The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-07-14
Yhe Episcopal Church.
Bl REV. ROBT. l.. STEVENS.
XVIII.

In rssuming our subject, we cannot
help calling attention again To DIR.
Schnffs summing up OF The evil
dencek OF the Apostolic origin II
EpIscOpacy: "If now we consider
Ia fine that IN the second century tho
Episcopal SYSTEM existed, as hlstor-
lc fact, In the whole Church, east and
west, and was uuresistingly acknewl
ed, Aay universally, ,as at least indirect
~, Of Divine appointment, we can
hardly escape the conclusion that
this form ot government naturally
grew out OF tho circumstances and
wants of the Church ut the end OF the
Apostolic period, md could not have
been so quickly and generally intro
duced, without the sanction, or at
least the acquiescence, o! the surviv-
Ing Apostles, especially Of John, who
labored on the very threshold Of the
second century, and left behind him
a numt er of venerable disciples. At
all events Il needs strong infusion
OF skepticism or OF traditional preJu.
dice TO enable one, In the face OF these
facts and witnesses, TO pronounce the
Episcopal government Of the ancient
church, a sheer apostacy frem the
Apostolic form and radical revolu-
tiop."
These are strong words TO come
from one who Is not an Episcepalian,
aud whose reputation Is q historian
Is uuequalled In this country.
Our reason for emphasizing Episcop-
acy as q fact OF Apostolic times Is TO
aid the cause OF unity In the Church
by sho,oi,g IL 20 BE- a aso Of hs Church
morally Jiniing upon hs conscience Of
every iorer Of ialo and order.
For even II, lin the face Of the
history OF the Church where IL was re-
garded Us law until sects arose
without the Episcopal ministry, II DO
claimed that Christian Is at liberty
TO refuse or reject the doctrine IS he
pleases, unless IL can be shown an
evil and hlndrance TO tho preach log
OF the Gospel ali true lovers OF unity
In the Church as will submit to Il as
devIIing the force Of law from uAi-
versal practice.
Many persons eOnscientiously do
not think that any government in the
Church Is Of divine origin. They as
seri that there IL Ho passage In the
Scriptures which prescribe three OF.
ders or any particular form OF govern
ment As essential to tho existence Of
the Caurch. But surely because "a
man has formed an opinion concern
ing the essentials necessary for sal
walton, he Is not relieved from the
msral obligation 10 continue the ex.
isting practices until changed by law.
The same rules must prevail In tho
church a. In the State and In sOcle-
ty.
For example, & mau may have
formed the opinion that capital Ipun-
ishment Is wrong; this sentlm enl
may largely prevail In community.
yet as IL Is the law OF the land the
judge and the Jury caauot allow their
personal prejudices or individual
ideas 10 decide the cases brought up
before them.
Far more than this, judge and jury
are oftimes compelled To decide cases,
contrary topublic sentiment and every
sense of right, and all good men sub
init because the evil which would DC
done by breaking the law would be
greater than the evil OF an unfair ap.
plicaiion OF the law. Thus a will
properly signed and executed does
manifest Injustice; 1t Inay be little
short OF robbery from the circum.
stances Of Its Testator, and yet It's pro
visions must be carried out, or endless
confusion would be the result. The
remedy Is provided for by court o
equity, but where this Is impossible,
obedience becomes test Of good cit
izersnip. The State c0mpels sub
mission where men refuse TO obey.
1t Is the same In society, but here
the law is left to the moral sense o
tho Individual. There Is no law tina
compels man to wear a hat or the
ordinary costume prevalent anon,
civilized people. Women can wea
the Bloomer style OF dresJ, which 4
as near the masculine habit as the,
can come without breaking the Law
OF the land. They can indulge In
masculine sports, such rs baseball
brass hands, cricket, horse racing
but society condemns these tres
passes on received customs and wheI
the opportunity offers avenges itsel
on those who disregard its uuwrlttei
regulations.
Thus most men and womel
follow the changes Of the fashions II
obedience to the common practice
of society, and while no direct punish
[ ment follows the disregard OF thes
practices, yet indirectly a penalty J
is sure To follow. Men who follow
women's trades are apt to becOm
, effeminate, while woman engaginI
r In masculine pursuits are equally ap
3 fall unconscious 10 themselves) to los
8 that womanly modesty which Is on'
), of the graces OF their sex. But as
rule, of course with exceptions, pee
pie obey the unwritten laws Of societ
when they know them.
Is 1t right that men should obs.
these laws of State aud. society, AM
disregard the moral obligations i'm
posed upon them by their Christian
vows? All disorder is lawlessnes
and comes from disregard of TIA
fundamental principles upon Whic
Church, State and society, exist. Fo
man TO refuse to obey law becaus
It is not written is to violate ever
principle upon which we act In tn
ordinary afftirs NJ life and thus