The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-23

| have no knowledge of my law bearing on
case al this kind, but the canons OF COM
mon sense would seem 10 require that I
take Che. position Of n0n-action in the mat
ter"
III. Sheppard, Esq, register, wrote me
that hesSsas instructed by the veStry or
Hamilton parish TO say In regard to my cir
cuiar.Iettef OF fhe 18th OF February, .stbat
after giving it that careful and respectful
consideration that ia due to anyscommuni--
cation from the Bishop OF the diocese, they
are constrained to decide that they ought
not to change the only t|o customs in the
parish condemned in your letter-viz., the
decoration Of the pulpit aud reading-desk
with cloths and book-marks OF one color
for some occasions and OF another color for
other occasions, and the introduction into
the church OF eyersrecns and flowers ut
Eas,er-the former having been custom
in-tbis parish for thirteen years, and the
latter for q much longer period"
I had no alternative, my dear brethren,
painful as the duty is to myself, and hu-
initiating AS the performance OF it IS to our
beloved Church, but to lay before sou the
documents which have read. / add not
word OF comment in regard to their spirit
or contents. They speak for themselves;
and they show that a great crisis has arisen
| III our ulOCCSP, aUu issuC pSCh
Joined, the result OF which may determine
the spiritual and Protestant or the worldly
and Romish character Of our Virginia
| Church for all time. They fully justify me
ut the bar OF my own Judgment and my
own conscience for doing what have done,
and couviDec me that the need for my &C
ton was ten times more pressing and i'm.
portant than I had supposed. And now
desire, in the first place, clearly to define
the position which [ occupy. | do not
claim, but utterly diSclaim and repu.
didte, the possession OF any underlined
or undesirable rights and powers as
inherent in my Office, and as belonging to
me in virtue Of that office. | do not claim
any authority 10 make or to bredc td,rS.
but acknowledge myself prominently
bound to be governed by ld,os Divine and
human, Of the Church and OF the State,
that, as in other respects, 40 in the matter
OF submission to the rightly au-
thorities, I may be 80 wholesome example
and pattern for the flock to follow" over
which, in the providence OF God, | have
been placed as the overseer. I claim no right
70 introduce any novelties Of doctrine or
ritual into the Church IN hia diocese to dis
turb the peace OF lis members. and | deny
any such right to every minister and YES
try, and especially to every private member
OF the same. On the other hand, trust l
an "rcady. with all faithful diligence, to
Danish and drive away from the Church all
erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to
Gods word, and both privately and openly
to call upon and encourage others 10 the
same" whether the 'crroueous and strange
doctrine" be taught from the pulpit or The
tchanccl, by word. or by ve>tments, dccora-
tons, signs, or symbols and in SO doing |
but exercise such discipline as by the az
thoriiy OF Gods Word and by the order
OF this Church is committed 10 me- In 4
word, il there is any duty imposed upon
me by my conservation VOWS, and which
NAV be demanded Of me by the ministers
and people Of this diocese, it is my duty to
keep out all innovations on our doctrine
and worship, and to leave The Protestant
Episcopal Church in Virginia tic same @io-
rious Church which I found it-Unchan%rd
in It's teaching, services. practices. and GER
emonics. THIS being the duty which | lin-
derstand my Office lays upon me. then dis
tinclly CLAIM that the Church las entrusted
to me the power and authority TO perform
that duty.
In the second place, having been, under
God, placed by YOU III Il fearful position OF
difficulty. and anxiety, and responsibility.
which none can understand but those who
have tried it, and in view OF which the
greatest OF the inspired Apostles nigh well
icyrIuin. ..Who is sufficient for these
things 2" think have the right to look
to Won, my dear brethren, for sympathy
and counsel and assistance. Ii, in your
Judgment, | nave done wrong, or made a
mistake by Willingly or unwittiugIy uSurp-
ina authority in what l have done, / earn
cstiy beg that you will say so. Then shall
understand that SO far as this Council Is
concerned | AN not expected TO be
the bishop or OrerSeer OF The churches
Of this diocese; that on my vista
tions ! am mere automaton 10
confirm, ordain, and conSccrate buildings:
that every minister. vc>try. or individual.
according TO their variouS views OF what IS
pretty, or appropriate, or edifyin@. may in
troluce into our worship whatever services
or ceremonies, or objects they please, con-
ycrting our houses OF prayer into concert
halls, exhibition rooms, Ronlish churches,
or hcathenish temples: and that il Is not
my duty and | have no authority to inter-
nose nv :! g0diy admonltion : ana my
:. cody judgment to prevent such Mno-
yationS But il, on the other hard, rs 40
not doubt for one moment i The case, you
hold that have simply performed plain
and imperative duty to Coo ana to you (not-
witliStandin. my action has been protested
and scorned and dcn0unccd), then. my dear
brethren. think | have Il right most re-
spccliuly to demand HAT you encourage
ard help me By such legislation as the case
may seem to you to require.
conclude with The prayer that in all
YOUR doiugs YOU may be directed with
Gods most gracious favor, and furthcred
with His continued help; that iii all your
works begun, continued, and ended In
Him. YOU may Gloriy His holy name, and
finally by His mercy obtain everlasting life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
COLONEL LAMB WANTS REPORT on TIE RiTU-
ALIsTlC INNOvArlONs.
Immediately upon the conclusion OF the
reading OF the Bishops address, Colonel
William Lamb, OF st. PauFS church. Nor
folk, moved that so much OF the Bishop ;
address rs refers to his pastoral letter and
riiuaiiStic tendencies be referred 10 COM
mittec OF eight cler"ymen ard seven lay
men for report.
ColonG! Lamb said he thought that Il there
was church in this diocese That was evan
gclical and low. that old ST. PauI'S church,
Norfolk, was that church, for at the close Of
every year it was customary TO have union
services, at which i Methodist friend, 4
Baptist brother. and L sterling CoTCnantcr
took part.
Colonel lamb was about 10 proceed fur
Their with his remarks, when the CHAIR in
tcrruvted him, and said although Il was
most painful for him 70 10 so, Yet lie was
r,nStriiupa To say he was out OF order,