“This basin was procured from the Messrs. Kirk, of the city of
Baltimore. The price of it was one thousand dollars, and it is
said to be the finest piece of work of silver and gold and
precious stones combined that has ever been made upon our
continent. It was sent through the hands of the Bishop of
Lichfield, who presented it on bended knees to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, to be placed upon the altar of S. Paul’s Cathedral;
and in this basin the bishops of the Church of England made their
own offerings first. It is understood that the basin is to be
preserved by the archbishop and transmitted to his successors, to
be used in all future times at the consecration of English bishops
and the opening of the Houses of Convocation, and upon all public
and great occasions in which the Church of England is interested,
and to be preserved as a pledge and token of unity and good‐will
between our own church and our mother Church of England.
“I may say here, too, that both Houses of Convocation, by
resolution adopted unanimously, went in their scarlet convocation
robes from their sittings in the chamber near Westminster Abbey,
in solemn procession, to the celebration of the Holy Communion in
S. Paul’s Cathedral, especially to do honor to the American
Church; and in this procession Bishop McIlvaine and the Lord
Bishop of Lichfield carried our basin, and it was presented to the
Archbishop of Canterbury in form.”
Why did these prelates _kneel_ to the archbishop on this occasion, unless
to do him homage? And what function does an “alms‐basin” discharge in the
consecration of bishops and the opening of the Houses of Convocation? We
ask in all sincerity, because our knowledge of ecclesiology is imperfect
in reference to these points.
While we praise the manly spirit of our American friends in not yielding
to the spirit of toadyism before English prelacy, we confess we are
somewhat pained at a seeming want of self‐respect in their attempt to deal
with the “Holy Orthodox Eastern Church.” This body, though having valid
orders, holds all the doctrines condemned by the Thirty‐nine Articles, and
has plainly and openly anathematized Protestantism. Why will the
Episcopalians consent to be snubbed and slapped in the face for the sake
of an intercommunion which is utterly impossible? If _they_ like it, we
ought not to repine; yet, for the sake of our manhood, we protest against
it. The Rev. Dr. Fulton, of Alabama, said:
“There is a great body of Christian people, constituting one of
the three great bodies of the Holy Catholic Church, throughout the
world, which to‐day are not in visible communion, although they
are in unity of spirit, and hope for a more clearly‐defined bond
of peace. Hitherto it has only been possible for these various
bodies, or at least two of them—that is to say, the Anglican
Church and the Holy Orthodox Eastern Church—to meet each other in
courtesy. Now, arrangements have been made through the Archbishop
of Canterbury by which the dead of our communion from England or
this country can be buried by the Orthodox clergy, and other
offices of courtesy and kindness can be performed. The Archbishop
of Syra, representing the Holy Orthodox Eastern Church, lately
visited the Church of England, and was there received with the
greatest honor. Prelates of our own church and clergy of lower
degree have likewise been received by the Eastern clergy. There
are, in this city, with the approbation of the bishop of the
diocese clergy of the Holy Orthodox Eastern communion. It is
believed—in fact, it is known—that they are present now in this
house; and, as a member of the Russo‐Greek Committee, it was
suggested to me that, in the general recognition of the clerical
rank and character which these resolutions imply, these brethren
should be likewise recognized. It touches not at all the doctrine
of their churches; it touches not at all the doctrines of their
church; it touches not at all their attitude toward us; it simply
recognizes that they are clergy of a church toward which we hope
that, in the providence of God, we may be drawn in love, without
any sacrifice of our own principles.”
We doubt not that, when gentlemen meet, they treat each other with
courtesy. Even Roman Catholic, whom Dr. Fulton would not invite to the
convention, are courteous and polite. But this does not mean any
compromise in questions of doctrine. If Dr. Potter approves of the
presence of Rev. Mr. Bjerring in New York, we are quite sure that the
Russian priest never dreams of acknowledging his authority. Is it not very
much beneath the dignity of a large and respectable body to take mere
politeness for any approach to unity in faith or communion? A letter of
the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg was handed round among the deputies as
a curiosity and a wonderful sign of Eastern favor to the Protestant
Episcopal Church. We are not sure if the following is an exact copy of the
letter. If so, it is a gentle rebuke, given as politely as could be done
under the circumstances. We extract the letter and the comments thereon
from a secular paper generally trustworthy:
“The Convention’s Proposition Spurned By Orthodox Catholics.
“Apropos of the efforts of the Protestant Episcopal Church for a
closer union and affiliation with the Orthodox Eastern Church, the
following letter, translated from the _Birzheviga Vedomosty_, a
Russian journal of a semi‐official ecclesiastical status, will be
interesting. It is a reply to the petition of the Protestant
Episcopal Church for a more intimate union with the Russo‐Greek
Church, and is now for the first time published on this continent:
“ ‘TO THE WELL‐BELOVED IN CHRIST, AND THE RIGHT REVEREND COMMITTEE
OF THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
“ ‘Your letter, addressed to his Excellency the Procurator
General, Count Tolstoy, having been presented by him to the
consideration of the Most Holy Governing Synod of Russia, together
with the report and the concurrence of the House of Bishops,
approved by the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, in reference
to the establishment upon a true catholic basis of a spiritual
fraternity between the American and Orthodox Churches, especially
in the Territory of Alaska, was received by the Most Holy Synod of
all the Russias with the utmost pleasure, as a new proof of
respect shown by the representatives of the Episcopal Church, and
of their estimable purpose concerning the union of the churches.
The Most Holy Synod, on their part, will make it an object of
their constant care that a spirit of Christian tolerance and
fraternal love and esteem, in accordance with the precepts and
usages of our church, shall continue to pervade all the relations
existing between the members of the Orthodox Church and those of
the Protestant Episcopal Church in America, and particularly in
the Territory of Alaska.
“ ‘As to the hypothesis of a reciprocal participation in the
solemn performance of the sacrament of the Eucharist, the Eastern
Church firmly adheres to the principles and convictions so clearly
stated in the messages sent in 1723 by the Orthodox patriarchs of
the East in reply to the Anglican bishops. It considers a previous
agreement in faith as absolutely indispensable to the practical
mutual participation in the sacraments, inasmuch as the first is
the only possible ground‐work or basis for the last. In order to
attain this most desired end, a thorough study and investigation
of the differences in the doctrine of both churches would be
absolutely requisite; and to promote this, a great principle of
co‐operation will undoubtedly be found in the spirit of peace and
charity which animates both churches, the Orthodox as well as the
American, and in those prayers for the peace of the whole world
and for the union of the holy churches of the Lord which arise to
the God of truth and mercy from the Orthodox churches, and which
are most certainly shared in by the American churches.
“ ‘Having been authorized by the Most Holy Governing Synod, I
assume the duty of presenting their answer to the House of Bishops
of the American Episcopal Church, and beg you to accept the
assurance of the highest esteem of your brother and co‐servant in
Jesus Christ.