The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-26
THE REV. HENRY TRURO BRAY
a HISTORY

Truro Bray, entitled Essays on God and
Man; or Philosophical Inquiry Into the
Principles Of Religion" In that review
IL was stated that no more scholarly work
within It's scope nor any more free in In
quiry or conclusions had, on the same
subject, appeared in many day. What
ever there is in ancient or modern author
tiles that touches on the knowabilty Of
God, revelation, the Christian Creed and
its cardinal doctrine OF immortality, OF the
origin Of evil, Of sin, OF the devil, atone
ment and punishment is therein treated
OF at length and with n wealth Of author
lily, Christian and profane, that is really
extraordinary, the proportions Of the vol
ume considered. 1t was explained in
that review, in an extract from the pre-
face OF this book, that the author was
profound in scholarship and held high
position in tho Episcopal Church as a
priest in orders, rector Of Christ Church
parish in Bonneville, No., but that the
tenor Of his work was TO carry the reader
away from orthodoxy and to leave an inn
preston that he did not believe that all
the saving graccs Of religion were to be
found in the Christian Church Grin any one
system Of religion. The ground work Of
ha lnclr auI tta ,ynrn I. ,rao
stated, far apartirom the dogmatic position
OF the church, not in dispuatious spirit,
but rather In the temper OF a careful stu
dent, logically laid down and sequently
reached. II was easy 10 be seen that such
n rationalistic position was wholly unten-
able and inconsistent with profession OF
faith such as Episcopal clergymen must
subscribe 10 at ordination and maintain
in tho pulpit II they desire 10 con
tinue in the ministry, and the cou.
clusion was irresistible that the author
would be compelled sooner or later TO sub
init to discipline or recant his profession of
faith, give up his sacred charge aud leave
the ministry and the Episcopal Church.
This he has done. As far back a. Noyom-
Der, 1887, Bishop futile, Of Missouri, ms n
result Of some runors that had come 10
him, had n conversation with Dr. Bray as
TO the econcilabiity Of his so.callod Broad
Church views with the creed. and these
being fairly and honestly answered, the
Bishop told some OF the vcstrymen OF DIR.
Bray's parish that he did not see anything
wrong with the rector, and that so long NJ
he adhered 10 the prayer book Of the
church there could be nothing done with
him by the church. But DIR. Bray con.
iinued TO grow away from the creed, and
this conversation was subsequently fol.
lowed In September Of last year by his
resignation OF tho rcctorato Of Christ
Church, Bonneville, and on tho LIST instant
by letter TO the Bishop, In which he
stated
do not a. you know. belong TO the extreme
wing of the brpad Churrh purty. Ny nteprcla
ton Of scripture and ritual IL conducted on m.
tionalistic grounds that may avoid Disappearing
Him whom have always Wonhlpcd. In other
words instead 81 subioCting reason Ia the teachings
Of alleged revelation or ui accepting dogmas In.
siat most strynuousy ~ all times un subccting nl
teachlngs whatever 10 the decision Of the wason
whether such icachinrs be- that Of alleged rcvcla.
ton. tradition of ritual practice. | do this that
.HHH. .HaN..
who docs not this q not one with science. nor l.
be- any mov one with himself
This declaration, 80 poinicdly unorlho.
dox, was followed on the Goth by his re.
cnntation Of the creed and doctrines Of
the Episcopal Church. for the following
reasons
1. cannot believe Cor an instant In a special Gro
alton iuf mankind
p do not hcropt tho story Of the fall Of man.
a I DO not inr an instant believe In the docirnc
Of ylcarious aioncmonL
4 DO not bcli,,e In eternal punishment nor In
a hxci state alter dcath.
r. DO not Cor moment h,icyc that Christians
l,ossr1. On exclusive divine revelation nor that
their scripiurs arc W go of complete
q do not believe In literal resurrection 81 the
dead
=. protest against making belief 10 the deity Of
christ "a e,scntial part u the faith.
a believe that al mankind arr alike dear 10
God alike carcd iot alike provided with means
ucccssAy Cor their good. believe m continuous
and universal rayolation ~ God 10 all mankind.
| have a reasonable. a well grounded hope In the
/ Immortality ui the souL I believe that Tor cycry
wfuug committed w must all pay the ptna liy.
must make our own atpncmcut either Ia this
world OF the world that s 81 come bilic,e that
the prssui age witnesses a higher revelation 81
COD than the pfrcciiug age This i the subs lance
Of my faith. Aud THIS Is clearly shown, aud the
most substantial rcisnns given Tor Il In my work
/ "uoi aud Man" Hncauss II my Inability ~ ~
cc,lc from what have In that book stated hccatpc
have not even the shadow II a doubt that 70.
cnllci orthodoxy Il contrary n wasin. u not bias
| phCmuus bomuse believe. with al NV snul. what
have written. bocinsc below I owe u 10 the aro
live in, ~ my fellow crcaturs, 10 myself. 10 NO
! God b. TRUTH aud 10 those who an striving with
myself 10 di,Iel The dnrknce 81 superstition. aud
Oct the llsht Of COL II reason, in 4 ico compelled
~ state that cannot again assume any ministerial
| duilci IN the Episcopal church Thcwiorc. IN
acuuniancc With tito p canon s. scCtlon oi Digest
hss deposition irum the ministry Of the Protestant
Episcopal church
whcu shall srf,c the caus, pf humanity know
not but this doubt not that Ne who brought me
into lcing aud hath preserved me hitherto, will
provide way
This has been followed by Dr. Bray's
deposition or dismissal from 'Ihc ministry
Of the Church Of Christ" and he "a nov
free to DO rs broad as he plcasos. Bishop