The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-07-15
An Episcopnl Letter .

Fr1ToR GAzETTE:-The ANGLICAN Church ChrOHi-
Gle for July contains letter from the English
Bishop OF Honolulu reviewing an article recently
Published in that paper.
1t seems TO me, Mr.. Editor, that the Right Rev.
gentleman is straining point in his definition of
the Anglican Church. The meaning of the term
AnClicanism as used is sufficiently clear. The
writer of the article which has called out this
ply had reference evidently to the national local
Hsages aud forms which go to make up a certain
type Of religious life and character. ltRny usages
and forms express the ecclesiastical cOnceit of ma
tons, parties individuals they must constitute
fatal barrier. II on the contrary customs, cere-
monies and rituals vary with the times and temper
of nations while they carry out the principles and
keep the faith of the church entire, true unity is
preserved. Hawaii is not England, and the people,
who live here are not all Englishmen. The Eng.
lish Prayer Book is a most noble compilation, but
it is the outgrovth of the religious life of people
noted above all others-the Jews excepted-for
their stubborn individuality and want of power to
comprehend or RssimIlate themselves 10 the think
ing or feeling of other nations.
Men need the Gospel of Christ, above all things,
and if the accompaniment of foreign thought and
feeling, Ceremonies and forms confuse the mes
sage Of Christianity TO them, then should the Cos
pei message be attended only with severe simpli-
city. rrTftl nr
There are religious needs in Hawaii which are
not supplied by Rome or by the Presbyterian or
Congregationalist denomination. The Episcopal
Church, the Bishop of Honolulu would call it,
the Anglo Catholic Church-can supply themwhen
in Hawaii she proves by her representatives, her
work and worship, and by her attitude to all
Christians in the Bishops words: that SO far from
being a narrow, formal, exclusive, national "ismr
"a kind of Procrustean bed TO suit the dimensions
of which every one must be cut down, or stretched
according as he should be found too tall or too
short; a system which aims at moulding all within
its pale after one pattern with Chinese eIactness
she isssthe most tolerant, liberal, and compre-
hensive branch of the Church Catholic.
Verify, Mr.. Editor, it is time that our Episcopal
friends Eupyrr V,at thpr (hurrl, nfu1 a1h Sec
name means. .
As 10 the bsyO,ial idea of the bishops among
English people, the following memoranda may be
Of interest:
''rhe Bishops are supposed TO hold certain an
Gent Baronies under the King, in right whereof
they hold seats IN this house, (HgydHs Dict. Of
Ddfes.)
'Bishups made harons, 1872. rG
bishops to rank as barons, Stat. 81. Hen. VII.
1910
bishops excluded from voting in the house Of
Peers on temporal concerns, 16 Charles I.
Bishops abolished by Parliament, Oct. 1916.
Bishops regain their seats Nov. 1861. fIbid.1
''rhus the Bishops still sit in the House of Lords
IN right Of succession to certain ancient baronies
annexed, or supposed to be annexed to their Epis-
copal lands (BiaclStons's Com. Wa,reH.)
The spiritual lords have always been SO united
with the Temporarily that the surages of both upon
every question are told in distinctly and numeri-
cally." (HaiidB, Coast. HiSt.)
"(Lavs) should be established in parliament by
the King, and by the assent of the prelates cars.
barons and the cOmmonalty." IS Ed. II. 1852.
/ fHaiidHH.)
The great council of the Norman Kings was
held TO include all tenants who held directly of the
crown, the bishops and greater abbots (whose
character as independent spiritual members tended
more and more to merge into their position as
barons.') GFfeH's Short History.
As 10 the distinction drawn in the fact that the
wife and children of the bishop without titles,
1t is sufficient note that for long time previous
to the Reformation bishops were without wives,
and while socially alloined place the wives have no
place assigned TO them in any table of precedence.
Be the fact as IT may, granted that 1t is popu-
/ lar notion. the idea of the bishop in England il
baronial and the baronial idea is associated with
bishops in England, to large degree, also IN the
British Colonies and in other places and is an
Anghcanism, pure and simple. In conclusion
who have written the articles in the Church paper
thereby giving valuable instruction concerning
then Church.
am, yours, very sincerely, Y.
/ nj IuIr