The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-14

ls and R. l.. Samforo. our hostess al- ways so u oughtful, served coonng anu oeiightful refreshments. which were
 Mrs. w. w. Barnes. Correspon1ing secretary. Historical.
 Comparatively few of the daughters, especially of the younger ones, know that in the early reconstruction days. l the military authorities of the United States undertook to regulate the re- ligion, as well as the politics Of Ala bama. and that the Protestant Episco- pal clergy of the State. led by bishop Winner. came especially under the ban of their displessure. We have a most | valuable scrap book compiled during | the war, to which we recently have ac- | cess. We find the order denouncing | Bishop WUmer, and closing the Episco- pal churches. All Alabama delights to honor the memory of the brilliant and deepiy-loved bishop, and we know that this exact copy of the original order win be read with great interest by all the U. D, c.
 Headquarters Department of Alabama. Mobile. Ala, Sept. 20. 1865. General Order No. 3S:
 
 the United States has established a form of prayer to be used for the President of the United States and all in civil authority" During the contin- uance of the late wicked and ground less rebellion the prayer was changed to one for the President of the Confed- crate States. and so altered. was used | In the Protestant Episcopal Churches | of the Diocese of Alabama.
 Since the "lapse" of the Confederate government. and the restoration of the authority of the United States over the late rebellious States. the prayer of the
 President has been altogether omitted
 in the Episcopal Churches of Alabama. l This omission was recommended by the Rt. Rev. Richard Wilmer, Bishop of
 Alabama. in letter to the clergy and
 iaity. dated June 20, 1865. The only
 reason given by Bishop Wilmer for the
 omission of pra-sr, which. to use his
 own language. was established by the
 highest ecclesiastical authori.ies. and
 has for many years constituted a part I Of the liturgy of the church," is stated | by him in the following words: Now the church In this country has established a form of prayer for the
 President and all in civil authority: the language of that prayer was selected with careful reference to the subjs set of the prayer-all in-civil authority-and she desires for that authority pros perity and long continuance, No one | can reasonably be expected to desire a long continuance of military rule. Therefore. the prayer is altogether in- appropriate. and inapplicable to the present condition of things when no civil authority exists in the exercise of | its functions. Hence, as I remarked | In the circular. we may yield a true all legiance to and sincerely pray for l grace. wisdom and understanding in
 behalf of government founded on I force. while at the same time we could not in good conscience ask for it's con-
 tinuance. prosperity, etc."
 It will be observed from this extract,
 first. that the bishop. because he can
 not pray for the continuance of "mili- tary rule," therefore declines to pray for those in civil authority; second. he declares, the prayer inappropriate and
 inapplicable. because no civil authority exists in the exercise of its functions
 On the 20th of June, the date of his let | ter. there were a President of the
 United States a Cabinet, judges of the l Supreme Court. and thousands of other
 civil officers of the United States, all
 In the exercise of their functions. It
 was for them specially that this form
 of prayer was established: yet the
 bishop cannot. among all these, find any subject worthy of his prayers. 1 Since the publication of this letter a
 civil governor has been appointed for
 the State of Alabama, and in every county judges and sheriffs have been | appointed, and all these officers are.
 and for weeks have been, in the ,exer-
 else of their functions; yet the prayer
 has not been restored.
 The prayer which the bishop advised
 to be admitted Is not prayer for the
 continuance of military rule, or the
 continuance of any particular form of government. or any particular person
 in power-it is simply a prayer for the
 temporal and spiritual veal of the per-
 sons in whose behalf it is offered-it Is
 a prayer to the High and Mighty Ruler
 of the Universe that He would with
 His power behold and bless His servant -thel President of the United States and all others in authority; that He 1 would replenish them with grace of His
 holy spirit that they might always in- cline to His will and walk in His ways;
 that He would endow them plenteousIy
 with Heavenly gifts, grant them in health and prosperity long to live and finally after this life, to attain eyer lasting joy and felicity. It is a prayer at once applicable and appropriate. and which any heart not filled with hatred. malice and all uncharita bleness. could conscientiously offer.
 The advice of the bishop to omit this prayer. and its omission by the clergy. is not only a violation of the canons of the church, but shows a factious and disloyal spirit, and is a marked insult | to every loyal citizen within the de- pertinent. Such men are unsafe p,ib
 lie teachers. and not to be trusted in places of power and influence over pub- | lie opinion.
 It is therefore. ordered, pursuant to the directions of Maj. Gen Thomas. commanding the military division of Tennessee. that said Richard Winner bishop of the Protestant Episconai | Church of the Diocese of Alabama. and the Protestant Episcopal clergy of said diocese be- and they are hereby sus-
 pended from their functions, and for
 bidden to preach. or perfom divine ser-
 vice: and that their places of worship
 be closed until such time as said bishop
 and clergy show a sincere return to
 their allegiance to the government of
 the United States. and give evidence of
 a loyal and patriotic spirit by offering
 to resume the use of the prayer for the President of the United States and all in civil authority. and by taking the
 amnesty oath prescribed by the Presi- | dent.
 | This prohibition shall continue in
 each individual case until special appli-