Litchfield enquirer., 1869-05-06
THE MARBLEDALE CHURCH.
POWERS OF EPISCOPAL REcroRs. r

POWERS OF EPISCOPAL REcToRs i
 MARBLEpALE, April, 26th, 1869.
 Mir. EDrroR:-As you most justly observe not only are 'Episcopalians interested in the discussion of the question, but people in general have right to. know whether certain practices which have obtained foot.
 hold in certain places. are according to an- cient practice and canon law ia the church. Being q most sincere inquirer after truth, can We not lay aside personal predjudIce, and make these inquiries in kindly spir- it. Allow me first to correct some misap- prehensions which you seem to labor under. Passing by what might be construed as an imputation of meanness. by your supposi- ton that have palmed off the article of another, for my own, I will speak of the authorship of the article. When your is- sue of April 8, appeared, there was some indignation expressed at the mistatements it contained, affecting as it did, not only on the integrity of the Rector but of most of the members of this Parish. I was re- quested to reply to those charges as Parish Clerk. And would most distinctly say that the greatest care was used, to in no wise duplicate our clergyman. He never saw the article. never was consulted with re- gard to it and, no person outside my own family knew the article was written until after it was mailed. Neither has he any connection with the present article. My reply as Parish Clerk may account for it's ''authoritive style" though if this is done in an unseemly manner, most sincerely apologize. Now let us build no air Castles let us settle our base. You speak of the Marbledale Society, this may be a proper expression but it seems to convey 8 wrong idea. We claim to be an organized church. a member of the Diocese of Connecticut and through her bound in allegiance to the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Uni ted States of America, holding almost the same relations in ecclesiastical mat. ters to the church as we do in civil matters to the state. Also, going still further, bound by the ancient Canons of the Church of England, as we are in civil by the Com mon Law, except where modified by posi- tive enactment-and holding That no b. cal asages in certain Parishes, are of any more account aguinst the Canon law, han aoould be hae plea 9f q band ee outiaws againss the cina Lar. that such scas their general cus- tom." To proceed: You say, "Ws notice, in the first place. asomewhat strapsc1,1-:as ,1: sion. Our correspondent c,,<as tue NH ister of St. Andrew,s 70 not heetor. The p,ash Olerk -owhsre claims that the gen. tlem.u has been canonicaHy instituted Rector." By examination, you will fad l referred your correspondent to Canon '13, Sec. 2d, Title 1st. The Canon reads, "A Minister is settled for aH purposes here O. elsewhere mentioned in these Canons, who has been permanently engaged by any Parish, or for any term not less than one year."* As to the ministerial connection with this Parish, at last years annual meeting, vote was passed, appointing one of our Wardens committee to supply our parish with Minister. He very properly wrote to the Bishop, stating our position. and the amount of salary we could pay. The Bishop replied, recommending Mir. at the same time informing him of the call and advising his acceptance. The Warden saw Mir. Randall, agreed on terms of salary of so much year, inclu- ding use of parsonage No time was spe- cified as to when his labors were to cease, but it was understood by the Rector as permanent engagement. He removed his family, and here he remains. In Canon 4th, Title Il, it reads, t' When Q Minister has been regularly instituted or settled in a Parish or Church, he shall not be di smiss- ed." &c., Taking these two Canons, IS it a wrong inference to draw, that . Minister who is settled, is to all intents and purposes . Rector, though not having had regular institution? Next, as to the office of Rec tor and his position in the Church. And here I have no better. authority than Web ster: =" Rector, araler or governor. !" '.In the English Church, . clergyman who has the charge and cure of g Parish and has the tythes," &c. According to this, may it not be considered that the office of Rec tor is absolute in his Parish, subject. of course, to Canon law, his ecclesiastical su- periors, and the right of appeal? I z-
 You say, "We now come to 2 matter of vastly greater importance. The minister $ refusal to entertain motion looking to his dismissal from the parish. He may rule all motions for his dismissal out of order, &c., 50 that the game of opposition is ca nonically blocked forever." Lst us keep constantly in our minds, that; by special canon he is held amenable to the.ecclesias- tical authority of the Diocess. to whom the right of appeal in all cases of differences between . Rector and his Parishioners is opsn. e and of such differences they are the sole arbiter and judge" Again-ssCler-