Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-03-01
HANDSOME COMPLIMENT.

Bishop Hopkins has recently published at
Philadelphia, a series of Letters addressed
to the Episcopal Church in the United
States, touching certain points of doctrine,
with which tina, communion has been agita.
ted for the past year or two. He most UNI
equivocally repudaes Pusyism in all its
aspects, and shows up its Inconsistencies in
point of view but poorly calculated 10 aid
its extension among protestants. He then
proceeds to define the true position of the
Episcopal Church in reference to other de-
nominations in doing which he disavows
the excusiveness which that church has been
supposed to assert, and extends the hand of
liberal fellowship to all christian commune
ions. These letters are having a wide cir
cula,ion, and cannot but exert wholesome
influence at the present moment. We
alude to them here, however, more for the
purpose of copying the following very hand
some compliment from BrsHop Meade of
Virginia, which has just reached US thu ough
southern religious publication, than for
canvassing their merits for while we are
happy to note this decided stand for the
doctrine of christian iberalty, we cannot
but regard with much satisfaction, the decl-
ded and warm-hearted reception Bishop
Meade has given it.
To the Bishop Of the Protestant, Episcopal Church OF
| the Diocese OF Vermont:
| Ri. Rev. AND DEAR BRoTnER Il have recently
received, and with great pleasure read your four
printed letters to the bishops and clergy Of the Epis
copa Church in these United Safes on certain points
OF doctrine and discipline now agtaung our beloved
Church in England and America. If be lawful and
expedien for you thus to make known your senti-
ments, and seek 10 inil fence others to adopt what
you think most likely TO conduce 10 the peace and
welfare of our ZION, and can see no reason to the
contrary, It may also be to one, such myself con-
scons o. INABILITY to follow your example at least 10
take this public method Of acknowledging the receipt
Of your communications and to thank you most sim
cerely and heartily for them. | desire also in this
! public manner to do what have done in private
that ls to render thanks TO the Glver of all grace,
that he has granted to you the talents the learning,
the opportunity and, above all, the spirit to perform
the task you nave Undertaken IN able, so learned
so utlcious, temperate and court eous manner as
must ensure the respect of the candid the WISE and
pous, even though some of them may not IN every
! thing agree with You. You have set an example 10
those who write on disputed points nf candOr which
enters into the feelings and preludlce~ of both par.
ties and makes all due allowance for their influence
over the Judgment while, at the same time you are
= entirely free from the weakness of indecorous re-
! serve or mbgHy-prevaling errors of or day.
\ gu have done what 1t seems to lie the bishop and
clergy in Their several degrees aud stations are now
called on 10 do, IN such manner as may seem mos
sul,abe-t ma, ls-in reference to the doubts which
/ are but too prevalent, and the questions that con
tnua asked, 10 assert IN terms not to be mlsunder
stood the Protestant character of our Church. IN op
position TO all the CLOSES and pervers ons of he
doctrine by those who favor the party which, within
O the last few years, has sprung up at Oxford
You have, az conceive, set forth the true, modcr
ate and scrpturn views OF our reor'ners the sub
Il lect OF the mlnlstry-the thlrch-and sactaments
IN opposition To those eSirav.gant ones which som
very few, at different times since the Reformation
. have held, and which, am persuaded, ever hav
been, md ever must be iniurous the cause IF tfu
q PIE within our Church, and opposed to her outward
extension.
e Thus estimating vour letters, rcioce in their pub
lcaon, and most heartily re Commend them 10 an
with whom myoplnlpn may have the slightest we CHI
i cspccl1yto my brethran of the clergy and aity il
Virginia.