Shreveport semi-weekly news. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1865-18??, 1865-06-20
To the Members Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church In the Diocese

Dear Brethren II have deemed
it prof. er, by pastrol letters and 9th
erwise, to address you with reference
to the duties and dangers growing
out Of the civil changes and III. war
through which we h ave passed. Our
condition, .under God, is again
changed. Hostilitirs have ceased,
orr armies are disbanded, the soldier
is returning to more peaceful avoca-
.iona, and thu government to which
OF late orr Allegiance had been given
has past away. Under such circum-
stances, therefore, the weigh.iess re
sponeibility attach to every one in
whatever relation, and beg at once
! to call your serious attention to til.
subject. I, ought now to be tn.
earnest desire OF every true patriot
and sincere christian that quiet and
order, obedience to the laws Of the
land, end respect for the civil author
ity, should universally prevail. Let
it be our faithful and unceasing effort
to cherish this spirit. and by the in-
tiuence Of our example to encourage
it in others. Our happiness and
prosperity as individuals and peo-
pl. hereafter. will depend much upon
our steady adherence to such a course
of conduct. The tendency to excess,
with many SO likely TO prevail, may
thus. with til. divine blessing. to a
great extent be- counteracted. and the
land be saved from continued scenes
Of violence and blood. Let the spirit
Of animosity and revenge be put
away, let the voice Of rrproach, .x-
crp, for our personal shortcomings
be hushcd; let vain regrets for
the past, le. feelings of discomfort
for the present. and disquie,ins spec
ula,ions as til. future, not be in
dul..d. National ricissitud.s. like
individual trials. should be met with
fortitudc and rightly improved. Our
acorA and our Iu,y is with til. p csrnt.
and to be honest y aud we'll dis
charged here in the country where,
our lot has been cast, No more i'm
por,ant l.sson-c-rtainly none more
appropriate to the time Xix. the pres
rnt-does the Church enforce upon
her members than the doing our duty
in that s,ute of'iite unto ,chich Il shall
please God to call as. Let this be
our constant endravor by the help
and after the example of Him who
tuugh, his disciples Ito render unto
Caesar ,lsc things which be CAESARS,
and unto God the things which be
GODS. Remembering, rs l trust we
Will -v.', do, that whatever their
condition in other respects may be-,
righteousness is tina, cxalteth a ma
ton, Will. sin Is . reproach 70 any
! people.
Such alterations viii br made in
! III" Liturgy AS IT,. c''1ng,' in our civil
/ conli,io. may render proper. and
such other action in due time be
taken by the Church as will accore:
with Catholic u~ages aud the princi,
pies upon which W. have hitherto
acted.
l am happy to say, that for tn.
year pat, AS far as my observation,
::as extended. more serious spirit has
rr. vailed among the masses Of GU,
! people, LIlbu Dt'lDIt, ana tl!slL Tue
growth Of the Church has been stead
lily increasing. Lit Us pray that this
state OF thiuSs may continue and
! abound more and more-aud in orde,
. 10 III. a,taium II. Of 50 blessed a re
. suit, L., ,h-... b. added to our pray
rrs, our faithful Efforts no, only i,
"ur civil, bu, i'll our spiritual vela
:ons-tur in these, whatever his
:, here IN lite may be. to every ma.
l.is peculiar work is committed
Then may W. rely with hu1nbl,
Confidence on the blessing Of him
Wv 40 rulr,h over all, both now and
J uvrrlnor..
/, Commanding you in all ,hirgs &c
:A.. comforts Of His grace and III,
guidance ot His good spirit. remain
.lti-c;;ona,rlv Yours in Christ,
ALEX. CARGO,
Bishop of Texas,
Houston, May 29th, 1865.