In fact, it has happened to the
present writer to hear the Thirty-nine Articles summarily disposed of by
one of the most zealous members of the American branch of that communion,
in a verb of one syllable, more familiar to the ears of the forecastle
than to those of the vestry.
But on the other hand, it is far from uncommon to meet with persons among
the so-called "liberal" denominations who are uneasy for want of a more
definite ritual and a more formal organization than they find in their
own body. Now, the rector or the minister must be well aware that there
are such cases, and each of them must be aware that there are individuals
under his guidance whom he cannot satisfy by argument, and who really
belong by all their instincts to another communion. It seems as if a
thoroughly honest, straight-collared clergyman would say frankly to his
restless parishioner: "You do not believe the central doctrines of the
church which you are in the habit of attending. You belong properly to
Brother A.'s or Brother B.'s fold, and it will be more manly and probably
more profitable for you to go there than to stay with us.
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