Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-12
THE BANNER ON THE CHENEY
TRIAL.

To the Editors of the Union cnd American:
The editorial in Fridays Banner on
the Cheney trial is 50 manifestly unfair
that must ask for permission to answer
it. The article makes this statement:
CATER everything has been said in
favor Of church discipline, and the neces-
sity OF conforming to the requirements of
the Prayer Book, the simple fact will
free itself to the front that talented
aud Influential clergyman has been sus-
pended from his ministerial functions
degraded, in fact, because his conscience
would not allow him to use the word
'regenerate' in the baptismal service"
And the editor then assumes the prOba-
bility that the suspended clergyman will
disregard the prelatica Tebuke, and go
forward to preach the Gospel of Christ
''as he understands it, :"
The Episcopal Church has never pro-
posed to commission men to preach the
Gospel in her pulpits, who expect to
preach it Gas they understand it," that
is, to preach such doctrines as may suit
their individual fancies.
And is she singular in this2 or is she
10 be held up as q model of intolerance
and bigotry for itl
Do the Baptists permit men to preach
as they understand it, if they understand
that infants are TO be baptized2 Do the
Presbyterians permit their preachers to
understand that the divine origin of E pis-
copscy is Gospel truth Or the Method
lists send out men to rail at class meetings,
love feasts, revivals and conferences
Every Episcopal clergyman at his ordi-
nation makes these promises, "AL,Udys
so to minister the doctrine and sacra-
ments, and the discipline of Christ, as
this Church hath received the same, and
''reyerenty to obey your Bishop and
other chief ministers who, according to
the canOns of the Church may have the
charge and government over yOu."
And every denomination requires sub
stantially the same promises of conformi-
ty to its own doctrines and. rules, from all
who are licensed to preach.
The question of conformity to the
teachings of the church by those who
preach in her pulpits is not one of con-
cje1ece st all, it is simply question of
honesty! The point is, will the clergy
keep the promises aChjch they made ut
their Ordin0tinn, or will they, while
setting up as teachers of morality, prac-
ticdliy teach men to disregard their
word of hOpOr2
The Episcopal Church is at least a
voluntary society; no one is compelled
10 enter it, and certainly no man is COM
PEELED to minister at her affairs. If know
ing that it does require infants to be bap-
TIED; does consider them when baptized
as members of the church, and also that
the grace of God is given to them in that
holy sacrament; if after knowing all
this, a clergyman at his ordination prom
ises to teach it, and afterwards turns
round aud denies it all, he is simply dis
boneSt-even though he may be consid-
cred "such good man. :"
Conscience! have not men who think
that they are called to preach a gospel
chance enough, out of hundred or so
of denominations, to pick cut one that
suits HeDlf Or if they are too critical,
who is to hinder them from setting up for
themselves and preaching a gospel pre-
ciSeLy according to their conscience?
OLD FASHIONED EPIsCoPALIAN.
Feb. II, 1871.