The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-09
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Bishop Capers Addresses the Clergy
of the State. 8
CRIME IN SOUTH CARoLfNA.
Calls on Ministers to Preach Against
Alarming Increase Of Homicides--
Sunday the 10Th Set Apart. 4

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, is just about twice
as heavy as it was last year, so far as
the number of homicides is concerned,
the following address to the clergy. has
been issued by the bishop of the dio.
cese of South Carolina of the Episco-
pal Church, will be read with some in-
terest:
Diocese of South Carolina, 8
Episcopal Residence,
Columbia, s. c., Dec. /, 1897.
To the Clergy OF the Protestan Episco.
pal Church in the Diocese o. 8 nth
Carolina, and to our Brethren, all
other Ministers of the Gospel through
out the State. Greeting: &
Beloved in the Lord, at the last meet
ing of our diocesan. council the follow
ing preamble and resolutions were
adopted, to-wit:
Whereas, the growing disregard Of
human life has caused the crime OF
homicide to become more and more pre-
yalent and fragrant in our land, until
the blood outlines of our people has
become an offence and crying shame to-
the sensibilities Of the church and States
and
Believing that public opinion should
be 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 9
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. s
Resolved, further. That the bishop
be requested to issue an address, pray.
ing, in the name of this council, the Coz
operation 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 10
be SO appointed, In preaching upon
one subject, and appealing to the peo-
pie of the State to put away the curse
of blood outlines, which cries out
alas! from the land, against US. ss 4
In compliance with the action of
council. 1 beg to address you this LETT
ter. The sin of murder Is upon ne. +
Homicides are of frequent distressing
occurrence, and in our Judgment the
public conscience needs to be instruct-;
ed and the public mind aroused 81 =
sense of the danger which threatens the
character of our people.
They need to be instructed upon the
sacredness Of human life as . gift Of
Almighty God, whose prerogatsve Is to
take what He alone can give.
Without warrant from Him DO man
NAV lawfully take his brothers life.
The soldier on the battlefield. the Of
ficer of the law in discharge Of his pre-
scribed duties, the citizen in d fence Of
his own life may take life, without in-
curing the guilt Of murder, for they
act by warrant of delegated authority Of
rulers, I" who are Gods ministers :,
and ''bear the sword" by Divine AL
thority, 'to punish eyil-doers;;p but
SUCH muru6rS 10 uaNc Va 4utS wv - -
the law of God, and degraded the
sacredness of life, and dishonored the
courage and character Of our people,
can lay no claim whatsoever to the
sanction Of Divine authority. Z
We feel, beloved. that public sentl-
ment needs to be aroused TO ahigher and
nobler estimate of human life. We call
upon our clergy to rebuket the murderer,
and to proclaim the law of Almighty
God given to eonsecrate and bless the
life Of every man, made in His image,
upheld by His Providence, and re-E
deemed by the precious blood Of His
only son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Therefore appoint Sunday, the 10th !
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 preyalent
in our State; and / most respectfully
invite our brethren, the ministers OF
Christ, of all denominations, TO unite
with us on that day in upholding tho
majesty of Gods law. the sacredne
of human life, and the honor OF our.
beloved State. Faithfully,
ELLISON CARERS,
Bishop of the Diocese of South Caro-
lima