The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-02

the metropolitan, and six Right Reverend
Lord Bishops-in strange contrast to
those very insignificant churchmen, Peter,
Paul, John, James, Titus Timothy, and
Jude. A resolution, introduced by a
High Church Ritualist, was passed which
expressed an ardent desire for union with
all Christians, and urged especially upon
the Bishops to seek opportunities for cul-
tivating brotherly relations with minis
ters and people of the various denomina-
tions, and if judged expedient, to hold
conference with them, looking to better
understanding and to more unity. Those
who knew the exclusiveness of the Church
of England, High and Low, in Canada,
wondered what it all meant Nor has
our perplexity grown less. We are more
puzzled than ever At a recent confer
ence OF the clergy of the diocese to which
the introducer of the motion belongs, a
great share of the time was spent in dis
cussing the attitude of the Church to
the denominations. A paper from the
Provost of Trinity College-the High
Church institution-which took the
ground that no recognition could posi-
bly, be given to separated" ministers,
and that no religious work could be un-
dertaken in common with them by the
clergy" was enthusiastically received.
The Bishop, who is not a ritualist, but
who announces himself High Church
Evangelical, can meet dissenters only in
the bible Society" which he claims to
be Church of England institution-a
new claim for this noble catholic society,
and desires to cultivate cordial street
acquaintance" with them while here,
Rainsford, one of the most liberal of the
Low Church ministers, goes out of his
way to decoy Methodists and Methodist
local preachers in particular. Now,
when you are told, in addition, that in
this same diocese and city, there has been
set up, under the very caves of the Pu-
seyite Theological College, an Evangeli-
cal divinity school, and that yet this Con-
ference tells the Non conformists, that the
Church of England occupies the position
where alone the opposing "sects' can
come and find common ground, the
whole thing appears so farcical, that did
we not know these men as earnest Chris
tians, and many of them, as faithful
preachers of the gospel, we should look
upon this talk about union as clear mock
cry. AS it is we understand the claim
of the High Church .Ritualist, himself
priest, his church, apostles, the sacraments
as administered by him, are the sole
channels of grace. He is the Prayer book
Churchman. The Low church-man, who
holds feebly to apostolic succession, ("
who denies the priesthood, who does not
believe in baptismal regeneration or the
real presence in the Eucharist, is an
anomaly. We look anxiously, and hot
without some hope of seeing it, for the
time when he shall either cut off the
priest party, or cut himself off from it.
The Church of England in Canada stands
among the foremost in numbers, influence,
zeal, and activity. She only neede less
pretension and more charity to make her
worthy of highest regard by all good
men.
But don't forget the gentle hint you
not long ago gave your correspondents.
L don't wish to get into the second col
umn; so l shall ask leave to stop here and
write little about oul selves next week.
R. D. F.