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

" 1VA0Ss
Deer Byefhyen IL have deemed
it proI er, by pastrol letters and 9TH
erwiae, to address you with reference
to the duties and dangers growing
out uf the civil changes and the war
through which we have passed. Our
condition, Under God, is again
changed. Hostilitirs have ceased,
our armies are disbandcd, the soldier
is returning TO more peaceful avoca-
tionn, and the government to which
of late Our Allegiance had been given
has past away. Under such circum-
stances. therefore, the weightivss re
sponsibility a,tacl, to every one in
whatever relation, and beg at once
to call your serious attention to the
subject. 1t ought now to De the
earnest desire OF every true patriot
and sincern christian that quiet and
order, obedience to the laws Of the
land, End respect for tue civil author
ity. should universally prevail. Let
it be our faithful and unceasing effort
to cherish this spirit. and by the in-
hu.nce Of our example to encourage
it in others. Our happiness and
prosperity as individuals and peo-
pie hereafter. will depend much upon
our steady adherence to such course
of conduct. The tendency to excess,
with many so likely 70 prevail, may
thus. with til. divine blessing. to a
great extent be- counteracted. aud the
land be saved from continued scenes
Of violenc. and blood. lie, the spirit
Of animosity and revenge be put
away, let the voice OF rrproach. .x-
crp, for our personal short cumings
b. huslcd; let vain regrets for
the past, let feelings of discomfort
for the present. and disquicting spec
ula;ions as the future, not be in
dulsrd. National vicissitudts. like
individual trials. should be met with
for,i,udc and rightly improved. Our
arorA and our duty is with the p csrn,,
and to he honestly aud Well dis
charged here in the country where
our lot has been cast. No more i'm
por,ant lrsson-c-rtainly none more
appropriate to the time Xix. the pres
-nt-does I'll. Church enforce upon
her member. than tn. doing our duty
in That s,ufe ofiife INTO ivAich IL shall
please God to cuX as. Let this be
our constant endraYov by the help
and after the example of Him who
laugh, his disci les ito render unto
Caesar til, things which be CAESARS,
and unto God the things Which be
Gods. Remembering, rs l trust We
viii ..v..s d., tina, whatever their
condition in other respects may BE-,
righteousness Is tina; exalte,L a ma
ton, whil- sin is z reproach to any
! people.
Such alterations VIII be made in
; IA" Liturgy AS t.t. chang in Our civil
| cunlitio. may render proper. and
such other action in du. time BE-
taken by the Church as will accor,:
! with Catholic u>ages and the princi-
plies upon which We have hitherto
acted.
am happy to say, that for the
year pat, rs far as my observation
las extended, more serious spirit has
prevailed among the MASSES Of on,
people, than before. and that the
growth Of the Church has been stead
lily increasing. Let us pray that this
state Of thiusn may continue and
! abound more and rnore-aud in orde,
10 the a,taium IL: of SO blessed a re.
! suit, lei, ,h.a, be- added to our pray
,.rs. on: tai,l::ul Efforts not only il,
cur civil. bu, in our spiritual vela,
:ions-tor in these, whatever his
:, here IN life may be, to every MAJ,
l:i, peculiar work is committed
Then may We rely with husnbl.
,outi,i-nce on ,lc blessing Of him
.w.,o rul-th over all, both now and
. rvrrinorc.
+, Commanding you in all ,hirgs &c
: ;h- comforts Of His grace and til,
I -uilancr OF His good spirit. remain
! .lfirc::ouatrlv Yours in Christ,
ALEX. GREGG.
Bishop of Texas.
Houston. May 29th, 1865