Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-05
THE MILITARY CLOSE EVERY EPLs-
C0PAL CHURCH IN ALABAMA.
HJQ DEPAR Nnr or AL,BAEi, /,
NoBIL,, AZ, Sept. 90, 1865.

NoBlL', tLs., Sept. 20, 1865.
General Orders No. 3s.-The Protestant
Episcopal Church 10 tho United States has
established form Of prayer to be used for
" the President of the United Stses and all
in Civil suthority." Dnring the continuance
of the late wicked and ground.ess rebellion
the PRAYER was changed TO one for the Pre-
sdent OF the Confederate States, a1i 80 al
tered was used in the Protestant Episcopal
Churches of the Diocese Of Alabama.
Since the "lapse" of the Confederate
Government and the restoration Of the au-
thority OF the United States over the late re-
bellious states the prayer OF the President
has been altogether omitted in the Episcopal
Churches of Alabama.
This omission was recommended by the
Right Rev. Richard Wilmer. Bishop of Ala
bama, in letter to the Clergy and laity,
dated June 20, 1865. The only reason given
by Bishop Wilmer for the omission OF
prayer which, to use his own language, "was
established by the highest ecclesiastical au-
thorities, and has for many years constituted
q part of the liturgy of the Church, is stated
by him in the following words:
Now, the Church in this country has es-
tablished q form Of prayer for the President
and all in civil authority the language OF
that prayer was selected with careful refer
ence to the subject Of the prayer-aIl in civil
authority-and she desires for that authority
prosperity and long continuance. % one
can reasonably be expected to desire long
continuance Of military rule. Therefore the
prayer is altogether Inappropriate and inap-
plicable to the present condition of things
when no civil authority exists in the exercise
of its functions. Hence, as J remarked in
the circular, 'we may yield true allegiance
to and sincerely pray for grace, wisdom and
understanding i'll behalf of Government
founded on force, while at the same time we
could not in good conscience ask tor its con
tinuauce, prosperity, etc."
1t will be observed from this eXtract-lst,
that the Bishop, because he cannot pray for
the continuance of military rule" there
fore declines to pray for those in civil au-
thority; "a, he declares the prayer inappro-
pirate and inappicable because no civil
authority exists in the exercise OF its func-
tions. On the Goth of June, the date of his
letter, there was President of the United
States, Cabinet, Judges OF the Supreme
Court, and thousands Of other civil officers
OF the United States, all in the exercise OF
their functions; it was for them specially
that this form of prayer was established, yet
the Bishop cannot among all these find any
subject worthy CT his prayers.
Since the publ cation OF his letter, Civil
Governor has been appointed for the State
of Alabama, and in every county Judges and
sheriifs have been appointed, and all these
officers are, and for weeks have been, IN the
exercise Of their functions, yet the prayer
has not been restored.
The prayer when the Bishop advised to 10
omitted is not prayer for the continuance
Of military lule, or the continuance Of any
particular form Of government, or any par
ticular persons in power--it is simply q
prayer for the temporal and spiritual well
fare of the persons in whose behalf it is Of
fered-it is prayer to the High and Mghty
Ruler of the Universe that He would with
His power behold and bless His servant, the
President of the United States, and all 9th
era in authority, that He would rep!enish
them with grace Of Holy Spirit that they
might always incline to His will and walk iu
His ways and that He would endow them
plenteousy with heavenly gifts, grant them
in health and prosperity long to live, and
finally after this life to attain everlasting Joy
and felicity. j. is prayer at once applica-
ble aud appropriate, aud which any heart
not filled with hatred, malice and all un-
charltableness could conscientious!y offer.
The advice of the Bishop TO omit this
PRAYER, and its omission by the clergy, is
not only a violation of the canons OF the
church, but shows tactous AMI disloyal
spirit, and is a marked insult to every loyal
citizen within the Department. Such men
are unsafe public teachers, and not TO be
trusted in places OF power and influence over
public opinion.
1t is therefore ordered, pursuant 10 the
directions of Major General Thomas, Jm-
mandng the ilitary Division Of Tennessee,
that said Richard Wilmer, Bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of lhe Diocese
of Alabama, and the Protestant Episcopal
Clergy of said Diocese be, and they are
hereby suspended from their functions, and
forbidden to preach or perform divine ser
vice, and that their places of worship be
closed until such time a. said Bishop and
Clergy show q sincere return to their ale.
glance 10 the Government Of the United
States, and give evidence Of loyal and pa
triotic spirit by offeriag tn resume tho use OF
the prayer for tue President OF the United
States and ali in civil authority, aai by "a.
king the Amnesty oath prescribed by tLs
President.
This prohibition shall continue in c ich in
diyidual case until special application Is
made through the military channels to these
headquarters for permission 10 preach and
perform divine services, and until such ap
plication is approved at these or superior
headquarters.
District commanders are requested 70 ser
that this order Is carried into effect
By order
Major. General CHARLES R. WOODS.
FRED. II. WILSON, A. A. G..