Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-06
BP. HALLS LENTEN LETTER.
Directs Thoughts to simple Cop-idern-
lions Of Christian Ministry.

his annual Lenten pastoral letter to all
the parishes OF the diocese OF Vermont,
the letter being c~ustomarily read on one
OF the Sundays before or the first Sunday
In Lent. The bishop himself read his let
ter at st. Pauls Church Sunday morning
to the congregation at the eleven O'Clock
service. In its entirety the letter IS as
follows:
To the Clergy and Congregations of the
Diocese of Vermont:
My Dear Friends and Brethren Tho
conservation of our coadjutor Ganuary
2D and the 18th anniversary OF my own
conservation CFebruary . naturally sug-
gest some thoughts for my customary
Lenten Pastoral Letter. This | am the
more anxious to send to our congrega-
lions this year, when / am able to under
take so few visitations. with the coadju-
tor In the field. / shall feel more easy in
my mind about largely keeping at home.
especially during the winter months, and
doing here what work I can for the do
cese and for the church. Exposure and
fatigue | must avoid so far as possible,
IL 1 am to continue to serve you and 9TH
ers.
I should like to direct your thoughts
10 sOnl0 simple CONGRATULATIONS concerning
the ministry of the Christian Church-al-
together apart from controversial ques-
tons.
l. The very word ministry means serv-
Ice. This is the fundamental idea Of the
institution, the dedication of life and all
It's powers to the service of our fell
lows in their highest interests. Pray that
this conception may never be lost sight
Of, that it may rulo in the hearts and
minds OF all our clergy-bishops, priests
and detcons. and in all who are looking
forward to holy orders. Office in the
church Is to he valued as an opportunity
for service. May the service be devoted.
humble, unsparing!
But remember there must he a response
to . desire to serve, an acceptance Of
ministrations, If service il to be effectual.
The clergy are appointed to be ministers
of Gods word and of His holy sacra-
ments Are the people collectively and
individually welcoming their help to-
wards the understanding of Gods mind
and Will, and In an earnest use OF tho
means OF grace ordained by our Lord?
n. The ministry stands for leadership.
The Clergyman ought to be a pattern-
II lSlldlii ElNIiE an tNdlllplt III HIS NE
and conduct Of the virtues and character
which he Is to teach the people in the
name Of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a part
dhe chief part surely) of the Christian
religion, built on it's faith and made pos
sible by It's grace. But then IN every do
partment Of life a leader. however skilful
or brave, needs followers. Others must
rally round him. Too often in affairs Of
religion or of the church the clergyman
is left very much alone, as II these were
solely his business, instead Of being the
concern Of all, guided and led by their
representative. Where, as with US, the
minister, whether chief pastor or rector,
is chosen by the people, as well az or
dained and commissioned by higher all
thority, this representative character OF
the ministry should surely help to a loyal
support of the chosen leader in diocese
or parish.
Do not let the clergy man be alone cor
nearly soJ in tho worship Of God in
church, or in plans for the welfare and
work Of the parish, or in bearing witness
for all that is good and true and against
all tina is false and evil in the commu-
nifty.
~ Nv NHA ''4A ~ - nv -
elusive. All the members Of the body
have their privileges and duties likewise.
It is a practical acquiescense in the worst
OF sa~cerdotalism for lay people to
leave to the clergy tho study Of scripture.
theology, prayer, or care for others spir-
itual welfare and for the extension OF
Christ's kingdom, instead of claiming
their own share In all these concerns. The
clergy should he experts in these different
lines, but they must not be allowed a
monopoly.
". Ministers should he leaders in an
aggressive warfare against evil. militia
riSm'' as a system of arbitrary authority
we may suspect: as a movement in the
nation towards the increase of arma-
mont and the e1ertion of influence by
force We may oppose it; but let rs re-
member that the Christian Church repre-
scnts the army of the Lord, to wage war
against His enemies, all that oppose His
righteous rule. In this army we individ'
ually were enlisted at our Baptism, TO
fight under Christ's banner against sin.
the world, and the devil. We constantly
speak OF the church as militant here
on earth. a fighting body. How far is this
description true Of the church in our
country, or State. our several communt
ties?
Two points about this ! wish to empha.
size,
% It is an aggressive warfare in which
the Lords host Is charged to engage
Not merely to defend the faith or tho
church's claims and rights; but to make
war or e~vil-sensuallty and drunkenness.
cruelty and selfishness, dishonesty Din
business or IN politics as we'll as in pri-
vate life) and profanity. Put In another
way It is the church's mission to call all
men. at home and abroad. TO obedience to
Christ. to win them to the acceptance OF
His wise and loving rule, which alone eve
believe) can ensure real happiness and
prosperity for individuals, communities.
and nations. We are to set up and eX-
tend Christ's kingdom, This is the way
in which to regard the missionary work
OF the church. the missionary duty OF
each congregation of Christian people.
Are we trying to realize it, and to take
our share in carrying it out?
a. This is a spiritual warfare. 1t is
by the appeal OF truth to mems con-
science and mind and heart that the
Church's conquests are to be gained. This
ia the work OF the minister OF Gods
word. whether In public preaching or In
any other form of teaching, How far tho
church, or combinations or religious
bodies, as such. should invoke the civil
arm to put down wrong of any kind Is
a different and a difficult question. My
own opinion is that all repressive ana