Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-16
FROM THE COMPILER.
70 THE EDITOR

SiR-in HE Enquirer of The 81 instant
"riier, under The signature of" Mar
Gus, protests with some earnestpess A.
Saihst resolution of the late Episcopal
convention Which has for It's Object the
nisceniinuanceo fceriain practices among
me members of that communion. Aitko'
Marcus is much offended with the mea-
sure, YET he expresses his opposition with
temper ana moderation, and ought TO be
met IN me held OF argument with the
same spirit. But what is this offensive
resolution An expression Of the opiaio,.
OF me convention thai certain fashionable
amusemenis. such as Gaming. attending az
Theatres, Public Balls, and Horse Itaefng.
SHOULD be relinquished by all commit
nicants OF the Church, as LEADING to the
moslpernicIous consequences And does
Marcus really think that this is AN inmo-
Vaiion upon the principles of The Episco-
pal church and departure from lis iibe-
TAI spirit 81 too am an Episcopalian =
Dur l regard This proceeding OF the con-
vention IN very different light from
MaNus.-i consider ii as nothing more
than just declaration of the Sacred
Doctrines of the Church from the Apos-
tolic, down TO the present age: and / ask
Marcus 10 shew a single lire in ScriD,ure.
ora single Canon ofany Christian Church
since the days of The reformation, in any
manner countcDancing, or excusing tie
amnsements which are dsapproyed by
the Convention. II is true that if We are
to be governed by what have been The
practices OF many, both Clergy and Laitv.
IN England, as well as in This country. in
stead OF The p,eceptS of the Gospel, then
Marcus Is I'D The right; and on the same
principles, not only Gaming, Horse Ra.
eng, Balls & Theatres, but also The great
esi abomlnaiIons might be justified. How
can II be supposed by so intelligent a
writer, that the resolution violates The
freedom o! conscience? In the first place,
II rs only an expression of opinion; and,
secondly, u Marcus is displeascd with the
terms OF Communion liz The Episcopal
Church, is he not at liberty TO withdraw
and uniie with some other Cor NAV not
they who concur with him in opinion, set
about establishing new Church of fiIrir
own, in which all kinds of fashionable
amusement, and dissipation nay be es
presSiy deciared to be in strict conformity
to the revealed will of God 81 would
almost venture 10 affirm that Marcus him
sell would feel some hesitation in solemn
~ subscribing such an article of faith.
But Marcus says that these amusrmenis
are not expressly forbidden by tie Laws
OF Christ. Suppose il is granted that
mere Is not an efpresS prOilibiiion-doe
II follow that every practice which Is moi
expressly forbidden istherefore lawfuland
right 81 ask Marcus (for would hope
that he altentlvely reads the sacred re-
cords whether, The whole spirit and tenor
OF the scriptures be not opposed TO the
amusemenls which are alluded to.-What
are we to think of such passages as The
following g" Love not Tie world. neither
the things that are in the world If any
man love the world, the love of the Father
is not ia him.-For all that is in the world,
tic Inst If tie flesh, and the Inst of the enc,
ana me pJlde NJ NE, is not Of the Father,
but Is OF the world" And ST. Paul i'm 5th
Galatians among those works Of The flesh
which he solemnly declares bv Divine
Inspiration shall exclude men from tie
Kingdom Of God enumerates lgaryiYrs.
Reretf'HgS, and such. Tile. Again, LET Mar
Gus refer TO those innumerable passages
which warn The disciples Of the meek
and lowly RedeemeT, from conformity 10
The vanIiles, pomps and fashions of tie
world-whlch recommend selfdenial and
holiness of heat, and which denounce the
most fearful judgments upon those who
are lovers OF pleasure, more than lovers
of God"
But whatsays the Venerable Church TO
winch Marcus seems so warmly attach |
cd on account Of what Tc supposes her |
hberdh.y OF spirit ? Does she indeed, Oike |
her Roman nOtlIeT) give a license TO the |
practice oIalisoris of fashionable immoral |
ny I-Ordoes she faithfully adhere TO The |
Records OF our Salvation Did not Mar
ius liinselfby his sponsors in Baptism