Page OF Beaver Dam, brother OF Thomas
Nelson Page. former Ambassador to
L Eel NV PatHrRhurR
John Stewart Bryan Of Richmond. the
Rev. William b. Smith of Winchester
and DIR. w. Russell Bowie Of Richmond
Fighting side by side with Virginians
against further departure from the old
| form of service, although at present ad'
/ vooating merely postponement or re-
vision of the prayer book until 1922, Is
a group headed by DR.. Floyd w
Tomkins of Philadelphia.
The nationwide campaign to finance
church extension work and maintain
present activities the next three years
by raising from s65.000,o00 to 100000
600 or more, was interpreted to conven'
| ton delegates and members In mas
meeting and seven overflow meetings to-
night
Lewis B. Franklin of New York, who
| oraxnized the country for the five Lib
erty Loan campaigns and has general d.
rection Of this campaign. was one OF the
speakers. Others included Bishop Ar
thur B. Lloyd of New York, Bishor
Charles p. Anderson of Chicago, James
Pershine of Denver, cousin of Gen. Per
shing Bishop Lucien Lee Kinsolving Of
Brazil, Bishop Henry st. George Tucker
of Japan and George Zabriskie OF New
York.
The plan of expansion at home an6
abroad is to be laid before the genera
convention tomorrow. 1t includes
! Americanization work among immi'
! grants, for which 1t is proposed to spend
more than s1.630,000, and the expendi'
ture of $4,000. 600 in religious education
and $500, 900 in increased salaries fol
clergymen.
The House of Bishops will shortly ac
on the concordat with the ConSrega
tional Church, under which plan. II the
new canon is adopted. 1t will be posi-
BILE to ordain Congregational ministers
in the Episcopal Church.
Delegates in the House Of Deputies
hold that the proposal to grant increased
powers to provincial synods will necessi
tate amendments to the canons.
A special commission Is to be named
to handle all resolutions and memorials
dealing with international relations
whose report is expected again to brin,
the League of Nations subject to tn
front in the convention. A bitter fgh
on Endorsement OF the League of Nations
covenant Is looked for in the House o
Deputies, where several contradictinl
resolutions already have been introduced
Joint sessions of the two houses ar
to be held four days this week for tn
discussion of the pertinent questions re
lating to church work and convention
legislation