Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-23
wAsnrxeros, D. O., aIst March, 1852.

htght heo. Bishop tPhttt1nehG1 ,BalttzioTs.
DEAR BISHOP: The frequency Of lenten SER
vice and much sickness in the Parish, have
prevented me from acknowledging more
promptly your favor of the 18th. -
In regard TO its contents, allow me to assure
you that had no purpose Of eliciting from
yourself any statement Of the reasons for put
ting forth your recent Prayer of Thanksgiving,
that being q matter concerning which had
no claim to inquire, no call to form an opinion
My simple business was with the question of
usisg it In the congregation Of which am in
charge, and my simple object was to show why
It was 20 undesirable to make the attempt.
The " scenes which have taken place In those
Churches where 1t has been used, (if they
have been correctly reported TO me,) 60 to
show how decided that undesirableness was
In my former letter alluded to " various
reasons" why many would not say "Amen" to
this giving Of thanks. 1t may be worth while
to enumerate some of them:
1. Many Union-loving men and women dsp-
recate the re-introductfon Of this subject into
our public service, even to themselves it would
be embarrassing rather than edifying. 4
2. Many do not consider this City and Dis
trict to have been at ALL recently, in state
of blockads or siege.
3. Byvery few could II be truly said that
| they are delivered from any "terrofs" on this
score.
4. A large number Of families have near re-
latives in the Suothern army and certainly do
not feel thankful for victory over them, how
ever they may scquiesce in the proyidential
course of events.
5. Others demur to the singing out of this
City and District from the rest of the Diocese
as not indicated by the exiSencies of the case
and as Of doubtful canonicity.
o. There are many, also, who count the
recent victories " successes" indeed, but main
fuL rather than happy. The same feeling
which induced the members of the Cabinet to
request that Congress would refrain from ilIu-
| minating the city leads many members of the
church to refrain from cherishiDg-and still
more from uttering-feelings of exultation over
those whom they nevertheless believe to be
righteously defeated.
Perhaps should add that some regard the
Offering Of solemn and public Thanksgiving
as premature-as would be congratulations in
a law suit ps,tdsnte lite but / presume have
stated facts enough to substantfate the correct
ness OF my impressions and to show why this
parish should be an exception, in the District,
TO that arrangement which makes the District
Rn exception in the Diocese.
Allow me to repeat concerning this letter
what stated in regard to my former one
that 1t is written entirely pr0prio uotn ; it is
without any consultation with others that /
thus communicate to you my convictions on
this subject.
Believe me to be, dear Bishop, sincerely and
afectionately, yours in the Lord,
z. W. sYLE.
take note Of your appointment of the month
Of June for Confirmation, and shall hope to
present some candidates at that time. Dec
volente.
On the 10Th ult., the committee of Trinity
Parish Vestry transmitted to Bishop Whiting
ham the resolutions adopted by the Vestry, and
II the accompanying letter saw.
Whatever may have been the mental low
atty Of Rev. Mr.. Syle, it was obvious to tho
Vestry that his course in this matter was pre-
cisely such as disloyalist would have chosen, h,
and therefore required disspprc batio ut their
hands! Moreover, the Vestry, heartily ap-
proving both the spirit and terms of the Prayer
! OF Thanksgiving, were Of opinion that a loyal
Bishop should be promptly sustained in this
othcial act by loyal priesthood and q loyal
laity under his Ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
In his reply Bishop Whittingham expresses
the hope that further explanations would en-
able the Rev. Mr.. Syle 10 satisfy the Vestry
that course, which was certainly not consist
ent with Canonical obedience, had been taken
by him in error of judgment, through no disloy-
atty of his own, but under the fancied pressure
OF prevalent misguided opinion in the eoDgre.
CATION. The loyalty of the congregation seem
to him to have been sufficiently vindicated by
the protest Of its Vestry, and it would be to be
much regretted if an attempt at punitive re tri-
button, for a fault Of judgment, originating in
amiable desires and honorable Intentions.
should deprive the Parish of the ministerial
services Of one who is represented to him as
having already done much good in it, and be-
ing popular with the congregation.