Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-06-11
THOSE EPISCOPAL PROFESSORS. /"
Sharp ReJoinders to Rector Light
ner's Open Letter.


Three of the Clergyman Deliver Them
selves Forcibly They Claim the Right
of Opinion and Its Expression.
Editor Gazette a, Journal: The Rev. Mr..
Lightner says our protest represents every
element in the diocese that cares 10 assert
its interest in the Brooks NATTER That
IS, presume, that he for one, is glad he
does not have to say what he thinks in the
matter. That, is, the matter is serious
enough one for him TO be thankful he is
not called upon TO express an opinion or
take a stand. Since he has accused us of
cowardice, may we not more justly too
say that he himself is afraid TO express
his true feeling, and relegates his iudg-
ment, where it is evidently not thoroughly
satisfied TO the decision Of the standing
committee9 His only plea is one for
peace At all risks and he places belief in
the divine institution or character
of the sacred ministry on a par
with a certain way OF celebrating
the holy communion. That is
he makes the former a non-essential with
the latter. He thus falls into the error Of
regarding a matter of faith and doctrine
with one of discipline-or still less, one of
mere custom Now Or. Brooks does not
regard the three-fold ministry as a divine
institution. He regards any other ordina.
ton, or any other form of ministry rs
being as full and valid as his own. He is
also in the front rank of the advance of
brond religious thought. Some of the
palmer spoken of his cothinkers have
given startling explanations lately of their
views. imparting grave doubt as to their
belief in the divinity or eternal generation
of the Son of God Therefore my criticism
upon his letter and my further explana,
ton, both Of which are forced upon me,
are, peace is not always good. Our Lord
says Suppose We that am come to give
peace on earth? ! tell you nay, but rather
division. For from henceforth there shall
be five III one house divided three against
two, and two against three"
Again, indifference in regarding diver
sity Of doctrine Is not commended in holy
writ. "Now we command you, brethren.
that We withdraw yourselves from every
brother that waketh disorderly, and not
after the tradition which he received pt
rs"
Further a belief in the three fold min
istry and due succession of the same, can
not be called a non-essential in the face of
the terms subjoin from the preface to the
orGinal:
the PREFACE.
II II evident unto all men, diligently reading
Holy scripture and ancient authors, that from
tho apostles time there have been these orders
of ministers in CAristS church-bishopa,
priests and deacons, which Offices were ever
more had in surn reverend estimation, illat 10
man might presume TO execute any Of them,
except no were nrAt called, tried examined
qnsite for the same: md also by public
prayer, with imposition OF hands, were ap.
proved and admitted thereunio by lnwTIl Al-
thorlty. And therefore, to mo intent thll
these order may be continued, an! rcverently
used and esteamed ~ ms church. no man
5 hs,,, ~ '.io"u NV o or 'iT n 70 ne w
fer"d Ia axec,rt,, n%Sf the sa1d fnmetion o ex.
cent he be called, tried examined ami ad.
mfttei ihorrunto, according 10 Inc form here
afto,r following, or hath had Episcopal conse-
ctt'iol Pr ori.hhtloh'
Lastly We have from the hand Of the be.
loved disciple. this solemn statement and
warning! "llc that abi,ieth IN the doe