The Abbeville bulletin. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-08-24
Thursday, August "a, 1865.
THE Ep1ssoPAL cHuRcH IN ALxBAmA.s

AAurs0ays august G4, 1860.
THE ErIssoPAL CHURCH IN AIGBAmA Ass4
To the Clergy AMI Laity Of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church in the Diocese Of
Alabama:
On the soth day Of May last addressed
briof circular to- the clergy, suggesting
the principles which, in my Judgment,
should govern them in their officia! con-
duct under the present. condition Of affairs.
I deem it advisable at this time TO set.forlh,
in a more formal and public mariner, a
somewhat expanded statement of the
views contained in the circular referred to.
The lapse of the Confederate govern
msnt docs no. necessarily sinvolvc the dis.
organization of the general council Of the
church within the limits of that govern
ment. The nationality OF church is a
matter purely conventional, and OF human
arrangement. 1t is assuredly possible for
two church organizations TO exist under
one common civil government, without
violating the unity Of the church. There
ia an essential difference between the unity
of branches of the church, and their union
.ss ono Legislative body. For example, the
church in England is in perfect unity with
the church in the United States; bnt there
is no Legislative union between these
churches Again, (and this is case moro
in poin',) the CHURCH in Scotland is in
unity with tho church in England, and yet
they exist as distinct organizations, under
a civil government. Conse ,y no
charge OF scl,ism can jrsi.. the
church in the southern State -. t she
should see Gt to perpetua,e herself -ough
a separate organization. She does not
thereby necessarily depart from tho unity
of the church in doctrine, discipline or
order. Therefore, it may or may not, as
circumstances may indicate, be advisable
and cxpedient to dissolve the general coun-
Gil. Tn.s is question for future ccclesias
teal determination.
A to the changes, in the language Of
ce, tain prayers, which are made necessary
by late political events, observe, th.t
-she lapse OF the confederate government
requires, OF necessity, tho omission ui the
''prayers for tho President Of the Conf.d.
crate States and all in civil authority"
The immediate substitution Of another
form of prayer does not follow of the same
necessity, as will appear from the following
considerations"
To pray for all in authority ia unques-
tionably duty, hut duty Of reli gious,
and not Of a political origin and obligation.
The mode Of discharging that duty must
be determined by the proper ecclesiastical
authority. Consequently. any attempt on
the part Of a civil or military power to
dictate to tho church in this matter canno,
hut be regarded as unauthorized and intru.
sire. Cer!sin tests os loyalty have been
enthusiastically authority, and they who
faithfully conformsd to these teets have
fulfilled the requirements of the law, and,
have right. in equity and under the CON
stitution of The country, to manage their
ecclesiastical affairs according to their own
discretion. The church has due regard to
ia established authority, and.it is not to be
presumed regardless Of her sacred oblce>
tions. She must be left free and untrau,-
'neled in her legitimate sphere Of action.
Any attempt to dItate to her can only
serve to retari the action which, in pursu-
&nce Of her obligations to God andsto her
swn traditions, she will unquestionably
take at the proper time aud in the proper
manner.
Nows the church in,:this country has
established form of prayer for the Presi-
dent and all in civil authority. Tho LAM
guage Of that prayer was selected with
careful reference to the subject of PRAYER,
...'all civil authority" and she desires for
that authority prosperity and long contin-
uance. No one can we'll be expected to
desire long continuance of military rule.
Therefore, the prayer is altogether: In
appropriate and inapplicsbIe to the present
condition Of things, when no civil authori.
y exists in the exercise Of. It's functions.
Hence, as remarked in the circular, 1--WE
may yield true allegiance to, ADD sin,
cerely pray for grace, wisdom and under:
standing in behalf of government foun.
ded upon force, while at the same time we
could not IN good conscience ask for IT'S
conti9nance, pro ,perity, &C.. ~.
When the civil authority shall be res
toTed. it will be eminsntly proper for the
church 70 resume the use of that form of
prayer which has been established by the
highest ecoIesiastipal lantho,ities, and which
has for 90 MANY years constituted . part Of,
her liturgy. 80,
You are aware that 10 times past have
expressed strong desire .'that the resular
and ordinary forms of public worship
should be 50 entirely Catholic in character
Is to DO adapted to all the exigencies Of
fine, place and circumstance, and that I
urged this matter upon the attention OF out
diocesan council 10 1854 with q view I'd
action; at the. .sppEoaehing general geoape;l.
/ sfilIsntertaiti ersnse ,Sashicch ashic fI hen
expressed; baeisisnot III me, II II ms in.--i
diyidual capacity, to introduce into the
liturgy any otter form 81 words tlfan that
whicl' the church, in heE. collective and
legislative cagseits hss ailesay ssstab--:
,iished. @s:assEst
Ny conolusionis, therdole,s.and my di-
reotiou, which herDby give, that, when
elvh Authority shall zhes Restored sin the
state GA oi A'sosma. the clergy shall aaa il,e