The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-17
CHANGED HIS CREED.

An Episcopal Rector Embraces the Doctrines
of the Disciples OF Christ
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
COLUMBUS, Ind, April 16-A surprise
awaited the audience that assembled at
the Christian Church tonight. In re-
sponse TO en- invitation from Rev. u. T.
Sweeney, Rev. j. Gorton Miller. rector of
ST. Paurs Church. came forward and con-
fessed the simple creed of the Disciples.
Mr. Miller has been rector of st. Paups
Church for several years. and 1t has pros
pered under his ministrations. He has
gained a strong hold upon the affections OF
all the religious people Of the cIty by bis
broad and liberal culture. his public spirit
and msnliness in all things. Mr.. Miller is
president of the Ministerial Union of this
Gig, knight Templar and member of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Below Is given the concluding part of the
statement read in his church to-day:
''As sold before. this Is probably the
last time that l shall officiate in this
church, and SO [ have asked my friends, or
at least those who care to know something
about my plans and purposes for the future.
them in conclusion. 1 have given nearly
sixteen OF the best years of my life to tho
ministry of the Episcopal Church, and can
truly soy that have had fair measure of
success therein. Its services and customs
have. through long and familiar usuage.
become to me almost second nature and
woven into the texture of my life.
and so it is only after long,
and painful, and prayerful struggle be-
tween habitnde and conviction that l am
have for some time felt myself to be drift
ing from the position held by the church in
some of it's distinctive points, and espe.
cially as regards the methods of its adminis-
tration. ConceivinR, as l do. that the
apostolic succession is rather thing of the
spirit than of historic pedigree, ! feel bound
to cay that am not fully In line with the
church on this poins; not that there is any
waverlng on my part in the essentials of the
Christian faith. but that faith is really a
very sim pie thing. and my hold upon the
Christ Is stronger and clearer to-day, if
possible. than ever before. / would only
10y aside those things which are supposed
TO be props and buttresses to faith. that
the Christ himself may be more manifest
as the radiant center of the souls dev otIon.
"God forbid that / should say
word to-day in disparagement of that
grand historic church at whose affairs
have for 80 many years been permitted to
minister. and which you have given your
the time has come to make an appeal to
first principles / crave q freedom of
thought ana action that in not compatible
with my present position. and in casting
about to get my true bearings / find my
self strangely drawn to the position held
by this people called the Disciples of Christ.
or simply Christians. with no master but
Christ with no law but the law OF Christ,
as revealed in His words In apostolic pre-
cept. example and institution: with no
restraints of traditions or metaphy sizes;
with no trammels of ecclesiasticlsm TO
hinder the free course of the spirit. There
seems q breadth of view and q
strength of life in their posi-
tIon which entirely accords with
my conception of truth, and / have
therefore decided TO cast in my lot with
them. Now in saying all this. i speak for
myself alone. and / 8m only one out OF
millions of the race. i beg to invoke upon
this church and con gregation the biessin u ga
Of God in all your endeavors. l pray that
you may soon have pastor. that you may
Ire united and earnest in his support and
that you may be prosperous and far boy Ond
the measure of years"