New Britain herald., 1923-12-17
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
 IN SERIOUS ISSUE
Preacher Dofs Garb in Rejecting
 Bishops Orders

New York, Dec. 17.-An issue has been raised between the modernist and fundamentalist factions of the Protestant Episcopal church, which scme believed today would develop into one of the most important theo- logical controversies of recent years
 The storm center is Rev. Lee w. Heaton, rector of the Trinity church, Forth Worth, Texas who, it was stated, will be tried for alleged heresy soon after January 1 for his denial of the virgin birth as a physical fact
 Rev. Stuart Tyson, yice-president of the Modern Churchmen's Union, char acterized the development as the most important matter in the generation and quoted, Bishop Moore of Texas as considering it the beginning of "a concerted movement to cleanse the Episcopal church of modernism"
 Supporters of Rev. MT. Heaton said the modernists would not stop at de- fense, but would push vigorous counter attack to the next general convention of the church. Organiza- tion of a defense committee and sub seription of u defense fund have been undertaken,
 Rev. Mir. Heaton and Dr. John R. Covert, senior warden of his church, started for Fort Worth last night after comforting with sympathizers here for ten days.
 Has Strong Support,
 In the group understood to be be- hind Rev. Mir. Heaton were Rev. Mir. Tyson, the Spokesman; Rev. Elwood Worcester, of Boston, president of the Union; Rev. A. G. Cummins. of Poughkeepsie. N. Y.; Dr. Samuel Me Comb, of the Episcopal Theological school at Cambridge, Mass, and Dr. Leighton Parks, rector of St. Barthol- omew's church here.
 Dr, Parks brought the situation to a climax yesterday in his challenge at St. Bartholomew's church. Doffing surplice and stole, symbols of his priesthood, he announced his reiec- ton of the recent pastoral letter of the Episcopal House of Bishops which adjudged the ministry to stand behind the Catholic traditions of the church and the nicene creed.
 He challenged both the doctrines of the virgin birth and the bodily resur- rcetion and welcomed trial for heresy, He labelled tho pastoral let ter autocratic, said the bishops lacked authority to change teachings of the church and that the Catholic tra- dition" was abandoned when the Episcopal church was formed.
 Bishop Lawrence of Massachusetts was the target of the letter, in his opinion, but, he added, that church. men had not been cited for heresy be- cause to do So would shake this church to it's foundation" Instead, ,Dr. Parks asserted, "A poor, unknown minister tRev. MT. Heaton) has been ordered to trial" He predicted tho trial would not take place.
 Is old Man Now.
 For many years" said pr. Parks. T have been preaching just what the bishops condemn and I have pub llshed all these beliefs in a book, ] am an old man, Che is 71) and it is time perhaps that I departed. But l should not consider it any disgrace to be deposed for what have said from the pulpit: should consider 1t an honor"
 Before accepting the call to St. Bartholomew's in 1904, pr. Parks was rector in Boston for % years. Before that he was in charge of the Ameri- can chapel in Paris and the American church in Geneva. His present charge is one of the wealthiest in the world. and he has long been known as a broad churchman."
 Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rector of the Church of the Ascension, who last winter engaged in a. controversy with Bishop Manning, declared in his ser- mon yesterday:
 Dr. Grants Views.
 There are many in the church English and American" he said, "who still believe in an authority almost papal and wish practically to return 10 medieval ways. They have little sympathy with Professionalism"
 While Dr. Parks was preaching. Rev. Dr. William Norman Guthrie was explaining to church goers at St. Marks-in-the-B Bouwerie that his critics have misunderstood the symbolic Greek dances parish girls have given at church festivals. His controversy over them with Bishop William IT, 1. Manning will remain dormant. he said, |
 a-g