The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-06-03

ant Episcopal Church OF the Diocese OF
Virginia" The question raised by the
Bishops letter Of 'godly admOnition' to
Rev. J. G.. Armstrong aud vestry Of the
Monumental Church, Richmond, and to
other churches, f%orbidding the use Of al.
tor cloths, flowers, &C., occupies a con.
spicuous place in the proceedings Of the
Council. The decision Of the Council
overwhelmingly sustainingt the Bishop has
been already given to the readers of the
ISTELLlGEScER, but it will be interesting
to many readers to make some further ref
erence to the details Of the case US given
ia the published report in the Ciurcaman.
The Bishop shOwSwhy he addressed his
letter to the churches. 1t was not in pur-
suance not only olhis authority and duty
asa Bishop, but also in pursuance Of the
action Of the Council Of 1871, by which
what he said at that time in condemnation
Of floral exhibitions, altar cloths, &c.
in the churches, had been approved by
the ordering OF 700 copies OF his address
to be printed. In that address he said:
"These things, %unimportant in them.
selves, are parts Of a system-a system Of
doctrine and practice not sanctioned by
the worfot God, which was utterly repu.
liated BY our church at the Reformation,
and which is held in adherence by a
large majority OF the ministers and peo-
pie Of this diocese. These things are u
novelty in Virginia, not having been
known at a time within the memory OF
the youngest OF MS, and are seriously dis.
turbing the peace and unity of some Of
our congregations. earnestly and low.
ingly implOre my dear brethren, the min
listers and ~vestrics OF this diocese, and il
have any authority in the premises, ] do
more than implorc them, for the sake OF
truth and peace, not to introduce them.
selves, o to allow Others 10 introduce,
into our churches the things which have
mentioned, or any like things. Ritualism
and ROmanism have grown up little by
little; and il We would preserve the wor.
ship and doctrine Of our beloved church
unchanged, we must resist every innova-
ton"
1t seems that a letter Of Bishop White
TO Rev. Mr.. Armstrong; church, calling
attention to the iniractions OF the rules
and customs Of the church by said church
in respect to o~rnamentation &c, drew out
from Rev. Mr.. A and his vestry the fol-
lowing protest:
THE usages and customs which formed
the reason for your communication have
been in practice in the Monumental church
for many years, and only at those periods
OF the ecclesiastical year which are reCog-
nized in the Book OF Common PRAYER,
chiefly dcnOting the birth and resurrection
Of our blessed Lord.
"Since the death Of DR.. Woodbridge
the present rector has not deemed it neces.
sary to make any change in the usages he
found had existed Tor so many years be-
fore, aud, 50 far as he and the yestrv are
advised, we are not prepared to admit the
authority OF the Bishop or the Council Of
the Church OF this diocese to forbid the
practice OF the usages and customs under
consideration.
81 while We thus express our cOnviC-
ton, and with the most respectful and
Christian feeling towards our esteemed
Bishop, and the desire TO repudiate any,
thing like u refractory spirit, we must con.
cllde our letter by Consenting, under solemn
protest, to carry out his wishes, as EXPRESS.
ed in his letter Of the l4th inst, with the
additional assurance that nor, as heretofore.
we have had but a single eye to the glory
otGOd and the good Of our fellow.men in
all We have done in His most holy Catho
lie Church"
Bishop White stated in his address to
the late council that in addition to this
protest, Rev. Mr.. Armstrong had sent him
the following separate paper;
81 desire, also, to assert, in both my
personal and official character, what, as
one OF the members OF the vestry, l have
united with that body in asserting, to wit:
my dissent from the position involved in
Your letter, that a Bishop OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States has
the right to legislate upon the questions ut
issue. Such q right is not in C~ongruity
with the governmental economy Of this
church. 9 >
"And while, according to nv vow of or
iinaton TO the priesthood, | have no dis
position but 'reverently to obey nv Bish-
OPP and to follow with a glad mind and
will his godly admonition aud submit nv.
selito his godly Judgment | yet submit II
it is not contemplated that the 'admoni-
ton and Judgment in order to be bind.
ing, and legltimately and authoritatiyely
TO demand obedience, must be within the
sphere OF canon law? Is not the Bishon.
no less than the priest, under this law?
And is not the inspired rule Of an inspired
Apostle OF universal application, where
there is no law there is no transgression? y
In conclusion, therefore. l have to saw
that, in the exercise Of the right given me
by God, and vindicated all through The
ages by that branch Of the holy Catholic
Church in which have tho privilege and
honor OF possessing ministerial sonship, |
do now, US a man and as a minister of
Jesus Christ and Of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in the United States, utter to
you, my Bishop, my most respectful, vet
most earnest aud decided protest against
your authority to forbid, as not to be al
lowed the customs and usages specified in
your official letter to me and my vestry,"
Bishop White made some spirited
comments on this letter, and other like
objections us to his authority in matters
Of church practice. He put the case as
follows to the Council:
"lt, in your judgment, | have done
wrong, or made u mistake, by Willingly
or unwittiugly lElGpig authority in what 1
have done, earnestly beg that you will
say so. Then | shall understand that. N
far as this Council Is concerned, ! am not ex-
'pected to be the Bt6op or orcTS6cr of the
churches OF this diocese; that on my visi.
tations l am q mere automaton to confirm,
Ordatn and consecrate buildings; that
every minister, vestty or individual, ac-
cording TO their various vicws Of what Is
pre:ty, or appropriate, or edliying, may
introduce into worship whatever
services. or ceremonies, or objects they
please, eonyeriinG our houses Of prayer
ish chmn.hna- or hnnihnnish famnlna. nnA