Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-11
. the editor Of the A7erandril Gu.eite :.


Informed that an inhospitable rumor, at first
ascribed to the Richmond Enquirer, in fact
originated in your paper There are some
personal reasons why injustice fi"m Vir-
ginians to me is a wound in the house Of ones
friends. But take it Tor granted that you
are ready to do justice 10 all cases.
am informed that correspondent from
Charlottesville, during the session Of the late
Diocesan Council, wrote that "the Rev. DR..
Franklin, high rituaIist, preached on Sunday,
MAY 24th) in the Campbellite Church. !" |
must be the person referred to, as did preach
then and there, by Invitation OF the Rev. DIR.
| Hanckel, who asked others to preach on that
Sunday in several places OF worship, his own
church building being too small TO accommo
date the congregations.
The reputation OF being high riualist,'
or even ''ritualisI,' is sure to operate to the
injury of any clergyman in the Episcopal
Church. My recnrd does not entie me TO that
designation. In the last General Convention
opposed the proposed Canon against riluallsm
because thought it unwise and Inconsistent
with that serene patience aud justice which
should always characterize the Church OF
| CHRIST. We have suffered too much al
ready by repressive ecclesiastical Legislation.
Evils that the healthy action OF the spiritual
life in ''the Body of CHRISTI would correct
ctfrctualy if time were allowed, are only ag.
gravatcd by hasty treatment. Excitement,
under alarm, may spread and deepen, errors
and evils that left to themselves would either
pass away, or so develop that they could be
seen clearly, and safely removed
have spoken freely against what think the
dangers Of ritualism, and have published one
pamphlet, under my own signature, In which
showed the iaIiacy Of the argument upon
which is based the great error Of rituasm, viz ::
Eucharstic alteration But think it unworthy
the dignity and serenity, which belongs to the
Episcopal Church, to raise hue and cry
against set Of men, who, whatever their
theology, and however faulty their aesthetic
Judgment and taste, are doing what the rest OF
US have not been eminent for, In preaching the
Gospel to the poor.
1t is possible that this whole party may be
upon injecting the Episcopal Church. so that
medieval error and corruption. Whoever thinks
this will of course, treat them as traitors, and
charge all with disloyalty who do not "go their
length" Such injustice, they who love the
Church and are not afraid to trust her, have
long been familiar with. But the spirit of
party happily docs not long prevail, and they
must be content and wait, whose good is evil
spoken Of
The Episcopal Church holds position which
exposes her to danger on two sides. Her pro-
testantism may lead some Of her members to
forget that she is not human organization, but
o vcritable life bearing out growth Of The
Church which is His Body, 'Thc Vine which
His right hand hath planted" ''The King
dom" established by CHRIST and sent iuto
the world fully organized, endued with His
continual presence, and assured Of protection
against all foes to the last. Her Cathollclty
may, on the other side, tempt Others in their
longing for unity, to undcrrate the Waterfalls
tic theology and idoatrous practices OF me-
diH7alism.
Surely there is room 10 the Church for those
who, equally watchiul against both extremes,
are not over hasty 10 passing Judgment on their
brethren. Is. FRANKLIN.
The following is what appeared in the GA
zctte, telcgraphcd from Charlottesville, aud is
the only reference made by our correspondent
to Mr. f.:
''Rev. Mr.. Franklin, who is rltuaiist, will
preach on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost IN
the Church of the Disci ples and it is the de-
sire Of the congregation that he shall express
his own views, doctrines and sentiments as full
ly as he would do in his own pull pit. The Dis
ciples or CaInpbctes are branch OF the
Baptiss.