Year: 1873

The Protestant Episcopal sccessionists.


1t has long been known that there was great
discomfort in the Episcopal Church, and col
lision has been not infrequent between the
bishops and incumbents Of particular charges:
but it was scarcely expected that matters would
be pushed so far by the ecclesiastical authorities
as TO necessitate secession, or that the disaf-
fected were so spirited and plucky as to take
the final step which was necessary to organize
q new and independent Church. The troubles
in Jersey few years ago; the unjust and cruel
persecution of DR.. Tying, Jr., which grew out
of the Jersey troubles; and, later, the Chicago
affair, in which the Rev. DR.. Cheney and Ar
sistant Bishop Cummins acquired notoriety--
the Bishop particularly suffering persecution
these things have at last brought forth fruit.
and that fruit is now before US in the shape OF
a new Church organization, which has begun
under auspices by no means unfavorable, and
has before it, to al appearance, future the
very reverse of unpromising.


On Monday all these doubts were set at rest
by the meeting which was held in the rooms
of the Young Mems Institution. This meet
ing, it will be seen, though not large. was
highly respectable. The new Church, it was
agreed, should be called ''The Reformed Epis-
coopal Church" The clergy we're fairly repre-
sented, considering the circumstances, and
the laymen who were present and took part
in the proceedings were of the right sort The
work was gone through in an orderly and
business-like manner, and it is quite evident
that Bishop Cummins is a man who knows
what he is about. The new Church is to be
based on tho Prayer Book of 1885, which. ac-
cording to the Bishop is the 'most acceptable
Prayer Book yet prepared, and the one most
in conformity with Scripture. This Prayer
Book however, is not regarded as perfect; and
the right is reserved to amend, alter, enlarge
or abridge the book as 'the Lord may guide
by His Holy Spirit. The Declaration OF
Principles, drawn up by Bishop Cummins and
approved by committee appointed by the
meeting, if looked at from the standpoint of
what is called Evangelical Professionalism.
will be generally pronounced satisfactory. Ii
looked at from the standpoint OF Catholicism
or Ritualism it will be generally condemned
AS against what is called Romanlsm and Rit-
ualism the line is drawn clean and sharp. The
new Church is thoroughly Protestant Church.
1t is more Protestant than the Church of
Luther more Protestant than the Church OF
Henry VIII and Elizabeth. Batting Episco-
pacy it comes very near to the Presbyterian
standard. For the present Bishop Cummins
is sole Bishop of the organization. 1t was the
opinion of the Bishop that he was not equal
to the task He had received letters within
few hours from Baptist, Methodist and Pres
byterian clergymen, offering to join the move
ment; and he thought that bishop should be
appointed to take charge of the Northwest A
strong effort was made to have Mr.. Cheney. of
Chicago, appointed to this Office; but he de-
clned until he could have an opportunity of
consulting with his congregation. AS we have
said already, the new Church has fair pros
pect of success. What effect it may have in
begetting reform inside of the Episcopal
Church remains to be seen. It is already we
notice, creating alarm among the Episcopal
leaders It will now be necessary for men
like DR.. Tying to define their position.