New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07

part OF public the attitude OF the non Epsoo
Church did In former days exhibit "a more cathohc anu
Christian spirit than she does at present Is OF concern W
EpScopalians hut is certainly OF verv litte moment 10
other and much larger denominations; ana whafveI
NAV he the result OF this argument on SIDE issue, We
Presbyterans shan continue 10 rest our church poy
the solid foundations OF the uDerrnS ana uhc'ise
able Word r. r. b.
PROF FISHERS REPLY TO DR.. THOMPSON.
ATTITUDE OF TIE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TOWARD
THE MINISTERS OF OTHER CHURCHEs-FoRaU-
LARIEs TO BE INTERPRETED BY TIE LIGHT OF
TIE OPINIONS AND PRACTICE OF EMINENT MEN
TO the Editor OF The Trtb~ne
SIR: II is no new thing for the adherents OF
religious party 10 atter themselves that, order to
understand history 1t is necessary to stand within ther
illuminated circle. When Dr. Thompson talks az II there
were a deep mystery in the English Reformation, which
only who adopt his notions of apostolic succession
are competent 10 athom, he simply INDUCES In kind
OF assumption which historical scholars are famliar
with and know how 10 estimate at its proper worth
That the Refomers sought not TO extngush hut 10 reno
waite the Church. that the Gospel was planted among the
saxons the monk Augustine and that there was an
old British Christianity OF still earlier date, are not
facts abstruse nature as to he hidden from the
eyes of all except coterie of High Church Episco-
paians might feel surprise that any one should cavil
at the of the founders, as applied to those
who effected the Protestant revolution in England, had
the Bishop OF Exeter in his controversy with Lord
Macaulay, himself churchman, given an example OF
the same sort OF minute criticism.
Dr. Thompson mixes up several questions whichioueht
10 be kept distinct. one question is. What is
and has been the attitude Of the Chnrch OF England
toward other Protestant churches and their mihsuy
Another question is What QUALIFICATIONS dld he Cnu'cn
OF England prior 1661 consider indispensable for s
ministry third question Is, What qnallneations
does the Church Of England since that epoch require
In its own ministers But ! do not design 10 pr0long
this discussion in your columns Those OF your readers
who will take the trouble to peruse an article IN the
forthcoming january number OF The Neo Ehgiander
on this subject will find venture to think, good
reasons for believing that the opinions and practice on
the men who composed the formularles OF the
Church OF England and OF its foremost bishops ara
divnes entitled consideration in interpreting
those formularies also that prior 10 1901 Episcopal
| ministers admitted 10 spiritual benches IN
lend no countenance 70 the doctrine Of the exclusive
sanctty Of Epscopacy hut are drawn mp on inc teoy
that each church has the Christian right TO shape lts
polity and ceremonies for itself; and. finally, that
neither the Articles the ordiual. notwithstanding
oa' kIiscoRdTi s S6a rdeps nj the non Fnisconal
| churches. On this last point permit me 70 present
brief extract from Letter the present Archbishop OF
Canterbury to the Bishop of Argyll written in March
That many will dislike your Of "e APOSTOLIC Succession
members c6urel Of England q Sg 'ee; Of our bet
dvBes 23d Of 80 Article and Of To- Preface Of the orLs
to protest sgs unchanab vel as mate
Gods gruce compaTstyey Christians and denies
| that grace work IN churches non lscoGaL
The views the Bishop of Argyll. which are here re-
ferred to with appreciation may be learned from the
| following extract:
Nstenssc views Of Christianity not confined to eonep;ons Of
esptcos Of The ministry wbci convey, them mqteue
ofhe power Of Christian hes the root Of
fit soil Of which the uaessc 81 the Nacrsmens
spring 1t considered by that une The ministry GcHel by
hereditary from the Apostles 10. vad
II from this that tho,e believing hold that some
edged ali hands that the faith Gas IS called mas MOI
| down uninterrupted for we ray that ~ the
ceon then needed m't be because If supposed TO convey
And straits does
conception lead It's hode lest t' have not lest the
succession should have been broken @ me chafcA Wc Evt ~ 1
hoers thereby emes~uae the virus
Surely life only knowledge Of the
tIa's spd ,hs s@nI I % @.' u" rb cc"Soes
greatly with the accidents of beng aIr Ia sub
something objects Of and the light
which is IN danger Of being changed 70 oaIkue Pitsg Day
PaUers On the Relation Of Knowledge and Salvation Is IL 49,
10 is gratifying 70 learn from high an auinorty as
the Archbishop OF Canterbury tina, the liberal lntepre
tatiOn formularies the Church Of England, &C
cordng to which disUara cement is east by them upon
tho ministry OF othsr pFote.tant churches, Is adopted
by overwhelming majority " OF the members OF the
Anglican Church must leave the discussion here, and
refer those who seek TO eXor narrower sense from
these formulares TO the Prlmate OF England ana the
| formidable array OF his supporters
One OF your anonymous correspondents would have
had better right TO sign himself VeIta,, II ne had not
garbed PRAYER and conditions Of men,
by stopping the world unity where there Is not
comma. III ne Will apply 20 some competent
scholar in his Church, he VIII ascertain that TINS frdNcT,
written by DR. Peter Cunning, Is Moheled on the more
ancient Prayer III the Communion service, where Inc
phrase all those who do confess Thy Holy Name
he will look a little further in the communion service,
he will find the my sticai body OF The son defined a.
the blessed company of all faithful people
Yale college Dec. 50. 1873. GEORGE p. FISHER.