Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-04-27

any inpropristy in any Christians prayer,
tnal TIE worst man be repenished with
the Holy Spirit and endued with heavenly
gitts Can any man ameng rs doubt that II
Mr. Lincoln were so 7eplsnished and 80 en-
eued thai be would not cbaRge bis policy and
restore peace 10 a distracted couutry9 And
does any one suppose that peace, prosperity
sne happiness viii ever again shed their bright
and cheering beams upon our land, unless and
until Col in his great goodness and mercy
thaH apply his hand to the work OF healing,
and send bis grace and blessing upon those
who have iIe direction OF public affairs ls
u any " %Aiection 10 the use OF toe bsne-
dlction that ssry many in the congregation
have not uttered q prayer, ct offered a word Of
praise during the hour Of divine Worship or
that the declaration Of absolution is made BY
the minister, to a whole congregstien, not one
haN OF whom have made any confession %
sin2 TIE same might be asked OF msnv other
things in the ministrstions Of the sanctuary,
concerning which no man ever thinks OF pro-
nounring that they sre solemn mOckeries; but
because in particular case where a man has,
under the Influence OF excitement, found bis
heart unattunei to the uttersnees of broken
and contrite spirit, be concludes that the Ian
Cuage OF the church, addressing her Lord, is
wrong, and his own heart right with God.
We live in free country, and g in revolution
II 2
come 20 his opinion, az an others who think
" th bin. But 80 thought not aur patriot
sires OF the revolution. So thought not The
ministers and members Of the church in
Sonth Carolina, who omitted not 10 pray, IL !
an rEatlv informed. for the President Of the
United states and Congress also, until the
ordinance o. secession was formally passed,
and government daily organized adapted to
their change of circumstances.
be- In
Of late, why does not the bishop take the re-
sponsibIlity Of changing the langusga Of the
prayer, and substitute other words - as 20
remove that which is offensive? Gentlemen, I
will answer that question, though every well
instructed Episc0palian understands the rsa-
son well enough, withsut my answer But
will answer it, because I trust it will satisfy
many weil msaling people who probably mis-
apprehend ny position. il is an executor and
not maker on the law that describes ny true
status or position IN my diocese. At the time
Of nv conservation made The following prom
ise, viz:
In the name OF God, Amen. 7, n,
chosen bishop OF The Protestant Episcopal
church in n, do promise conformity and
obedience to the doctrine, discipline aud wor-
ship Of the Protestant Episcopal church in the
United States Of America; So help me God
through Jesus Christ"
Can the heart or conscience Of man realize
an obligation more solemn and stringent In its
terms than this? ! have never knowingly,
Wiiifully or deliberately violated it, We're 7 to
do SO. moved by fear OF favor, would 7 not
Justly incur the wrath OF God, and provoke the
scorn and contempt Of man? This is no light
matter, let me tell you, however lightly men
in this day esteem church rules. and however
contemptueuslv they may speak Of church au-
thoritv and law. Il is the disregard CT and
tramping upou law that have brought upon Us
all our troubles. and forced upon Us a crisis
the issues Of which lie beyond mortal ken.
The Episcopal church is a law abiding body.
I profess myself 10 be a law abiding msn. II
I expect those under my spiritual jurisdiction
10 cbey the laws enacted for orr government,
7 must set the example Of obedience to ltws
myself have then no authority to alter the
"Prsyer FOR the President Of the Uni ed States"
under existing eircums 'aDces. The action OF
the legislature which meets to-day NAV 50
change our political relations, as to compel uE
to co Fer whether some change must not be
made in tbs one matter referred to. 10 the
meantime, have done what ] could to relieve
tender and sensitive minds from the smbar-
rassments by which they felt surrounded, by
suggesting TO the clergy a service for The
Lords dav, which is authorized bv the opinion
Of the house Of bishops, in these words, viz
"The order FOR the holy communion, in its en-
tirensss, may, with a sermon, be used sePa-
rately, provided, nevertheless, that on the
greater festivals it should, ia their Judgment
Be preceded By the morning and evening pray
sr.D have made nay answer.
"Of law there can be no less acknowledged
than that her seat is the bosom OF God, her
voice the harmony Of the world all things in
heaven and earth do heT homage, the very least
As feeling her care, and the greatest as not ex-
emp ed from her power; both angels and men,
end creatures OF what condition soever, though
each in different sort and manner, yet all with
Uniform consent, sdmiring her as the mother
Of their peace and joy.D JAS Fl. OTEY.