USA > New Jersey > Extracts from American newspapers relating to New Jersey > Part 8
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reward, and reasonable charges, and if out of the province five pounds, paid by me,
CALEB NEWBOLD.
The CENTINEL. No. I.
Humano capite cervicem pictor equinam Jungere si velit-ut turpitur atrum Desinat in piscom mulier formosa superne- -Risum tencatis. Hor. Ar. Poet.
DR. CHANDLER's Appeal to the Public in behalf of the Church of England in America, which from his own Ac- count, seems rather to be the united Effort of all the CLERGY in New-York and New Jersey, perfected by the kind Assistance of the CLERGY from the neighbouring Provinces, may by this Time be supposed to have circu- lated pretty generally. And as the Season advances, when we presume these CLERGY are again to meet in voluntary Convention, this may be the proper Time to propose a few Questions for their or if the Dr. pleases for his Con- sideration. The performance seems replete with bold ex- travagant assertions of facts, many of which have no foun- dation in truth; it is greatly deficient in Christian Charity, tho' not deficient in low craft, and seems dangerous to the civil and religious Liberties of the Colonies in America. But I perceive that if any objections be made to his Plan, our new Doctor from a persuasion already formed, is pre- pared to ascribe them, rather to "the dexterity and ill will of the inventors than" to "the real fears and uneasiness of the inhabitants." (P. 112) Nay he is so bold, as to assert that "every opposition to such plan" as he has proposed, "has the nature of persecution and deserves the name." (82) Again he says, "if no objections shall be offered, it will be taken for granted that all parties acquiesce and are satisfied." (2) Thus on the one hand, silence is to be
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construed into assent and approbation, and on the other hand, if we object to, or oppose his plan, we are to be stig- matized as persecutors and the worst of mankind. How- ever as he seems to admit a possibility that some "objec- tions may continue, which may be thought to deserve no- ticc" and is pleased to erect an imaginary tribunal, and to invite the objectors "to propose them that they may be de- bated before that tribunal," it seems hard to oblige those, who cannot altogether approve his plan, to yield the case untried, or to bear the names of "malicious, "intolerant, "Persecutors, "enemies to all religion "and the church, "hot headed writers, "pragmatical enthusiasts," &c. nay even to have their loyalty called in question.
I must confess there are some objections to this plan, that "continue" with me, and which, to as many as I have mentioned them, seem to "deserve notice" but before I propose them to be debated before the "tribunal of the public," I should be glad the Doctor would deign to ex- plain some of his terms, and give us farther information on some points, that I shall propose.
He begins with informing us "that application has been made to our SUPERIORS, by the Clergy of several of the Colonies, requesting one or more Bishops to be sent to America;" he complains of "unprecedented hardships," and "intolerable grievances," suffered by the "Church" the "American Church" the "Church of England in Amer- ica" for want of "an American Episcopate" and upon this founds his Appeal to the Public.
We should be obliged to the Doctor, if he would inform us in plain terms, who are these superiors to whom the Clergy have applied; by whom these Bishops are to be sent; by what authority this American Episcopate is to be established; or who are the authors of these intolerable grievances and unprecedented hardships? that we may the better judge, whether the apprehensions on account of our
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civil Liberties, which this avowed application has raised in the minds of many people, be well or ill founded. As he has appealed to the public, would it not be proper for him to inform us, against whom he appeals? Whether against the King his Ministers and the British Parliament, for not redressing those grievances, of which he complains, and for not establishing Episcopacy in America, as he seems to think they ought to have done? Or whether the Ap- peal is made against those, who, thro' fear of an invasion and infringement of their civil and religious Liberties, think it their duty to oppose such an establishment? If against the former, the court must indeed be august and respectable, which he has constituted to take cognizance of our Sovereign and the British Parliament. If against the latter, as by the rules of all well established courts, both plaintiffs and defendants are excluded from judging in their own cause, I fancy there will be few in America to sit in judgment. For let the Doctor flatter as much as he pleases, if ever the attempt be made, he will find that the prejudices and objections of most of our Colonies are too deeply rooted and too well founded, for them ever to submit quietly to an American Episcopate, established over them even by act of Parliament; this would be to destroy their charters, laws, and their very constitutions; and it will be well if the Doctor and his associates are not considered as abettors of Mr. Greenville and those Ene- mies of America, who are exerting their utmost endeav- ours to strip us of our most sacred, invaluable and inherent Rights; to reduce us to the state of slaves; and to tax us by laws, to which we never have assented, nor can assent.
We would also ask the Doctor, why is the application made for a Bishop at this particular time when the liberties of America are at stake? Why are some insinuations of disloyalty thrown out against his American Brethren? For what are the tendency of his political reasons, but to
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inflame the jealousy of the people of Great-Britain? Can there be no Bishops without establishments; no ordination without act of Parliament? Must this be a new and a primitive, or a part of the English Episcopate.
The claims of the Doctor, without an establishment, notwithstanding all his seeming modesty and candour, are too great, not to awaken jealousies in the minds of free born Americans, if none had been conceived there before.
The "Church" the American Church, "the Church of England in America," are the names by which he affects to distinguish that denomination of Christians, to which he belongs. I wish the Doctor would please to define his terms, and tell us what he means by Church, and why that name should be applied to English Episcopalians only. Are not the Lutheran and Calvinist Churches, are not the Congregational, Consociated and Presbyterian Churches; are not the Baptist, the Quaker and all other Churches in America, of what denomination soever they be, members of Christ's Catholic Church, if they profess faith in Christ and hold the great essentials of Christianity? Or does he mean to lay such a stress on unbroken succession, and on Episcopacy as by law established in England, as to make these essential to the being of a Church? His words in- deed seem to import as much, where he says, "Men may ridicule the notion of uninterrupted succession as they please" but "if the succession be once broken and the powe- ers of, ordination once lost, not all the men on earth, not all the angels in heaven, without an immediate commission from Christ, can restore it. It is as great an absurdity for a man to preach without being properly sent, as it is to hear without a preacher, or to believe in him of whom they have never heard." This may be the Doctor's private opinion borrowed from the Nonjurors and other disturb- ers of the Church and State during the reigns of King William, Queen Ann and King George the first, but surely
7
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it is not the doctrine of the Church of England: it has long since been disclaimed by some of its greatest Doctors and ablest Divines. However, I should be glad the Doc- tor would explain himself further, and try to reconcile these high notions with Christian Charity, and with the validity of ordination in the foreign Protestant Churches, or of those who make no pretence to an unbroken succes- sion. The candour of his sentiments and (if we may be- lieve him) of the doctrine and belief of the Church of Eng- land, with regard to the government of those Churches in America, which are not Episcopal, is worthy of notice. "If, says he, according to the doctrine and belief of the Church of England, none have a right to govern the Church but Bishops, then the American Church must be without government. (27) But lest we may have mis- understood him, we desire he may tell us, whether he means that the Episcopal Christians are the only Church in America, and consequently excludes all other Churches who want Bishops, from being members of the American Church; or whether he would assert that all others are without order and government for want of Bishops, and therefore undeserving the name of Churches.
The "Church of England in America," which he often repeats, is a new expression, unwarranted by scripture, not known in law, and hardly intelligible in language, and therefore wants explanation. We read in scripture of the Church of Antioch, of Corinth. and of Rome; and of the Churches in Asia and Judea; but we no where read of the Church of Jerusalem in Rome, or of the Church of Judea in Europe or Asia; in like manner, we hear of the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, and the Church of Scotland; but the Church of England in America is a new mode of expression : Yet by this new fangled term, the Doctor and other Missionaries affect to distinguish themselves and their followers, while with an air of arro-
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gance and superciliousness, they call other denominations of Christians, Dissenters.
We apprehend this is not a mere impropriety of speech adopted by a man who seems not to be one of the most correct writers, but a phrase artfully introduced with a sinister design.
The Doctor cannot have read so little either of civil or ecclesiastical history, or be so very little acquainted with mankind as not to know the magic of words, and the blind devotion paid to names and sounds. The words Pope and Priest carry great reverence with them in some countries, and terrible confusions and animosities have been raised in other countries by the words Church, Clergy, divine right, uninterrupted succession, indelible character, and such like undefined nonsense; we hope the like game will never be played in America.
The "national religion" is another phrase of the Doc- tor's, wherewith he graces the peculiar tenets of his Church; with what view he uses it, we may easily guess from the privileges he has annexed to it, and the doctrine he teaches and confirms with an "indeed" concerning it. Those, says he, "who dissent from the National Religion, have, indeed, no natural right to any degree of civilor mil- itary power." (109) As the Doctor in another place de- clares, that "nothing has been asserted in the course of his work, but what the author believes, upon good evidence, to be true." We hope he will produce his evidence to prove this doctrine, which sounds strange in an American ear. In the mean time, we would ask him, why might not Chris- tianity have been allowed the honour of being called the national religion? Or why is Episcopacy alone honoured with that name? Is it because it is established by law in England ? Is not Presbytery also established by law ? And was it not established in 1707, a more enlightened age surely than that in which Episcopacy was established
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at the reformation? If the one is a national church, be- cause established in England, why not the other, because established in Scotland? But what is this to us in Amer- ica? Because these forms are established in Great Britain, mist they also be established here? Many thousands fled to the wilds of America from Episcopal tyranny and perse- cution, and to enjoy the free exercise of religion in a way most agreeable to their consciences, (and as they con- ceived) to scripture and reason; established colonies, formed governments, framed laws and founded Churches; and must all these be termed dissenters, because the doc- tor and they differ? Or have they "no natural right to any degree of civil and military power," because they are not of the national religion. That is, if we believe the Doctor, the religion which he, and "the Clergy of the sev- cral colonies (meaning the missionaries ) profess?"
It is not doubted but every man who wishes to be free will, by all lawful ways in his power, oppose the establish- ment of any one denomination in America, the preventing which is the only means of securing their natural rights, to all those at least who may differ from that denomina- tion. The Doctor seems sensible that the opposition to these lordly prelates, will not wholly rest with those whom he terms Dissenters, that their encroachments in civil mat- ters are disagreeable to very many who admit their author- ity in the Church; he therefore solemnly assures us, that "the Bishops" he desires, "shall not interfere with the prop- erty or privileges, whether civil or religious of Churchmer or Dissenters"- -"that they shall only ordain and govern the Clergy, and administer confirmation to those who shall desire it." But when he comes to explain himself farther, he cautiously intersperses the words, at " present," now." and such qualifying expressions as leave the Bishops when once established, a full liberty to revive every claim and privilege they have ever made or enjoyed. Even with re-
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gards to Tithes (105) while he is obviating objections that might be raised on account of them, he expresses him- self with such cautious ambiguity, as to leave it doubtful whether he does not mean that a Bishop established in America may claim and recover them by the laws of Eng- land. Nay such Ideas of Grandeur and Magnificence has the Doctor united with the word Bishop, that while he is pleading for such as he calls primitive Bishops, he hints at lordly revenues; he lets us know a committee was ex- traordinarily appointed to find out ways and means for the maintenance and support of Bishops in America; (49) that a fund has been established for that particular pur- pose for more than half a century past;" that many thou- sand pounds have been contributed to increase this fund. (108) But, "if this stock is not sufficient for the support of a proper Episcopate in America," "should a general tax be laid on the country and thereby a sum raised sufficient for the purpose" "this would be no mighty hardship on the country;" and he who would think much of paying it, deserves not to be considered in the light of a good sub- ject. (107) That hereafter they may be invested with some degree of civil power worthy their acceptance. ( 110) In short, hints, that legislative and executive powers may both be placed in their hands. (ibidem) And with all these princely revenues, with all this accession of power, what are they to do? Only to ordain and govern the Clergy? No: They are "to defend and protect both the Clergy and Laity." These things are so unlike the ap- pearance of a primitive Bishop, that we must say, that though "at present" we hear the voice of Jacob, we see and may "hereafter feel the rough and hairy hands of Esau.
One thing more I would beg to know from the Doctor; what assurances (besides his own, which are too weak to be relied on in so momentous an affair) are we to have
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that Bishops will be sent over with such limited powers? attempts are made upon American liberty from a quarter where it ought not to be expected. A temper is shewn by some leading prelates even now in England, that will not suffer us to place a confidence in them. One of them at the head of the society for propagating the gospel was not ashamed to oppose a plan for the conversion of the Indi- ans, because concerted by a denomination of Christians who "followed not with him." Another of them lately attended the board of trade to prevent the grant of a char- ter to the Presbyterian Church in New-York.
But suppose these Bishops sent over with these limitted powers, is there any probability that they will be content with them? can we suppose that the Clergy of a Society, which thinks itself peculiarly entitled to national favour, and asserts itself to be so essentially connected with the state, will, if once established ever give ease or peace to other Churches in America, whom they now treat as Dis- senters, until they have a plenary possession of every priv- ilege enjoyed by the Church in England by law estab- lished? With Bishops at their head, will not the cry be as loud, if they have not ecclesiastical courts, for discip- line and to harrass their neighbours? A Bishop without a court, is as unparalleled as any hardship complained of ? Again must not the Clergy have a maintenance? The society for propagating the gospel is not able to provide for all that may be ordained; the Episcopal congrega- tions cannot maintain them; must they then starve in America? When in England they have a legal right to the tithes? Will not the cry at last be, nay does not the Doctor almost make it already, that they alone have a right to all places of power and profit in the colonies as well as in England and Ireland, because the most friendly to monarchy ?
We hope the Doctor will explain himself fully, and re-
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solve the doubts and queries we have here proposed. On some other occasion we may enter the lists and examine his divine right of diocesan Episcopacy; his unbroken succession; the connection between natural rights, and a national religion; his Doctrine of tithes; the numbers of his denomination and their unparalleled sufferings in America, &c. &c.1 N.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1320, March 24, 1768.
THE AMERICAN WHIG. [No. III. ]
And of some have Compassion, making a difference.
Apostle JUDE.
THE first settlers of the Northern colonies fled from the cruel persecution of the Church of England to this coun- try, which then was an uncultivated wilderness. The In- dians soon became jealous of the new settlers, and gave them all the disturbance in their power. But those brave sons of religion and liberty, chose rather to run the risque of the rage and malice of the Indian savages, than of the perfidious and persecuting bishops. They continued to settle the country, and God, in whom they trusted, ap- peared for their defence, and drove out the heathens from before them.
As America is a new country, and the settlers generally poor, they are obliged to be very laborious, in order to procure a tolerable subsistence for themselves and fami- lies. They have ever been, and still are, too much engaged in business, to get acquainted with the parties and contro- versies that continued in the mother-country, and partic- ularly in the Church of England; especially as they hoped, that their great enemies the diocesan bishops, would be
1 The foregoing article, and those that follow, to p. 120, inclusive, are given as specimens of the arguments used in this controversy. They lost in temper and somewhat in cogency as the discussion proceeded.
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contented, since they had in effect procured them to be banished from the land of their nativity. Indeed, we could not but hope, they would have suffered us to live in peace in these remote parts of the earth; and that the vast Atlantic ocean would have served for a partition be- tween us to all generations. But since it appears, that their spiritual lordships are invited to follow us, even into these distant corners of the earth, it is becoming neces- sary to consider, with some degree of attention, the par- ties which compose the Church of England. This is re- quisite, to shew what little regard is to be paid to those ignorant zealots, who assert that there are no parties among them, in order that due justice may be done to their respective characters; and that it may be clearly known who are the persons we intend to censure. For as there are many worthy men belonging to that commu- nion, equally exposed with the wise and virtuous of every other denomination to the pestilent project in embryo, I mean the design of importing a cargo of Bishops, it is not our intention to give them any offence.
The reformation was begun in England by Henry the VIIIth, and that from no very religious motive. Since the Pope refused to grant him liberty to marry, he as- sumed to himself the same supremacy in England, which the Bishop of Rome had usurped over the Church and consciences of men. And he carried this power so exceed- ing high, that his subjects were forced to comply with his injunctions, or be ruined. The consequence was, that while a few embraced the reformation out of conscience, multitudes submitted merely to save their estates, and avoid persecution. Hence, when Queen Mary commanded them to return to popery, they very generally complied. Nor is there any reason to think they were, for the most part, more sincere in their re-conversion to protestantism, at the command of Queen Elisabeth. And thus the na-
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tional Church of England was erected; such were the greater part of her clergy and laity.
This clearly shews us the origin of two famous parties. viz. High-Church and Low-Church, as they are termed in England. From the beginning of the reformation, it being effected so much by force, many who were really papists in their hearts, yielded to the times, and conformed out of self-interest. Such were always strongly inclined to prevent every farther step of reformation; and chose rather again, to coalesce with the Church of Rome. Such were always mighty sticklers for pomp in religious wor- ship; for rites and ceremonies, and the uninterrupted line of succession : And such, in a word, have always been the ringleaders in persecuting all, who, from a principle of religion and conscience, could not adopt their measures. For having themselves no idea about tenderness of con- science, they would make no allowance for others. When the house of Stuart was called to the throne of England, and proved, as is well known by woful experience, a weak and tyrannical race of princes, who meditated utterly to destroy the liberties of the nation; the high Churchmen joined heartily with them, and endeavored to support ali their measures. The Bishops and Clergy intoxicated those monarchs with the most fulsome flattery, assuring them, that as viceregents of God, they were not account- able to men, and that subjects must obey on pain of dam- nation : The kings in return promoted those sycophants to great riches and dignity, and permitted them to gratify their cruel and popish spirit, by persecuting their fellow protestants. And thus they continued to ravage and de- stroy the nation, till God, in his merciful providence, put an end to their tyranny, by King William the IIId. of glorious memory. But have they been quiet and submis- sive since the happy revolution? No, they greatly dis- turbed the peace and comfort of that excellent prince, by
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many plots and conspiracies : And they had accomplished the extirpation of the national liberty in the reign of Queen Anne, had not the Almighty graciously interfered, and again blasted their execrable designs.
The same restless party raised rebellions in the reigns of George the first and second, and involved the nation in blood and slaughter .- And who are now so earnestly desirous of having Bishops introduced into the colonies, to lord it over them? Who indeed but the High Church- men ? Many of the American Missionaries are High Churchmen; since they cannot on any other consistent plan, justify their conduct in gathering proselytes from other communions. They are the true, if not the only. descendants and approvers of Arch-Bishop Laud's prin- ciples and measures.
The other party is that which is commonly known by the name of Low Churchmen, and may be thus character- ized. They embraced the reformation from conscience, and have always been disposed to carry it farther; lament- ing the unhappy deficiencies of the Church of England; the relicks of popery; and the superstitious rites and cer- emonies still retained. They have ever been favourable to the protestant Dissenters; and firmly attached to the civil liberties of their country; to the revolution, and the illustrious house of Hanover; but avowed enemies to popery slavery, and arbitrary power. These do not desire to impose diocesan Bishops to undermine our rights and privileges. Nor do the Low Churchmen in the colonics, wish for the residence of those ecclesiastic Lords amongst us. With this part, which is the worthy part of the Church of England, we have no controversy. They are generally men of amiable characters; and heartily concurred in every lawful and decent measure, in opposing the late stamp-act. They are sincere friends to their country; and pity it is, that the Missionaries do not learn modera-
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