Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-03-12
Ecclesiastical end Scriptural
Notes.
BY A LAyMAN.


the first one having been answered.
As previously remarked, the writer
sometimes writes expressions which he
naturally prefers not to use, but does
so for the purpose of forcibly Impress
ing facts or principles stated upon the
mind of the reader Owing to brief
statement as to fact in my judgment in
one article in February my name was
signed with the ultimate object of graf
flying what | thought would be prop
or curiosity of some persons.
We have long known it to be add
verse to the notion of some of the cler-
gy and laity of some religious bodies
(perhaps chiefly Episcopal clergy TO
favor trials, admonitions, and depo-
sition of ministers on account of most
essentia, doctrine some of them hold
ing the idea thai no one of clergy or
laity need ever be tried for the promul-
CATION of any false tenet whatever,
even if the divinity and atonement OF
Christ be denied. A strange opinion,
indeed, to most Christians it might
seem TO be; but if, as has often been
said, it be true that persons who have
not much TO do but mediate upon
church or religion are more apt, after
lapse of time, to hold erroneous views
than others, perhaps this may in that
way be accounted for in the cases Of
some OF the clergy. And if it be true,
then the writer of this Though of bni
little reputation) might in some few
things pertaining 10 theology or the
Church, be less Liable TO be mistaken
than some Of the clergy, from the sim
pie fact of his time, even now, being
much employed in matters not of re
ligious or ecclesiastical nature at all in
the ordinary sense, nearly all the notes
Of these communications having been
composed several years ago, without
occupying much time for it, seldom
studying such matters except on the
Lords day, and rarely holding any
church office Nevertheless, we are all
liable to, and doubtless do, err in
many things. Why not in like manner
exercise the same sentiment of charity
toward Bishop Necessary and others Oh
repentance What is the reason that
the State does not release all It's crimi
mails? Is it because the State or the
Court has any wish to punish man ?
No. Such feeling ought 10 be re
garded by all Christians as cruel, or at
least as opposed to the doctrine of
Christ. The true reason IS TOO obvious
to be stated he.c.
The writer made some statements in
some articles in opposition TO church
services, the object of which is the ulti
mate establishment of auricular con-
iession, and as opposed to a certain
catechism containing some good things,
a part of which, however, has the same
object ii view The opinion given as
to the duty of the parties themselves or
the church in such cases, (intended to
be preceded by sufficient admonition,
though not distinctly stated was equiv
alent to nothing more than what has
been said by many of the clergy and
thousands Of the laity in some of the
States Many friends know the writer
has at heart the welfare of the Church
alluded to for the advancement of
Christianity and for no other reason
and statement of evident truth is one
of the ways of promoting it.
To the authors Of the services or the
catechism adyerted TO l would do any
reasonable personal favor but never
could | do anything tending in my
judgment to encourage them-c onse-
quently others in the infringement of
ordination or pre-ordination VOWS.
Reason for this, explicitly given in the
communication of Feb. Goth, need
not be iterated. ANY historical quota
tons on auricular confession this term
including absolution) and any remarks
relative to its history were made for
the purpose of calling attention to its
origin and the possibility of its increase
in church where it does not belong if
due care be not taken to prevent it.
have not been referring to it as of the
Roman Catholic Church specially, and
will take this opportunity Of saying that
toward those of that body / have as
kind feeling as to any people,
A resentful or unkind spirit could
not be intended in anything [ ever