The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-25

have prevented both the Puritan and Metho-
dist SchiSms. if she had chosen Shall we
not learn wisdom? Can it be, that for US, all
history has been written in vain?
We are conservative. We shall not leave
the Episcopal Church. The Prayer Book suits
is nothing like it, taking it for all In
all, in the world. But if there be brethren,
who cannot see as we do, should their conscl-
entious scruples be utterly ignored, and they
told, if the Church does not suit them, they
can leave it? This was told the Puritans, and
they left This was told the Methodists and
they left. Shall the same thing happen again
and in our Church? Certainly this is not
acting with the commonest kind OF every day
wisdom.
We have taken ground repeatedly in these
columns, that it is inexpedient TO alter the
Prayer Book. We still believe SO; but can
we not make canonical concessions, without
touching the Prayer Book, if schism be the
consequence of not making them? This latter
is too great and fearful an evil not to be pre-
vented if possible; and if nothing else will
prevent it, if we are to have defections from our
Church, by all means let US consider what can
be done and do it, and do 1t at once.
We are not in the secret councils OF these
brethren, if they have such; but we suppose
all they desire, are a few alternate forms In
the Baptismal Service and Catechism. And
as the most ultra of High Churchmen, do not
believe that the present forms are OF the es
SeRce of the Sacraments, they could, we think
with good conscience gracefully grant without
touching the Prayer Book, what these breth-
rem desire.
But now, let us take glance at the other
side, and notice defectlOns towards Rome, A
telo leave us to attach themselves to other Pro
testant Churches. Hundreds have left US for
Rome; and not the young merely, or the lgno-
rant, but the middle aged and learned; from
whom we might well expect better things.
A few weeks ago we published the intorma-
ton, that clergyman in Alabama had lett us
for Rome Saturdays kilograms dated Mem
phis, Tenn, Nov. l3, give the following in
formation:
"Rev. j. n. Rogers, rector of the Church OF
the Blessed Virgin, and leader of ritualism,
publishes card in the appeal this morning, re.
nouncing his allegiance to the Episcopal Church,
and declaring his intention to unite with the
Roman Catholic Church,
This Mr.. Rogers is the gentleman whose
proceedings we have published from time to
time, and as the author OF several letters to
Bishop Quintard.
"MoRE PERvERsIoNS.-It is without surprise
that we learn from the public Journals that the
Rev. ]. H. Pye, Rector of Clifton Campvllle,
Tamworth, Staffordshre, and Hon. Prebendary
of LichGeld, has at last seeded to the Romlsh
persuasion with his wife, Emily Charlotte, only
daughter of the Bishop of Oxford, and niece of
Archbishop Manning. Mr. Pye was ordained
Deacon and Priest by the Bishop of Oxford, In
1850 and 1851, as Curate at Cuddesden, and was
soon after presented to the living OF Clifton.
He was the author of several ultra Church pub
locations, such as Ought the Sick to be An
nointed Short Ecclesiastical History &c.
We sincerely sympathize with the affection which
this long thu eatened perversion is said to occa-
sion the Bishop of Oxford We only marvel
that his Lordship remains blind to the inevitable
tendencies of his own sacerdota teaching. His
lay brother, lillian Wilberforce, Esq, and his
wife; his late brother, Archdeacon Robert Will
bertorce; and his younger brother, the Rev.
Henry Wilberforce, have all trod the same Rome
ward path, and all landed in the same Romish
apostscy.h
These are specimens: for thirty years this
has been going on, and they will continue to
90 on we believe, faster and faster, unless
something be done.
We affirmed some months ago that the
teaching of Dr. Dix, rector of Trinity church,
New York, is essentially ROmish. We might
be content to let DR.. Dix and his ROmaniSm
alone. but unfortunately Trinity church makes
bishops. 1t has made one or two already, and
is quite anxious to make one for another Do
cese. Hence we are concerned about DR. Dix
aud. Trinity church. st. Alban $, too, is moth
ing but miserable imitation OF little Rom
ish chapel, where number of so-called
Priests, are playing church, until they go
where they belong
Upon the heel of all this, comes The Church
Monthly, very unreadable magazine, which
has been blowing hot and cold for some months
in Boston; but in the last number it blows
only hot; and we are informed it is to be pub
lished in New York, and ito 0draace to a
position held by none of the Church periodi
Gals in this country, to set forward the cause
of that Catholic Reformation which is so i'm
peratively demanded both in our own Church
and throughout Christendom. In pursuance
of this, it publishes DR.. Ewers famous Ser.
mon, Failure of Professionalism DR.. Little
dales SANDER OF the Reformers, and dares
not contradict it." aud divides our Church
into two parties, the Catholic and the Pro
testant; this Monthly being Catholic, and all
that do not agree with it Protestant; which
definition we like exceedingly.
We may pause therefore at this point and
look around US. What is to be the issue? 1t
would be very plain and simple were lt.not for
the fact, that large number of Protestant
High Churchmen defend these brethren
They are not Ritualists themselves" they
tell us; they do not believe in Rome or
ROmaniSm-but then these brethren-they are
so earnest and doing so much good let us not
disturb them, &C., &c. And thus, in Pro-
- 81
and Romanism; their scholars going over day
by day to Rome, andstill these estimable gentle
men say-"let us do nothing. Why we have
done nothing for thirty-one years, and still
they go over to Ro ne; and the present pros
poets are more alarming than ever.
What is to be done?
Do our Bishops remember. when they pro-
missed to drive away from the Church all err
ro1eOus and strange doctrines, that the only
meaning this had in England in the estima-
ton of our Reformers, was ROmdniSm ? THIS
was the erroneous and strange doctrine
What Bishop is driving it away? Certainly
not the Bishop of New York, though he is
sharp-scented enough after any one who breaks
petty canon,
But this is the first thing to be done; Eve
ry Bishop must be quick and active and posi-
tive against all teaching contrary to the Prayer
Book, in it's genius and spirit and no Bishop
to consent to the conservation of new bishop
who is not This duty is the first, beyond a
peradventure.
What is to be done?
The Presbyter has made the same solemn
promise as the Bishop; " to drive away from
the Church all erroneous and strange doc
trine :" meaning thereby ROmanism FIRST; be-
ing the only strange doctrine in England. when
the Prayer Book was compiled He also must
be at work wherever ROmanism is in that part
of the Church for which he is responsible.
As New York is the centre of influence, why
should not the Presbyters of that city and do
cese meet together for solemn prayer and con-
ference and in a body wait upon their Bishop
and tell him in a manner not to be be disre-
garded. of ST. Adams; of Dr. Ever and his