The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-02-18

COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXIIl.. NO. 52.

will find it hand of virtue and worth.
He who doubts will find il a hand of
form and ceremony.
And so without stopping to decide
the question whether our bishop is real
Iva successor of Paul or John, ] say
that the Episcopal Church affords so
much evidence that she has iuher Epls.
copate the true succession, that it is no
shame to any common man to believe
her. And if a man BELIEVES in his
Bishop he will get from him all the
benefit that can come from bishops.
Brethren, ,manyneedys souls are not able
to lay hold upon God one by one. They
cannot appropriate Gospel promise to
themselves. Like Job of old they say:
"If l had called and he had answered
me, yet would not believe that he had
hearkened unto my voice. ."--viii. 1G.
Such extreme and exemplary humili.
ty asks for and needs church ark, and
the humble place and privilege of a
private passenger. The ark of God
that shall outride the deluge! The
Church of Christ, in which is found sal
walton.
l say, then, that the claims of the
Episcopal Church to such an ark of
God, or Church of Christ, endowed
with sacraments, absolutions and profit
able authority are, for all practical pur-
poses, 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 offices of the Epis.
copal 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, am happy to
point all such to sure welcome in the
Episcopal Church, with sacraments,
SUGGESTIONS and authority as good AS the
best.
4. The Episcopal Church is excellent
in her provisions for Christian educa-
ton and pious drill.
Churches that avowedly receive very
young infants as members must neces.
sarily provide education for these ac-
cepted children. Accordingly the Epis
copal Church is Enthusiastically a
church for the training of children, just
as some sister churches are characters
tically revival churches for the conver-
sion of grown folk.
In the Prayer Book and Church al
manac you find the Christian year
divided into periods separated by high
days-monumenls and memorials OF
Christian story. This Christian calen-
dar agrees very nearly with that of the
Roman Church. And he is an unusally
well,informed Christian who can reat
over this catalogue of days, and in
few words tell the story that each da.
celebrates But birthright Church
man who has been quietly trained in
church home for fifteen years, will nec'
very little teaching more.
In connection with this caandar Is
System of lessons in following which
the reader is led through the entir,
Bible each year, and through its NOR,
profitable parts, monthly or oftener!
He, who for years has been Church
man, and yet remains ill.grounded il
Scripture, shows himself an unworthy
son of very faithful mother.
By the Lessons, Gospels, Epistles
Psalms and Collects appointed for spec
ial Fast or Feast Days, the events com
memorated by that day are wrought
into the memory of every worshipper
And by seasons, longer or shorter, o
special religious effort and observance
this Church satisfies the same wan
which other churches satisfy by week
of prayer, protracted meetings ant
long revivals.
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
religious sensation makers and sensa
ton seekers will promptly vote the
Church Calendar and al its smooth
machinery of pious drill, IL very dul
substitute for regular, rousing revival
But, in the long run, the Church tina
steadily trains and teaches will outliv,
the Church hat only arouses and start
les. If ye continue in my word thei
are ye my disciples indeed.
8. This Church makes distinction
between her creed as Church, whicl
all her officers must subscribe ;-an'
that much shorter declaration of faitl
which she expects from her children.
This Church never veXes convert
with profound questions In theology
OF those who would receive the Lord
Supper she requires that they iepen
them truly of their former sins; stead
fastly proposing to lead new life
That they have lively faith in God
mercy through Christ, and thankful
remembrance of His death, and tina
they be in charity with all men.
To any and to all such, asking II
further questions, this catholic an
most generous Church approaches, an
by the hand of her priest, gives TIL
consecrated bread with benedictior
THE body of our Lord Jesus Chris
which was given for thee, preserve IN
body and soul unto everlasting lif,
Take and eat this in remembrance tina
Christ died for thee; feed on him /
thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
And with like words the consecrate
wine: "Drink this in rcmembranl
that Christ's blood was shed for thee
and be thankful"
Citizens and Christians all !--Becau,
this Episcopal Church is Reforme
Church and not revolutionary;-beeau,
her Book of Prayer is rich and vener
bic above all in the English tongue;
because her Ritual promotes decenc.
dignity, prosperity and permanence; !;
because her historic union through Il
apostles with Christ comforts and sati
iies 50 many souls ;-becauso she adop
+ her infant children and provides {,
| tharn aIucatian and drill and haoau