The latter considers the former Episcopalian a "low churchman," a "half churchman" and errant cleric due to studies at Princeton Seminary. Therefore, a knife in the back was considered suitable for Mr. McIlvaine.
This is an excellent read on the considerations of low v. high churchmanship in early 19th century American Episcopalianism.
This handy little read also reflects an ugly letter whereby and wherein Mr. Onderdonk, later a bishop who was suspended for serial advances on women parishioners, was willing to knife Mr. McIlvaine in the back. This knife is pulled from the back and Mr. McIlvaine experiences a full recovery. It's "dirty churchmanship." Some things just don't change.
Charles Pettit McIlvaine (January 18, 1799 – March 14, 1873) was an Episcopal bishop, author, educator and twice the Chaplain of the U.S. Senate.
Mr. McIlvaine was highly respected internationally for his opposition to the Romewardizing Oxford movement within the Episcopal Church.
He often had coffee at Buckingham Palace, lunched with the faculty of Oxford, and conversed with cabinet members, and influenced debate in the House of Commons.
Rev. Mr. M'Ilvaine in Answer to the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, Part 4. Philadelphia: William Stavely, 1827.
Available at: http://books.google.com/books?id=gogtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=h.u.+onderdonk&source=bl&ots=NeLrYuR6Pl&sig=7OOODgiA-eqflaUnGwdHHtkdXa4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=52D1UcPWFYjA8AT3hoCYCg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAzgU#v=onepage&q=h.u.%20onderdonk&f=false
Some additional information is available at: http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/mcilvaine/
