Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-24

I
eide this question absolutely.
What | say is this: The apostolic
succession in the Episcopal church can
be traced back so MANY hundred years
into the dim pas, that it is no shame to
any man to say" I believe II to ertend
back to Peter, Paul and john" and he
who verify believes that the ordaining or
confirming hand Of the bishop of this
diocese, is electric with the spiritual life
that proceeds from JESUS of Galllee.
| will find it hand of virtue and worth.
He who doubts will find it a hand of
form and ceremony.
And so without stopping to decide the
question whether our bishop is really a
successor of Paul and John, l say that
the Episcopal church affords so much
evidence that she has in her Episcopate
the true succession, that it is no shame to
any common man to believe her. And
if he BELIEVES in his bishop he will get
from him all the benefit that can come
from bishops. g
Brethren, many needy souls nre not
able to lay hold upon God one BY one.
They cannot appropriate gospel prom
Use to themselves. Like Job of old.
they say: fl had called and he had
answered me get aoould 4 not believe that
| he had hearkened unto to my voice =
VIII, 16. t
Such extreme and exemplary humility
asks for and needs a church ark, and the
humble place and privileges of private
passenger. /. The ark Of God that shall
outride the deluge! The church of
CHRIST, in which is found salvation.
! say then that the claims Of the Epis-
copal church to be such an ark of God,
or church of Christ. endowed with sacra-.
ments, absolutions and profitable author
ity. are for all practical purposes valid.
l leave historians and ecclesiasts to
their endless words, and assert that the
poor in spirit who seek comfort and sal
walton through the Office of the Epico
pal church are as well off in her as they
can be in any church, And since many
are profoundly prejudiced against the
church of Rome. l am happy to point
all such to sure welcome in the Episco.
pal church. with sacraments, SUGGESTIONS
and authority as good as thu best.
The Episcopal church is excellent in
/ her provisions for christian education
and pious drill.
Churches that avowedly receive very
young infants as members must necessa
rily provide education for these accepted
children. Accordingly the Episcopal
church is 'S!laracteriscally church for
the training of children. just as some
sister churches are Enthusiastically re-
vival churches for the conversion of
grown folks.
In the prayerbook and church alma
nae you find the Christian year divided
into periods separated by high days
monuments and memorials of Christian
story. This Christian calendar agrees very
nearly with that of the Roman church.
And he is an unusually well informed
| Christian who can read over this cata.
logue of days, and 10 few words tell the
story that each day celebrates! But
birthright churchman who has been qui.
city trained in church home for fifteen
years, will need very little teaching
| more.
In connection with the calendar is a
system of lessons, in following which the
reader is lead through the entire Bible
each year and through its more profita-
bic parts, monthly or oftener!
He who for years has been church
man, and yet remains il-grounded in
Scripture. shows himself an unworthy
son of very faithful mother.
But the lessons, gospels, epistles, psalms
and collects appointed for special fast or
feast days, the events commemoratcd by
that day are wrought into the memory
of every worshipper. And by seasons
longer or shorter of special religious ef-
forts and observances, this church Salts
fes the same want which other churches
satisfy by weeks of prayer, protracted
meetings and long reyivals.
A good school is dull place to any
visitor who rushes in to find sensation
and excitement. He will call it dry,
poky, stupid. In like. manner, many re-
ligious sensation makers and sensational
seekers will promptly vote the church
calendar and all its smooth machinery of
pious drill, very dull substitute for
regular, rousing revival. But, in the
long run, the church that steadily trains
and teaches will outlve the church that
only arouses and startles. If ye contin.
ne in my word, then are ye my disciples
indeed. ~ NH.
5. This church makes distinction be-
tween her creed as church, which all
her officers must subscribe and that
much shorter declaration of faith which
she expects from her children.
This church Fever vexes converts with
profound questions in theology. Of those
who would receive the Lords Supper
she requires that they repent them truly
of their former sins; steadfastly propo
sing to lead new life. That they have
a lively faith in Gods mercy through
Christ, and thankful remembrance of
his death, and that they be in charity
with all men.
To any and to MI such asking no fur
Their questions, this catholic and most
generous church approaches and by the
hand of her priest gives the consecrated
bread with benediction. g The body of