Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-02-13
SUCH 1NTERcoa1MuN1oN IS NEITHER IN

SUCH lNTERCOMMUN1ONI Is NEITHER In
TERFERED WITH,
nor likely so to be. / regard this as one
form of the. practical recognition which
you seem to think is discountenanced by
''the Episcopal Church." Not the Episco-
pal Church, my good brother-her skirts
are clean.
THERE ARE INDEED CERTAIN EPIsCoPA-
how many [ know not-I wish there were
nOne-whose temperament inclines them
to exclusiveness, and whose harsh censuro
of those who differ from them equals the
cutlery of the craftsmen at Ephesus. But
these are not the Episcopal Church. They
speak without her sanction, and have no
power to enforce what they dictate Such
vehement and "imperious" vociferation
may be annoying nothing more. You
seem worn out by this din, and propose to
find relief by retiring from the enclosure
now common to both. would agree with
you, if they had essentially altered the enclo-
sure-changed it's ministrations so as to
forbid what we consider obligatory, OF en-
force what we deem sinful. Ii they had
power for all this, and had so used it, then
we could but suffer to death if need be, or
for conscience sake go out to live and labor
elsewhere. But no such transformation
has taken place. The venerable Church in
itself is, from cornerstone to the cross
Surmounted spire, the same from which at
an incalculable cost our fathers wrenched
the corrupt accretions, by which it had be-
come disfigured and defiled. The Services,
in which we engage, are the same simple
Scriptural Services by which their hearts
assembled to God in prayer and praise
The servants who minister are free to
oal, f1,n r1o1, ri Of
drance other than their own infirmitieS.-
The children are all free to take the Bread,
and drink the Water of Life. And shall
we leave this blessed home and relinquish
this precious heritage ? For what p
Whittier, and with whom ? No ! no lit is
all ours and unchanged!
LET THOSE WHO CovET CHANGE,
and are intent on innovations, who care
not of us, go out from us - but let those
who love the Church as it is, and because
it is what it is, who find refreshment and
strength in its Scriptural Services and
SacramentS, who prize it's Apostolic min
istry ard open Bible, abide in the enjoy
ment of these inestimable privileges, guard
them with jealous care, and transmit them
unimpaired to those, who are to come, and
so meet, as we may, our responsibility to
them and to the Great Head of the Church,
who has entrusted to ussuch incompatible
treasures.
This, my dear brother, is my clear con-
clusion, after careful consideration OF
the reasons you assign for your withdraw
al, not one of which, as far as l am capa-
BILE of judging,
FURNISHES ANY JUSTIFICATION OF YOUR
| You know how fully our Theological
views harmonise. also agree with you in
reference to grievances of which you com
| plain, though I think you over-estimate
their extent and power. That I regard
| you as mistaken as to the duty which these
grievances impose on the Clergy and Laity
of the Church, and as to the proper mode
of obtaining relief, the previous pages sui
ficiently disclose. You will believe me
when I assure you of the great reluctance
with which [ make to you this commune
cation in thas mode, but your letter in print
and published left me 10 choice.
| In what have thus written, there is,
| hope, not a word discordant with the fra.
ternal relations which have obtained since
our intercourse began, or to impair them
in the future.
The Scriptural example, which you ad.
duce to support your policy of withdrawal
readily accept, and fefVenJly nope IL WILL
have your entire conformity. Paul and
Barnabas had "sharp contention, :" and
they departed asunder one from the 9TH
er''-sought separate spheres Of service.
that ,gas all
| NEITHER OF THEM WITHDREW FROM TILL
| CHURCH.
If, however, you think you must make the
J experiment, trust you will only depart
I for a season, that we ''may receive you for
ever a brother beloved.'' And if my al
ready prolonged life is extended so far, you
/ will find me ready at the entrance, or r. 9TH
er Fastening, as fast as my tottering step.
will permit, to meet you, to accompany and
welcome you to your early home.
Then may | say, as did the aged Simeon.
''Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant de-
part in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy
SALVATION
| Meanwhile,
Yours truly.