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

hsCeTend ana Dear brother: -
1 regret very much to receive from you the
statement Of your impression that, of the con-
gregatiOn in which you are minister, at least
two thirds of the people could net for various
reasons, say "ARenh to the prayer which
transmitted 10 you for use on occasion of the
raising Of the blockade and siege of the City of
Washington, and other late victories -s -
wasformally requested by one having right
to do so, at the suggestion of th3 ecclesiastical
authority Of his parish, to act on the occa sion
was thus driven to inquire, what ground
had for refusing so to act. / could find none
that might not, by parity Of reason, be- urged
against the performance of any duty which
might, for any cause, be sistasteful to any
considerable portion of the community.
Its an express injunction Of the Word of God
Gin everything to give thanks" and giving
thanks" for kings, and for all that ''aro In au-
thority," is especially made the subject Of di-
vine inspired exhortatisn.
Our Church, by immemorial practice, by
provision Ofcertain moro general forms and by
particular legislation in reference to more
special occations, has furnished the interpre-
tatiOn Of these Seriptural rules in their appli-
cation to practice.
1t is hard to Imagine an occasion in which
general public Thanksgiving would be more fit
and proper. more privilege and hounden
dutT for Christian community, than when
great city, with its suburban district, after ex-
poSure for almost twelve months to the daily
danger OF close investment by great army
never in all that time q days journey distant
and after suffering the incOnveniences and pri-
Vations of blockade for many continuous
months, is, by series Of successes some san.
culinary, but the most important unexpectedly
bloodiess, of the armies Of Its government at
once, in all human probability, delivered from
its beleaguorment. -
If this was not an occasion for acknouledg-
ment of the merciful Providence of Him uhe
reveals himself as the God Of hosts, the King of
kings, and Lord Of lords, there never is nor
ever could be one. ..-z- --.s-.
And who should render to him thanks for
such great mercies but they who, of all others
are boand to consider themselves most bene-
hted IN the general successes, and are specisllv
and exclusively adVantaged by the local deliv-
erance
Is there any power under heaven. 70
which residents in the District Of Colum bia can
claim to owe subsection, /" as God s ordinance,
except the Federal Government Of the United
States They can have no pretext Of doubt.
fal or divided allegiance. But one only au-
thority has any show Of pretension to q bear
the sword over and in behalf Of them, in com,
mission from him who bids rs 'be subject to il, ;"
both "EoT wrath" and for conscience sake -
Are We, my brother, set as witnesses for the
truth and binding obligation of God s word, or
are We not! If We are, when could 1, in NV
othsIal duty, have occasion to vindicate the
Scriptural teachings, about prayer for rulers
eAN AcSo6 VI SucAE duSuOIlLy, against the
wayward Willfulness Of erring brethren, if the
present be not such $500
Were to give way to the alleged preposses-
non Of portion Of my fock by the aband onme ent
OF the seharge OF my ofisial function as di-
rector and leader Of their worship In this respect
specially committed to my keeping, how could
expect to make answer before God. either
Tor my trust Or for their souls, imperiled by
Uillfui neglect and disobedience Of Divine pre-
ssriptions2 49,. ----.-. ....' =
regard the sympathies Of dwellers In the
pstrict Oh OoiuT6,s with the existing war
without plea Of excuse before God or man
Yet, Ia consideration Of them, groundiess and
anjustihable as I believe them to BE- bsv.
80 modified the language Of the Prayer Of the
Church as that even they who entertain them
may use il without reproach- of conscience.
Has any inbabitsn Mt of Washington or the Dis.
tTict cause to be otherwise than thankful for
its deliyerance from threatened siege and
blockade Are the "srcceSsesp that have led,
TO that deliVersnce other than "happy' in "a
far ss they have tended 10 the production of
that result or other than happy in the esti
nation Of any lover Of mankind who contem-
plates the wonderful extent in which awful
bloodshedding has IN repeated instances been
escaped? When was ever such a series of
blcodless" victorissf Is it not cause Of
thankfulness, even Of great thsnkfulness, to
those even vbo |" synpathize" with the rebel
have been such? E-1s -.
Ny dear brother, I can do no othsrwise than
have done. II any refuse to ssy Amen, y
to the voice Of the 0hurchi In this .Thankgiy.
ing, their sin must be their own; the voice of 4
the Church remains unchanged. Deeply, most
deeply, do regret that those whom I am
In what I can regard in no other light, than as
Very respectfully and aaectiOnstsly, your
friend and brother, ,sa - -
WV RoLLIxsos WnrrINeHAx, sss12
Bishop Of Maryland. .
Rev e. W. sTLE, ofis!ating in Trinity