The Life and Correspondence of REV. William Sparrow (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ...the epistle; how such a style of composition should be interpreted; and that the whole transaction which gave occasion to it was of such a character as required to be deeply impressed on the mind of the Church, otherwise the same thing might be repeated again, to the great detriment of her character, and of the reputation of our holy religion. It might be shown that some very impressive method of instruction was needful, because the Bishops had proved themselves, in previous cases, by no means apt scholars. Bishop Smith's trial was a most bungled affair. Bishop B. T. Onderdonk's was decidedly worse; and Bishop Doane's first nontrial, though it had been so long discussed in the papers, in every Church coterie, and at every fireside, and though it had led to such discussion that one would think every Bishop was in full possession of all the facts and principles necessary to give steadiness to their action, and wisdom to their judgment, was more glaringly inconsistent than any that preceded. Now, if after all this training, if they could be trained by experience at all, the Bishops came to the last meeting at Camden no better prepared than the event showed, it was plain their conduct called for full and unsparing exposure. They needed to be taught a lesson which they could not soon forget. They needed to be shown that they were subject to the same rules of propriety, and judgment, and respect for the opinions of mankind, that other men are, and that no figment of 'inherent rights' was able to secure them impunity when they transgressed against them. "I understood your letter was brought to Alexandria by Mr. D. Had I been able, I should have gone to see him. Please remember me to him most kindly. I pray the Lord to bless him, and make him...