Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-10-02
lErOm the (inldShOru' Tribune.

BEAUFORT, N. c., Sept 2Oth, 1861.
Nix. EDITOR In your issue OF the 18th inst. I
have article written by yourself, which, ata
distance from my place Of residence is fitted to seri
ously injure me, and perhaps, the Church of which
| am a Minister. expect therefore, that you will
do me the justice to publish the following explana-
ton and contradictions
You say that Mr.. Van Antwerp treated the fast
day, recommended by President Davis with con-
tempt, by not opening his Church onthat occasion"
Had you, instead of denouncing me- inquired Of me
what had done, and why had done it, you would
have learned that had received no notice civil or
ecclesiastical of such fast day up to the day of its
observance when l learned it accidentally, and it
was then too late for my personal observance Of the
day.
You next assert that "similar was the conduct of
this preacher in reference to Thanksgiving, Sun
day after the Manassas battle and victory" 10 this
reply that Ministers of the Episcopal Church have
right to change the service at pleasure and that
l did make what considered an appropriate change
within the limits allowed me, by introducing suit
able prayer, and that had no time after learning
the appointment to prepare sermon. The change
which madein the service has since been approved
by the Bishop Of the Diocese.
You then express your qualification "in being
able to state that some of his church MEMBERS good
and patriotic citizens, have ceased to attend his
preaching" 10 this reply by expressing my sin.
cere qualification that l know Of not one member
of my Church who has ceased to attend its services,
| except by death or removal for years. ,.s-
Your last assertion is: Ills street talk indicates
that he is Lincolnite in heart and feeling" This
is simply and absolutely false.
The spirit and temper of your piece you must,
one would hope, yourself on reflection, disapprove
You charge man Of whom you probably had heard
evil before, and whose good standing in the CON.
munity is important, not only to himselfan family,
but to the Cause of religion in that community with
conduct which you say shows him to be :. a wretch
afiliatng with black. hearted monsters, too atroc
Gus in character for language describe traitor
encouraging and guiding assassins to the work o
blood and violation" You do this without auy
examination Of the truth of what you have heard
when on examination you would have found it was
not true. How you justify this to your conscience
and how you will justify it hereafter, leave you t
say. - .f-45. .
In compliance with advice which respect, in tn,
present state of the case, shall only demand O
you, that you do the justice to publish this reply
in your paper, at your earliest convenience.
| IS D. D. VAN ANTWERP. is,5
-Reclor of St. Paul's Church.
I'VE feel it our duty to insert the above. A
present We have no further remarks to make thai
simply to assure readers that other matter bear
ing on the subject will satisfy them that we hav
done what it was our duty to do. We shall atten
to it in good time, under the impression that th
public are good judges of tact as we'll as ofction.
Ed. TRIBUNE.