The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-08
Bishop Gapers Addresses the
Clergy Of the State.

dufiag the gear just ending - .nowt
By the collectors teporse 70 Office OF she
attorney general. i. jns. .hous twice s'
heavy % is eas last year. 80 fsr ~ the
number of homicide. is concerned. The
following address to the clergy. iesued
yesserday by the bishop of the diocese Of
Soa.h c.roiioa of the Episcopal church
will bs read With some interest
.Diocese of South Carslins.
Episcopal Residences.
Ceiambis. g. G Dec !. 1897
To .hs Clergy Of she Pfosess.n. Episeo
pal Church 10, toe Diocese of South
G.solina. asd to our Brethren, all
other Ministers Of the Gospel
shrosehsas the State. Greeiiog:
Beloved in the Lord, At the last
mee,iag Of our diocesan coupcil the fol-
lowing preambie and resolutions we're
adopted. TO Wit:
Whereas, the growing disregard of
humaa life has cansed the crime
OF homicide to become more pre-
yslens and fagrapt 10 our land. ontii
the blood guillioess Of our people bas
become 50 offence and crying shame TO
the sepsibiiitiss Of church and State
and
Believing that public opinion should
be greatly Influenced, AID cao be most
safely formed, upon the principles of
Christian uorality-
Resolved. Tia. this council do ex-
press its solsmo condemnation of this
terrible evil; and 10 order to arouse a
wholesome public sentiment upon tbis
most serions subject,
Resolved. further. That the bishop
be requested to call upon the clergy OF
the diocese TO preach upon some
.Saoaay. to be appointed By bin,
.ga;usi the ssfu! crime.
Received, further, That the bishop
De requested 10 Issue an address pray
ing. 10 the name of this council. the
cooperation Of the clergy Of all church-
es and religions denominations 10 this
effort. aud leqnestiog then to join the
clergy Of tbis church npon one day TO
be 80 appointed. 10 preaching opon one
subject. and appealiog 70 The :.,sople Of
the State 70 pus suay she curse Il
blood gniltness. which cries out. alas
frou She iand. sgsin>s ns.
In eonplispcs With sbe action OF
@conpoil. 1 beg 70 address you tbi, LETT
Ter The sie Of murder is upon ns.
Hopieides are Of frequep. distressing
occurrence. aud 10 orr Judgment the
pubic conscience needs to be instrncs-
cd .nd the public mind aroused to q
sease Of the danger which thresteea
tbs character Of oar people.
They need TO be instructed upon the
sacredness Of human life as gift OF
Almighty Sod. vaose prerogative is to
take what he slone can give
u ithoutNvsrrant from Him no man
may tswfully take bis brosher's life
The soldier os the battlefield, the
officer Of The las 10 discharge Of bic
prescribed dn.ies. the citizen 10 defence
of he own life may take life, without
incurriBg the goil. Of murder, for they
acs bY warrant Of delegated suthorisy
OF .fnless, I" Who are Gods ministers
and s.besr the sword" By Divine sa-
shorty, ..to pnsish evil doers )" but
such murders ss hsss Of late outraged
tho lev Of God, aud degraded the ss-
crednsss Of life. aud disbonored the
cont.ge end character Of our people.
n.n lay no claim whatsoever 70 the
s.nosion Of Divine authority.
We feel. beloved. that public senti-
mens needs TO be aroused to higher
and nobier essinste Of human life We
call apoo our clergy TO rebuke the mur
derer. and to proclaim the iaw OF
Almighty God given to cousecrate snd
bless the life Of every man, made 10
His ion ~ge. upheld BY His Providence,
ard redeemedNby the precious blood Of
His only SOD. onr Savioar. Jesus
Christ
therefore .ppoips Sunday the l9sh
Of December, the fourth Sunday in Ad-
vent, on vhish day cali upon the
clergy of the diocese to preach agains'
the crime Of murder. DOW SO prevalent
,in our State; and most respectfully
invite our brethren, the ministers Of
Christ. of sll denominations, 30 unite
with us on that day in upbolding 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-.
iina.