Notes on Current Topics [pp. 165-168]

NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.
and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all," it especially displayed itself in bringing around the same communion table,
those heretofore kept asunder by ecclesiastical or ritual walls of separation.
But this heaven begun below served to draw forth a corresponding furor of
antagonism to itself, from the high church exclusives, like an electric discharge from an opposite pole. The learned, godly and catholic Dean
of Canterbury became the object of incessant criticism and reproach from
those who meekly deny the validity of the ordination and ministrations of
such ministers as Drs. Adams and Hall, because he joined the former,
with other distinguished divines, in administering and partaking of the
Lord's Supper. Bishop Cummins has been no less mercilessly hunted
for the same offence at Dr. Hall's church, until he has been goaded to
leave the body in which he has been for so many years a distinguished
prelate. Thus this great manifestation of Christian love and unity, has
evoked a proportioned outburst of hatred and intolerance of it, and its
like. Truly, like the incarnation of God's love itself in the birth of Christ,
it was " set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which
shall be spoken against." The same fire which melts gold hardens clay.
While in the fullest sympathy with Bishop Cummins, we doubt the
wisdom of his present exodus from the Episcopal Church. He seems
likely to have small following in his attempt to start a truly Catholic and
Evangelical Episcopal Church. The Evangelical Episcopalians, almost
without exception, now refuse to follow him. He could have fought for
the truth in Christ with vastly greater effect, as a prelate within the church,
than from without as a deserter from it. Had the penalty of this been
censure or deposition at the hands of his brother prelates, then, when
banished from the church for his fidelity, he might have looked for a large
following to come out with him, and stand fast in the liberty wherewith
Christ maketh free, and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
But we fear his present movement will pro e abortive.
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