New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-08
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
MIR. FERGusoN's ENCYCLIcAL.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: really think that The 81 hops OF the Epis-
cOpal Church should forthwith apologize TO the
Rev Charles Ferguson, Of Cohasset. hass., for
their impcrtinence in vcnturng to set forth IN
their recent pastoral letter the teaching Of that
Church in regard to the Incarnation and the au-
thority of Holy Scripture. | had fancied, until
| read Mr.. Fcrguson's last communication in your
columns. that the Bishops who signed the pastoral
had some slight acquaintance with theology, and
even deserved 20 bc called religious men; but Mr..
Ferguson has opened mine eyes. Naturally, am
bound 10 believe his encyccal rather than theirs,
because he grounds It upon his authority as "a
minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church."
while theirs rests on their much less controlling
position as Bishops OF Christs Holy Catholic
Church. and while they audnciously claim to nave
been enlightened by tho Holy Ghost, he contents
himself with mode silly saying: II declare the FOL
lowing statements 20 be false" He says there
fore. urbi ct orb, that God never set up book
a body of men, or an institution 10 be an infallibe
oracle of truth; that bishops are rather hindrances
than helps; that there Is body Of essential
Christian doctrine that there is no deposit of
faith that the Catholic faith cannot be put INTO
words; that there was nothing miraculous apou'
the Incarnation. and that he never TOOK any or9I-
nation vow except 10 do what Goa C.iin iii,,:
of Church. Bible, Council and Bishops. ne assumes
the teaching Office In thrr .icAd airr mr,I.e5 ,,e
e. Charles Ferguson. declare why need We any
further testimony ferguson locu'u9 est 'd'S'
finit.t est
Thor, is q moral grandeur and consistency, too
about the reason which De- gives Tor ms fH'yc"ct
letter. which must az once convince an w9NtrtrS
ana truth-sc"hers. II" feels mpel'd 10 thus declare
protest ana deny. hrcauS. hc promised at MS oFdI
nation 'isc fi-hiu diligence To drive OUT IRON
the Church couc.its and prctcnccs contrary - the
tr!th" ~ the bishops have had Il teinttity 10 as
sert Tat these particular connects ana pf"'onctS
are TAUGHT hy the Church IS the truth. anu nave
actually attempted to prove their assertion by quota
tons from hoy ..imI!arIrs ana standards, u was
quite tine that Mr. Ferguson should trich tN.I"
their duty in the premises under the plea gi 10
oh.cltiun of his ordination VOW. That vow pledged
him &, give his faithful diligence always - 10
minister tn doctrine Of Christ as the Lord hath
commanded. 3nl this Church hath received ing
same $50 that be- might teach the peone commit 90
To his care and charge 20 keep and observe the
SANE" There being. a. De says. No doctrine 81
Christ" t. bee believed MS essential, Mr.. Ferguson :
position that there is church to receive or declare
that doctrine. and that Therefore no one is bound
ITO keen and ohs.rr" the SANE seems unaSs1ilable
A. iaymau Z shall henceforth contend earnestly
not for the faith delivered - the saints. but for
the abolition 90 au cpiscopatc which has no power
- teach the faith. and has no faith to teach n II
h1I tho power H. G..
MiiIlot0wn. y. y. March IS 1875