Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-29
THE REIE1cKER LECTURES.

The course Of Reinicker lectures
delivered at the Episcopal Theological
Seminary near this city during TINS
week by the Rt. Rev. Joseph b. Ches.
hire. D. D., of North Carolina. was OF
unusual interest. The subject OF the
lectures, as already announced IN the
Gazette, was the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the Confederate States. Inc
first lecture dealt with the relation Oh
the southern dioceses to the Confeder-
acv The Episcopal church felt that
in accordance with the principle held
at ia, time OF the Revolution, the
severance of the Confederate States
from the United States, and the estab-
i;shment OF an independent govern
ment involved the independence of
the church rs an organization, and as
the several states seeded the Episcopal
bishops and clergy took measures. al
soon as possible, for the organization
OF the Episcopal church in the Confed-
crate states. The leading bishops at
that time were Bishops Atkinson, OF
North Carolina; Elliott, of Georgia;
Davis, of South Carolina. and Polk, OF
Louisiana; Bishop Meade, of Virginia
being too infirm by reason OF age to
take any active part in the preliminary
conference, and his death occurring IN
March, 1862. The only General Coun,
Gil of the church was held IN lo62 ana
at that meeting important business was
accomplished. The legislation was I'M
portant especially in its wide outlook
and suggestions with references to prob
lens which have come before the
united church in later years. The
provincial system was advocated ana
approved and change Of name was
suggested for the church from Protes-
tant Episcopalto Reformed Catholic.
This motion did not pass, though ad-
vocated with great ability by Bishop
Atkinson. The only change made IN
the prayer book was in the prayer Tor
the president of the United States,
changed, of course, to the president OF
tho Confederate states in the morning
and evening services. Tho uniteu
States was not changed elsewhere, for
example in the form OF prayers to DC
used at sea. The fleet OF the United
States was still retained i'll The speclal
prayer. The pastoral letter issued by
the General Council was noted for ITS
noble dignity, its spiritual power ana
its christian charity. There was not
one harsh expression used against the
government of the United States or the
questions involved in the civil war.
Bishop Cheshire touched all hearts IN
recouutng the last interview OF General
Lee with Bishop Meade rs the latter
lay on his dcathbcd, aud in one OF the
noblest passages i'll the lectures be vim
dictated the course OF Bishop Polk, the
warrior Bishop OF Louisiana" IN tax
ing up arms for his country. The care
of the Episcopal Church in the Confcde-
rate states for the religious life OF the
army was eloquently depicted in Bishop
Cheshire last lecture. Among the
many heroes and self denying chap
lainS, Rev. Mr.. Qaintard, afterwards
bishop OF Tennessee, occupied IN hon
orcd place.
These lectures are valuable contrl-
button to the religious history of the
Confederacy, and many will be glad to
know that Bishop Cheshire expects to
publish them with additional chapters
at an early date. All who heard them
expressed their high appreciation of the
course.