American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-18

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canswe apprehend less ready acquiesence il
the same course on the part of the laity? As
suredly not-provlded that we previously in
struct them in the nature of the changes intro
duced, and Of the reason for which they are in
troduced-not from love of change, but to pre-
vent change-to enable us, at length to fine
a rest for ourselves amidst the huctuation Of
usages around us, and to find it in strict ODE
dience to the law.
Need | add, that this very purpose of ensur-
ing stability as we'll as uniformity in our public
worship, is the very end and object of the
statute, as thus declared in It's preamble-"ln
regard that nothing conduceth more to the set
ting OF the peace of this nation (Which is de-
sired OF all good men) nor TO the honor of our
religion and the propagation thereof, than an
universal agreement in the public worship Of
Almighty God; and to the intent that every
person within this realm may certainly pw
the rule to which he is to conform in public
worship, and administration of the sacraments
and other rites and ceremonies of the Church
of England"
For these reasons | scruple not to address
you all in the language of most earnest en-
treaty-entreaty which | thankfully acknow-
lege, after the experience of IA years, you have
never yet disregarded, but which | now put
forth with far greater anxiety than | ever be-
fore testi6ed-that you will all concur with me
in discountenancing every attempt to divide US
into parties, by rendering steady, uniform and
peaceful obedience to the laws of the churh,
especially in all that relates to the public wor-
ship of Almighty God, as enjoined in the Ru-
brio of the Book of Common Prayer If to
this my earnest entreaty add, as am bound
to add, the language of authority and order,
you will, | am sure, see in it only the fuller
sanction and support Of your own desire to act
in conformity with your own deep feeling Of
your duty.
abstain at present from entering into de-
tails. Let me, however, say, that advise
very cautious and forbearing tone in all that
respects the duty Of the laity, as laid down in
the Rubric.
One further caution would add, though
hope it is almost needless.
While urge you to return to full observ-
ance of the Rubric-falling short of your pre-
scribed part in nothing-beware of exceeding
it. The peculiar dangers of the times as well
as the prevailing tone of public opinion, call
upon you most powerfully, as you would avoid
being in the number of 'them through whom
offences Gomez to forbear all unnecessary in
novation, especially as have recently had &C.
casion to urge, that worst kind of innovation,
the revival of obsolete usages not required by
law, which are associated in the minds of the
people with the supersttions and corruptions
Of Rome.
This letter will reach you through your
Deans Rural; and advise you to commune
cate together in your several Deaneries thus
of yourselves you will on most points come to
an accordance. Should doubts arise, the Pre-
&, to bo Of
ing the service of the church, ;" tells you how
to act You are to have recourse to your
Bishop, who, if he be in doubt himself, is "to
send to the Archbishop for the resolution
thereof"
also advise you that you make no deva-
ton from the mode in which you may be now
severally in the habit of performing divine
service, until there shall have been an oppor-
tunity of colating the different practices and
propositions of the different deaneries.
We may too, perhaps, be enabled to profit by
the construction put upon the rubrics in other
doceses, if any similar consideration of the
matter meanwhile be had elsewhere.
One great advantage must arise from this
delay, that it will enable us to make all the
change which shall be found necessary, at
once, and thus to avoid future change.
A very few months at the utmost will more
than suffice to enable you to bring all questions
to decision. Should it be necessary for me
to explain the grounds of the resolution of any
of the doubts submitted to me, an opportunity
will soon be afforded, if it please God that
have health and strength to hold my visitation
in the next year; which it is my present inten-
ton to commence Immediately after my ordi- !
nation on Trinity Sunday.
There is one diversity" "for the quietins
and appeasing of which" will now stake or
der.n This feel myself called upon to do;
because, unhappily, the diversity" to which
refer is regarded by many of the people as ex-
hibiting the badges Of party OIL one side, at
least, if not ON both. 1t cannot, therefore, too
soon be settled.
refer to the use of the surplice in preaching,
matter so uncomfortable, that it could not, of
ITSELF excite any strong feeling in any reasona-
BILE man. But the more unimportant it is in
itself, the more manifest is the necessity of
stripping it of that Fictitious Importance which
is given to it by its being made the symbol of
iisunion. This can be done only by requiring
that there be no longer any diversity" that
Ill either use or disuse the surplice when they
preach.
If there were no law, one way or the other
there might be difficulty in deciding which to
require. But the law, on due investigation, is
clear, however complicated may be the inquiry
which is necessary to ascertain it,
That law, beyond all question which can
now arise, requires that the surplce be always
used in the sermon, which is part of the COM
nunion service; and as to all other times, when
aver sermon is part of the minstration of the
oarochal clergy, there is so little reason for
question, that resolve the doubt, by requiring
as it was required in the diocese in which my
own ministerial life was passed, the diocese of
Durham, and there by the order of one of its
most distinguished prelates, and of our most
eminent ritualists, Bishop Cosin) that the sur
,lce be always used.
There remains one matter on which there is
10 rubrical direction, as it was not contempla-
ed when the Book of Common Prayer was
mean the sermon at the time of