The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-17
A GOOD MANS TESTIMONY.T
REV. DR.. MINORS VIEW OF THE TRAcrARI-
AN HERESY.

A GOOD MAN . IESllMONY.J
REV. DR.. MINORS VIEW OF THE TRAcTARI-
AN HERESY.
The worthy and venerable Rector of ST.
Georges Church, New York, who may be
truly regarded as one of the fathers of the
Church, has recently published an Address
delivered at an annual meeting of the "As-
sociation Of ST. Georges Church for the
promotion of Christianity" We have read
this address with great pleasure and edifca-
ton, and furnish our readers below with a
few extracts from il which stand in connec-
ton with his remarks upon the importance
of paronizing the "Amer. Bible Society,""
which he justly. regards as "the noblest Of
all our voluntary associations" We regret
that our limits will not permit US 10 transfer
TO our columns the whole of his very cogent
and conclusive reasoning on this topic
He was naturally led TO notice incidentally,
in this connection, the opposing doctrines of
the Oxford Tracts, which discourage Who'll
ly the circulation fthe Word of God "witb-
out note or comment" or by any such in
strumentalities. Or. Minor very ably ex-
poses the fallacy and groundlessness of these
! objectIons-and is thus led to express his
views Of the whole Tractarian movement.
We have room only for small portion OF
the able remarks he delivers on these points.
Episcopal Recorder.
"TEe Bible is the charter Of our common
christianity. 1t is a revelation of God 10
all mankind. On the reception of its truths
and conformity to its precepis, the happiness
of our fallen ruce is dependant for time and
for eternity. Ii is the privilege of every
human being TO enjoy its soul cheering
| light and blessedness. He who would with,
hold II, robs his fellow being OF that TO which
God has given him an indubiiable right
10 compel him to receive with il the com
mentaries Of man is 10 invade his liberty,
and unwarrantably TO entrench upon the
privilege ofprivate judgement. would be
far from disuading any from a resort 10 all
judlclous aids in the explanation of Sacred
Scripture. On the contrary, would bless
God that so many are accessible to the in
curing mind. The labors of erudiie schol-
ars, apparently seeking the influence of the
Holy Spirit, and guided by it in ascertain.
ing the true meaning of the word Of God,
are TO be highly appreciated.
But never was there a crisis OF the
Church, when it was more important to diff.
fuse this blessed book, and TO call upon men
10 bring all human teaching to the standard
Of the written Word. While the uniiring
efforts the Roman Church are employed
inducing its reiecIions as an infallible Test
/ of truth, ard subordinating it to undefinable
tradition, we see some Pedestrians tinctured
with al lea9t a portion Of her errors, advo-
acting the combination of Scripture and ira.
dilion as joint rule of faith thus bringing
down that which is emphatcally the Word
of God TO a level with the fallab'e writings
of uninspired men,"
in religious discussions offensive per-
sonalities should be avoided, and therefore,
say nothing about the motives or Interior
designs which are attributed by many TO the
authors of that series Of publications entitled
"Tracts for the Times,' and other writings
put forth by the same party since the discon-
tinuance of the Tracts. But having atten-
lively read them, must say, with all respect
towards those whose minds have come TO a
different conclusion, that cannot in duty
recommend them 10 the people of NV
charge; but. on the contrary, feel myself
bound 10 warn them against The erroneous,
and in some instances, Popish views, which
they maintain. That they have been the
means Of corrupting the faith of many, and
of leading some for the sake Inconsistency
to abjure the reformed faith, and 10 unite
themselves with the Church of Rome, is an
uuquesnoned fact and that they have led
numbers still in our communion 10 promul.
gate opinions, which few years ago, would
have identified them with the adherents oil
that corrupt church, is equally true. Width,
err they may ultimately conduct them, is per.
haps unknown even 10 themselves.
at is the ominous avowal Of one Of their
principal and more recent publication, that
they cannot stand where they are that
they must go backwards or forwards, and
that il will surely be The latter IL is alb
solutely necessary say they, 10 the con-
sistency of the system which we are labor.
ing 10 restore, that truths should be clearly
stated, which as yet have been but intlma.
ted, and others developed which are now bu
in germ and as we 60 on, we must recede
more and more from the principles, if any
there be, of the English Reforma tion.' i
such an ayowal as this does not alarm such
as, without fully adopting, have been inclin
ed 10 favor these dangerous publications, the
inference must be most unfavorable 10 the
, hopes Of those who have hitherto looked tC