Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-21
Resignation of Bishop Cunnmins
-Ritualism in the Protestant
Episcopal Church.

Resignation of Bishop Cummins
-Ritualism in the Protestant
Episcopal Church.
Rt. Rev. George D. Cummins, D. D. as
sistant bishop of the diocese of Kentucky,
has addressed circular letter to Bishop
Smith, of that diocese, stating his intention
to resign and to retire from the duties OF
the episcopate. The action of Bishop Cum
minis is dictated in view of the conflict OF
the High and Low church parties, and al
so in consequence Of his participation IN
the recent joint communion service in New
York, and the discussion thereon ensuing.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 1873.
To the Right Reverend Benjamin Bosacorth
Sn,ith. D. D., Bishop Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church IN the Diocese Of Ken
lucky
Rt. Rev. and Dear Bishop: Under sol
emn sense Of duty, and in the fear of God,
1 have to tell you that I am about to re-
tire from the work in which have been en-
gagged for the last seven years in the diocese
of Kentucky, and thus to sever the rela-
lions which have existed so happily be-
tween us during that time.
It is due to you and to my many dear
friends in the diocese of Kentucky and
elsewhere that l should state clearly the
causes which have led me to this determi-
nation.
1. First, then, you well know how heavy
has been the trial of having to exercise my
office in certain churches in the diocese OF
Kentucky where the services are conduc-
ted so as to symbolic and to teach the peo-
pie doctrines subyersive Of the truth as it
is in Jesus" and as it was maintained and
defended by the reformers of the sixteenth
century.
On each occasion that have been called
upon to officiate in those churches l have
been most painfully impressed by the con-
viction that was sanctioning and endors-
ing by my presence and official acts the dam
gerous errors symbolized by the services
customary in ritualistic churches.
can no longer by my participation in
such services be "a partaker OF other mems
sins," and must clear my own soul OF all
completely in such errors.
2. [ have also lost all hope that this sys-
tenn Of error now prevailing so extensively
in the Church of England, and the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church in this country, can
be OF will be eradicated by any action of
the authorities of the Church legislative OF
executive. The only true remedy, in my
Judgment, is the judicious yet thorough re-
vision of the prayer-book, eliminating from
it all that gives countenance, directly or
Indirectly, to the whole system of sacerdo-
talism and ritualism-a revision after the
model Of that recommended by the commits
sion appointed in England under royal au-
thority in 1889, and whose work was en-
dorsed by the great names OF Burnett, Pu-
trick, Tillotson and Stillingfleet, and 9TH
ers of the Church of England-a blessed
work, which failed, alas to receive the APP
prevail of convocation, but was taken up
afterwards by the fathers Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States
and embodied in the prayer book Of 1855,
which they set forth and recommended for
use in this country.
Ipropose to return to that prayer book
sanctioned by William White, and to tread
in the steps of that sanity man as he acted
from 1855 to 1885,
3. One other reason for my present ac-
ton remains to be given. On the last day
of the late Conference of the Evangelical
Alliance participated in the celebration
of the Lords Supper by invitation in the
Rev. Dr.John Halls church. in the city of
New Y ork, and united with DE-. Hall, Dr.
William Arnot, of Edinburg, and Professor
Dorner, of Berlin, in that precious FEAST
1t was a practical manifestation of the real
unity of 1.-THE blessed company OF all faith
full people' whom God s'hath knit together
in one communion and fellowship in the
mystical body of his Son Jesus Christ"
The results of that participation have
been such as to prove to my mind that
plying the position l now hold without
sadly disturbing the peace and harmony of
S'this church" and without impairing my
influence for good over a large portion of
the same church, very many OF whom are
within QUIZ own diocese.
AS l cannot surrender the right and
privilege thus to meet my fellow-C Christians
of other churches around the table of our
dear Lord, must take my place where l
can do so without alternating those Of my
own household Of faith.
[ therefore leave the communion in
which I have labored in the sacred minis
try for over twenty-eight years, and trans
fer my work and office to another sphere
Of labor. have an earnest hope and con-
fidence that basis for the uuion Of all
Evangelical Christendom can be found in
a communion which shall retain or restore
a primitive episcopacy and a pure scriptu-
raj liturgy, with fidelity to the doctrine
of justification by faith -artjcatlats sta1a
tbs ueI cddentis ecclesiU-a position towards
which the old Catholics in Europe are rap
idly tending, and which has already taken
a definite form in the ''Church of Jesus"
in Mexico.
To this blessed work devote the remain
ing years of life, content if [ can only see
the dawn of that blessed day of the Lord.
I am, dear bishop, faithfully yours in
Christ,
GEORGE DAVID CUMMINs.
A dispatch from Louisville, KY, says
'sThe reception Of the circular letter of
Bishop Cummins, of the diocese of Ken
lucky, announcing his withdrawal from
the Protestant Episcopal Church, has Gre
ated profound sensation here among Epis-
copalians. Private letters from him init
mate his intention to continue his episco-
pal office on the basis of Bishop Whites
prayer book. Bishop Smith, senior bishop,
will be written to to return at once to Ken
lucky to continue episcopal authority
Bishop Cummins s withdrawal it is thought
will create some complications in the Ken
lucky Episcopal Church."
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The WOMAN QUESTION IN ILLINoI
The Legislature of Illinois last spring pass
ed all act that women should be eligible to
any office under the school laws in that
State. At the first election after the law