Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-06-02
THE EPISCOPAL COUNCIL
Revision of the Praycr-Book.


The following are the resolutions
adopted by almost unanimous vote, 10y
he Episcopal Council of Virginia, al
! 5 recent session
The report of the committee TO whom
was referred yesterday the considera
lion of all resolutions looking tow ard
IeviSion Of the Prayer Book submitted
through Judge Shelley. The report is
declared 10 be not only unanimous. but
10 have received the endorsement OF
both the bishops of the diocese.
The committee to whom have hcen
referred various resolutions and propO-
Sitions CONNECTED with the office of in
stitution. and ALLEGED difficulties in
some of the offices of .he Prayer Book
have considered the same with a pro-
found sense of the responsible duty
devolved upon them. They are salts
fed that the formularies OF the church
Il respect To faith and worship, i'm
heir Just Interpretation, cmbody the
truth of Christ. are warranted 10y the
teaching Of Holy Scripture, aud are a
faithful following of the doctrines pro-
fessed and defended by the Anglican
lseforners. They cannot, however.
~luse their eyes 10 the fact that in some
.ew particulars the forms of words, in
The use oC which, taken in their an
c;eut sense, the Churcn as Il whole has
known no just cause of scruple for
more than three hundred years, has
uiven seeming occasion for perverSions
and false doctrine on one hand, and
Tor conscientious scruples of men of
ssudly conversation aud usefulness in
i. 4
and unity Of the church, with feeling
Of grateful recognition of the wisdom
and Just prudence of the Bishops adj
dress on this subject. viewed in the
light i'm which it was con-
ceived and dictated, and impressed 10y
considerations now developed in con-
nection with the statement and feel
iag of a number of brethren, beloved
and honored, whose scruples are emil
led 10 our most respectful considera-
iion. your committee have deemed IL
wise and most conducive TO the we'll
being of the church and the cause of
religion 10 recommend, aud they ac-
cordingly do recommend the adoption
by the Council of the following resolu-
tions:
Resolved That the Council of
The Diocese of Virginia gratefully ac-
,epts the declaration of the House OF
Bishops made in the year 1871, In re-
spect TO the office of baptism, as wise
step i'm the direction of peace and uni.
~ in the Church, and trusts that the
same may in due form be made author
i'ative.
.. That in Difference to scruples tie
respectful consideration of which in
tluced the authorities of the Church 10
allow freedom in respect to one of thu
clauses or articles OF the creed. and thu
emitting Of The sign of the cross in thu
Office of baptism (although, as the ru
brio declares, the Church knows m
worthy cause of scruple concerning
The same,) Il will be wise to ALLOW
freedom Of like kind in another par
of the side Office. And this council
doth declare that In their opinion j
would be consistent with the split q
the Church and of the Prayer Book
that 80. suggestion made on this poin
nv some of the most emineI friend
and opponents OF the Church shoui
he srried out and doth express 10
hone and earnest desire that liberty d
allowed, without change.i ia the text Q
lie office. 60 omit the phr8Eee ~ IN
pnst haptlsmal service ~ which Ia
wgfd "regenerate" occufs.