The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-18

called meeting OF the committee ap-
pointed by the last Council (Journal. PAGE
H. on the subject OF a division OF the
diocese, in Charlottesville, November 9th,
and notified them that | had concluded,
on further reflection, that il would not be
proper for me to take any part in their
/ proceedings.
The committee (JOurnal, page 42,) to
whom was referred the question of pub
fishing the Ms. presented 70 the Council
by Rev. DR.. Dashiell have performed the
duty assigned them, and will report the re-
suit OF their labors.
| In view OF the number OF persons con-
, Grmed, Of candidates for the ministry re-
ceived. OF deacons and presbyters or
dained, OF churches consecrated, and Of
other outward and visible indications
Of the general condition OF the diocese,
think you Will agree with me that we have
abundant cause TO let orr hearts be filed
with gratitude for Gods goodness to us
during another year, and to feel inspired
with new hope and zeal and devotion in
! the blessed work OF advancing His king
dom for the time TO come.
+ No one who is tolerably familiar with
what is going on in our Church at large
can wonder that feel it my duty affection
ately to caution you. dear brethren, from
time to time, in regard TO changes and in
novations in our worship, against which,
am thankful 10 say, our own diocese has
been hitherto 50 well guarded, by your
loyalty to written law and established Gus
tom. alt is a most invaluable part Of that
/ liberty wherewith Christ hath made Us
free that In His worship different forms and
usagcs may without offence be allowed,
provided the substance Of the Faith be
kept entire" But 1t is, at the same time, q
precious principle Of the Protestant Epis-
copar Church that ceremonies ordained
bv "cOmmOn consent and authority" )"
may not be altered or set aside by
the private judgment Of either min
isters or people, and a common
order" is recognized which is not to be
departed from at the mere will Of indiyid-
uas.
From the period OF our Church's Organi-
zatiOn i'm this country this "commOn
/ order" has been generally understood.
Throughout the long cpiscopate OF Bishop
White (Say from 17S7 to 1886, and even
for ten or fifteen years beyond, although
there were different parties or schools Of
/ thought in the Church then rs there are
now. the public services were everywhere
conducted substantially IN the same man
ncr. We regarded ii rs one OF the chief
and distinguishing advantage Of cur lit
urgy that our clergy could pass from Maine
to Louisiana and se at home wherever they
might enter the house Of God-an adyan-
, tage which we no longer enjoy. The SER
. vice was read and the responses were made
with decOrum and rs directed by the rtI-
/ brics. Music was used rs an accompani-
ment and q help to devotion, but nothing
was deyolyed on the choir that would de-
priye the congregation oi their share in the
worship OF the Almighty. The PsalmlSts
cXhortation was kept in mind" Let the
people praise thee. . GOd-yea. LET all the
people praise thee" For some years past
change has been gong on in this particu-
/ lar. In many place, the organ-loft COM
mandS the pulpit and silenccs the pews,
and the people are tempted to become mere
auditors and spectators OF 4 performance
which may please the taste, but can neither
/ improve the judgment nor soften the heart.
! The mnd is also bewildered amid the pro-
/ fuse decorations and fancful arrangements
which make the sanctuary appear to be 4
mere hall for spectacular display rather
than building cOnsecratcd and set apart
/ for the solemn worship Of Him who is a
spirit and must be worshipped III spirit
and truth.
These various changes from the " "com-
mon order" Of the Church (and Others
which might be mentioned) are not in my
! Judgment for the edification OF the people.
/ And if they icere, they have never been
"ordained and approved by common
authority; they are therefore un-
lawful. and their Introduction tends
TO draw our people away from the
cold paths" in which the Church walked
safely and prosperously for so many years.
Whatever may be done elsewhere, let Us in
this diocese steadfastly adhere to the "com-
mon order." concerning which there can
be no mistake. The revival OF the Church
in Virginia began under the episcOpate OF
Bishop Moore, whose churchmanship no
one ever yentured TO mpugn, and who wa,
certainly as competent as any OF the clergy
OF the present day 10 conduct the services
OF the Church, and we may be satisfied to
follow in his steps. | would eXhort my
Younger brethren Of the clergy i'm particu-
lar to conscientiouSly avoid the introduce
ton OF all novelties, and you, my brethren
OF the hity (who. according to 81. Paul,
are the Church, we clergymen being you
ministers or servants for Jesus sake.) to
guard with untiring vigilance and fidelity
the doctrine, worship, and discipline OF
or beloved Zion, that Is you received
them from your fathers so you may hand
them down to your children.
Kind friends having afforded me the op-
portunity OF relief for season from the
bu.den OF official care and labor which
have borne for fifteen years, | purpose
l(God willing and with your appr0yaD >oOr
after our adjournment TO seek rest and re-
creation beyond the bounds OF our OWL
country. | therefore respectfully ask o
the Council 4 leave Of absence from Tho
diocese for about four months.
I'm the Council Of 1876 resolutions wer,
offered To- proceed TO the election OF an a.
sistqnt bishop. These resolutions were re-
frrred fo q committee Of three clergymer
and two hyInen to report the next day
after consultation with the Bishop. The
committee advised TO postpone the clec
fion. in accordance iciM the suggestions OJ
the Bishop, and because he "assured thu
committee that il after fair and pruden
trial il should be found, in the opinion o
tbe standing committee and otheriudiciou,
advisers whom he would consult and L
whose iudpmeut be- would defer, that til,
interests of the Church in this diocese re
mired that he should be aided in the dis
charge OF his episcopal duties, he woulC
tale sucb action as would bring the subjec
before a special session Of the Council fol
its consideration and wise determination
1t was then resolved that this Council
doth declare that il stands ready, whenever
the necessity nav arise, TO eject an assist
ant 70 share with him tthe Bishop the bur
dens and responsibilities OF the episcopal
Office in this diocese"
When finished my ylsitations early il
last December / was suffering great nervous
prostration, producing sieepGsshess ant