Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-21

The Episcopalian church, which
ought to have been foremost in
gathering their scattered fiocks,
have been the last, and done the
least of any christian community
In the evangelical work. Taking
the western country in its whole
extent, at least one half Of its
population was originally Of Epis-
copalian parentage but for want
of a ministry Of their own they
have associated with other com
munlties. They had no alternative
bot that of changing their profes-
sion or living and dying without
the ordinances Of religion. IL can
be no subject of regret that those
ordinances were placed within their
reach by other hands, whilst they
were withheld by those, by whom,
as matter of right and duty, they
ought to have been given. One
Single chorea episcopus, or suffragan
bishop, of faithful spirit, who,
twenty years ago, should have "or-
dained them elders in every place"
where they were needed, would
have been the instrument OF form.
ing Episcopal congregations over a
great extent of country, aud which
by this time would have become
large, numerous and respectable
but the opportunity was neglected,
and the consequent loss to this
church is irreparable.
So total neglect of the spiritual
interests of so many valuable peo-
pie, for so great a length of time,
By ministry, the like OF which
never occurred before.
1t seems to me, that if the
twentieth part of their number Of
christian people, of any other
community, had been placed in 81
IBERIA, and dependent on any other
ecclesiastical authority in this
country, that that authority would
have reached them many years ago
with the ministratiOn of the gos-
pei. With the earliest and most
numerous Episcopacy in America,
not one OF the eastern bishops has
yet crossed the Allegany noun
tains, although the dioceses Of two
of them comprehended large tracts
of country on the western sido of
the mountains. 1t is hoped that
the future diligence of this CON-
uunity will make up, in some
degree, Tor the negligence of the
past.
There is still an immense VOID
in this country which it is their
duty to I'LL up. From their respec-
liability, on the ground of antiquity
among the reformed churches, the
science of their patriarchs, who
have been the lights OF the world
from their number and great
resources, even in America she
ought to hasten to fulfil the just
expectations of her own people, as
well as those of other communities
IN contributing her full share TO the
science, piety, and civilization OF
country.
From the whole OfOur ecclesiastic'
sl history, it appears, that, with the
exception of the Episcopal church,
all our religious communities have
done well for their country.
The author begs that it may bG
understood, that with the dis
tinguishng tenets of our religious
societies be has nothing to do, mol
vet with the excellencies nor de
fects of their ecclesiastical in
stitutions. They are noticed Oh NJ
other ground than that of theil
respective contributions to the
science and civilization of the
country.
The last, but not the least of thu
means of our present civilization
r are excellent forms of government
and the administration of the laws
In vain, as means of general in
formation, are schools, colleges
and a ministry of the gospel of tn
\ best order. A land of liberty is
+ land of crime, as we'll as of virtue
1t is often mentioned, as a mat
ter of reproach to England, tina:
o in proportion, they have more con
4 victions, executions, and transpo'
;. tations, than any other country j
!. Europe. Should it be asked, wha
v is the reason Of the prevalence c
+ crime IN England ? Is it, that hr
] man nature is worse there tina
f elsewhere I We answer, no. Their
| is more liberty there than else
y where in Europe, and that is th
' true and only solution Of the ma
ter in question. Where a peopl
!. are at liberty to learn what the
choose, to think and act as the
!. please, aud adopt any professlo
n for a living or fortune, they ar
4 much more liable to fall into th
+ commission OF crimes, than a pee
n ple who from their infancy hav
been accustomed to the dull, m'
o notonous march of despotism, ,whic
A chains each individual to the ran
. and profession Of his forefather'
:. and does not permit him to wandt
T. into strange and devious paths {
hazardous experiments.
!. In America, should a strang'
i. read awhile our numerous public'
O tions of a religious nature, the n
n ports of missionary and Bible 81