The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-06-20
Letter from, Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, June TIN, 1914
Our daily papers will already have given your
readers some idea Of the disputatien, by cores
pondence, which has been going on here between
Rev. ]. E. Cathel rector of the Church Of the
Ascension, Lafayette Square, and Rev. Doctor
Hodges of st. PauPs N. Charles street, both OF
the Episcopalian order. Rev. Mr.. Cathell holds,
it seems, to the low church doctrines, and opposes
ritualism. In his discourse, few Sabbaths ago,
he found especial fault with the doctrine or dog
ma-ritualistic-taught in st. Paul's, st. Luke's
and Mount Calvary Churches, considering them
heretical and pernicious; also that he would as
soon have his people 60 to the Cathedral or at
tend Sunday concerts as such services. He was,
indeed, unsparing in his denuncations, consider
ing those churches of the Episcopal denomina-
ton, which taught ritualism, adhering closely
thereto and other dogmas OF corresponding
character, but mere step from actual Romlsh
Catholicism. AS matter Of course, rectors there
of did not rest easy under these denunciations
and hence the correspondence between DR.. Hodges,
high churchman, and Mr.. Cathell, which has
caused, and is causing, so much excitement just
now in church circles. The matter is one of
general discussion and conversation.
There is scarcely a doubt that Mr.. Cathell will
be cited for trial. on charges of heresy before the
Episcopal Convention at its next session. Arch
bishop Nottingham, who, believe, is rather in
cliued himself toward low churchism, has thus
far taken no official action in the matter. Rev.
Mr. Cathell, therefore, continues to hold forth as
rector of his congregation, though Extensively to
those of his parish who dissent from his views as
publicly expressed.
The matter must be finally adjusted one way
or the other, and those against whom such de-
nunciations were made, vindicated, or Mr.. Cath
ell be held to severe accountability.
Now for my own part, not being church
member of any kind, but firm believer in
morality, holding it duty to do all the good we
can and as little harm as possible, whether in or
out of church, on Sunday and other days, re-
gardess of all creeds, dogmas or professions, |
must say regret to see this unsavory disputation
among my Christian brethren. 1t sets bad ex-
ample in the too free of unkindly epithets and
| feelings upon the part of men clothed with holy
orders-men Of God-to whom persons less sane
titled requiring their precept and example, are
accustomed to look for pious advice and inslruc-
ton Il our preachers Or Failing unKind-
| ness and unchrlStlan propensties about mere
| tr6es what are we, who place ourselves in their
keeping for holy instructions, including charity,
kindness, benev0lence, forbearance and all else
COMFORTING with true Goodness, to think The
question naturally arises, are such oracles proper
exempars for confding congregation or people ?
If the head of the church goes astray by violating
| principles he condemns in others and habituaily
| breaches against, may it not be natural to lose
| both faith and confidence in him. If ministers
of the Gospel cannot refrain frem exhibiting car
| nal-mindedness, petulancy and bitter disputa-
tiousness, what sort of cheek must they have to
| stand up before their congregations, or parish
toner's and ask them to eschew all such sinful
ness This can only be excused upon the princi-
pie of the old adage, Don't do as do, but do
as tell you )" or by accrediting to human ma
ture generally those common frailties which de-
scended upon it on account of mother Ewes too
great fondness for apples at that far-back period
in history when snakes were wonderfully begul-
ing.
1t is not for me to lecture these reverend gen.
tlemen for their indiscreton and the bad exam
pie they have set in, as think, unnecessarily
quarrelling about mere trihes, but at the same
time no harm cali be done, if an independent
thinker and close observer of human events as
serts as his own opinion that their quarrel looks
very silly to sensible people accustomed to weigh
things in the balance of sober Judgment.
have always been liberal and am earnestly in
favor of all denominations whose adherants hon
estly believe they are right, regardless Of NAME
sect creed or dogma. They each do their portion
Of good in giving US better governed, better
regulated world than we could have without
them. There is but one heaven, one grand OBJ
jective point in the undeveloped future attractive
to the righteous. If we live soberly, properly,
lawfully circumspectly here and attain that here
after, it makes little difference which road we
travel. The ultimatum must be about the same
The architect of His universe seems to have con-
templated variety, or dissimilarity in producing
it without consultation. No two things animate
or inanmate are alike to our visual orbs, yet ALL
taken as whole, harmonic. Rivulets, streams
rivers, though they run ia different directions,
all finally concentrate in the mighty ocean. So
may it be-so, indeed, does it seem designed to
be-that whilst men and women worship God
under different names and in different ways, yet
let US hope their immortal souls will, in the full
ness Of time, mingle happily, purified and ran
somed in that bright abode Of everlasting rest -
This is charity and think it is common SEES.
What difference does il make to spirit in heaven
whether the frail tenement it inhabited upon
earth attended high church or low church, was
Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist Luh-
eran, Unitarian or what not, so that it reaches
49, L a. "a, h. iitaal "a L oh hle
by bad feeling may be exposed
This advice is offered gratutously and for cler-
gymen as we'll as others to profit by. If minis.
tiers expect people to have faith and confidence in
them--two great essentials they must not quar-
rel among themselves. If clergyman accepts
orders and membership of a particular denomina-
ton, he should either stick to il or withdraw en-
trey, leaving its dogmas and doctrines as he
found and agreed to support them AS an in
dependent writer and correspondent have cho-
sen to say this much, hoping it may strike in the
right place and outwork good by causing greater
harmony and unity among even those distinguish
ed by reverend robiRgs. Our Baltimore journals
have not had spirit enough to critcise the cler-
cal correspondence above noticed
There is nothing fresh or new in political
movements. There is no doubt whatever that
Hon. Thos. Swami and Hon. Robt McLaue will
be contestants for the Democratic nomination in
the Sd Congressional district The long purse,
think, is most likely to triumph Hon. Mr.
U Bren, present incumbent fully expects to be
taken up again in the second district He how
ever, will have opposition. There is very little
force in or about him
The Inauguration of our new City Hall, which
takes place 18th OF next September, will be very
grand and imposing affair. The entire military,
the Masons, Odd Fellows, fremen and all civic
and other associations are to turn out Many
distinguished guests are expected from other cities
Work is now rapidly progressing on the building
and 1t is likely to be fully finished at that time
Our markets are completely glutted with straw
berries which sell at very low prices Other fruits
and vegetables are also in great abundance
Most OF the schools and literary institutions
Will have their commeucements this and next
week, Tor the summer vacation. The courts will
also soon adjourn.
The new Holiday street theatre is rapidly ap.
preaching completion. Ford expects to open it
in August or September with irst-re tie company
The Acadamy of Music, on Howard street,
magnificent structure, is nearly finished and will
be opened this fall in grand style
We have had very pleasant weather for week
past.
Considerable havoc is being made among the
dogs found running at large. Tell your country
men to look out and not bring their favorites to
town. NEsToR.
letter from W0Sht10tOn.