Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-12-08
THE SIN OF BLOODGIILTINESS.

fathers statement.-Baptist Courier.
THE SIN OF BLOODGIILTINESS.
Bishop Capers Issues a Strong Address
on the Subject.
Bishop Capers has issued the follow.
ing address to the clergy of the Epis-
copal church in particular, and to
ministers of all denominations in gen.
eral
Diocese of South Carolina, Episcopal
Residence, Columbia, S. c., Decem-
ber 1, 1897.
To the Clergy of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church in the Diocese of South
Carolina, and to our Brethren, and
all other ministers of the Gospel
throughout the State. Greeting:
Beloved in the Lord: At the last
meeting of our diocesan council the
following preamble and resolutions
were adopted, towit:
Whereas, the growing disregard of
human life has caused the crime of
homicide to become more and more
prevalent and fragrant in our land,
until the blood-guiltiness of our people
has become an offense and crying
shame to the sensibilities of the church
and state; and
Believing that public opinion should
he greatly influenced, and can be most
safely formed upon the principles Of
Christian morality
Resolved, That this council do ex-
press its 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-guiltiness, which
cries out, alas from the land, against
US.
In compliances with the action of
council, 1 beg to address you this let
ter. The sin of murder is upon US.
Homicides are of frequent and dis
tressing occurrence, and in our judg'
ment, the public conscience needs to
be instructed and the public mind
aroused to d sense of the danger
which threatens the character of our
people.
They need to be instructed upon
the sacredness of human life as a
gift of Almighty God whose preroga-
tive it is to take what He alone can
give.
Without warrant from Him, no man
may lawfully take his brothers life.
The soldier on the battlefield, the
officer of the law in discharge of his
prescribed duties, the citizen in de-.
fense of his own life, may take life
without incurring the guilt of murder,
for they act by warrant of delegated
authority of "rulers," who are "God's
ministers, and "bear the sword" by d.
vine authority "to punish evil doers;"
but such murders as have of late out
ragged the law of God and degraded
the sacredness of life and dishonored
the courage and character of our peo.
pie, can lay no claim whatsoever to
the sanction Of divine authority.
We 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
the Almighty God given to consecrate
and bless the life of every man made
in His image, upheld by His Provi-
dence and redeemed by the precious
blood of His only Son, our Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
therefore appoint Sunday, Decem-
Der 19, 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 I most respectfully invite
our brethren, the ministers of Christ OF
all denominations, to unite with US on
that day in upholding the majesty OF
Gods law, the sacredness of human
life and the honor of our beloved
state. Faithfully,
ELLISON CAPERS.
Bishop of the Diocese of South Caro-
lima.