Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-08-10
PUsE.y1sM.

AS an impression appears to prevail in this re-
gion, that the doctrines Of this new sect, which is
producing SO much disturbance in England, and
threatens to create formidable schism i'm the f.
piscopal Church in the United States are grossly
mlsrepresented, we will endeavor TO give "a faith
fol synopsis of their opinions and doctrines, from
The various authorities upon the subject which
We have taken some pains TO collect.
Some Introductory notice oil the rise and pro-
gress OF Puseyism will be necessary, to enable
those who have not hitherto given any attention
to the subject to arrive at clear UNDERSTANDING of
the question at issue. The authorities from which
we have drawn our information principally, are
Drs. Smith and Arson. of New York, and the
London Observer.
In the year 1888, the Rev. Dr. Rose, of Kings
College, the Rev. Mr.. Percival, hlr. Pusev, and
two or three other clergymen of the established
church In England, met III the house Of DR.. Rose,
and whilst talking over the progress of Dissent.
and the neglect into which High Church princi-
pies had fallen, they came to resolution to form
themselves into society, and use their utmost
efforts to revive the class Of principles referred
TO. The celebrated '''rracts for the Times,' had
their origin in this meeting. These tracts appear
ed at irregular intervals, and soon attracted gen-
eral attention, from the startling doctrines they
advanced; and as their tendency was to eXalt the
authority of the church, and invest the Clergy
with special sacredness Of character, the new
class OF opinions made rapid progress among
its tone, and approached nearer and nearer the
doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, The
series proceeded till it reached No. 90, which so
openly advocated Popish principles, that the BIZ
shop of Oxford nterposed his authority, and put
an end to their further publication. The last
tract, No. 80, created deep sensation and indu-
ced several persons to go over openly to the church
Of Rome.
The doctrines now held by the Pusey;es so
closely resemble those of the Roman Catholic
Church, that there can hardly be said on most
points, to be any essential difference between
them. They attach special importance to the as
sumption that all the clergy of the Church of
England, in common with those of the Church of
| Rome, have descended in direct line from the
apostles. They maintain that children baptized
by the established clergy, are regenerated when
the water is sprinkled upon them. They hold
that there is no hope of salvation Tor those who
are without the pale of the church. They main
tain that the church has authority above that of
the state. They attach moe importance TO the
writings of the holy fathers than to the scriptures
of the Word of God, and hold that the scriptures
should not be read by the people, unless accom-
panied by the exposition OF their meaning to be
found in the Book of Common Prayer. They
virtually reject the atonement and set aside as IA
naiicism what is regarded by other bodies as the
religion of the heart. They look upon religion
as mainly consisting in the observance OF forms
and ceremonies. They maintain that the bread
|
consecraled by the clergy, into the actual flesh
aud blood of Christ. The above is but a meager
synopsis from English publications. On all the
doctrina! points reiererred TO, we have adhered
closely to the authorities consulted.
Such is Puseyism in England, nor is it confined
| as many suppose to the few cergymen with
whom the heresy originated. Is is calculated
that out of $4,000 clergy in England and W ales,
5000 three fourths of the whole number are
deeply tainted with Puseyism. In Scotland the
whole of the Episcopal clergy with the exception
of three or four are decided Puseytes.
| Regarding this ecclesiastical movement the
most portant that has occurred since the Reior-
| nation, and threatening the stability Of that bull
wark of Protestanism, the Protestant Episcopal
Church, we are sorry to perceive that the heresy
has found its way across the Atlantic. A few
cases have appeared in New York, marked with
all the distinctive features aud vrulence by
which it is distinguished in England.
Uheeiing Gazette.