The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-02-07

We are happy to clip (as q preface to DR.;
Rogers letter) the following from the Mem
phis appeal, edited by J. M. Heating, Esq,
an ardent Episcepalian, but ever opposed
to g Ritua6sm." 1t is pleasant to hear him
speak thus oSan opponent:
It En Ritunlism u was, introduced by a
man who had, from early boyhood, been
identified with Memphis and with the Epis-
copal Church Of the Southwest-the Rev.
Dr. RogersAa man Of whom all that knew
him know that he hadNdevoted himself sole
ly TO the service of his Maker, and that
every act Of his was to the furtherance of
what he believed to bey the interest OF
Christ's Church.
The Episcopal Church in Tennessee can
now move on in the old way. Ritualism
is dead in the person of its boidest advo-
cate, most thorough defender and most elo-
quent apologist. He has followed Cardinal
Wiseman where all others of a Ribpalistic
turn are sure, sooner or later, to go. Our
friend said truly yesterday: "ThereNis no
middle ground for Ritualists."
iCommunicateal
Editor Morning Star and Catholic Messenger
j discover in the N. Y. Church Journal an ar
ticle copied from the The Church Intelfigencer,
in which IL is stated that was deposed
from the Episcopal ministry for Introducing
/" Ritualism in the Diocese of Tennessee and
in The Protestant Chrrckman, that was not
Rector of o church at the time of my rennncia-
ton of the Episcopal ministry.
i. AS regards the first, every editor should know
{althongh their readers might not), that the
BiahOp had no power to depOse any one for
what 10 called Ritsalisa,.n Even in the cele-
DRAFTED case of cChonochie, which, after months
of Arches, in London, he was only commanded
by the Court to snuff out his candles, and blow
ont his incense; which, doubtless, he has done,
and SO might have done had any ecclesiassi-'
rnl lad han n
posed from the ministry-for these things were
never considered essential by Ritualsts, but only
useful for doctrine. The plain, unvarnished truth
lished it to the world, and notified the Bishop
of Tennessee of my action in the premises, long
before the date of the deposition referred to,
in the cases of Archbishop Manning, DR.. New
man, DR.. WilberfOrce, DIR. Ives, and hundreds
of other clergy, who had been my masters In
theology. G. displace me from q ministry in
the Episcopal Church which Ihad deliberately
But all this was studionsly con-
ceaIed in the article referred to, leaving inn
preston quite contrary to the truth. :,
not the of
the Blessed Yirginn not q church of the
Diocese, ete.-which in one'sense is true and in
another false. ! had been for many years
Rector in Tennessee, and had built six churches
i'll Tennessee Zone in Memphis), over all which
had been Rector. But being for long time
absent in Europe, / returned to Memphis to
carry OUT, III SOOu 1altIi, the views OF my III
aalistic brethren, and organized "The Church
of the Blessed Virgin by obtaining the per-
mission of majority of the clergy and having
$ Articles of Association" signe1/Dy the rcqui-
site number of my congregation, according to
canon; but my church could not be legally re-
ceived into the Diocese/until the next follow
ing Convention. In this sense the writer tells
the truth but the impression made is II false
one, which the above facts will correct Lneed
not add, what had become matter Of public
all over the country, that 90 The.
Chureh of the Blessed Virgin" (eTen though it
could not be received in Convention until the
metz attracted larger number of
than all the fire Episcopal churches
in Memphis put together. The Greenlaw Ope7
ra House--not used<as such during our occu-
them, and nothing could have
induced to abandon my worl% under
such hattering auspices, but the conviction
that was not Priest, which way Mt the last
forced upon me; and turned my back, with
out uttering word of repFoach, upon the
Church at whose affairs / had served for fnoreA
than twenty years, But now, being assaulted
on every hand, as though my example might,
Rfect others, ! ventur6 to tell these editorial
gentry and their veyS clerical correspondents, 4
that Willie they arg seeking corporate. union
with Rome " and boasting OF their catholicity-
while they arg sending populations to the
H9ly FatheT as they did in 1867 (by the
Church EIion of Oxford y and knocking mt
the door. ST st. Peters, they would do we'll TO
remember that his Holiness, Pins IX., sets a
higher value upon, common honesty, truth and
charity than on the color of their gowns, the
shape of their altars, the light of their can
dies, or the fragrance of their incense!
j. w. ROGERS.