Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-03-29
COM INUNDATED.
W. Henru Shepherd. Of IHild Goose:

Mr.. Henry Shepherd, Of Wild Goose;
S1p.-I think it is far more becoming in
our vestry to be perfectly quiet and 10
take no notice of the extraordinary COM
municaton which came out in last weeks
REGISTER over your signature. For them
to enter into paper war with you would
indeed be undignified. Yet some notice
must be taken of il, not on account OF It's
worth or weighty argument (for it has
neither, but 10 correct Measurements
contained in it, and fearing also that
many well-meaning citizens may be mis-
led by the plausible wording of your let
ter, and may thereby obtain false impress
sons of the existing condition OF affairs
i'm the church. | desire first to say there
is no such want of harmony between the
rector and his vcstry rs you have endeaV-
orcd to show by this and former COM
munication. Again, Trinity Church FOL
lows strictly the canOns of the church Ill
Virginia aud West Virginia, and there
has never been the slightest idea of de-
parture from the faith or teaching Of the
Apostles, nor from the doctrine OF Apos-
tolic succession. Neither is there dissat-
isfaction expressed OH the part OF our IN
nuential members with the present yes
try. They ure faithful to their duty
watching over the church building and
other property, striving to keep it in re-
pair and order. This they do without
parade and vainglorious Boosting of what
they hare done or what they hare glren.
They are sober, righteous and godty men,
conscientiously doing their duty.
Let me now call attention to the Jdct
that although You and your servants
spent ten days in urgent appeals Tor sig
natures-canyassing anG raking Doth
town and country to make show of long
list-less than one-fourth are contributors
to the church, and less than one-half are
entitled to vote at the election for vestrv-
men. while a large number Fever attend
the church ut all. Again, there has never
been any "conscientious reluctance" on
the part of the vestry to share ANY ''er-
Dease" needed in the church, whether Tor
the singing or otherwise, as you insin-
uate. But they do object Gas large part
of the congregation do to innovations
which catch the eye alone and are OF no
benefit to the soul.
The publicity given to this quarrel
which you are endeavoring to force OH
the church il we'll calculated to bring DIS
grace and reproach upon our holy relis-
ion and the more serious ana piOu'
members regret and mourn that sucll
wrctchcd trash and sor,lid views OF reiiS-
ion should be expressed by 4 single mem
Der of the congregation-and every right
minded person who loves the church and
studies its interest protests against your
com munication.
You say YOU are well versed in church
h istory. Are you rs well up on Bible
truth? Lest you should not be l Will
refer you 10 most appropriate quotation
Judges 9th, 81 verse, "And Abimelccl
hired vain and light persons, anu they iol'
lowed him."
p. ST. wish to assure you here thai
our rector and vestry have no idea OF this
reply to your letter. They Will be as
much surprised as yourself when they
read ii.
ALApY OF TIE EpISCoPAL CHURCH.
Shepherdstown, March "a, 1881.