The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-12-08
e of South Carolina,
y ,e5|oroa

Columbia, S. c.. Dec. I, 1897.
To The Clergy OF the Protestant Epis-
copal Chlcch in the Diocese 0!
South Carolina, and to cur BcatA-
rem, eli other Ministers Of the GcS
pei throughout taA State. Greeting
Beloved in the Lord, at the last
meeting OF our diocesan council the
following preamble and resolutions
were adopted, 70 wit:
Whereas, the growing disregard Of
human life has caused the crime Of
homicide to become more and more
prevalent and d4grant ia our land,
until the blood outlines Ct our peo-
ple has become an otf:nce and crying
share to RESPONSIBILITIES Of the church
and State; ard
Believing that public opinion should
be gre&tIy influenced, and can be most
safely FORMED. upon the principle o.
Christian morality.
Resolved, That this council do eZ-
press is solemn condemnation OF this
terrible evil; and in order to arouse .
wholesome public sentiment upon this
mos: serious SUBJ c.,
Rsso!v5d, iurlccr, 7.:aat the bishop
be req TESTED to cali uY2r TIE clergy
CT the diocese to presca uQcn some
Sunday, to De appointed oy him,
agai2st the awful ccl32.,
Resolved, ;Grt0er, Tns. tie bishop
be requested to issue aa address pray
ing, n t2e rame O! this council, the
CO operation OF the clergy OF ali
clutches anG religious deaomicsticns
IL this effort, and requesting :aem 20
j0ia the clergy Of tnis church uq02
one day to be so appoiated, in preacn
iGg upon one subject, and appea!i2SS
70 the people OF the SGate to put aTayg
tha curse OF blood outlines, wn. n
cries out, alas! from the Land against
Us.
In compliance with tae action
cou1cj!, beg 10 address you this ie.
Ter. The sin Of murder IS upon US
HoGlic.dea are Of frequent distressing
occprraace, and in our judgment tle
public conscience needs 10 be iust-uc-
ted aGd the public MAD aroused to a
ssose CT the danger which threatens
the character Of our people.
They need 20 Be Instructed upon the
sacredness 0. human life SIS git OF
Almighty G>d, whose prerogsti7e is
20 take wis :. is alone can give.
Without warra0t from him no man
may lawfully take his brothers life.
The soldier on the battlefield, the
officer Of the law II d;s3hsr2e OF his
prescribed duties, the c,tiz9n ~ de.
teace CT his own life may axe lie,
withou: incurring the guilt Of mur-
der, for they set by warrant CT dele
gated authority Of rulers" who are
Gods ministers" }" sid "baer the
sword" by Divine authority, ito pun
ish evil doerS," but such murders as
have OF late outraged the Law of God,
and Gegrsded the sacredness of life,
and dishonored the courage and char'
ac!er of our people, can lay no claim
whatsoever to the sanction o: Divine
authority.
We feel, beloved, that public santi.
ment needs to be aroused TO a higher
and no5ler estimate Of human life.
We call upon our clergy to re5uae the
murderer. and to proclaim the law OF
Almighty God given to co0secrate
and bless the life OF every mau, made
in his inags, upheld by His Ftovl'
dence, and redeemed by the precious
blood of His only Son, our Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
therefore appoint Sunday. the 19:h
OF December, the fourth Sunday N
Advent, on whica day !; call upon the
clergy of the diocese 70 presch against
the crime OF murder, nov so prevalent
il our State; and I most respectfully y
invite our brethren, ths ministers CT
Christ, OF ail denominations, to unit
with us on that day in upholding toe
| maj-sty OF Gods Law, the sacrednesS
OF human life. and the hocor OF oul
beloved State. Faithfully.
ELLISON CAPERS.
Bishop Of tie Diocese Of South Caro-