The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1895-05-18


that fact IS the "Historic Episcopate.'
And so it is that believing the churcl
established by Christ to stand for unit,
aud consequently strength, we assert
difference between our ministry anC
other ministries, not difference il
spiritual attainments nor in the quality
of work for Christ, but difference il
that one is in the ancient succession
and the other outside. Let it be re.
mcmbered that we do not disparage the
spirituality of other ministries. many in
this respect are superior to ours nor dc
we deny that they are doing a grand
and noble work for Christ, which is
meeting with most abundant blessing,
but we do most heartily and earnestly
believe that the practical work ofChrist
is greatly hindered by the numerous div
isons of the christian church, hence, we
assert the difference, trusting that men
may be brought to realize the unhappy
state into which the Church has fallen
and to turn to that which alone, as
we believe, can remedy the disorder,
that which has brought the church
safely through the centuries, while 9TH
er societies have persisted, that which
alone can give permanence and strength
"The Historic Epscopate." We may
be mistaken, but this is our honest con-
viction.
To answer the question often asked
concerning the church's position toward
the members of other churches, let US
say that the rite of confirmation is not
intended to act in an exclusive manner.
The rubric at the end of the Prayer
Book Office: "There shall none be
admitted to the Holy Communion until
such times as he be confirmed, or be
ready and desires to be confirmed" is
often understood as preventing mem
bers of the various religious bodies from
at our affairs. Let us see.
In its origin it was inserted to meet a |
need felt in an organization which con-
sdered the baptism of infants an inn
perative duty. By baptism, the church
holds every man to be admitted into
the church of Christ, but before the
Christian enters into all the
tights and privileges of the church, the
Holy Communion, &c, it was deemed
necessary that he should openly and
.yowedly confess his allegiance to
Christ and the church. Hence the ru-
,ric and its object is more clear. The
invitation to the communion service is
clear and should do away with
Ey charge OF "close communion 1t |
5 as follows "Ye who do truly and /
arnestly repent you of your sins and /
re in love and charity with your I
and intend to lead a new i
fe-draw near with faith and take p
lis holy sacrament to your comfort" b
Ienee, we frequently see the members /,
all churches approaching our affairs d
It'll us regardless of ecclesiastical or "
mutations. 81
In the case of those who desire adj b
ission to the church and come from W
her churches, letter of transfer will b
1t suffice to give them admittance. tV
lis is not meant as reflection upon bu
EN- in any way and cannot be taken Ct
tantamount to saying that they have "a
yer been christians. Indeed they OF
ay have been very excellent ones, yet a
me formal admission is necessary Sc
tn us as with all other Christian ye
dies. In this case the formal rite is dt
be laying on of handsn by Bishop, or ia
1firmation as it is commonly called,
, same rite which the church de- no
lnds of her own children. This rite go
oflong use, dating from the very ear fei
st times, the days of the Apostles and du
general and continuous practice in go
Christian church until the Reform an
on. Numerous traces of its use may ms
found in the pages of the New Tes-
lent. Mr.
his, then is the attitude of the Epis-
al church toward other churches. zer
we wrong in thinking that the gil
lmonly preferred charge of narrow ic {
s and bigotry is i'll deserved? Oh
=-.-.---.-s--.--.--. sch
noo1oxy ~, noiraoa ron