, 1874-02-15

s. Invocation followed by the LorIs pray III " 1c
ALL joinl, tho Rev. ". H. Beecher.
| {"IIow did my heart rejoice to hear.m
&. Responsive Scripture readinga BY pastor and peo
9. prayer, by the Rev. E. J. doodspeed, .. D.
8. Sermon, by ~ lie pastor, % t6e Rev. E. r GOODWIN.
g. Dedicato1y prayer, BY the Rsv. w. Patton, D.
49, " {.:'aorioua things Of thea are spoken.
| II. Benedictiou.
REFORMED EPISCOPAL.
The withdrawal Of the Rev. ]. 4. Latanc, 81
Episcopal Rector at Wheeling, y. Va, from th'
Protestant Episcopal Church, has caused 02uci
discussion and widespread interest. Ho pub
iehed in the Southern Chmchndn, not lone
I since, long letter to Bishop Johns, giving hi
reasons for Withdrawal which were placed unde1
| tour beads, IS follows:
first-The unhappy division Of tho Church int
what are known Us the High Church aud the Low
Church it now is is army With two banners; JUS
titcation By the inscribed the onc, atd
Justification by fifth the other. This division is
be believes. one that cannot be healed
second-The countenanee apparently given BY Ger.
tain expressions in the Prayer-book TO those erro
neoua and strange doctrines contrary to Gods Word
These doctrines pertain to the eects Of baptam, tc
the nature OF the Lords Supper, and to the office ol
generation, and give countenance to the notion Of
priesthood in the Church and of sacrihca In the
Lords Supper, which teaching aud implication DR..
L2taue believes to he unsoriptural.
Third-The absolute impossihity Of getting rid ot
those objectionable expressions IN the services Of the
prayer-book 1t is remarked here tina. the expression
"ahsoute 1mposethity is used nirisedly and the
writer alleges that he ia inhabited for s to BAhop
Potter, pf New York.
Fourth The attitude in which the Episcopal Church
stands in the present day to other Protestant churches
Anusion a thus made to the theory Of Apostolic sue.
eeaaon which tho writer be has faithfully sought
to bring to the test Of Scripture with result over
whalmingy unfayorabls to TINT theory. There is =
long argument Oh this point. Dr.. 1atane then speaks
Of the patience and pasaiveness Of the Low Church
membership under thelr trials and expreszes the earn
est belief TINT further contest Wltha the Church IL
useless and ought to be ended. Tho only remedy is
separation. He then remarks that the Reformed
! 'Eptscopal Church as organized BY Bishop Cumnna
and others meets his views Of scrDurnl Church. be-
!. It plants itself firmly OIL tho Word Of God. as tho
sole rule Of faith aud practics-
z. It adopts scriptural Liturgy in which couu-
eunuce ia given to tbs Rois doctrines in regBrd to
it allows Christian liberty in the use Of that liturgy
3. It retains Episcopacy, not - Divine right but
arnmcnt
And l. It recognizes as Christian brethren all who
love our Lord Jesus Christ III sincerity and sister
churches all the protestant churches that hold the
faith once delivered to the saints.
The letter concludes with an appeal to the
brethren Of Virginia, and d prediction Of a
brilliant future for the new Church, Tho
Southern ChurchnaQn, the Church and Saate, tie
speak in the highest terms Of the letter, which
was published Feb. 2.
The Wheeling Intellgencer Of Feb II con-
tains m elaborate reply from Bishop Johus, who
p!slnly admits NIL his fullest It, sympathy With TIE
Withdrawal ffom the Church is rise. The
Bishops letter is sexpressed in the most courteous
and chf1stianiikc terms. He says:
thankfully regarded you as one whom. in my
ago and lnhrn1tes, could rely to aid III stcadying
91aV1 1xrE ofta
This am sure you perceived, and in some de-
gree understand the shock and which your an
nouncement has caused.
You need not, my dear brother, apprehend any un-
generous construction of your motives in taking this
serious step. For our brethren In Virginia,
consc1endonsness however decidedly they may dsal-
low the reasons you assign for ayiug the Episcopal
Church, and regard 1t Is causelcss separation.
He then reiterates = portion Of Mr. Latanea
letter, and controverts especially nis statement
that the prayer-book cannot be altered within
the Protestant Episcopal Church. With regard
to the tendencies Of tho Episcopal Church,
Bishop Johns says:
You think the drift is decidedly towards the high
latudes md the current strong thst the result il
inevitable that tho bearing Of legislation increxs
ingy in that direction, and has already progressed 20
tain Canous Minister Of the Epiacopol Church can
now, BY any cc.al act recognise any other Pro
as lawful ministers.
I am not aware Of any auch advance in legislation
4s you describe.
There are indeed certain Episcopalians-how many
know not-I wish there wese none-wlose tempera-
ent nclinea them to excluairencss, and whose harsh
eensnre Of those Who dgas from them equas the
CRY Of the craftsmen at EpheBuR But these are not
the Episcopal Church They speak without her sanc-
ion and have no power to enforce what they dictute
annoying-nothing moro. You seem worn out BY this
din, and propose to find relief bJ retiring from the
a nov issR 'bsR to so oad
the incosure = changrd It's rntnistrations 50
as 10 forbid what We consider obligatory or enforce
what re deem sinful II they Ind power for all this.
and had 90 used it, then We cod but suffer to death
need Be, OF for conscience's ke 60 out to 1--we AMI
1abor elsewhere But no such trantormahon has
cornerstone to the crosssurmonased spire the same
from which 1t incalcu1able cost our fathers
rsnehsa the eGnpt p as1ona al By which It had
We engage ara the same simple s1iptural services by
which their hearts ascended 10 God in prayer and
praise The servants who minister fres to preach
the glorious Gospel-no let or hindrance other
than their own infr1nttiea The children
are y ,nee to 1;1 tske tho Bread and drink
this blessed home and relnquish this precious hert-
tage7 For what7 Whittier, and with whom? mol |
co7et change, and are intent innovations who '.are
not Of ua, out from but let those who love the
Church It is and because it IL what it is who find
refeshnent and strength in its scriptursl services
and sac1atnents who prize Its Apostolic ministry and
open Bible abide in the enjoyment Of these inesS1ua
bic privileges, guard them with jealous cure, and
md 50 meet, as naS responsibility to them and
the Greet Head Of the Church. who has intruscd to
Is such Incompatible treasures.
You know how fully our theological views hsr1no-
lize also agree with you in reference to grievances
II which 3ou complain, though think you oyer-estl-
uste their extent and power. That regard you a.
mistaken a. to the duty which these grievances i'm
1850 on the clergy aud lay Of the Church. aud as to
he proper mode Of obtaining relief, the previous
ages sufficiently disclose. You will believe me, when
assure you Of tho great reluctance with which I |
make to you this communication IN this mode, but
our letter in print and publahed left choice.
Reformed Episcopallans are in high spirits
yer the improved and cheering aspect Of their
urure.
An exchange says: t
Bishop Cheney, Of the Reformed Episcopal Church,
lille in st. Louis stated that the Rev. Stephen H.
yng Is in strong sympathy with the L. E. Church
The reason given why he has not publicly
vowed hts principles is that his congregation Is at
resent building church, which. when finished, will
,st upward OF 900, and will hold fully 200 pco-
e the building is in the course Of construction,
ID the church is purposey built for him to preach
, he holds back the announcement OF his views, be-
use when the tact that be cannot preach IN the new
lurch becomes known, it will at once put stop 70
e work, leaving the congregation in ~ unsettled |
ndidon. The Dlahop gave, az proof Of the earnest
.ss with which 1r. Tying had entered into the spirit
the movement TINT several consultations which took
previous to the first public meeting were held in
efy1Ay AVID