The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-19
claims the Prayer-book. aud the Prayer.

remedy ia separation.
Another difficulty tbst for days kept
me undecided was the feeling that, 10
such a matter, there ought to be con-
cert OF action on the part OF the Low
Church party. But the question was.
how Was this TO b. brought about2 |
have never entered into any secret or
gsnizstiou, have never taken part 10
any secret caucus. and especially in this
matter have felt that whatever wac
done ought to be done openly before
the Church and in the broad light OF
day. For this reason, . secret meeting
to secure concert oi action was out OF
question. Ga the other hand, . public
meeting was, for obvious reasons, ims
practicable. 1.-The meeting we're called
tor the avowed purpose OF consideripg
the question OF leaving the church, those
whose minds were made up to take the
step could no, hons.,ly take part in such
. meeting. And il it were called for
the avowed purpose OF efiecting a sep.
srstion, those whose minds were not
made up to that step. would hopelessly
compromi their position 10 the
Church by attending such meeting.
And for still more obvious reasons, no
Convention or Council OF any Diocese
could be expected to take action in the
mater until il had come 10 be more dis.
cussed, more considered and better un-
deretood. Therefore as soon a. my
mind was positively made up, iel
that the only course for me 10 pursue
was to lay down 1t once my Office in
the Church, take my position distinctly
outside OF the Church. and from thai
position say whatever had TO say in
justification or explanation oI the step.
Under these circumstances and Tor
these principal reasons, have felt it
my duty 10 withdraw from the Protes-
tsnt Episcopal Church. In taking the
step | may truly say do it by faith
for 60 out almost literally not kuow-
ing whittier ] 60. or who. il any. OF my
friends so with me. The reformed
Episcopal Cuurcb, as organized by
Bishop Cupmins and Others, meets en-
tirely my views Of q Scriptural Church
|. it plants itself firmly on the word
OF God, as the cole rule OF faith and
practice.
= 1t adopts scriptuTal liturgy in which
no countenance is given TO the Romlsh
doctrines 10 regard TO Baptism, aud the
Lords Supper, and the Ministry. aud IL
allows christian liberty In the use o'
that Liturgy.
3. 1t retsins 'Episcopac,. not as OF
Divine right, but a. very ancient and
desirable form oi church government.
4. 1t recognizes as christian brethren
all who love our Lord Jssua Christ 10
sincerity, and as sler chuycbesall the
Protestant churches tbA hold The iAi,h
once delivered 10 othAS1ats.
But though ibis Church commendr
itself entirety 10 my judgment and my
affections, shall wait to connect my
self formerly with il until see whst
my brethren in the Church OF
Virginia and West Virginia will
do In the matter. | know that there
are many oi them. who have long been
distressed and burdened on account OF
those Romish innovations in doctrine
aod usage which are fast undermining
the Protestant character OF the Church.
VINO have Ionged to see those expres-
SONS in the Prayer-book which give
couutenance to such things stricken out
or altered, and who. almost Departing
OF any reformation 10 the Church. must
now be anxiouslv considering their
duty IN regard TO this movement for
a Reformed Church. And l canuot
help remembering and dwelling upoa
the thought. that the Church in the
Dioctse OF Virginia occupies to-day, in
the Providence OF God, not only
Q peculiar position, but one OF pecu'
liar responsibility. As yet. by Gods
grace and happily for her she has been
able to keep back from her own borders
the rising tide OF komish error, and 10
maintain her Pfotestaot and ScriptnrsI
faith, as no other Diocese In the land
has began to do; and now with three
Cody Bishops (yourselI and Bishop
Whi,tle and Bishop Psyne) within her
limits. and Q band OF true men 10 the
ranks OF her clergy and her lAity. she
Is 8 church complsts 10 herseli, and
can e. ter on this needed work OF reform
as no other part Of the church IN Eng
land or this country can. Let her un.
dertake u, and none dare question her
right TO do so--iet her consummale il.
and none dare impugn the validity OF
her acton sod no living mas can fore
tell the great work which under God,
she may thereby accomplish
lor Him and His causs 10 the earth.
And honestly believe. If oil ibs feet,
OF the case and all the dangers Of her
longer connection with the ProisstaLt
Episcopal Church in the United States
ss e. present constituted, could be laid
before The minds OF her people; and n
lair representation OF their sentiments
be hal. that nine.tenths OF her laily
srd two-tbirds u her clerg, would b.
found uoiting Their voices 10 one glsi
shout:-Lst Us end this discord 10 the
Church-let us separate from thee,
with whom We cannot dwell in peace
let rs stop this tampericg .ith our con-
yictions OF truth and duty is the u,e oi
expressions which daogerously de-
celye human souls-let us throw
down from the walls OF our
Zion these eoyens and hiding places
tor Romish errors. and ritualistic ssc-
ri6css, and pr,estly confessions and ab-
solutiops-sud let 40 zee our church,
with her old bulWsrks srd her old
towers, standing again 10 her right'u'
place, in the very centre OF Protestant
ChTistendom.
A Reformed Episcopal Church, TINS
insugursted, would attract 10 itseli.
sooner or later, all the elements OF Prot
estsn,ism 10 the present Episcopsl
Church. 1t would command. at oncs.