The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-01-21
Mr.. Latane's Letter.

10 Tue kdltors OF the lntelligencer:
In recent edition of your paper ia an
article over the signature Of the Rev.
j. A. Latane, in which he resigns his
office Of Rector Of st. Matthew'S parish.
The article is written in a christian and
therefore q commendabie tones; and de.
string to reply to some Of It's exceptions
TO our church usages, I hope nothing viii
escape my pen OF an opposite tone. y
MIR. Latane's excellent character would
disarm me from saying anything :inrepIy,
were not the issues involved in his letter
otsuch tremendous import to the Church,
10 others, and myself.
There are certain features in the Pray
er Book Of which he disspproyes. Iwlll
pass by all minor objections and consider
only those Iof cardinal nature, as i do
not.wlsh TO occupy any unnecessary space
in your paper THE word "RegeneFate''
as used In the sacrament of Baptism is
repugnant to the Reverend gentleman.
1t is, and has been, from time irimemo.
rial custom In our Church, that infants
should be brought to the baptismal font for
baptism. II contemplates no further delay
IN the matter than isnecessarya Christ
says "of such Is the Kingdom 6IHeaven."
The word "Regenerate' used on the oc-
Casion is intended to mean nothing more
nor less than, that the child has been
transferred from the world othe Church
baptism being the smybol or seal OF
the same. Christ has pronounced them
1eirs OF Heayen,why may not HiE Church
w tne same ~ 8 ! esgIs9 aE
The Objectionable word also occurs In
adult baptism. VIII not all persons ad-
INIT that a change Of heart" as It is iamil.
isrly termed, Is loibecome I" Regenefate ~
Is duplication forbaptisnl pfesnmptive
evidence OF the same! Then where the
improperly in using tho word2 The
prayer Book presumes the candidate Tor
Oaptlsm to be sincere; should he not live
up 10 his high calling the fault, or sin
rather, rs with himself, not with the
phraseology Of the Prayer book The
foregoing theory 10 substantially held by
all the Orthodox branches Of the Chris.
tan Church throughout the world. -
The term "Pries" Is objected 10. The
ottclahng person for the occasion ia a
minister, DO he Bishop Piest or Deacon
the latter as far as the scope Of his office
extends;the word PRIEST Is, distinctive
as between Bishops and .Deacons.s = The
word Minister" occurs In the service as
ollen as "Priest" even when referring TO
Inc latter. Wehstersays. Priest means "a
clergyman, an ecclesiastic." The term is
USED IN the service In the same sense that
lne Presbyterian uses the word "Pastor,"
OF me Wesleyan uses the word y Minister"
St' refer says, rye are royal Priest
mood" II the word has an offensive
meaning, why did be use It to the church :
ING repugnance to the, word doubtless
S Mlses from the TACT that the Romish
Sn9tch uses II; were we to be governed
~ thn theory w would be compelled 10
discontinue the use Of the Apostle's Greed
anu many OF the most sublime and
GLORIOUS features Of our matchless service
IN relation 10 the resultant nower
Claimed by virtue Of The Hlavinpi or' ~
T Eaiu IN ordaining priests, ii the first
Epaue 70 Timothy, 4th chapter and 4th
verse, 81 Paul says: @Neelect moi the
snt that Is In thee, which was given thee
oPaecy, with the laying on oil hands
u t ne F5esbyteryp The expression used
IN he Prayer Book in the ordination n'S ~
pneSia-and which Mr.. Latsne aIinSs1 N
~ 40 ooPS}Seelionable-I win, quote: SWhoSe
Mns Ehou dest forgive they are forsiy van
and whose sins Thou riosf "a \. Z, ~ Ssyell,
retained" ! will answer INK ~ sS,, AZ
II Christ did not transmit tha .s ~ Wy sssing
guAge to Bis disciples II ~ sS aa.S !an-
supposed for o moment that I SaI l,ass oe
INC language to be construed 20 a. 4; t,v AM