2
THE DAILT cvlSNINO TELEGRAPH PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1871.
st. cLn running.
CmtlrwitA from th irtt Fajt.
ucta action was sent to me, and the Information
cam from a person no known to the Toslry.
MUCH OF TBI DIFFICULTY
which exists in the uilnds of these gentlemen
bas grown out of an absence of any clear and
distinct statement of what was. or was not,
taught at St. Clement's, or of what part of the
teaching or ritual they, on their part, objected
to. I may have been In part to blame for this,
and hope it is now remedied by the following
paper.
Bowings, prostrations, and genufl'-xlons to
the altar have never been Utii;ht. lieverence
for the places and things made sacred by holy
nee Is tauirht and, I hope, practised.
I wish it distinctly to be understood that nei
ther of the clergy of St. Clement's Church has
ever taught one word on
TUB SUBJECT OF CONFESSION
other than that contemplated by the "Exhorta
tion to the Holy Communion," and as allowed
by our standards. The whole system, as taught
and practiced by the Roman Church, has by
long UBige confined the term, "uricular con
fession," to a technical sense. If by this term
these gentlemen mean the use of confession as
taught and practised by the Cburch of Rome, I
emphatically deny the teaching or practice of
any such custom. The Roman Cburch says,
"you must." The Anglican C lurch, say, "yon
may." The clergy of St. Clement's Church
hold and teach the Anglican practice, and no
other. This, and this only, they are prepared
to defend as primitive and scriptural.
Beseeching you, one and all, to avoid all un
charitable and harsh expressions, to keep in
subjection that "unruly member," th tongue,
and to "set forward, as much as lieth in you,
peace and quietness among all men,"
I am, dear brethren, faithfully yours,
II. G. Batterson.
Clergy Rooms. 8t. Clement's Church, Phila
delphia, March 20, 1871.
THE PAPER READ TO THE VE9TRT OF ST. CLE
MENT'S, FEB. 16, 1871.
Gentlemen: I have read the letter of Bishop
Stevens, directed to Mr. P. Pemberton Morris,
and a copy of that letter has been placed in my
bands.
The Bishop writesiinder an entire misappre
hension of the character of the papers submitted
to him by Mr. Morris.
The paper aliudcd to by the Bishop, as marked
"M," be seems to understand to be a report to
the vestry of St. Clement's Church from a com
mittee appointed by the vestry at a meeting held
on the 18ih of Jauuary, 1871. The paper
marked "1" be seems to understand to be an
answer to that report by the rector, defending
his teaching aud practice, in opposition to
the tenor of the report, and the ex
pressed wish of the vetry. I coma to this
conclusion from the words of the Bishop where
be says: "The decision of the report is evaded;"
again, "not a point was conceded," etc. The
course pursued by Mr. Morris in this matter,
from the beginning to the end, has, to my mind,
been unwise, injudicious, and, in this last act,
injurious, not only to the vestry and himself,
but to the Bishop and myself.
TOE FACTS IN THE CASE
I may perhaps be allowed to rehearse.
The whole subject of ritual, doctrine, and
practice had been discussed in vestry meeting
upon many occasions previous to the meeting
of January 18, 1871. At that meetiug, for a
second time, I expressed my willingness to
abandon any practices in matters of ritual which
the vestry would say were detrimental
to the interests of the parish, or which, in the
opinion of the vestry, might be a cause of scan
dal to the Church at large.
All the points In the ritual in St. Clement's
Church were disenssed or enumerated, and not
one member of the vestry raised a word of ob
jection to a single poiut.
I then announced that in the future, should I
desire any change, I would consult the wardens
before making it.
(I add, by way of parenthesis, that on
Tuesday evening of the week previous to the
13th ot Jauuary, 1871, Mr. George N. Allen
and Mr. John Lambert called at my house,
and expressed their satisfaction with my propo
'sltion, aud their readines to defend the services
as at that time conducted )
I beg leave to call attentiou to the fact that,
at a meeting of the vestry previous to the one
held on the 18th day of January, a resolution
was offered to the effect that the whole matter be
REFERRED TO THE BISHOP
and Standing Committee. This resolution was
unanimously tabled, or postponed, the mover of
It not voting.
I come now to the meeting of January the
18th, 1871.
At that meeting, after my statement, before
alluded to, it was unanimously resolved that
"the whole matUr be referred to the rector and
the rector's warden," as a commit' ee who were
to Investigate the whole subject aud
REPORT TO THE VESTBT.
This cammittee, of which I was chairman,
beld a meeting. No conclusion was reached.
The first dratt of the paper spoken of by the
Bishop, as marked "M," was read and discussed.
I then prepared a paper, which was substan
tially the same as that spoken of by the Bishop
as marked "B."
These papers were simply expressions of
nnlnion bv the two members of the committee,
preparatory to a final report by that commUtee
to the vestry.
These two papers passed Into the bands of
Mr. Morris. lie then prepared a letter to the
Bishop, which letter is alluded to in the Bishop's
paper. Mr. Morris expressed an anxious desire
to lay the whole matter before the Bishop. I
was entirely opposed to It. as not authorized by
the vestry, and for other reasons which he very
well knew.
I proposed that he should submit them to the
Rev. T. F. Davies, the rector of Bt. Peter's
Cburch. To this proposition Mr. Morris as
sented. I consented (seeing bis determination)
that they might also be laid before the Bishop.
This decision I reeonuldered, and said to Mr.
Morris, "Rerd both papers to Mr. George N.
Allen and Mr. Walter 11. Tilden, and if they say
send them to the Bishop, then you may lay them
before him."
I am aware that
MR. MORRIS CLAIMS
that no such declaration was made on my part.
I simply ask, Why should I have requested that
these papers be read to these two gentlemen if
their counsel and advice were not to be asked in
the matter?
I will pursue this matter no further, save only
to say that it was my wish that the papers
should not go before the Bishop without the
coneent of both Messrs. Allen aud Tilden. Mr.
Allen I have not seen. Mr. Tilden bas told me
that be advised Mr. Morris not to present them
to the Bishop, and that Mr. Morris gave hlni to
understand that he would not send them.
But the papers did go. And they went with
out the knowledge or consent of the vestry.
THEY WENT IN BPITE
of the unanimous vote of the vestry against
such reference. They went before the commlt
tee had made a report to the vestrv. as they
were directed to do. They went with no au
thority irom anyoocy.
Let me here ask why, at a meeting of the
vestry, at which I was unable to be present, Mr.
Morris Dresented aud read both uanur as th
report of this committee? I was aot consulted
in the matter, nor bad I any Intimation that
such, was bis intention.
As chairman of that committee, the - report
should have been Dresented first by me: Mr.
Morris would afterwards have been en title 1 to
present bis paper, but not until then. The ffhola
proceeding lias neen
UNPARLIAMENTARY
and irregular. I come now to
THE BISHOP'S PAPER.
The Bishop discusses, first, the subject of au
ricular confection.
In response to my statement that "the touch
ing of the American Church upon this su'iject
is contained in 'Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity;' "
that "this book is one of the list pre
scribed by the House of Bibhops, and by the
Generat Convention, for the study of every man I
previous to bis ordination to the priesthood;"
and that "having received the sanction and au
thority of the ) louse of Bishops and General
Convention, without any proviso or qualifica
tion, may be said fairly to speak the mind of
the American Church.
The Bishop says: "I need not point out the
fallacy of the argument of Dr. Batterson. that
because an author is mentioned In the list of
books prescribed by the House of B '.shops, to
be read and studied by candidates for
holy orders, that therefore, such author
or work bas the sanction and authority
of the House of Bishops, and may bo said fairly
to represent the mind of the American Church;
for it Is too evident to escape notice."
So, then, the House of Bishops deliberately
sets forth a list of books which they, in union
with the General Convention, by canon require
to be studied by candidates for holy orders; and
vet "cannot thereby be said to give to such
books their sanction and authority !"
tub "fallacy"
of this argument Is "too evident to escape
notice." The Bishop apparently proceeds upon
the-suppoBltion that the compulsory confession
of the Church of Rome is that which is spoken
of. He is mistaken. To no man is compulsory
confession more abhorrent than to myself.
But, to the "troubled minds contemplated by
the exhortation to the communion;" those with
an "oppressed conscience, bona fide, seeking re
lief in that way," the Church has always coun
selled and encouraged confession as a means to
"quiet the grief," and for the "removal of all
scruple and doubtfulness."
The Bishop says in effect that the "whole
drift" of Hooker's teaching is
against private confession.
"What, then, Is Hooker's meaning, when he
says in Book vi, chap, iv, 7: "Our Lord Jesus
Christ bath left in His Church spiritual
and ghoBtly physicians, guides and pastors of
redeemed souls, whose oilice doth not consist in
general persuasions unto amendment of life, but
also in the private particular cure of diseased
minds."
The quotation from Bishop Jewel's "Apology"
Is entirely foreign to the subject.
Bishop Jewel is speaking of the subject as
taught and practised in the Church of Rome.
When he speaks of the practice of the Church
of England we get at his teaching on the sub
ject under discussion.
in the homily on repentance,
in arguing against the compulsory confession of
the cnurcn oi Home, msnop Jewel says, "that
every man should be bound to their (i. e. the
Roman) auricular confession, it Is no command
ment or ordinance of God." So say I.
This same Bishop Jewel, in bis defense of
The Apology, says: "Touching the third"
(private confessions made unto our brother),
"if it be discreetly used, to the greater com
fort and better satisfaction of the penitent,
without superstition or other ill, It Is not In
any wise by us reproved. The abuses and
errors set apart, we do no more mislike a pri
vate confession than a private sermon."
The quotation from Bishop Jewel, used by
Bishop Stevens, is foreign to the question under
discussion. Used as he uses it, he makes
Bishop Jewel say what he never did say.
In the Homily on Repentance, Bishop Jewel
discusses both questions.
Of compulsory confession as used in the
Roman Church, be says: "It hath not the war-
rani oi uoa s wora. ' ui voluntary comession,
he says: "I do not say but that if any do find
themselves troub led in conscience, they may
repair to their learned curate or pastor, or to
some other goaty, learned man, and show the
trouble and doubt of their conscience to them,
that they may receive at their hand the com
fortable salve of God's Word."
The whole drift and teaching of Bishop
Jewel's works on this subject
are at utter variance
with the statement of Bishop Stevens.
Dr. John Donne, Dean of St. Paul's. London.
In the time of James I, says: -"Men come not
willingly to this manifestation of themselves,
nor are they to be brought in chains, as they
do iwthe Roman Church, by a necessity," etc.
Again he says: "We enjoin private and par
ticular confession if the conscience be op
pressed: and if any man do think that that
which is necessary for him on his death-bed Is
necessary every time be comes to the Commu
nion, and so come to such a confession, If any
thing lie upon him, as often as he comes to the
Communion; we blame not, we dissuade not, we
discounsel not that tenderness of conscience
and that safe proceeding in the soul."
Wbeatiy on the Book of Common Prayer is
very clear on this subject. His book is one of
the list authorized by
the house of Bisnoi's
and the General Convention. He says: "No
argument sure can be drawn, that because a
pructice bas been abused, it should therefore
cease to be used. The abuses of it should be re
formed, but not the practice discontinued."
"Aud therefore the Church of England at the
Reformation freed It from all the encroach
ments with which the Church of Rome had em
barrassed it, aud reduced confession to its pri
mitive plan."
"Every one is left to bis own discretion; all
that was absolutely enjoined, was only a mutual
forbearance and peace; for the security of
which, a clause was added in the first book of
King Edward, requiring such as shall be satis
fied with a general confession, not to be offended
TV ItU tUtlU fcUWV U V UOUi UI At I tllvt DC IB lj
iDg, the auricular ana secret confession to the
priest; and those also which think it needful
and convenient, for the quietness of their own
consciences, particularly to open their sins to
the priest, to be oil ended with them thai are
satisfied with their confessions to God, and the
general confession to the Cburch. But in all
things to follow and keep the rule of charity,
and every man to be satisfied with his ovn con
science, not judging other men's minds or con
sciences; whereas be bath no warrant of God's
word to the same.
"What could have been added more judiciously
than this, to temper, on the one band, the
rigors ot those who were too apt at that time
to insist upon confession as always absolutely
necessary to salvation; and to prevent, on the
other band, a carelessness in those who, being
prejudiced against the abuse, were apt indis
criminately to reject the thing, as at no time
needful or useful to a penitent."
"So that we may still, I presume, wish, very
consistently with the determination of our
Church, that our people would apply them
selves, oftener than they do, to their spiritual
physicians, even in the time of their health,
since it it much to be feared, they are wounded
oftener than they complain, aud yel, through
aversion to disclosing their sore, suffer it to
gangrene for want of their help who should work
the cure."
"TheS xposltlon of the Thirty-nine Articles"
by the Rt. Rev. Harold Browne, D. D., the
present Bishop of Ely, is another of the books
authorized by the House of Bishops and by the
General Convention, the Bishop oi uonaecti
cut bas edited an edition of this book for use in
the American Church, and it is used in all our
Divinity Schools. Bishop Browne snys: "The
Church of England provides for all troubled
consciences the power qi relieving themselves,
by making confession of guilt to their pastor,
or any other discreet and learned minister, and
an e'wut them comfort and counsel: but does not
bind every one of necessity to rehearse all his
private sius to man, nor elevate such useful con
fession Into a sacrament essential to salvation."
l'nire 587.
Martin Lnther says of private confession: "It
Is useful, vea, necessary; ueltuer would I desire
that It bad no existence, nay rather, I rejoice
that It exists in the Church ot jurist. Aam
he says: "I would rather lose a thousand worldi
tiian suffer private confection to be thrust out
fcf the Cburch."
I urn uuJ.lo to find a single word In the
writings ot Lulber, Calvin, Ridley, Craumdr,
Hooter, or any of the Ketortner against voiun
laiy eoiifetbiou. They are almost uuaulinjus on
the bui'jtci ot
compulsory confession,
and equally uuuuimous on the subject of volun
tarv eonfesblon.
l'bave examined with patient care the writ
lug of the great aud good of tuo Angllcm com
mnnlon, from the days of Ridley and Cranraer
to the present time, and at every stop I find a
condemnation of compulsory confession, and
an equally strong commendation of voluntary
confession.
Tbe present Bishop of London (Bishop Jack
ton) who cannot be said by anybody to be
favorable to what is called the '"Advanced
School" says, "As ministers should be. by their
profession, usually the best advisers ia cases of
conscience, and are or ought to be every peni
tent's ready and sympathizing friend: so to
them tbe stricken or perplexed soul will often
have recourse. Thus, there is a sense in which
those dreaded words "Confession to the Priest"'
may express an edifying prac
tice, and even at times a duty."
I may add, that in all the recent trials and
troubles In the Cburch ot England, in no in
stanre bas the subject of confession been
totirbed, while It Is well known that Puey,
Keble, Bennett, Carter, Sadler, and hundreds of
others of the English priesthood have been, or
are.ln the constant habit of hearing these volun
tary confessions. The same statement is true
in tbe case of many priests in the American
Church.
The Bishop proceeds:
"Where the English Prayer Book in the first
of the exhortations to the holy communion has
the words, 'that by the ministry of God's Holy
Word, he mey receive
1HE BENEFIT OF ABSOLUTION,
together with ghostly counsel and advice.' in
the American Prayer Book the reference to
absolution is left out, and the passage reads,
'that he may receive such godly counsel and
acivice.
Does the Bishop mean by this paragraph
to Sav that tbe Amcripnn ('.linrnh rnnniHates a1!-
solution ? It so, I call your attention to the
preface in her Prayer Book, where she says:
"Tbls Church Is far from Intending to depart
Irom the Cburch of England, In any essential
poiDt of doctrine, discipline, or worship; or
otner man local circumstances require.
I CALL ATTENTION
to the declaration which she nuts in the mouth
of every priest on all occasions of matin's or
cven-fong, viz.: that "God hath given power?
arid commandment to His ministers, to declare
and pronounce to His people, being penitent,
tne aDsoiution and remission ot their sins.
The Bishoncoes on to sav: "Where the Eng
lish rubric before the confession in the holy
communion reads: "then shall tbe general
confession be made in tbe name of all those that
are minded to receive," the American rubric
Lays, 'Then shall this general confession be
made by the priest and all those that are minded
to receive,' i.e., that the priest Is to confess as
wen as the people. 1 am at a loss to under
stand
THE BISHOP'S MEANING,
for it is obvious that in either case the priest is
to confess. For is not the priest to receive as
well as the people ? So then, in both cases, the
"confession" is by priest and people. The
Bishop s allusion to this rubric Is to my mind
UTTERLY MEANINGLESS
in this discission.
Again the Bishop says: "Where the English
rubric directs alter this general confession,
'Then shall the priest (or the bishop beinir pre
sent,) stand up, and tnrulnu himself to the
people, pronounce this absolution: the Amsrl
can rubric. leaves out the words, 'pronounce this
absolution, ana substitutes the single word
'say.' "
Is there, then, no absolution? Are not the
words which the priest is to "say" (the very
same as uiose in me .ngiisn rrayer noon t
. DOES THE BISHOP INTEND
here to say that the American Church conveys
10 ner priesiuooa no power to "pronounce ab
salution" iu the communion office ?
What means she, then, when she uses the
words which were used by the Bishop at mr
own ordination, viz.: "Receive the Holy Ghoit
lor tne omce ana woric ot a priest in the
Cburch of God, now committed unto thee by
the imposition of our bands. Whose sins thou
dost forgive, they are forgiven, and whose sins
thou dost retain, they are retained. Aud be thou
n lalthlul dispenser oi tbe W ord of God, and of
His Holy Sacraments: In the name of the Father.
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
ARE THESE WORDS A MOCKERY?
Do they convey no power ? No authority ?
Or are they merely a high sounding phrase, re-
Seated over tbe kneeling man, at the most solemn
our of his life?
The Bishop alludes to the omission In the
American oflice for the visitation of the sick, of
the particular ana special comession, and abso
lution. Why tbls was done, when we remember the
Preface to the Prayer Book, heretofore men
tioned, It Is hard to explain, unless It be for the
reason that the English office compels a confes
sion, and commands the priest to give absolution.
if the penitent desires it. Still, in the visitation
of tbe sick, when the noiy communion is cele
brated, the very words of confession and abso
lution, contained in the oflice for the public
celebration, are directed to be used. Again:
THE AMERICAN PRAYER HOOK
has a rubric which reads as follows: "Here the
minister may use any part of the service of this
book, which, in bis discretion, be shall think
convenient to the occasion," etc. By this rubric.
the priest is no longer a machine, but a map.
and supposed to have some "discretion." In the
performance of bis duty in visiting the sick, be
may (by this rubric) move the sick person to
confession; and by the same rubric, be may, "in
bis discretion," use the form of absolution con
tained in the communion office.
Tbe Bishop proceeds to the oflice for the visi
tation of prisoners, and admits that
THE FORM OF ABSOLUTION
in tbe communion office may be used "when a
prisoner is confined for some great and capital
crime.
The Bishop goes on to say that "the only con
fession which the minister la to exhort the pris
oner to make, is a particular confession of the
sin for which he is condemned." The Bishop
must have overlooked a previous rubric in the
same oilice, which says: "Then shall the
minister examine whether be repent him
truly of bis sins, and be In charity with nil
the world; and further admonish him, particu
larly concerning the crimes wherewith he
is charged," etc. Again, in the exhortation
to the prisoner, the minister is directed to say-.
"I require you to strictly examine yourself and
your estate, both towards God and towards man;
and let no worldly consideration hinder you
from making a full confession of your sins," etc.
After this is done, then the minister Is to ex
hort him to that "particular confession of the
sin for which he Is c mdeuined."
THE BISHOP'S INTERPRETATION
of this oflice may fairly be paraphrased thus:
"Tbe man who outrages law, who commits mur
der, robbery, or, in the pursuit ot hlslust, out
rages tbe purity of woman this man, upon con
fessior, may receive the absolution given to all
penitents in the communion oilice;" but the
bumble penitent soul, who Is bittling with bis
sins, and who comes in his sorrow for guidance
and consolation, shall be turned away with no
word of peace from the Church which our
blessed Lord bas placed on the earth to that
very end.
IT IS MOSSIROUS!
Does not the greater Include the less ? If the
great criminal may receive absolution upon
making a confts'iou, why may not the penitent
fiiiuer, whose sins may not be an outrage upon
society, and yet arc an outrage upon the law of
God, and Lis own couscieuee; why may ho not
ricelve tbe sanio hlesciug and the same "whole
some salve of God's Word?''
The Bishop proceeds to say:1-"! repeat, there
fore, that the Auieib au Church has tpoken for
hertelf. tbe recoir:iz:s no inherent right in
the minister Jo liear c !ifes.-lon aad grant abso
lution outside of tiio f.ruis ami way specially
provided; and by er legislation, direct and in
direct, la j.rotei .tfd &!int piivato coufeseiou
ala m1 private absolution."
I BEO LEAVE TO DISSENT IN TOTO
fiom the Bib p'a statement. The American
Church, so fur as I can k'aru, has never ' lugls
latert" upon tbls subject, "directly or ludl
reetly." The American Church has given to her priest
hood an absolute, unqualified commission to do
this very tning.
Bhe restricts the newly-commisslond priest by
no word or hint, in tbe use of the Divinely de
scended powers. If the "power and command
ment oi God to "ills ministers to "declare
and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the
absolution and remission or tbelr ems, be not a
part of the "office and work of a priest In the
Church of God," what Is it?
Beyond tbls the Bishop s whole argument Is
directed against the compulsory system of the
Cburch of Rome, which system I abhor as
deeply as it is possible for him to do.
THE BISHOP CONCLUDES
this dlscnsslon by saying:
"l require me otiieiattng ministers m at.
Clements parish to discontinue all teaching
and practice which leads to or countenance
such private confession or private absolution."
Are we to suppose the Bishop here to say that
be will forbid the clergy of St. Clement's parUh
to bear a private confession, or to give a'olu
tion in such a case? If so, I am b ld to sav
that be will do that which tbe Church uowhere
gives bim authority to do.
The Ameilcan Cburch has given me authority
without restriction in this in titer, a id u ir.it fn
by her legislation shall take away that authority,
I MUST USB MY LIBERTY.
Tbls whole question touches tbe private duties
of tbe priesthood. No subject can be more
sacred. It is a matter outside tbe direction of
a vestry! and one with which as a vestry, they
bave no right to tnteriere. ere this conceded
every action of the ministry would be subject to
tbe direction of a vestry. The same will apply
to a Bishop.
1 be exhortation of the Communion bids the
troubled penitent to go to the priest and "opeu
bis grief. How that is to be done it Is not in the
province of Bishop or layman to decide.
No men in the American Church have a higher
"reverence for authority than the clergy of St.
Clement's parish. No men more deeply "loathe
and abhor an autocracy."
Whatever tbe Bishop may command, counsel,
or advise, within the limits of his rightful
authority, shall, "with a glad mind, be reve
rently followed and obeyed" to the letter and
in tbe dirlt.
Tbe question of "prayers for the dead" need
not be discussed in tbls paper
Tbe vestry having unanimously declared that
not one oi them has ever heard me say one word,
in the pulpit or In the chancel, which they c mid
not heartily endorse, It noeds no words to prove
that we are heartily in accord so lar.
I DECLINE TO ACCEPT THE BISHOPS DICTUM,
that I am responsible for the sentiments
expressed in tbe sermons oi those who preach
lor me, and who are my peers, responsible uot
to me but tbe diocesan authority uuder which
tbey labor.
(What follows was not in the original paper).
A more careful reading of the bisaop'a paper
seems to call lor some examination.
"Tbe opinion that prayers for the dead are
efficacious has never betn"taught or preacVed
in St. Clement's Church by anybody. To my
knowledge tbe subject has never been alluded
to more than once or twice. The Bishop says:
"The two passages in the Prayer Book that are
usually relied on by tbe advocates of this doc
trine are found In the Prayer for tbe whole
state of t hrlst s Church .iMmtiut, and in oue ot
the Dravers of the Burial Service.
The first sentence is, "And we also bless Thy
lioly JName lor 1 by servants departed this lite
ill 1JJJ iUHU II1IU 1CHI, b.
The Bisbop knows (or perhaps I should say.
he ought to know) that this passage is not the
one "relied on by the advocates of this doc
trine." This passage is referred to, but the
strong part of their argument is ia the prayer
which follows theCajou of C mseerailoo.viz.:
"And we earnestly deBlre lhy Uatherly good
ness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of
praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseech
ing Thee to grant that by the merits and death
of Thy Son Jesus Christ and through f tith in
His Blood, We, and all Thy Whole Church, may
obtain remission of our sins and all other bene
fits of His Passion."
The argument is, that "Thy Whole Church"
comprises threo parts: ine (Jtiurcn Militant
tbe Church Expectant, and the Church Triumph
ant. Therefoie say tbey. the praver reaches be
yond those still in the fiesh. The Bishop then
alludes to tne
PRAYER IN THE BURIAL OFFICE,
and gives a quotation as follows: "And we be
seech Tbee that we, with all those who are
departed in tbe true faith oi lhv Holy iSam.
may bave our perfect consummation aud bliss
in lby eternal and heavenly kiugdom.
Let us now have the quotation just as it reads
In tbe burial umce.
"And we beseech Thee that we, with all those
who are departed In the true faith of Thy Holy
Name, may have our perfect consummation
and bliss, both in body and soul, In Thy
eternal and everlasting glory." Why
Is it that the words "iijth in bidv
and soul" are omitted? These are the very
words upon wnicn the "advocates ot this doc
trine" hang their whole argument. They say
that tbe "periect consummation aud bliss can
not be until tbe soul is reunited to the body, and
that this is a supplication that the "bliss" of that
day may be granted to those souls now separated
irom the Doay.
I now return to the original paper.
Tbe remainder of tbe discussion is upon mat
ters of ritual.
THIS WHOLE SUBJECT
having been settled by tbe vestry, requires but
llllie COUBlUCrBUUIl. AUD tcoii tUUD lull Well
that the rector is not strenuous upon these
minor points, as (for the most part) they in
volve no principle.
He would probably differ from both Bishop
and vestry in some points, but a man may do
that without loss of confidence, trust, or affec
tion. Tbe question oi
MIXING WATER WITn THE WINE,
at the time of placing the oblations upon the
altar. 1 bad promised to abandon it it was an
offense to anybody, aud it was unfair to take
that question before the Bishop, especially as no
person (in the vestry or out ot it) had ever
raised one word oi objection to tne practice.
In speaking oi vestments, the Bishop says:
"There is no authority for the UBe of colored
vestments In our Cbureh, etc.
It is pretty generally known, IJbelieve, that
there is no authority tor the use ot auy vest
ruents in our Cburch, except that of common
ecclesiastical law. There Is not one word of
law in our canons, nor has the American Church
legislated upon the subject In any way, "directly
or indirectly.
A BI&HOP'S OPINION,
however wise, learned, or pious he may be.
surely cannot be elevated to the position of
law.
The Bishop of New York, in his recent action,
took good care to recommend, not to command;
nor did be toucn me question oi coiorea stoies
He simply requested the clergy who had u3d
tbe colored chasuble to substitute white in place
of it.
Tbe use of the colored stoles the rector and
vestry agreed should be continued, and await
tbe action oi the next uenerai uouvenu.m.
Not one member of the vestry raised a word
of objection, per e, to the use of them.
The Bishop concludes his paper by saving:
"It would certainly be a mockery of Episcopal
autboilty, and bad faith towards the vestry of
St. Clement's Church, sfter agretlug to submit
the controversy to the ordinary, etc.
Tbe rector aud the vestiy have never agreed
to "submit the controversy tothe ordinary." On
tbe contrary, tbe rector bas steadily protested
against It; and the vestry by an unanimous vote,
ou the lllh oi January, aecioea not to ao u,
IT HAS BEEN THE AIM
of the majority of tbe vestry to settle the
matter among themselves without sucn a reter
euce. This was the reason for the appotntmeut
f a committee to report upon tbe subject. But
Mr. Morris, in bis buste, has rushed the question
before the ordinary, with no authority what
ever; and bas placed the ordinary in a false
ixisition bv elvinir bim to understand that the
uintlerwas referred to bim for art judication,
which was not the case. Had Mr. Morris com
to me Uefore the Introduction ot hu first resolu
tion all the paluful discussions which bave fol
lowed roteht have been avoided. The clergy of
St. Clement's
STARED THEIR REPUTATION
upon their work there, believing In the truth
and good faith of the vestry. The work has
been a triumphant success, but this action may
result In defeat and disaster, if not in dishonor.
1 be whole congregation, with not more than
halt a dozen exceptions outside oi tbe vestry.
are brartily in accord with the rector, If they
were noi i would resign at once; but Knowiog
as I do that they are, I shall bold my position as
reetor ot the parish.
l hope and pray that the vestry may have the
grace and the wisdom to stop before they bring
St. Clement's Into disrepute and dishonor, if not
into niter ruin.
REMARKS.
It w ill be very plainly seen that in the above
paper I bave not discussed the wisdom, the
desirability, nor the necessity of private coufes-
sion; oi prayers lor the dead, nor ot any matter
of ritual. As' neither of the clergy oi St. Clement's
bas ever asked auybody to jcouie to confession,
as they have never said it was a duty to pray
lor me dean; as ttiey Dave never insisted on
any matter of ritual under discussion; it has
not bren necessary t defend, or even explain,
their teaching or practice, the only question
in the matter Is this: Does the American
Church permit private confession ? I give here
no opinion in the matter, but simply state facts
Again, do tbe praters of the Church extend
in any sense beyond the Church militant? I
f ive no opinion on- this subject, nor is such my
nteutlon here.
1 bcre bas been no teachlnir in St. Clement's
Church on the subject ot confession, other than
the plain statement of the fact that "the trou
bled minds contemplated by the exhortation to
tbe communion those with an oppressed con
science, bona fide seeking relief in that way,"
were entitled to the privilege.
11. G. BATTERSON,
Rector of St. Clement's Church.
Philadelphia, March 20, 1871.
SPECIAL. NOTICES.
jjh REDEMPTION OF STATU BONDS
BTATB OF CALIFORNIA.
A, )
8NT.V
rt. )
TRBA8CHY DftPARTMKNT,
Sacramento, Feb. 1, 1ST
Whereas, there Is on this day in the State Treasury
the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand (S2SO,ooo)
dollars, which, under the provisions of an act of the
Legislature of said State, entitled "An Act to pro
vide for pa ing certain equitable claims against the
State of California, and to contract a fuaJed debt
for that purpose," approved April 83, 1867; and a' so
under tbe provisions of an act amendat rv of said
act, approved April 87, I860, Is set apart for the re
demption of I lvll Bonds of said Mate, issued under
tbe provisions of said first mentioned act, notice la
hereby given that
SEALED PROPOSALS
for the surrender of said Bonds will be received at
this Department for the amount above speclded,
until the
IOTP DAY OF APRIL, A. D. 1811,
at 11 o'clock A. M.
No bids will be entertained at more than par
value, and a responsible guarantee must accompany
each proposal, which must be marked ''Sealul Pro
posals for the Redemption of Civil Bonds of 1S5T."
Paid bonds must be surrendered wlthiu ten days
after the acceptance of the proposals for their re
demption. A.F. CORONKL,
8 14 eod 1 4 10 State Treasurer.
REDEMPTION OF CIVIL BONDS Oif'
lseo.
State of California
3rnia, y
TMKNT,)
Tmeasuky Dkpatm
Sacramf.nto, February 1, 18IL
Whereas, There is en this day in the State Trea
eurj the sum of twenty-eight thnusand (82000) dol
lars which, under the provisions of an act of the
1 eglslature of sold State entitled "An act to pro
vide for the paying certain equitable claims against
the State of California, and to contract a funded
debt for that purpose," approved April 80, 1300, Is
set apart for the redemption of Civil Bonds of said
State, issued under tbe provisions of said act, notice
Is hereby given that
SEALED PROPOSAT.8
for the surrender of said Bonds will be received at
this Depurtnient for the amount above specified
until the
10TH DAY OF APRIL, 1871,
at 11 o'clock A. M.
No bid will be entertained at more than par value,
and a responsible guarantee must accompany each
proposal, which must be indorsed "oei'ed Proposals
for the surrender of Civil Bonds of 1880."
Said bonds will be redeemed and interest paid la
gold and silver coin of the United otatos, aud must
be surrendered within ten days after the acceptance
of tbe proposal for their redemption.
A. F. CORONEL,
9 14eod t4 10 State Treasurer.
gf OFFICE f IKK C t)MVIISSI.NKI,
S. E.
I'liii.AiiKi.ruiA, March 15, IS70,
Til F VCLUNTEKR F1KE DEPARTMENT
having beeu retired from service aui lae
placed in operation at
6 o'OlAICK THIS RVENiNG.
the Beard respectfully asks the co-operation of the
punnc to assist mem in itieir endeavors to make tne
Dei hrtmeut a success.
The board would return their sincere thanks to
the Volunteer Di-parrmeut for their assistance and
uniform good conduct while they were engaged In
organizing.
JACOB LAUDENSLA'JBK,
Prcsic eut.
Attest John R. Caktlin. 8 16
iv?- OFFICE OF THE LOGAN IRON AND
I'uiLADKLpniA. March 13. 1871
The annnal meeting of the Stockholders of this
company will be held at the oihce, No. 230 SOUTiI
TlilHD street, ou TUESDAY. March 2-, at ill o'clock
til., wnen an election win oe nwia ror v ivo uireccor.
and such other business transacted as may then be
presented. By order.
8 14 12t Secretary,
fav- OFFICE OF TUB NATION L RAILWAY
COMPANY, No. 218 8. FOURTH Street.
PtiiLAnhi.PHiA, March 8, 1371.
Au Instalment of Five Dollars per share on the
subscriptions to the preferred st tck or th national
Railway Company will be due and payable at the
omce of the Company, no. vis . ou it i n treei,
rnnaaeinnia, on or uerore uie ihiii oi aiarcn, isii,
hy order of the Board of Direerora.
8 8 Bw JAbOB RIEEL, Treasurer.
ty BATCH KLOK'S 11 AIR DYES. Tills SPLKN-
did Ualr live is the best In tho world, the only
true and periect Dye. Harmless Keuaote lnsiau
tatieoua no disappointment no ridiculous tiota
"VoeK: itontam Lead nor any vualte rouon to n
jurein liairor Smttvi." Invigorates the flair and
leaves It soft and beautiful : Black or Brown.
Bold by all Druggists and dealers. Applied at thu
raotory, no. 10 tiuwunrreei, we lorn. i i ui
THE UNION FIRE EXTINGUISH KK
COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA '
Manufacture and sell the Improved, Portable FUc
Extinguisher. Always Reliable,
D. T. UAUK,
1 80 No. 118 MAKK.KT Bu. General Agem.
gy- DR. F. R. THOMAS, No. H WALNUT STn
fnmiarlt niwrutnr at titA Pnltnn nunlul Rnmna
devotes bis entire practice to extracting teetn with
out pain, witn ireBq nitrous oxide gaa. 11 n
mi,S- JOUVIN'S KID GLOVE CLEANER
restores soiled cloves eaual to new. For sale
by all druggists and faucy goods dealers. Price 80
cents per oouie. n urniwi
feV DISPENSARY FOR SKIN DISEASES, NO.
" 81 8. ELEVENTH Street.
Patients treated gratuitously at this Institution
oaiiy at u o ciocx.
FUKNITUHt.
Joseph II Campion ('ate oore 4 Oampl n),
WILLIAM KM1TH. KlCHAdP K CAMPION,
SMITH & CAMPION.
Manu a -tuiers Of
FUSE Fl'RNlTUhE, Ur110l.STERINQ3, AND IN
TERIOH HOUSE DKi'OHATloiSM,
WO. 849 MJUTti THIRD 8 riet.
Manurae ory, Mos. 815 aud 817 LE ANT S r.et,
FINANCIAL.
THE FEU N SYLVAN I A COttPAK
FOIt INSUKANCES ON LIVES All
GRANTING
ANNUITIES
OfQce No. 304 WALNUT 8treei.
INCORPORATED MARCFI 10, 1813.
CHARTER PERPETUAL.
CAPITAL 1 .OOO.OOO.
BTJBPLTJS UPWARDS OF S750.0
ffPCPtVi tTtOTlPT nn rtpnnfttt rotnrnahla nn tamo
jur men imereHt is b now en.
- J m uu VJ VU M S UIO
nfl under appointment hj inmviaaali, corp
EAECl'TOKH. ADM INISTKATORS, TRI STE
R teal VERS, AOPNTS. COLLECTORS, ETC
And for thp r<hful nprfnrmnri(n tt Ita rintlaa
such all Its assets are liable.
CHARLES DUTILH, Pjesldenf
YV II. 1.1AM v. ihlu Actuary.
DIRECTORS.
Charles Pntllh, Joshua P. Lfpnincott.
Henry J. W llllams, Charles II. Hutchinson!
winiHm n. vbux. Lindier BniTth.
Jchn R. Wuclierer, (leorge A. Wood,
Adoiph It. Unrip, Anthony J. Antelo,
Alexander Diddle, Chanes 8. Lewis,
iienry Lewis.
Bowles Brothers & Co
PABIS, LONDON, BOSTON.
No. 19 WILLIAM Gtrod
N "w Y o i It,
issue
Credits for Traveller
IN EUROPE.
Exch&tge on Paris and the Uni
Bank of Loudon,
j
IN SUMS TO SUIT. 17 8
QUI OF BALTIMOB
11,200,000 six per cent. Bonds of the West
Maryland Railroad Company, endorsed by the d
of Baltimore. The nnden Igned Finance Commit
of the Western Maryland Railroad Company oil
through the American Exchange National Ba
11,800,000 of tbe Bouds of the Western Maryla
Railroad Company, having 30 years to run, prlnclj
and interest guaranteed by the city of Ealtlmo
This endorsement having been authorized by
act of the Legislature, and by ordinance of
City Council, was submitted to and ratified by
almost unanimous vote of the people. As an aa
tlonai security the city has provided a sinking fund
f'200,000 for the liquidation of this debt at matur
An exhibit of the financial condition of c
shows that she has available and convertible ass
more than m trident to pay her entire Indubtednes
To Investors looking for absolute security no lo
offered In this market presents greater tndncemen
These tonus are offered at 87 and accrued In
rest, coupons payable January and July.
WILLIAM KEYSER,
JOHN K. LONGWELL,
MOSES WIE3ENFELD,
1 6 ott Finance CommitteeJ
EDUCATIONAL.
II
A R V A It D UJMIV1SKSIT
CAMBRIDGE, MASS..
Comprises the following Departments:
Harvard College, tbe University Lectures, Dlvln
School, Law School, Mo Ileal School, Dental Schol
Lawrence Scientific School, School of Mining si
Practical Geology, Buasey Institution (a School
Agriculture and Horticulture), Botanlo Garden, Af
tronouiical Observatory, Museum of Conipiraul
Zoology, Feabody Museum of Archeology, Eplscori
Theological School.
The next academic year begins on September
18T1.
The first examination for admission to Harva
College will begin June V9, at 8 A. M. The seco
examination for admission to Harvard College, a
the examinations for admission to the Sclenti
and Mining Schools,; will begin September 83. T
requisites for admission to the College have beJ
changed this year. There la now a mathematd
a'teruatlve for a portion of tbe classics. A circul
describing the new requisites and recent examltf
tion papers win ue niauea on application.
I. N 1VERSITY LECTURES. Thirty-three CourJ
In 1870-71, of which twenty begin In the week Fe
ruary 12-19. These lectures are Intended for gradl
aies oi colleges, leacners, ana ouier compete
adults (men or women). A circular describing tbeJ
will be mailed in application.
TUB LAW SCHOOL bas been reorganized til
year. It bas seven Instructors, aud a library
I6,i oo volumes. A circular explains the new cour
of study, tbe requlMt.es for the degree, and the cut
of attending the school. The second half of t;
year begins February 13.
Fcr catalogues, circulars, or Information, a
dress J. W. HARRIS,
S 6 8m Secretary.
E
7 D B H I L L
8 O H O O,
M ERCH ANTV1LLB, N. J.,
. Fonr Miles from Philadelphia
The session commenced MONDAY, April ii
1671.
for circulars apply to
Rey. T. W. OATTBX.L.
UGVBTUS K1NKELIN, TEACHER OF PIAN
cau be engaged t(r Dancing, Parties, Euti-
taiiiments, etc. Orders by mail f mm suburban reH
(Ui.ces punctually aueunea 10. ueKiaeuce, ino. i
K 1 1.EVEN1 11 ttrei t. below C'hesnut. 8 13 liu
WHISKY, WINE, ETO.
yf?TAIRf A PJcC&LLj
No 126 Walnut, and 21 Granite Ctr
IVPOKT'CBK OP
Brandies, Wines, Gin, Olivi OIL Et
WUOLKHAIJI DKALKK3 IU
p u ft e it y e w h i a k i ii t
IN BOKD AND TAX PAIIX. trS
i. T. BAriTON.
M'MAEOM.
T?ArvrJN WCJW AIIOPI,
SUirPlHG ASD VOMMSHWil MKfiHAiiT8,
No. V COKNTIKS HUt. hew Vorl,
No. ISfcoU'J H WHARVES, Philadelphia
No. 4b W. PRATT STREET. Baltimore.
We are prepared to ship every description f
Krelgiit to Philadelphia, New ort, wmxuiirion, aoj
lutertiierilat points wlt.h promptness and Ueopatoij
aouoc