New-York tribune., 1920-01-13
DIR. Grant Red
DefenceBefOre
Bishop To-day
Head of Episcopal Diocese
Will Announce Decision
After Hearing Vestrymen
OF Church of Ascension

In compliance with request by
Bishop Charles s. Burch. of the Epis
copal Church. the vestry of the Church
OF the Ascension met last night to
draft report to the bishop. concern
ing the recent utterances of the Rev.
ur Percy Stickney Grant, rector Of
'he church, with view to possible
actlon against the clergyman. His
linking Of the deported "Reds" with
the Pilgrim Passengers Of the May
mower IN sermon on December 27
prompted the vestry's investigation.
bishop Burch said last night that he
would act this afternoon on the deci-
sion of the vestry. He added that he
would be guided ~ the facts reported
to him.
We are church Of law and order"
BISHOP Burch told reporter for The
Tribune last night. "Officially J. know
notnlng OF the case. | can take no
official action until the vestry reports.
"Dr. Grant has the constitutional
right OF free speech. Until it is shown
that that right has been abused &C.
cordlng to canons OF the Church or
that he has preached in the Church
doctrines that. are subversive of the
doctrines Of Che Church, there can be
no ground for action against him. II
such facts are shown it will then be
my duty to act, just as it would be the
duty OF civil authorities to act it any
man should break the civil law.
"Dr. Grant has no right to use his
church for the discussion Of miscel-
laneous topics in connection with re-
ligious services without the authority
of the bishop. Such discussions would
properly be held in the parish house,
not the church"
Asked what would be the procedure
IN case the vestry reported the facts
without any recommendation, Bishop
Burch said it would then rest with
him to determine if action against the
rector was demanded under the canons
OF the church.
blshop Burch enumerated four points
upon which DR.. Grant might be brought
to trial. They are: conduct unbecom-
ing Clergyman; immortality; preach
ing contrary to the doctrines Of the
church; and abandoning the ministry.
az proceeding against DR.. Grant
is recommended 10 me-" the bishop
continued, nothing will be done with
out my first seeing him ald hearing
his side of the case fully He has
constitutional rights, and any possible
action will be taken according to law
and Justice
Disclajming any intention to "muz-
'zle" DR.. Grant Tor his utterances.
vestrymen Of the Church of the Ascen-
sion disclosed yesterday that an ex-
tended series of conferences regarding
Dr.. Grant has been held without any
decision being reached.
George Gordon Battle. warden of
the church. said that soon after Or.
Grants address OF December 81 the
vestrymen had taken up the matter
and had since held ''two or three
meetings"
"There has been series of confer
ences held to promote a clear under
standing between Dr. Grant and the
vestry" NJ, Battle said. "No direct
acton has been taken. Personally I
have the highest regard and esteem
for DR.. Grant"
there was any truth in the report that
the body had given DR.. Grant the
choice of modifying his utterances or
retiring from the pulpit he said: mo.
1t has not reached that stage. We are
still engaged in finding out exactly
what has been said
Harold A. Content, former assistant
United States district attorney and a
vestryman OF the Church Of the Ascen-
sion, yesterday declared himself az per
sonaIly opposed 70 DR.. Grants views
and il favor Of deportation Of "Reds. "
but also in favor of free expression BY
DR. Grant. He indicated that opinions
among the eighteen vestrymen varied
widely on Dr.. Grants utterances
DR.. Grant was i'll with Il severe cold
yesterday and refused to comment on
the work Of the vestry
He was born in 1860 and came to the
Church of the Ascension in 1893. He
assumed charge or condition that the
pews be free and the church open every
day