The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-10
DIR. CUMMINs AND DIR. TYING.

The National LntelLigencer, by request of DR..
Cummins, publishes our article and the cores
pondence between Mr.. Hale and Dr. Tying, in
relation to the position of the late Dudley A.
Tying on the Slavery question, with the follow.
ing reply by DR.. Cummins:
g To all this beg leave to reply:
81. That ] never represented the position
which the late Dudley A. Tying took on the
Slavery question as the great error of his life,
as the matter is stated by Senator Hale. The
topic of Slavery was not alluded to in the ser
mon. No man could learn from that sermon
or any other of mine my views upon the Slave
ry question. My distinct statement, very care
fully guarded, was that Mr.. Tying had com.
lRitted grave and most serious error an bring
ing the discussion Of political subject into the
pulpit. Aud | added, what Mr.. Hale has not
stated, that in my judgment the great Enemy
OF the Gospel had never devised a more sue.
cessiul mode of retarding the progress of the
Gospel in this land than the attempt of minis-
tsrs of religion and churches and religious
societies to interfere in the heated srifes of the
politics of the day.
"As | made no reference to the political
subject which Mr.. Tying introduced into his
pulpit, (though was aware that all my hearers
were familiar with the histo,y,) / could give
no opinion as to the souudness or unsoundness
OF his views upon this subject. Nor was this
OF the least Importance as to the great principle
advanced by me in the sermon. That principle
is one which, in my judgment, is one especial
glory of the Protestant Episcopal church in this
country, viz: that her sphere Of duty as church
| ~ Christ IS solely confined TO matter purely
spiritual and religious. This principle has
been sanctioned by the almost unanimous
practice of her bishops and clergy through all
the history of the church in this country, and
in every part of the land, North, South, East
aad West. The Episcopal church does, not
ask her ministers and members to think alike
on any political topic. Doubtless there are
Pro-Slavery and Anti.Slavery men within her
pale; but as far as my knowledge goeg, the late
| Mr. Tying was the first to discuss this exciting
subject in an Episcopal pulpit. / believe it &c
have beer an error; and as was setting him
forth In his Christian character as an example
TO young men, could not, without compromi
sing my own views of duty, hesitate to state my
| belief lad MIR. Tying tai ken an opposite posi-
ton to Senator Hale, 1t would not have altered
IN The least my opinion of the error committed
| by him.
2. did state that believed that Mr.. Tynp
| regretted this step. l did not state that he re
pe"ted or retrdcted; knew that he had never
retracted in any public manner stated also
The grounds OF my belief that he regretted the
step, VIZ; that never had heard of his repeat
ing 1t and that he lived more than two wears
aEer the event, ard was known chic fly as 8
most iervent and jealous preacher of Chris
ana dim cruclhed. | was very careful not t.
state that 1t icas acithin ny knoacledoe that be
regretted it; it was but my belief, founded upor
the facts above stated. / am now forced t.
admit that in this belief was mistaken.
need scarcely say that | deeply regret it no
that Mr.. Tying saw fit to adopt any particula
views, but that he deemed the pull pit a prope
place for their PRONUNCIATION. He was M
personal friend; and l shall ever revere hi
memory and take courage from his triumphan
death, from which there is ever sounding to m
his stirring and only message to his brethre
IN the ministry, to stand up for Jesus
| respectfully ask the papers which hay
published the correspondence between Senate
Hale and the Rev. DR.. Tying to insert this Letter
GEORGE D. CUMMINs,
Rector Of Trinity Church, Washington
This is explicit. Little remains to be sale
The injustice done was, in conveying the in
preston to his congregation that the late d
Tying had repented or regretted his discussion
} the Slavery question" political question,
as d.. Cummins styles it, in his pulpit. He di
lot assert that this was fact, within his ow
knowledge, but that he firmly believed it ws
80. This is all that the Era alleged-and i
this DR.. Cummins frankly says he was mistaken
u am now forced to admit that in this belief
was mistaken"
Whatever may be thought of the views of d
Cummins on the responsibilities of the Pulpi
!, by causing the correspondence to be publishe
in the InteItigencer, through which it will reac
his congregation generally, and by his explic
, admission that be was mistaken, he has sat;
fed the demands of truth and fair dealing.
nag- The loss of the Yrissar Treaty in Nj
arsgua, by the refusal of President Martin,
to sign it. is said to have been caused by Lieu
Belly, an agent of Louis Napoleon, who pror
ises to protect the Central American States,
they form an alliance, provided a canal rou