Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-29


Holy Scripture. and are faithful follow !
ing Of the doctrines professed and defend I
ed by the Anglican Reformers. They can
not, however, close their eyes TO the Iact I
THAT in some few particulars the form or I
words, in the use of which, taken IN their |
ancient sense, the Church as Whole has
known no just cause of scruple. for more
than three hundred years, has gwen seem
ing occasion for perversions and raise doc-
trine on the one hand, and for consclen-
tiouS scruples of men of godly converse
ton and usefulness in the Church on the
other and with an earnest desire and
prayer for the peace and unity OF the
Church, with feeling Of grateful recognl--
tion of the wisdom and just prudence OF
the Bis. ops address on this subject, view
ed in the light in which it was conceived
and directed, and impressed by consldera-
tions now developed in connection with the
state of sentiment and feeling OF NUMBER
of brethren, beloved and honored, whose
scruples are entitled to our most respectful
consideration. your committee have deem
ed it wise and most conducive to the we'll
being of the Church and the cause OF re-
igion to recommend, and they according
" do recommend, the adoption by the
Council of the following resolutions:
/. Resolued, That the Council OF the Di-
Geese of Virginia.gratefully accepts the de-
elaration of the House of Bishops made in
the year 1871, in respect toithe office OF bap--
tism. as a wise step in the direction of
peace and unity in the Church, and trusts
that the same may in due form be made
authoritative.
2. That in Difference to scruples, the re-
spectful consideration of which induced
the authorities of the Church to allow free
dom in respect to one OF the clauses or
articles Of the creed, and the emitting OF
the sign of the cross in the Office of baptism
(although, as the rubric declares, the Church
knows no worthy cause OF scruple concern
ing the same), it will be wise to allow free
dom of like kind in another part OF the
said office. And this Council doth declare
that in their opinion it would be consis-
tent with the spirit of the Church and of
the Prayer Book that the suggestion made
ON this point by some Of the most eminent
friends and opponents of the Church should
be carried out and doth express the hope
and earnest desire that liberty be allowed,
without change in the text Of the office, to
omit the phrases in the post baptismal ser
vice in which the word "regenerate'
occurs.
3. That in view of the action of the
Council in approving the report Of the COM
mittee Of thirteen on rtualism and the
Office of institution at it's present session,
cAAO
General Convention shall adopt the sugges-
tions Of this Council on the subject of rit-
| ualism, the Objectionable phrases in the
office Of institution must lose in great
| measure the false significance attributed to
| them, and must, as a consequence of such
action, be ultimately corrected, it is mex
| pedient at this time to make any further
recommendation in respect to said office. .
| 4. That in order to secure the success of
! the great measures of relief herein before
referred to, and in Difference to the Opin-
| ions Of those who shrink from the sugges-
| tion Of alterations of the Prayer Book,
justly endeared to the best affections and
most sacred associat ions of the children of
the Church, it is declared to be ineXpedi-
emit at this time to make any recommends
lions in respect to the additional matters
referred to the committee.
| 5. That in the existing critical emergen-
| cy pressing upon the Church it is the duty
of true and conservative churchmen to
| draw near to each other Gin the unity of
the faith and in the bond OF peace, :" and in
the spirit of concession and love to yield
much to each other as to matters of mere
expediency-as to "things in their nature
Indifferent and alterable-so as, however,
the frame and order Of the Church be still
continuing firm and unshaken'; and the
|
willingly to follow the rule of the Church
| herself, as set forth in the preface of the
Book of Common Prayer; that is, "to do
| that which, according to her best under
standing, may most tend to the preserva-
| ton of the peace and unity of the Church ;
| the procuring of reverence, and the excit-
| ing of piety and devotion in the worship of
| God; and finally the cutting off occasion
| from those that seek occasion of cavil OF
quarrel against her liturgy; and so, as
| brethren OF a common faith, to work to-
gether to save the beloved Church of their
fathers both from schism and from Rome.
Mr.. McKim said h rejoiced in the spi-
! rit of the resolutions. He said that he
never believed the Prayer Book contained
Romanizing germs, but it did contain four
or five expressions that might be wrested
| to error. He said he should vote heartily
| for the resolutions reported by the COM
mittee, and appealed to the Council for a
unity of all differences of opinion. There
could be no cause for separation, and we
should always remember that those who
differ with us are as sincere as ourselves.
Captain Sale congratulated the Council
on SO satisfactory an end of the discus
sion.
REV. GEORGE T. WILMER, OF WILLIAMS
BURG,
offered as substitute resolu ton
declaring that revision of the
Prayer Book at this time was not
desirable. He said in support of his reso-
luton, that it was impossible in the pres
ent condition of the public mind, with so
many shades of opinion in the Church, to
make any alteration that would suit ALL
These opinions were tolerated in the
Church, and any attempt to bring them in
line, would do more harm than good. We
should be willing for time, to say moth
ing, rather than to say anything that
would only produce trouble. AS for him
self, he would not put his own interpreta-
ton OH any part of the Prayer Book, and
require others to adopt it. AS long as
his communicates stood on the platform,
and within the Catholic limits, of the
Thirty-nine Articles, the Creed, and the
Ten Commandments, they were entitled to
their opinion in other matters. Some of
the speakers had spoken of pruning the
tree. Let them beware that while they
are pruning they do not saw off the limb
the close of DR.. Winners remarks there
were loud cries of 'sQuestion.'
Major Green-I hope debate is not to be
cut Off on SO m0mentous a question.
Loud and general cries of question"
The reading of the Committees resolu-
tions was called for, and Judge Shelley
commenced the reading.
General Bradley Johnson-Will Judge
Shelley omit the preamble and read the
resolutions only, they are what we are to
vote on.
Many Voices-Read it all.
Judge Sheffey then proceeded with the
reading. and at its conclusion the cries of
question" were renewed, Bishop Whit
tie, in the chair, using the gavel vigo-
rously.
don't mt know yvV what the question is. W.
Bishop Whittle, lin the chair, still using
the gavel, )-lf DR.. Woodbridge will keep