Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-06-04
For tie ,Soutzern .Standard
EpiscopOs, Presbuteros Sc.

Rumor has repeatedly ascribed to the writer Of
this communication a review, criticism or other
notice in the columns Of the Standard of pamph-
let put in circulation under the anonymous name
OF can Episcopos of the State Of Alabama"
had not read the pamphlet nor spent thought a
bout 1t until the above rumor had reached me from
several quarters. The review, criticism or other
notice in the Standard l have not yet seen. Since
have read the pamphlet | feel surprised that any
of my acquaintance should suppose that had no.
ticed it through public journal 1t not my pro-
vince to notice such productions either publicly or
privately, and my inclination would never
lead me through twenty fourpages of such thought
for the honor of becoming before the public the
reviewer of "Episcopos." In consequence of the
above rumor | have examined the pamphlet and
for the sake of the same rumor l now give the re-
suit of my judgment. The good people for whose
benefit the pamphlet purports to have been writ
ten, and the worthy "Presbuteros'' who ventures
to ndorse it must have been imposed upon gross
ly to receive it authentic. No one the most
liable to be deceived doubt that the title can
Episcopos of Alabama is mere assumption.-
The Methodist have no such bishop they have
however several officers known among them bv
the appelaton of bishop: but not one as bishop of
Alabama With several of these bishops | have
the honor to be acquainted, and from my knowl-
edge of them can say with certainty that neither
stance that the authorship should be ascrbed to
Bishop Andrews; could not every sane man of his
acquaintance deny it? There are some fixed prin-
cipleS in men which give individuality to habits
of thought action and character, whose testimo-
ny for or against them is often conclusive. This
individuality is to the wicked the mark of Cain up
the forehead; and to the good, it is one of the
rewards of life Of probty and honor sure
safeguard against unmerted assaults of defama-
a L 81
aSperslons of malice From the weight Of the ev-
idence furnished by marked, well known, long
cherished and fixed character it is certain that
neither of the Methodist bishops wrote the pamph-
let The pauphleteer however regards himself as
an authorized labourer in the Vineyard" and
claims for himself part in the ministry of holy
things. He must lower his pretensions from the
dignity of Gan Episcopos" and come down to the
level of his indorser. COMPOUNDED as | am by
the extraordinary endorsement of ''Presbuteros -
/ cannot but believe that the claim of ''Episcopos''
to the good office Of presbyter is not well found
ded; and am persuaded that the well meaning,
truth loving and intelligent Presbuteros would be
of my opinion, if he would calmly and earnestly
examine TIE grounds of the asserted claim. A
calm and earnest examination can scarcely be ex-
pected, however in this hurry bury age of pro-
gress A thorough examination of the primitive
Fathers requires time and labor; but to quote
them as done up for the occasion out OF Powell IS
more congenial to the spirit of the times. Tokeep
pace in religion and learning with the steam loco
motive on rail road, is fattering to vanity /;
but sometimes to the former to the latter an
unseen gap in bridge gives a fatal plunge into
the mire below. Episcopos is locomotive with
oat conductor, and is running the Powell road.
On that track bridge is up, and the above loco
motive has already gone with splash to the bot
TOM Wesley and Clark never taught their deci-
pies to run headlong for hatred of bishops into
'congregationalism; but, on the contrary they en-
forced both BY precept and example, faithful ad
herence 10 the three orders of Bishop, priest and
deacon. As CLARK has always heretofore been
good authority among the Methodist, he should
not without cause be castasde and forgotten.
know not that he has been cast aside but It is evil
dent that Episcopos either does not know BIN. or