The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-14
Tbs Rituallstie Case IN AemPhta
PASTORAL FROM REV. .. W. ROGERS, PRIEST OF
THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN"

Deu,Tu Belored-In those painful controversies
which in every age agitate the church OF Him who
said Z" come not to send peace on esrtn, put
sword" we are not to forget that even IN battle
the church may be identified; and that ever serene
in her majesty and beauty, she can make resouno-
ipq srms and glttering steel, above her head tri-
umphal arches, through which, with reverent feet,
she moves on, blessing the fercest combatants,
II zeal and love for Christ inspire them. a.lf
The peace which false prophets Of old pro.
elaimed-which the well fed scribes and pharlsees
desired, was: - we are told In the orsce Oh oou'
The church was only rotting. and like the
" Dead sea- stupe6ed both priest and people oy
its influence and contagious yswniug. Il died OF
ennla. Our church In England, patronized py
government with 30 many r, e,onchar~ Starving
curates, has risen in the strength OF the Lord,
through the influence Of his faithful servants de,
nominated, by way of reproach, !" htnalists"
followers of Wesley did, they remain in her
borders, keep her discipline and obey her canons;
but realizing that the holy sacrament 10 not .
mere commemoration supper or dinner having
faith through the power OF the Holy Gnost 70 De
isys that their Savior Is presen. N some sPl.s@.:
and beauty his altar, as Jon do the graves Of
For his they are called " idolatsrsr BY some
nv some they are laughed ct as % worshlpers OF
q few candles and flowers" But yoo, oeioveo,
would not envy the man who mocseo me .or
Elmwood, and for scattering flowers on her grave,
or for lighting up and entwining that holy spot In
any manner that suited my fancy! Ag ain they
are called Romansts," Methodists, }" ana tho
altar, OF all Christians who "love tne7Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity" They are willing to go as
far toward Rome on the one hand, and toward
ultra Professionalism on the other, as prnciple-in
ask, can Christendom ever be united, without this
apirit of forbearance and charity!
You have, then, beloved. great work before
you. Many who have hitherto attended our ser r
vices will depart a. as the novelty wears on.
Our bishop has exhorted those whom he consd
cred most influential to depart from MS. Our
brethren of the clergy for the most part cooper.
ate with him. aud we have to decide whether, 10
a matter like this. we owe blind obedience to
authority or only lawful obedience.
The pope in old times laid whole kingdoms a n
der these " interdicts." which grew up neces
sity think, of the union of Church and state.
Now the holy father calls an occasional synod to
decide whether this union ought not TO be abol-
ished, on the ground that nearly all States 10
Christendom have now constitutional govern
ments. The church Of England, on the other
hand. cave q constitution and laws to her mem.
bers 10 free them from blind obedience to the
nope; and IT would be o strange thing now to see
Rome giving liberty and our bishop demanding
obedience without law.
you Indeed 10 all-even to those who woult
drive Us hence -lest your conscences should bt
troubled by the "interdict.n and beseech you, b.
the Lord Jesus Christ, that with prayerful hearts
YOU decide for yourselves whether the liberty
advocate is rebellion" or your sacred and in
alienable Christian right in church which boast
a constitution and laws. If the laws be infringed
or if any dared to say they were (which nobody
pretends to do), 1t were then another matter. w
would be tried for the ohense-not for disobe
dience-and excluded from the. church. b
when the win of bishop, priest or deacon become
the law, then We may no longer boast of IN
"glorious reformation," nor denounce the "tyl
amy of Rome" -.s -fe.l - -.
It's not your duty, therefore. to obey this in
terdictn whether delivered by letter or by priests
but humbIy to rest on the cross Of Christ, eve
when the multitude forsake you, and to pray TO
Jour biehopy that he asy be blssseS with all III
When the trial comes you will see that you
pastor 10 only doing what many more faithfu
bishops and priests have done before him, and q
theGude assaults on his veracity, which drew on
the sharp replies Of last Sunday, will rebound o
those who made them. .i.ss.s
-, - Your affsctionate pastor, 70
j. w. ROGERS.