The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-08
Thou Shalt Not Kill.

In the light of the recent statement
that the record of crime in this State
during the year just ending as shown
by the solicitors reports to the Office
of the Attorney General, as just about
twice as heavy as it was last year, SO
far as the number Of homicides is con-
cerned, the following address to the
clergy, issued yesterday by the bishop
of the diocese of South Carolina of the
Episcopal Church, will be read with
some interest:
Diocese of South Carolina.
Episcopal Residence.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 1, 1897.
To the Clergy cftAe Protestant Episco-
pal Church an the Diocese Of South
Carolina, and to our Brethren, all
other Ministers otthc Gospelthrough-
ont the State, Greeting:
Beloved of the Lord, at the last
meeting of our diocesan council the
following preamble and resolutions
wers adopted, to wit:
Whereas, the growing disregard Of
human life has caused the crime of
homicide to become more and more
prevalent and fragrant in our land, un-
| til the blood outlines of our people
has become an offence and crying
shame to the sensibilities of the
Church and State; and
Believing that public opinion should
be greatly Influenced, and can be most
safely formed, upon the principles Of
Christian morality
DResolved, That this council do ex-
press it's solemn condemnation of this
terrible evil; and in order to arouse a
| wholesome public sentiment upon this
most serious subject,
Resolved, further, That the bishop
be requested to call upon the clergy Of
the diocese to preach upon some Sun
day, to be appointed by him, against
the awful crime.
Resolved, further, That the bishop
be requested to issue an address pray
ing, in the name Of this council, the
cooperation of the clergy Of all
Churches and religious denominations
in this effort, and requesting them to
join the clergy of this Church upon
one day to be so appointed, in preach
ing upon one subject, and appealing
to the people of the State to put away
the curse of blood outlines, which
cries out, alas from the land:
against us.
| In compliance with the action Of
council, I beg to address you this let
ter. The sin Of murder is upon us.
Homicides are Of frequent distressing
occurrence, and in our judgment the
public conscience needs to be in
structed and the public mind aroused
to a sense Of the danger which threat
ems The character of our people.
They need to be instructed upon the
sacredness of human life as a gift Of
Almighty God, whose prerogative is to
take what He alone can give.
Without warrant frcm Him no man
may lawfully take his brother life.
The soldier on the battlefield, the
officer Of the law in discharge Of his
prescribed duties,' the citizen in de-
fence of his own life may take life,
withogt incurring the guilt Of murder,
for they act by warrant of delegated
authority of rulers, who are "Goe S
ministers, and "bear the sword by
Divine authority "to punish evil do
ers," but such murders as have Of late
| outraged the law of God, and degraded
the sacredness Of life, and dishonorcd
! the courage and character of our peo-
pie, can lay no claim whatsoever to the
sanction of Divine authority.
Ne feel, beloved, that public senti-
ment needs to be aroused to higher
and nobler estimate of human life.
We call upon our clergy to rebuke the
murderer, and to proclaim the law OF
Almighty God given to concentrate
and bless the life of every man, made
| in His image, upheld by His provi-
dence, and redeemed Dy the precious
blood Of his only Son. our Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
I, therefore, appoint Sunday, the
18th Of December, the fourth Sunday
in Advent, On which day | call upon
the clergy Of the diocese to preach
against the crime of murder, now so
prevalent in our State: and | most re-
spcctfully invite our brethren, the
ministers of Christ, of all denomina-
tions, to unite with us ON that day IN
upholdiug the majesty of Gods law,
the sacredness of human life. and the
honor of our beloved State.
Faithfully,
ELLISON CApERs,
Rishon of the Diocese Of S. C..