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STRICTURES ON A RECENT ANONYMOUS PAMPHLET ENTITLED '^Diocese of Hui'on — Constitiitional Governmenty' &c. I5Y REV. A. TOWN LEY, D.D. CANON Ol' lllUON. Printed, Not Puiir.isHED — Private. 1880. ■' ■B (Printed, but xot PtHhiHii&D—Pnvate.) I vs STRICTURES. <^c., a^c. l-^i A,-~ Dear I WPS excet dingl; .oriy to receive another of U'Osc ,i.-advi.^Pu and imlvallowed pamphlets by which the Diocese of Huron has, of late, been so troubled and disgraced. As for the unctuous tone of piety by which their bitterness and unscrupulous irreverence and misrepresentation is sought to be laccjuered over, it will but cause the men of the world to curl the lip of scorn with increased con- tempt. ^ The eriously incorrect statements in these pub- lications, and their consecjuent injurious effect upon the peace and i)urity of the Diocese, have deter- mined me, notwithstanding my superannuated par- tial retirement, to keep no longer silent. And yet it may be asked, as has already been done by some of my i)ersonal friends, " Why should you, at your time of life, disturb yourself by inter- fering in contentions with which you hove no im- mediate concern?" My reply is simply this,— That I trust, while life is spared me, that I shall never cease to take the deepest interest in what- ever relates to the welfare of the Church of Christ • $'?^7o and, more iJarticularly so, in the troubles and the joys of the Diocese to which, in the providence of God, I belong ; nor yet shnll I ever shrink, while my mtellect remains, from doing all that is in my power to forward its welfare, at whatever risk of unpleasantness to myself And now, it so happens that from my long and intimate connection with the Diocese of Huron, few persons are better ac(juainted with its workings,' or who, from my ])resent diocesan independent position, are less likely to be swayed bv personal predilections. I write, therefore, as the advocate ol no one, whether Bishop, Archdeacon, Presby- ter, or People : but to ex])ose, in the name of my Divine Master, the slanderous exaggerations of these unworthy attacks upon the character and peace of our Diocese. Moreo er, I do so, be- cause I further know that no blessing can attend this incessant reviling of the Bishop, (iod's Chief Minister amongst us, -and the unwearied efforts which are also being made not only to misinterpret his motives and as])erse his character, but also those of not a few of the senior and much-respected Clergy who ha\e grown grey m the service of the Church. Before noticing a few of the special charges con^ tained in the anonymous and most recent of these pamphlets, I would draw attention to the fact that it IS surely cowardly and dishonorable to send forth ANONVMousLv ! a pul)li(\ition containing, as it does, such serious personal atta(-ks upon the Bishop and a number of the most i)r()minent Clerg)-. I. 'lo proceed, however, to the pamphlet itself: The first charge its writer makes is concerning what s he somewha; irreverently calls '' a trinity of propo- sitions" prepared for our last Synod : evidently wishing them to be regarded as tokens of "Epis- copal Absolutism ;" and hence, apparently from that motive, he thus ertoneously states them : _ '' (i) Making it a i)enal offence to use the print- ing press in advocating measures of Church lei^is- lation. ^ " (2) Church Dignitaries to hold their position during Episcopal pleasure. " (3) Clergymen to be dismissed with six months' pay, or at six months' notice." Now, I repeat that it will be seen, as I proceed, that these '' propositions" are, as I much regret to have to say, most incorrectly and disingenuously garbled. (i) Thus, the first did not prohibit printing or ''advocating"^ general views on Church legislation, as the writer insinuates, but was aimed against pub- lishing to the world special resolutions, or Canons, which it was intended to bring before the next meeting of Synod, containing, as such irregular publications often did, personal attacks, without previously obtaining the permission of the Stand- ing Commitlee—not the iJishop, mark you ! The Canon, as really proposed, which is too long to be quoted here, can be found on page 42 of the last Huron Synod Report. Whether the Canon, as proposed, were desirable or not, it is certainly significant, that when the Bishop appealed to the oj)inion of the Synod as to the principle involved, the Report (last year's) says: "The Synod almost unanimously rose in concurrence with his Lordship." 71ie writer of the pamphlet under review also withholds another fact, which clearly shows that the objection to such unauthorized special printing was not confined to the supposed autocratic longings of '^ Episcopal Absolutism," namely, this, that before the closing of the Synod the following resolution — very similar in character with that which our pamphleteer so strenuously condemns — Avas moved by Mr. Wm. Grey and seconded by Judge Davis, and " Carried unanmiously" : "Resolved—That this Synod hereby desires to express its strong disapprobation of the circulation or publication of anonymous publica- tions relating to matters proposed to be brought before this Synod, and of language written or spoken with reference to such matters of a harsh or personal character." Moreover, it is worthy of note, that that lespect- able body of Christians, the Wesleyan Methodists, absolutely prohibit their ministers from publicly assailing each other for any act connected with their ecclesiastical relations or religious opinions. And who will say that herein they do not act both wisely and scripturally ? But it is the two next propositions that perhaps still more deeply excite the ire of the writer be- fore us. Now, as I was one of those who, at an official meeting of the Bishop and several of the older Clergy, unanimously api)roved of them l^o///, if I recollect aright, as they were ?ra//j' presented, I feel that it is only due to the Bishop and ourselves to state our reasons for so approving them, and which I for one still do, and greatly regret their being withdrawn. They were as follows : — i? "(2) Church Dignitaries {i.e., Archdeacons and Rural Deans*) to hold their positions d, '• - Epis- copal pleasure.'" The reason, then, for our^hink- ing that the Bishop should have this power was simply this : that in this country these officers are appointed nolely by the Bishop, as assistants to himself ni the discharge of his personal Episcopal duties. Hence, it appeared to be too self-evident lo admit of argument that if, unhn-^:.ily, such officials become opposed to him, or . .se to fur- ther his work according to his own views, common sense would dictate that he ought to have the power, as he certainly has the morax right, of re- calling their appointment, since the very purpose for which they were commissioned has been frus- trated, and that consequently by redlining such officers, in place of being aids, the> would only be hindrances to his work and usefulness. Indeed, I cannot understand how any Christian gentleman could wish to retain such relations when he knows that his Bishop wishes them to cease. Certainly, whatever honor is attached to such offices must in such case at once vanish. And this remark applies to all similar appointments not necessarily connected with our sacred office as Christian Ministers. It is, therefore, a fallacy to object, as Archdeacon Marsh does, that resig- nation v,'ould involve an admission of the correct- ness of the grounds upon whicli the Bishop, and possibly his advisers, called for such resignation, since, on the contrary, it is cjuite clear, that while a * As to the G<(NOiis, they being, iii the Diocese of Huron, by Act of the Legislature, Trustees of Real Proiierty, I question wiiether they could legally he so removed. fe 8 delicate sense of lionor and Christian feeling would absolutely re(juire, as it ai)i)ears to nie, such a resig- nation, it would be (juite possible to accompany it with a firm and yet resi)ectful disclaimer of any accordance with his JHshop's views, or to his per- sonal unfitness for the said Dignity or office. (3). To proceed, howe\er, to the tJiird of these l)ropositions, being the one, I imagine, that, in the opinion of the anonymous writer, most clearly betrays the cloven foot of " Episcopal Absolutism," and which is given by him as follows: — "(3) Clergymcii to be dismissed with six months' pay, or at six months' notice." Now, I beg my readers to note what was the true character of this "third proposition," or Canon, as it was really i)resented by us. Why, that so far from being an indication of "Episcopal Absolu- iism," it is almost ultra-democratic in its provisions. As printed m the last Synod Report, it was as fol- lows : " And the Siandixg CoMMrriRK shall have power, with the consent of the Hisho]), to dispense with the services of any Clergyman, ui)on giving six months' notice in writing or six months' salary." The Crown Rectories, however, being excluded, as I think, imi)r()j)erly, from its operation. Su( h nu'srepresentntion as the writer of the pam- phlet in (juestion has here been guilty of, in the st.'ong insinuation^ though I know he does not boldly say so, that this power of cleric^ai dismission was to be vested in tlie liishoj), would be unworthy of the merest man of the world ; how nuu^h more, then, of one who makes such large pretensions of being himself actuated only by high Christian l)rincii>le? ff I As regards the proposed Canon itself, I am of course aware that it met with Httle favor from Synod. But this, I think, must have been owincr to a hasty and superficial view of the ([uestion and from looking too much to the secular interes'ts of the Clergy, rather than to that infinitely more im- portant matter, the spiritual well-being of the Church of Ciod. The Clergy are not put into the priests' office for "a morsel of bread." but to do the Eternal Work of Christ and His Church, at what- ever sacrifice to themselves. If, then, any of us mcorrigibly neglect to do that work, surely the l)ower should rest someichere to remove " the idle shepherd that leaveth (/. .-., neglecteth) the flock." ' It may be said, " We have C\anonical laws, let unfaithful clergymen be tried and punished accord- mg to them." Hut, alas ! do we not all know that there are cases of indolent, evil-natured, or unfor- tunate (^lergymen, yea, and even of those unsound m the Faith, whom yet no Canons of the (luirch can reach, but whose i)arishes are, nevertheless, one after another languishing in ever-increasing s])irit- iial decline. What, then, shall be done ? Shall the Jiishop and the Synod look on as un(onc:erned, or at least hcipless, spectators, for fear they cause mconvenience, or even suffering, to some unfaith- ful, or at best incapable, shej)hJr(l ; though at the same time the Master is being dishonored, and the flocks for whom lie died are perishing? Or, shall It be left to the unhappy parish itself which, by the Avay, from its very spiritual deadness, nuist be pecu- liarly incnpal)le of judging aright in the matter ^ . to starve out its 'ij)p()inted minister ? Surely su( h a remedy would be almost worse tlian the disease : 10 dishonorable to Christ, wliose ambassadors, how- ever unworthy, they are : most demoralizing to the parish Itself,- and dangerous in the extreme to the prmcples of the Church, as a whole, and some- times to the usefulness of the most faithful and uncompromisuig of the C^lergy. The proposed Canon, therefore, undoubtedly approaches more nearlj- ijian anything which has yet been suggested towards solving the confessedly difficult problem of how a Bishop and his Synod are to protect the people of the Diocese from the spinual rum entailed by an unworthy or incai^able pries, ,d, while it certainly throws a broad shield 01 proc.c;tion, perha|)s too broad, over such errinu clergymen ; since we may be very sure tliat any Standing Committee, composed of thirty Clergymen and hirty Laymen elected by ballot, nuist hIJry deeply cmvmced of the stern necessity for so doing before a majority of them would agree to " dismiss a clergyman. " .And, even when they had done so he consent of the Ihshop mu.st be also obtained befo e any action could be actually taken. And I musts.aytlm, not unfre.|«ently as 1 have conscien- tiously dissented from my Iji.shop's views, I never yet met with one who, intention.,11), „■ -ated his nSn'vr"'r""-^'- '"'^^^■^' "'^' 'M''--'l--.l woa^ sav s w tl ' I '•■ '''"'' •••"'"-•'" '" '^^"'' i'' "'"-• '"^V OMKI,^ '■ ''"'''"■'''' '" " '0"-'eaas mng aired for as it had never been before, an ener- getic Rector and two Curates,~Messrs. Innes and Starr, and Dr. Hellmuth having his own rooms in the Rectory, and being there every day, with, of cours-, horses and carriages of his own, etc. ! But, alas! what a comment upon the Archdeacon's then motives does his own j)resent conduct give, in his contentedly, for so many years, continuing to live in the City of London, miles awav from his own church and the bulk of his llock, in the township of London, it also being one of our best-endowed Rectories ! But another instance of the Archdeacon's ''per- sonal hostility" to his liishop, almost more painful m Its character, if not so injurious in its jKissible spiritual results, as his absence from his i)arish, was the bitter and almost unexampled disresjject and 14 irreverence towards the very office of his Bishop, in the tone of his correspondence with him, about the time of his own resignation of the Secretary- ship of the Church Society. 'J'hat correspon- dence I heard, and while, in common fairness, I have again and again declared that *' there was not a word in it, on the Bishop's part, which he would need to regret on his dying bed," I, at the same time, plainly told my old and per- sonal friend, Archdeacon jMarsh, when expostu- lating with him on the most improper character of his part of the correspondence, "AVhy, Marsh, though you and I are only l)rother presbyters, 1 would sooner cut off my fingers than treat you 'as you have treated your Bishoi)." I think I recollect almost the exact words. Nor was 1 alone in think- ing and si)eaking thus plainly on the matter ; for some time afterwards another clergyman, one of the Archdeacon's theological friends, and myself went and saw him alone, and entreated him to make some apologetic concession to the Bishop; but, so far from showing the least approach to any humble distrust of his own spirit, he not only at once sternly refused, but treated us, notwithstand- ing our act of brotherly kindness, with scant cour- tesy. If such conduct does not display "bitter hostility," then I know not the meaning of the phrase. And yet, at that xei}' time, the Archdea- con had accepted the presentation to the compara- tively rich Rectory of Ixmdon 'I'ownshij) and the honor of the Archdeaconry at his Bishoj)'s hands ! Of the An hdeacon's late proceedings with respect to the most improper letter of " A Churchwoman," I shall not enter further than to declare my sad If ^ disappointment that any animosity of feeling to his Bishop should have caused him to lend him- self to so poor, and at the same time so un- christian and grossly disres])ectful, an attack upon the warm welcome given by a number of prom- inent Clergy and Laity to their Bishop upon his return from Europe; an attack which, by an un- avoidable inference, extended also to the Bishop himself But deeper still is my regret at his subse- quent conduct respecting it, and his proud refusal suitably to acknowledge his fault or conduct, so unworthy, in my opinion, of his better self Alas my brother ! ' And be it recollected, that even an humble and conscientious disapproval, in our judgment, of the official doings of others, by no means warrants a harsh and disrespectful treatment of them ; how much less, then, a course of conduct towards our ecclesiastical superiors, calculated to brinir them into contempt. So teaches my Bible, and the best and wisest of the godly doctors of the Church in all ages. I have only one other i)oint to notice as showing that very i)ainful breach of the " charity" that '' dotli not behave itself unseemly, thinketh no evil, but hopetu al things," into which the Archdeacon's long-indulged unkind and disrespectful feelinirs to- wards his Bishop have betrayed him ; and then I have done witli this, to me, most unpleasant and l)ainful part of this letter. 1 allude to the (luiet sneer with which the Archdeacon speaks in the conclusion of his letter to the IJisho,), on page t^ of his p'.mi)hlet. CO" -•"- -i- i- i- -' -^ -'^'^ erning the kind imi.li.jd offi of his Hishop, by perhaps a' stretch of f(',rl )ea ranee, \6 to give him " letters testimonial." Surely that spirit of manly fairness upon -.vhich an English gentleman o say the least, usually prides himstlf, sl^uld have !Z f ^,V''<-'h,d^<-^<^on tc state, that imwdurMy pre- cZ ^'t'<^ ''^"^■^ t? "exchange" into another Dio- cese (which would re,|uire, as he says, "letters testmion>al"), the Bisho,. makes this o^e of the condttions of reconciliation, -'(3) That he (the ^ond.tr . "■"''^ "" "'^^l''" '^l'°'°Sy for his past loyally. For wha right has theArchdeaeon to a.s- suuKS as he evidently appears to do, that his Bishop «-ouldg,ve him such ''letters" without re,|uinng him fit to comply with this " third" condition of lecon- cihation? I oe.s not such an assumption as this openly puhhshed, betoken a readiness to think evil ot his J.ishoirs consisten Surely the feelings which prompted this conduct in a Christian and a Clergyman could only l,e the conse,|uence of a deep-rooted animosity ? Although perhaps, unac- knowledged by the Archdeacon to him,self, suc^i IS the singular power, 1 repeat, of .self-deception, «hen once we have ailmitted into our heart the evil fee.mgs resulting from an uncharitable spirit i have m/r/, "extenuated," but "nought set down m mabce ;" but yet I think I have shown ainple reasons why not only the Bishoi, /v,/ //u- ;:!'/' f\T ""-' """"""^•n'--' «hich it formerly felt in Archdeacon Marsh ; and that Ms is the reason why //„. ff,Wes, no longer places him in the proud posi ions he once held ; and wi any " Epis- copal .Absoh.tism," as the writer cf the pamphlet on Constitutioi.al (.overnmeiit" would have us be- lieve. ' 17 But to return more iiiimediately to the anony- mous pamphlet itself; respecting which, however, I am glad to feel that there is not very much more that the special object I have in view requires me to say. The present mode of the disposal of the " Clergy Commutation Fund" constitutes another of the charges which our pamphleteer brings against his Bishop. Now, the Synod well knows that, as an mdividual, 1 d-eply regretted the present arrange- ment ; but, nevertheless, that cannot bhnd me to the fact that the Bishop had a perfect right to hold and express his own strong convictions on the sub- ject, and that if the Clergy were so convinced by his arguments as to vote for the present plan, they have no one but themselves to blame. ft was simply impossible for the Bishop, had he wished to do so, to exert any " Episcopal Absolutism" in the affair. Nevertheless, surely the Bishop of the Diocese, who is the Chief Shepherd on earth of the flock of Christ therein, is not to be the only individual who is forbidden to counsel his assembled Synod on the various important matters brought before it, par- ticularly at the close of any debate ? It is wordiy of note, as being very singular, that with all his professed reverence for Holy Scripture, the writer of tlie pamphlet under review, in his remarivs on the right place and proper functions of a Bishop, never once even alludes to the teaching of the Inspired Volume thereon ! And as to his ignorant and flippant assertions that the " Divine riglu" of Episcopacy is an '' exploded theory," I have only to say, that if the Book of C^od does not teach it to be so, then the Anglican Church, in common with the whole Catholic Church of Christ, l8 is the most arrogant and impious humbug that the world ever witnessed ! In conclusion, these "Strictures" may, perhaps, have the more weight, if I remind your readers that, pleasant as have been my relations, for the most part, with my Bishop, few clergymen have owed less to Episcopal favor or patronage than myself ! Yours truly, ADAM TOWNLEY, D.D., Canon of Huro7i. N,j3.— It is proper to state, that much as I dis- like to discuss these ecclesiastical and religious questions in the secular press, the opponents of the peace of the Church leading the way, it seemed almost necessary to meet them on thxir chosen ground ; so, in January last, I sent the foundation of this letter to the Free Press; but the editors returned me the manuscript, with a courteous note saying that thev had long since determined not to admit the controversy into their columns. I then for so'ie time laid it aside, but having determined to prepare it for publication as a pamphlet, I have still retained its original form of a letter, being much the most convenient to myself.— And now, I am heartily thankful that, though self-imposed, from a conscientious wish to serve the well-being of our Diocese, my disagreeable task is done ; and can only pray that, under the Divine blessing, it may, ' in its humble measure, serve so to uphold the integrity and purity of the Church in our midst as generally to tend to tlie recovery of its peace and brotherly love. Diocese of Huron, A. 1 . Holy Week, 1880. . • / / — P" -^ \ ' / 1 ■ J 1 ^•*^"-, A . \,-