Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-10-29
DIR. scHAFF-THE PENNSYLVANIA TELE-
GRAPH AND THE PHILADELPHIA SUN.


graph from the Harrisburg Telegraph,
which reflected on the Theological charac-
ter OF the Rev. DR.. Schaff, the head Of
Franklin and Marshall College and the
German Reformed Church in the United
States. The charges were, that DR.. Schaf |
as well as DR.. Nevin, were Puseyites in |
principle, and favored some OF the leading
doctrines of the Romish church. The
Telegraph afterwards disowneo the article
as an editorial, and recalled its statements.
We published the article merely as matter
Of news for our readers, leaving it TO them
to Judge of the truth or ialsity of the
charges, as we take no part or side in theo-
logical or religious disputes. The Phila-
delphia Sun, however, republished the
article with structures more severe in their
character, than the original article. Some
of the members the church, in Harrisburg,
thereupon addressed letter TO DR.. Schaf
upon the subject, 10 which he has sent the
following reply, which we find in the
"German Reformed Messenger" the organ
oil the church, which we publish as an act
OF Justice TO DR.. Schaff:
MERcsRsDURc, Pa, Sept. 81, '53
To GEO z. KuSKEL, J. NJ. WRESTLING aud
others, Harrisburg, Pa:
DEAR SIRs,-l have received by the last
mail your favor of the 10Th, calling my al
,entou to note published in The "Penna.
Telagraph,n and calculated 10 injure the in
siitnions of the Chutch with which | am
connected. Although have become almost
Indifferent to the many attacks upon, and
misrepresentation Of, what is reproachIully
styled "Mercersburg Theology" in religious
and a few secular papers, aud think il both
an endless and useless task 10 relule them,
convinced that the llulh will and must ul,i-
malely prevail aud sweep away all honest
mistakes aud malicious misrepresentation, |
will cheerfnly comply with your wish in
this instance: and give you the right 10 make
any pdvaie or public use Of this reply you
may see proper.
The note referred 10 contains as many er-
rors as sentences
Isl. must decline the compliment of
having made convert of the Rev. DR.. Ne
win, as unfounded in fact, and unjust 10 a
gentleman who is one OF The most independ-
eni divues Of the age, and who could think
aud speak for himself long before | was
born.
ID. The note Identifies my theology with
Puseyism. 1t is true, | have said some
things in favor, bu, fully as much, it
not more against, this movement, for in.
stance: 'The grand defect of Pnseyism,
forming an impossible gulph between ii and
our position, is lis wter misdpprchension of
The dirine signi iicancc Of the Reformation, wiih
its consequent Development, that is Of the entire
Protestant period Of tie Church. AS 10 Ro
manisni, SO TO Puseyi also there is want
ing the true idea Of Development altogether
With all their historical feeling, the Pusey-
ties show themselves with regard 10 the Re-
formation absolutely unhistoricaI. They
wish to shut on,spt view the progress OF The
last three centuries entirely, to treat the
whole as negaton, if possible, and BY one
vast leap to carry the Church back 10 lhe
point where il stood before the separation of
he Oriental and Western Commmons. Pu-
seyisn then Hooks backwards: we look for
wards. 1t tends towards Rome and is there
in spirit already; even though ii should out
wardly complete the transition. We move
towards Jerusalem the new, The hevenly
eternal, Its way is turned towards the flesh
pots of Egypt the old ignominious se,vitude
of the house Of bondage. Ours is onward 10
The land of promise, that flows with milk
and honey" principle of Professionalism.
iS+5, p. 1875, 1873 This is my opinion still
and similar extracts might be gathered from
my later writings showing still more strongly
cessaIy
81. The charge, that 81 use the PRAYERS
Of the Roman Catholic Church in my family,
"A charge which 10 my knowledge has
never been made before from any quarter
i most unqualified falsehood | have
never done any such thing in my life.
read every morning in my family rhapie
Of The English Bible, and make an extern
pore prayer, concluding always with the
Lords Prayer aud the Apostolic Benedc,ion
, frequently also with the Apostles Creed
which, sou know, is an essential part of oul
Heidelberg Catechism. Perhaps this writer
however, is so deeply learned in Church his
tory, as 10 consider it fossil relic OF Popery
| have no objection 10 any fair criticism OF
my published views; but must Indignantly
protest against such malicious inroads into
: the sanctuary Of my family The writer Of
the paragraph in the "Penna. Telegraph
$ must be al great loss for arguments in.
deed, if he must make use of such dishonora.
BILE means to cast odium upon myself and
, he institutions of our Church.
II the editor OF the Telegraph" is gen.
. ileman, as have no doubt he is, he will, OF
course, consider j, both pleasure and duty
to correc, this foul SANDER of his anonymou'
correspondent.
With high regard, yeur friend,
PHILIP SCHAFF.