Dear All:

I came across the following passage this morning, when having forgotten to
set my clock, I had an extra hour to myself!

It was written in 1865 by a lay person, James B Campbell in an essay of the
size of ECUSA dioceses. I'm indebted to the compliers of "Project Canterbury
for making the essay accessible on line.

Thus at the height of the Ritualist Controversy - which did split our
church - the following observation is made:

essential by scripture, and is not required by the Church as conducive to
good order, has led to the introduction of serious, and even bitter
controversies, upon all sorts of indifferent or open questions; and some of
the noblest of our Church ministers and dignitaries have been charged with
being reckless about men's souls, because they do not see all subjects with
the eyes of their flippant accusers. It is bad enough to have the Church
disturbed by partisan warfare, upon those things, nearly resembling
doctrines, upon which angry theologians get up disputes by using the same
words in different senses from each other, disdaining to resort to a lexicon
to end the strife they delight in. But it is hard to see what good can be
done by quarreling about Church policy, when every one is interested in
making it perfect and effective. There is room enough for good-natured
discussion, without calling names or stabbing reputations. It is much to be
desired that the pugnacious individuals who have assumed to act as the
Church's bulldogs, should save their baying for her enemies.>

Warmly,

Tony


The Rev. Anthony F. M. Clavier
Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church
Watertown, SD
www.tecwatertown.org
Editor: LEAVEN, the NNECA Journal
- posted by Bob @ 3:02 PM