The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-15
Episcopal Admission.

The Bishops, with delegates from e"o
clergy and lairy of the Episcopal Church OF
England, in this country, have been recent
~ holding, and are probably still holding
q convention in Baltimore, an event TO
which the members of that sect have been
looking forward US Que franght with
mighty results of woe and destruction &"
the Ritualists, or of succession for the
Evangelicals. Whatever the future may
develop in that field, some valuable hints
have already been given on other questions
and some important admissions made.
First a committee of Eve bishops makes
long report on uniformity of ritual, in
which we find the following:
Third-In addition to the canonical provis.
ion now recommended, and in consideration OF
the fact that nothing can be $50 plainly SCI
forth, but doubt may arise in the use ana
practice Of the same, the Committee TURNER
to carry out, in such manner as may secure It's
observance, the principle declared IN the
second resolution sent to this House ny the
House of Clerical and Lay Deputies at the
Central Convention Of 1866, to-wit: That in
all matters doubtful reference shall be made
to the ordinary, and no changes snail 70 ma9e
against the cody counsel and JudgmenS=oi the
Bishop.
Here it is clearly admitted that 'ssnothing
can be so plainly set forth but doubt may
arise in the use and practice of the same"
Is tile Bible an exception to this rule ls
the great law of faith and morality so
wonderfully and miraculously worded that
no man can be mistaken as to its meaning
If so, then the five bishops ought to have
made the exception if not 80, then observe
the consequence. The latter part of the
paragraph quoted provides how one must
proceed in matters of doubt connected with
the ritual, viz: one must make "no
changes against the gody counsel and
Judgment of the Bishop" But in matters
Of doubt connected with Faith and Morals
no such standard OF authority is set up. In
things of form, you can find an infallible
tribunal where your doubts are quoted, in
things of substance you must follow your
own devi:es and take your own chances
even though you may have the gravest
| 6 doubt"
However, later ON in the doings of the
Convention, we find that the Bishops have
taken compassion on this moral restitution
of their flock and assume some virtue for
, the "euieting of lcousciences in moral
and dogmatic doubts. We quote the tele-
graph as follows:
, BALTIMORE, Oct. 12.-Protestant Episcopal
Council, Oct. II, 1871: We, the subscribed
bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States, being asked in order to the
quietiHg of the consciences of sundry members
? Of the said Church, do declare that, in our
opinion, the word regencrate 10 not there 80
used as to determine that q moral change in
, the subject of baptism is wrought in the sacra
ment. This declaration is signed by all the
bishops.
. Here the "quieting of consciences :" is 6
, phrase which conveys two meanings first
!, that there can be doubts on such grave
questions as the one referred to, notwith
! standing the most studious perusal of the
Bible, and, secondly, that it is a very handy
thing to have an authority which car
"quiet ones conscience about them. The
a style of effecting the said "quieting" al
adopted by "all the Bishops" is a very
q queer one, however, to say the least of it
:. They do formally declare that Gin thei
, opinion ~ such and such is the true doc
- trine of Christ. In their opinion! Truly
, q hard-headed John Bull he must be VIII
!. will entertain any uncomfortable doub
"a after that. Such is the "opinion of tn
!. Bishops. They are by no means certain g
, its correctness themselves, but the consci
a entious laity may lay aside their scruple
4 and be quoted.
" Now let us ask any honest and earnes
d Episcopaiian, would it not appear to him
" much better plan if the Holy Ghost wou]
d mercifully and lovingly infuse His spirit {
i. truth and light into the convocation of "a
the Bishops" and enable them to say wha
really was the truth, instead of what wa
their opinion aboutit? Would mems cor
$, sciences be much more effectually quiete
o. and would it cost the Almighty anythin
e. to do it? How much better quiet I'D
Ill mission of infallibility in the Church tina
to pompous assumption of quasi-infallibilit
ne based upon the inherent longing of til
to human heart for some authority on whic