William Norman Guthrie
Encyclopedia
William Norman Guthrie was an American
clergy
man and grandson of famous radical Frances Wright
. He was educated at the University of the South
, and from 1889 to 1910 was lecturer and professor
of literature
at several universities, including the University of Chicago
. From 1911 to 1937, he was rector
of the Church of St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie
, New York City
. He attracted attention in the latter part of 1922, by stating that dance
rs would be trained to interpret religion, and in March, 1923, he held an Egypt
ian sun-god
dance at his church, and from time to time it was announced that certain pagan
rite
s were celebrated there. Bishop Manning
asked for an explanation, but was not satisfied of the propriety of the dances, and vetoed them in January, 1924. The rector continued the services, however, and in March, 1924, St. Mark's was deprived of episcopal ministrations pending the time when the Bishop's counsel should be heeded. Professor Guthrie wrote:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man and grandson of famous radical Frances Wright
Frances Wright
Frances Wright also widely known as Fanny Wright, was a Scottish-born lecturer, writer, freethinker, feminist, abolitionist, and social reformer, who became a U. S. citizen in 1825...
. He was educated at the University of the South
Sewanee, The University of the South
The University of the South is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is owned by twenty-eight southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church and its School of Theology is an official seminary of the church. The university's School of Letters offers graduate...
, and from 1889 to 1910 was lecturer and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
at several universities, including the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. From 1911 to 1937, he was rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Church of St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie
St Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery is located at 131 East 10th Street, at the intersection of Stuyvesant Streets and Second Avenue in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He attracted attention in the latter part of 1922, by stating that dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
rs would be trained to interpret religion, and in March, 1923, he held an Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian sun-god
Solar deity
A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms...
dance at his church, and from time to time it was announced that certain pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
rite
Rite
A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites in this sense fall into three major categories:* rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, baptism, or graduation....
s were celebrated there. Bishop Manning
William Thomas Manning
William Thomas Manning was an U.S. Episcopal bishop of New York.-Biography:...
asked for an explanation, but was not satisfied of the propriety of the dances, and vetoed them in January, 1924. The rector continued the services, however, and in March, 1924, St. Mark's was deprived of episcopal ministrations pending the time when the Bishop's counsel should be heeded. Professor Guthrie wrote:
- Beyond Disillusion, a Dramatic Study of Modern Marriage (1915)
- Uncle Sam and Old World Conquerors (1915)
- The Gospel of OsirisOsirisOsiris is an Egyptian god, usually identified as the god of the afterlife, the underworld and the dead. He is classically depicted as a green-skinned man with a pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs, wearing a distinctive crown with two large ostrich feathers at either side, and...
(1916) - Leaves of the Greater Bible (1917)
- The Religion of Old GloryOld GloryOld Glory is a common nickname for the flag of the United States, bestowed by William Driver, an early nineteenth century American sea captain....
(1919) - Seven Oracles from the Cross (1935)