Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-04
MEMORIAL OF BISHOP OYDERDoNK

To the Right RsrercHd the Bi,hoDs of the Pcotesfanf
Episcopal Church u, the Unifef States Of A,qerica
BRErHRES-Fourteen years have elapsed since by the
canoncal action Of ecclesiastical of Bishops
was suspended from the office of Bishop and from all
theiuncons OF the sacred ministry To that sentence
have quietly submitted, and now present myself before
you, respectfully to ask for its remission In making
this request deem it right before God and man. frank
y and truly 10 lay before you the present state Of my
feelings, and the grounds which ask the removal OF
the penalties under which suffer.
In the excitement of feeling consequent on my trial
aud sentence natural that much should be said on
both sides, that IN the dispassonae moments Of
calm Christian Judgment would afterwards be regretted
and dsclaimed You will, however brethren permit me
10 say that, deeply aggrieyed felt at the time by A
sentence which thought to be unduy severe have no
recollection Of having endeayored TO Justify nv own
view by a;Tibuting to my brethren unworthy motives
II the feelings Of any Of them have been hurt by the
supposition that had in any way done them Injustice
sincerely regret it, and hope that may be pardoned for
any expressions which may have been supposed 10 bear
such construction. censure them not for UNFOLDING
they believed the honor Of the Church By the admin
istra'ion Of discipline when they conscieuousy believed
Il was deserved should very little deserve brethren
what solicit at your hands, if ready AZ once to
acknowledge all the crimes that have been imputed 10
by my enemies and profess penitence for thai of
which am really not guilty / consent to pur.
chase even restoration at the price Of fasehood aud by.
pocrisy
And yet, presume to say that am entirely fault
less, and have deserved censure. am not exempt
from human ntrmty, and in the caner reflections 10
which the lapse of time has contributed acknovndgo
that cannot but believe parts of my conduct TO hay.
betrayed ndi.cretion aud that my demeanor must in
some instances, have been calculated TO produce impress.
sOs Injurious alike to the Church and mys H. however
such eject may have been uninteudcd and
on my part. can say that cannot but believe mi.
becars' some Of my fellow Christians aud among them
some OF yourselves, brethren, felt bound 10 this extent
30 condemn me. beg you, however, to pelieve NJ,
when most solcmuy declare that ia This matter I vas
not the slave of deliberate inquiry Of Intention
but by my faith, small or great, 70 whatever extent
[ | z VIA ~.
Master, or given Jnt offence the cause OF my fellow
Christi rs even without purpOscd intention Of wicked.
ness, am-wholt reference 10 your scdon on tis 10.
qucs-hcarly sorry. aud de-ife 70 humble myself N
peni'encc before God and man I can ssv truiv ,pl
thank God for b., as nov do without any reference 10
man or his dOiugs, tIt have long oudclyorrd 10 live
10 state Of habiiuai repentance Tor a my sins. known
anl unbhoNn, aud have daily sought forgiveness for
thcn from The mercy Of God for the sake Of Ils Son
| Jesus Christ.
/ ] have borne the sentence imposed upon me- with Bit
tor anguish conc7 and painful of humiliation
out without murmurug or complaint. and with constant
and earnest prayer for the pardon Of 40 my sins aud
grace for amendment OF the effect Of iii.
ON e hidden man Of the heart, there h. but One Judge
OF Ne e,ct on my outward life there are those who can
speak with greater prOprcty than myself And herrir
am told 20 refer not only 10 those Who have been gen
orally considered a. my friends but those also OF ,
different class Those Who have known me will bot,
bly, trust bear witness that over since the sepenc.
has been imposed my life has been quiet nv doinps an
0btrusivc, and my conduct as a member Of Christ
Church not liable tO rsproach
nov beg, Christian bre.hren the mercy Of reuoys
81 my sentence. 20 Tar ice honor Of the Church l. W
VOWED have hoped that would zee IL amply vindica
aby fourteen years Of Punishment borne in silence an,
sccln-nn and int Christians, knowing the object Of &c
cr.astcii punishment 70 he rcforuatorv and not ,p
dciiyc, would willingly the Church sfer vipdicatp,
her putty, exercise her blessed privilege Of shown,
mercy 10Y restoring u brother whom shc had once I'll
VDNSen 10 Danc aud rebuke, rejoicing more over Dill
hnppy return Than over the ncty and nine which wen
not a.ulT Brethren, if any man be oyertskcn In fault
ye which are spiritual restore such ~ one n the spir
mcekncss consider myself lest thou al.o be TEMPTED
The object Of this applicaton-What p.bril ,od on
presye burden would be removed from Il and viii Via
joy and gladncas u would be filed II before the lo,t 70
mM9der OF my lie has passed, would be again above,
the happiness which, for 20 many year wa i,nny, q
exercising the functions Of the Holy Ministry. Look
brethren into your hearts, consider their loves Of IN
: duties Of our Office, and then judgey e
VI me consequences Of my restoration, should yol