Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-10-26
From the New York Post.
DIR. Forbes Letter to Archbishop Hughes.
HIS REASONS FOR LEAVING THE ROMAN CATHOLIC

CHURCH.
Tho following letter, which wo received on
Thursday from Rov. DIR. Forbes, announcing his
abandonmcnt of tho Catholic Church. has teen
withheld from publication in consequence of tho
absence of Archbishop Hughes, to whom it tw,s
addressed, but we infer from its appearance in n
morning contemporary that that prclatc hns ru-
turned, aud has himself given it t" tho press.
The announcement Of Dr. Furbo-'s retirement
icom tho Catholic communion, which wo made on
the 10Th, was not generally credited oven by tho
Catholic priests themselves, who supposed 1t was
an exaggerated repetition OF the inct that he had
resigned tho caro- of st. Anncs church in this city
san,e months ago owing to II dislike Of tho arbi-
tfary exercise by the Archbishop Of his authority
over tho inferior clergy, which imposed nm unPloa-
snnt restraint on accustomed for many years to
tho less stringent dsc plne of tho Protestant Epis.
copal Church The report created grsnt scnsa'
ton but the explanation proved unlounded. DIR.
Forbes alter nearly ten years experience as
member and priest of the Roman Catholic Church
pronounccs his adhesion to it grave error, and
iaunds hs conversion from it not on personal dis
affection. but doctrinal objections to tho Ro-
man Catholic establishment.
Few have forgotten tho surprise occasioned
when DR.. Forbes left the rcctorship Of tho Protes
lant Episcopal Church of ST. l.ukos the functions
Of which he had performed for 40 many ycnrsand
seeded to Rome. Ilo ranked among tho most
acceptable aud brilliant clcrgymen Of his donomi-
nation. lilo was n graduate of Columbia College.
and in his education and social and family associ.
ntons, there was nothing to induce an expectation
Of tho change. until his establishment Of tho
lessiunal nj St. Luke's, aud tho announcement OF
certain ultra High Church theories awakened the
suspicion of those who were ON the watch for her
cay. Whether hs intends to return to the Protcs
tont Episcopal communion il not stated. The
two other American Episcopal churchmcn, whose
secession caused an equal excitement some years
ase-Mr. Bailey, now tho Catholic Bishop of New
ark aud Bishop lycs--manitost no symptoms OF
following the example OF DR.. Forbes
DR. Forbes TO Aucunisnor HUGHES.
NEw IoEE, Oct. IL, 1889.
| ier John Uaghcs D b., .lrchbiShop. De-:
Most Reverend Sir: II il now nearly ten years
sinee under your ausli'c.. | laid down my min
idry in the Protestant =. 5oopa Church. To sub
mi "a self to tho Churca It Rome. The interval
-, sa3 know, has rot been idly spent; each dny
tns had its responsibility aud duty, anl with
Lose hnye come experience. observation. nnd the
! knowledge of many thipgI not ~ well understood
depre. The result ia TINT feel | have commit
ted II grave error, which publicly made, should
he nuhlicly repaired When cnmc to you it wns
as ! stated, with deep aud constellation, convic-
hon that IT was necessary to be III communion
with the SEQ Of Rome but this conviction | have
no, been able to eustnin in face Of tho mct that,
" it the natural rights of man and all individual
liberty. must be sncrlcol nor only 10, but the
| private conscience often violated and one forced
ly silence ut least to ncluicsco in what is oppos
el Ia moral truth and virtue, Under these cir
enm,iances, when call to mind how slender is
the foundation in the earliest ages of the Papal
power, eau no longer regard it ns imposing obi
cations upon me or any one else. do now thero-
Lore, by this act, disown and withdraw myself
from its alleged jurisdiction.
| remain, most reverend sir
Your obedient servant,
JonN MuRRAY FoRnEs, ID. D.,
Late Pastor vi st. Annc's Church, n Y.