The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-06-04 00:00:00

THE BISHOP OF CHESTER ON THE GORHAM

CASE.

The tractarians in this diocese have only been able to
procure forty-one signatures—fourteen laymen and
twenty-seven clergymen—to an address deprecatory of
the recent decision of the Privy Council. At the head of
the list is the name of Lord de Tabley, but not one eccle-
siastical dignitary has signed the document. The address
has been presented to our excellent Bishop, who has re-
turned the following dignified and conciliatory reply :
" Chester, May 8, 1850.
•
" MY Lonn,—l yesterday received an address, signed
by your lordship and several of the clergy and laity of
this diocese, expressing their sense of the dangers to the
faith and vitality of the Church of England which the
judgment in the case of Gorham versus the Bishop of
Exeter' involves; of its certain tendency to destroy the
bona fides of all subscription to religious tests ; and of the
general unfitness of a court so composed as the Judicial
Committee of Privy Council for the treatment of questions
of Christian doctrine; and further entreating me to take
counsel with my Right Reverend Brethren concerning the
application of a remedy to these evils, and especially con-
cerning the adoption of means which may enable the
Church to declare, in such terms as shall appear most
effectual, its doctrine touching the Sacrament of Baptism.
" I beg to assure your lordship that I receive this ad-
dress with the respect due to the high character of the
individuals by whom it has been signed, and to their
earnest affection for the Church of England.
" The anxiety felt at the present time by many attached
members of our Church on the points stated in the ad-
dress,
has engaged the serious attention of the Arch-
bishops and Bishops.
" As respects the composition of the Judicial Commit-
tee of the Privy Council, a bill has already been intro-
duced into parliament by the Bishop of London, pro-
posing a modification of the form of proceeding in cases
of alleged false doctrine. The subject has thus been
brought under the notice of the legislature, and will un-
doubtedly receive that careful and mature consideration
to which by its importance it is entitled.
" As respects the desire expressed in the address to
obtain a declaration of the doctrine of the Church of
England touching the Sacrament of Baptism, I may be
permitted to remark that our Church has expressly de-
clared the Sacrament to be not merely a badge of profes-
sion, but rather an effectual sign of grace, a means
whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us
thereof. Some questions, which theologians have raised
respecting the Sacrament, our Church may have left un-
defined • reverently abstaining from pretending to deter-
mine what the Holy Scriptures have not determined.
Some expressions again in the Baptismal Service may
appear to admit a latitude of construction, and have in
point of fact been differently construed by men of sincere
honesty and earnest piety. If any ill effects have hence
resulted to our. Church, I cannot but think that they are
to be attributed not so much to the diversity of opinion
itself, as to the ardour of controversialists, on each side
and in turn, seeking to press their own opinion to the
exclusion of that of their opponents. Meanwhile, and
notwithstanding these differences, indications, T humbly
trust, have not been wanting that the divine blessing has
continued to rest upon our Church. Its ministers have
been zealous in their sacred duties ; and the people have
manifested a continued and increasing attachment to its
communion. And so long as all are animated by a spirit
of mutual forbearance, of charity in judging the opinion
of others, of humility in faithfully maintaining our own ;
I hope that, under God's blessing, we shall preserve the
unity of the Christian faith in the bond of Christian
peace.

" In communicating this letter to those of the clergy
and laity, who have joined with your lordship in the
address, I beg you will have the kindness to convey to
them the assurance of my sincere respect.
" I have the honour to be,
" Your lordship's faithful servant,
(Signed) " J. CHESTER.
" To the Lord de Tabley."