The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1867-03-07
Bishop Lse.s fsstqral Letter.
b he ceryy ana Ldiy or}he Protest.
ant Episc opal Church IN the DiOcese 81

4 10 the Clergy and Ldtty 0fthe Protest.
:'r cant Episc opal Church IN the Diccesc Q,
i IL IOscu. YzgH!Wcrf fesf IIiE or fEttE =.
:, DEAR BREyHR1N: !, Permit ma to call
your attention to the accompanying
Declaration ofa majority OF our Bishops
4 on the subject Of rit0lastit innovations,
and to ask Of the GiergyAoGc0m nsunicate
this letter and that document. 70 their
: respective congregations at an early day.
/ To me II Il matter ofdcep modification
that there should be any OCCASION for
in any portion of the church., either in
this country, or in England; and 1 am
CHAD 10 believe that IN this diocese the
condemned Innovations hAve. not, thus
Ear. been i1troduced, end that they pre-
vail to very limited extent anywhere
Within our borders. Still, the signs of
the times and certain public den1nnstra-
tons, seem to render this Declaration
important and necessary, in order to
check any dangerous tendencies, and to
give Influential testimony In favor OF
the simplicity Of the Gospel, and Of THAT
ecclesiastical system which has come
down to us from the Apostolic age, and
whose legitimate usages and services
are in accordance with its spiritual and
venerable character, - marking true
branch Of the Church Of Christ. The
innovations referred to, and others that
might have been named, seem to me to
degrade theworship Of Almighty God
and il they are not originated by super
stition, they certainly tend in that die
spirit Of the new dispensation, as well
as to that Of our reformed and scriptural
Church. I could myself have willingly
aud gladly gone much further than the
few details Of the Declaration; but the
curse adopted may suffice for the de-
sigI 4 object, not only preventing the
more objectionable and prominent inno-
vations complained OF, but also those of a
minor though related character, and
which, I am persuaded, are sometimes
INDUCED in without any wrong inten-
tons or views, but which are without
authority rs established customs Of the
Church. l would urge general COM
pliance with what Is usual and ordinary
in the celebration of Divine service, and
suggest that everything that is unusual
and extraordinary be carefully avoided.
1t is very desirable that there should he
uniformity in the customs and practices
of our worship, and that no unauthoriz-
ed usages sllo'd be made test oftrue at 4
tachment to the Church. The applica-
ton Of such test naturally grows out
of tlIcseextra-rubicali innovations, which
- one strong reason, among others,
against their introduction into any Of
more explicit. | would state that, aside
ing in the Creed Al the name 1st"M 81 o Jesns w
which itself, in our church, is tradition.
al and optional-I regard all bowinss
and genufiections during public service,
BY the clergy or people, as inexpedient,
not being warranted by Rubrics, Can
ons, or general custom, aud tending to
excite and foster spirit of Journalism, ut
variance with the simple teachings of
Christ and His holy Apostles. would
iEc ude the habit of turning significant
ly towards the Lords table in the usual
aacription at the close of the sermon,
as we'll as in certain parts Of the service
Church, Is among those practices that
are comparatively novel and limited and
that are hindrances to order and uniform
ity that are go much to be desired in
church whose worship IL common
PRAYER and praise, and whose true pros
p rity will ever be identified with ritual
simplicity, and with that primitive faith
which was once delivered to the saints.
| do not refer to these things in any
dictatorial or intrusive spirit, but from
an honest conviction that the practices
in question, whether arising from senti-
mental or doct,inal feelings md views.
are entirely inexpcdient, If not unlaw-
full; and because feel it bounden du-
ty to discourage and oppose them in the
Church at large, and especially in my
own diocese. It il my earnest desire to
stand by the Church as it is, and to see
! the clergy and Laity conforming to all
fixed usages and customs, and discoun-
tenancing everything, IN all directions.
that is unauthorized by the Church.
May God give US grace to be faithful to
our t. ust, to drive away from the Church
| all erroneous and strange doctrines and
practices, and to do all in our power for
the promotion and extension OF that
blessed kingdom which is not meat and
drink, but righteous and peace and JOY
In the Holy Ghost.
Commenting you ALL my dear bretli-
rem, to the favor aud blessing Of he Great
Head Of the Church, remain Your az
frctionate friend and Bishop.
HENRY w. LEE
davenport Iowa, March LIST, 1887 sx ..sa