From the Philadelphia Spirit Of the Times
General Convention or the Protestant Epis-


copai Church In the u. 3.
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- MONDAY, OCTOBER z, 1874.


]. McPHgRsoN BERRIEN, o Georgia, continue d:
Let rs take a brlet review of the resolution be-
fore u.s. We are told II will subvert fundamental
principles and unsettle them and produce to great
er degree mat state OF things the supposltious exist
ence OF which led to lis Introduction. If the II.
Will have the goodness attend 10 the terms of the
resolution, II Will be found TO assert nothing but
what Is Important and competent TO the action oi
the two Houses OF the Convention, If happily it can
BE- obtained, IN such an exposition of the Articles
of Faith, as VIII serve TO remove existing Difficult
Ties and alldy the agitation OF the public mind. Ii
unseliles nothing-lt asserts a fact, which is unde
nidbe, that there exists in the minds of many be-
llei that doctrines inconsistent with the Articles of
Faith, have been promulgated. This opinion enter
tanned all sincerity and earnestness, the conflict
Ing opinions entertained by others are doubtless
equally sincere. 80 long as these opinions are left
TO combat with each other, SO long will agitation
exist in the church. Can this difference be recon-
clled and The agitation OF the question put rest?
The resolution does not declare but il may be de-
dnced that an expression of the opinion OF the
House of Bishops auth0ritalively gWen-if we can
concur ON the points in controversy, or drawn into
II, 10 the great grief OF its memb-rs-may have the
effect TO quiet feeling and produce that harmony
which IT is deslrous should always prevail This is
the utmost object and scope of the resolution, and
before even Its provisions can be carried out, il
must be concnrred in by the House of Bishops. Do
We fear submit to the House of Bishops the ques-
ton which the resolution presents, which is simply
whether the lnterposltion OF the united action OF
the two Houses may not have beneficial influence
uion the asItated minds OF the christian communi-





does exist, and Its continued maintenance has the
effect TO disturb the peace and harmony of the
church; ALLEVIATE brother from brother, and produce
stat,s OF things which every Episcopaian and
every friend OF the church must deprecate. The
only question is will Its adoption, induced by
clliatory spiiit, obtain sucn expression on the
subject which difference of opinion exists as
may have the effect to harmonize the church and
quiet The public mind? We are told the subject has
already been decided by our Articles OF Faith
Their Articles have been the hands and studied
and med u ho diff
each other, aud though they contain principles II
were unwlse to unsettle, their discussion has lett
the public mind in state Of agitation. 1t would
appear that those who seek to place the mover oi
this resolution In dilemma, are in dilemma
themselves The Articles OF Faith are or are not
competent TO remove the difficulty in the public
denying an allegation Of faith, they cry ''peace!
peace! when there ls no peace!' II they are pre-
pared 10 admit the solitary fact that diversity OF
opinion does exist In the church, on question OF
vital Importance, Notwithstanding the previous ex-
stence and careful study of the Articles of Faith,
two things must follow; either they viii
lag to allow the present state OF things to continue
or 20 admls that any effort to correct them will be
futile and unavalling. The mover OF the resolution
has been asked 10 point to Diocese, where these
are promulgated and IS told that there are
Canons under which TO proceed against the indi-
viduas This suggestion is to meet the resolution in
aspiri counter to that In which 1t was conceived.
All aware how impracticable would be the en-.
forcement OF existing Canons against those indlvl-





In very fact, been the cause OF the disturbed state
of the church. That course would be unavaillng
now and should only be adopted as aulast and ex-
trrIne resort. Let US adopt then the more cOnclll
ating process, by which we may reconcile all and
the necessity o; resort TO extreme means be dis
pensed with. He commended the resolution TO the
attention OF the House, Tor concedlng the differ
ences OF opinion promulgated through tracts and
from the pulpit; the next enquiry Is, Is II desirable
TO had an efficient remedy TO remove them? Ii, az
tins question must be answered In the affirmative,
yh p.ffh tv,n uhall vUe ue1 To
extreme course OF seeking TO render them amena-
Bile 10 tue judicial tribunals OF the church, TO cause
dIsquIet OF the church, or resort to tho more con-
ciiatory COURSE and institute such enquiries as may
quiet the public mind, by removing every difficulty?
We may be told that some are so fervent, that they
wall not yield the right OF private judgment. But
there lsiorce IN tratn, especially when II comes
from a source which every clergyman respects and
reverences and this forbldsthe conclusion that the
Arlcles are incapable OF such Interpretation as will
receive the appreciation OF all. The Articles OF
Faith may be openly opposed on point Of con-
slTuctlon, which may be removed by the concurrent
authority OF the two Houses. II is due 10 our
selves to make the effort-it may be unavaiing;
but If IL receive the concurrence of the House Oi
Bishops by respectable majority, it will 60 the
pubic miDd, under the sanction oi an authority
winch will gain ready admission to the heart and
feelings OF every man not wrought upon, by the
controversy TO such degree, as torblds unbi
a-srd Judgment he asked that the resolution
might be discussed In spirit OF concllatlon-ll
may do benefit and cannot result in injury, as it





demanded by the public mind, out OF this Conven.
tion, and IL viii be followed by the blessing OF God
aud biing quiet to disastrous agitation.


DR. Mason of ~ protested az gainst the introduction
Of oy the last gentleman foreign the question
the rgument. Su h a course calculated to he
injurious although the motive v hch actuated il might
br pure and gody II admit q valid Argument
this resolution should be sent the House Of Bishops
because il Of conciaory nature he would ask what
question mightnot be there7 The question
~ to it, expetency propriety and justice temper
and disposition to discuss matters foreign the subject
he dsprecdedits should be- directed solely to exped
ency AS 10 the resolution itself, II vague
in certain ritings one could
deny yihere was but book In the world hich
periectthere 10 the Holy word OF God
There nothing that the world could publish that
was tree from error-but the term Comparative
and II must come here to discuss, rectiy and debe
rate on all published OF opinion where
FIX tho termnus-how escape from the bog7
But may be said that the resolution refers undamen
tai that - also comparative term considers
fundamental and another other error
I he wsest and best men OF the Catholic Church have
been able to settle what and what
mental errors we areto open doors to the dscus
sion of all error, would be impossible draw up a sys.
te to meet tive should be led into the very Of
difficulty.


lie thought the tirae chosen for this discussion inoppor
tuneheie state Of excited passion aroused; and
he did not the word in obnoxious but rep
in which legisate and define Articles Of Faith
with the coseness which gentlemen require II is how.
ever, 10 be proved that difficulties exist in the church
they may he mere shadows. when come 10 look at
them la the history Of the Church OF England attempts
had been mode TO render our Articles clear The Rev





time when the extreme Caivsnstic doctrines prevailed
and others were equally disposed to Armenianism and
OF e." isns, and IL thought expedisnt put stop
to supposed The Cal sanisc doctrines were there
upon promulgated; and with what s-snlti Had it made
the Church thoroughly catholic should be sorry to
believe so Tor II would have shut many devoted
brothers IRON the church. who have added the glory
God by their lives 81 personal holiness unremitiing
exertioos TO extend His kingdom.


Dn ia doctiinai points are to be Defined shall be
called also dehne Baptism, what il exactly is how
and when shall be bestowed what its efficacy whether
acts by moral sussion, " The Rev gentleman show
ed the nprsccabiity OF Legislation on docrinal ponts
o belief by referring to the volumes written by Dr. Pu
sey ip'ism, some OF which he thought sufficiently
muddy the ponderous which, though written a.
define and Slear the Sacrament Of the Lords sun
per, had effected the object. We would involve
ourselves net the meshes Of which could not es