A HIGH CHURCH VIEW OF DISSENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 7

A HIGH CHURCH VIEW OF DISSENT.

The following is an extract from a book entitled " Some Questions of the Chnrch Catechism and the Doctrines involved briefly explained for the use of Families and Parochial Schools," by the Rev. Frederick Anhart Grace, M. A., Vicar of Great Bailing, Essex : — "Q. We have amongst us vai-ious sects and denominations who go by the name of Dissenters. In what light are we to consider them ?— A. As heretics; and in our litany we expressly pray to be delivered from the sins of false doctrine, heresy, and schism. Q. Is then their worship a laudable service 1 — A. No. Because they worship God according to their own evil and corrupt imaginations, and not according to his revealed will, and therefore their worship is idolatrous. Q, Ts dissent a great sin?— A. Yes, It is in direct opposition to our du+y towards God. Q. But do we not find among them many good men?— A. Many doubtless are of unexceptional character in a moral point of view, but they are not holy men. Q. Wherein consists the difference between a moral man and a holy man ? — A. A moral man is one who acts from the impulses of education, position in society, and other wordly principles ; a holy man is one who does good works by the divine aid of the Holy Ghost, duly using the means of grace. Q. Why have not Dissenters been excommunicated ? — A. Because the law of the land does not allow that wholesome law of the Church to be acted upon ; but Dissenters have excommunicated themselves by setting up a religion of their own and leaving the ark of God's Church. Q. What class of Dissenters should we be most on our guard against I— A. Those who imitate most nearly the true Church of Christ. Q. But are there not Dissenters who use the same form of prayer as ourselves?— A. Doubtless ; but the prayers of the Church being for the most part for the priest to offer up in behalf of the people, it must be sinful and presumptuous of those persons who are called Dissenting teachers to address the throne of grace, usurping the priestly office. Q. Is it wicked then to enter a meeting-house at all? — A. Most assuredly ; because, as was said above, it is a house where God is worshipped otherwise than He has commanded, and therefore it is not consecrated to His honour and glory ; and, besides, we run the risk of being led away by wicked, enticing words ; at the same time by our presence we are witnessing our approval of their heresy.