Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-18

lcIIl
"(5) II is not I beg you 20 keep In |
mind, question only of ministerial |
standing; 1t is nlso and this quite "a
importantly the question whether our |
congregations are to he instructed and |
cxhorted by those over whose teach |
ing the Church can exercise no au-
thority. for whom she cannot be re-
sponsible, and who by their very posi-
ton are committed to system moro
or less at variance with her own.
may remind you that 1t is expressly
provided that authority shall be cxer-
cisei over the teaching of n lay read
or. Tho canon lays down that such an
one shall not believer sermons or ad-
dresses of his own composition, unless,
after instruction and examination. he
| shall be specially licensed thereto for
urgent needs by bishops
II have constantly urgeI the duty %
of striving by all legitimate means for
the realization of our Lords purpose
| that His disciples should be one, and
| their testimony to tho world united;
| 90 with n view to this Of making the
| most of all points Of agreement, and
working from common ground to de-
hated questions; CD Of heartily and
thankfully recognizing tho work OF
| Gods Spirit wherever It is manifest
| ooftcntimcs beyond the bounds of His
established ordcr); and 90 Of being
| ready in the interest Of unity TO make
any sacrifice OF mere preferences. and
to distinguish carefully between these
and principles.
| "As I have said before. IL Christianity
is not revealed religion, or II the dis
tinctive principles of the church do not
belong to this revelation. then we are
guilty of schlsm-of needless and un-
Unsuitable division, that is-in keeping
ourselves separate from the majority OF
Christian people In our state. II, on the
other hand, We are entrusted, or believe
ourselves to he entrusted. with gifts OF
trut' and grace and order which belong
to the integrity Of the church according
TO our Lords design. then. both IN 10y
atty to Him and in charity to our
brethren, we are bound in no wise to
compromise our witness to these prin-
ciplos
Taking this ground. ned hardly as
sure you that in this diocese, so long 8
| am responsible for It's guidance, the
plain teaching of the prayer book will be
upheld. and no man accounted or taken
TO he n lawful bishop. priest. or deacon,
in this church. or suffered to execute any
lof tho functions of tho ministry except
ne be called. tried, examined. and admit
ted thereunto, according to tho form
prescribed. or hath had Episcopal con-
secration or ordination. Among the func-
tons Of bishops priests. and deacons
in this church. preaching. that Is, the
Authoritative teaching of the conCrega-
ION, Is not the least important. author
ty for this function being expressly con-
ferred after solemn questioning and pray
ers at the time Of ordination. Article
XIII declares that IL is not lawful for
any man to take upon himself tho office
Of public preaching. or of ministering
: the sacraments In the congregation, be-
fore he be lawfully called. and sent to
. execute the same, Against any inter-
probation Of a canon conflicting with the
, funda rule 81 the church thus
. Expressed IN the ordinal here record
my protest In the most formal and Of
4 fetal way known to me, addressing the
3 clergy and people Of my diocese in
convention. and intending TO repeat the
protest Mt the FIRST suitable opportunity
In the House of bishops.
THAT It maybe understood that in this
matter the bishop is not expressing mere
Is his own personal opinion. 1t may be
worth stating here ESPECIALLY as by a
curious and singularly unfortunate mis-
take In the printing OF the Journal. thi:
Is not clear) that on no division on the
I subject in the house OF deputies was the
1 vote Of Vermont clerical or lay. giver
Q IN favor Of the addition to canon 10 OF
3 the new clause In any Of its varying
4 | forms
D at may be right that ! should add {
@ word about one manifestation Of the un
! | easincss that has been caused h. what
g have not hcsitated to speak of as lax ant
a anomalous practices. II would he thu
= height of folly and unrea soma bleness L
I fly from these or such anomalies ICON
A trary, I believe to the fixed order ant
:, discipline OF our church, as set forth II
g her authoritative formularies and by he
: / best dlvines) 10 the unscriptural, Imprint
tive, and uncatholic position OF tn
Latin communion, with It's substitution
: OF papal for apostolic order, its mutilate,
sacrament, its novel articles of faith, It
I tolerated II not authorized corruptiOns Il
y devotion and practice. Not in that di
n rection lies any real hope for the reunion
II Of Christendom. or for the reconciliation
I OF national aspirations or Of modern an
= scientific thought with essential and cath
Ole Christianity. Let us try to be rea
q sOnable, patient and loyal II we re
| prove laxity In one direction. let us dis
courage license In other directions: In on
= own conduct setting an example of self
" restraint and obedience. neither failing I
= live up to the directions We have re
II ceived. nor transgressing our commission
II Whatever may be its avowed occasion
y secession to Rome has generally bee
IL prepared for by previous Romanizing /
sc thought and practice. More particular RI
II when a cloud Is over our Roman Catholi
e brethren in this State by reason Of Bist
VI op Michauds sickness. I should he sorr
u. to say anything either harsh or dsre
i are challenged TO avow our position, on
- must let il be distinctly understood this
We have no doubts concerning our eccle.
c' iastical standing. Episcopal not Papa
~ Catholic not Roman, Protestant in n
W historical sense In which the word wa
VT used by Bishop Cosin when he said cor
L corning the English Church, We that al
70 Protestant and reformed according
10 the ancient Catholic Church."
III The address will be read in II
" churches OF the diocese next Sunday
!" was referred to committee consistin
De of the Rev. w T .Forsythe of Emo
VI bureh Falls, the Rev. II. A. Flint
ct Montpelier, the Rev. Alfred Taylor
-. Arlington. A. J. Champion OF Enosbure
'o Falls and Col. II. w. Allen OF Burlinl
TO- top which commit 90 will roport to.do