The enemies of our holy religion have frequently boasted, that the philosophy which is so highly celebrated in the present day is of a mild and liberal spirit, abhorring all manner of violence, using no weapons with which to propagate its peculiar notions, but those of candid discussion, and sober argument. Some shocking examples, which have recently occurred in one of the greatest nations of the European world, prove these assertions to be utterly false, and have showed to all mankind, that Infidel Philosophy, armed with power, is one of the most despotic and sanguinary of all tyrants. We have reason to bless God, that in this country the profession of Christianity does not expose us to such severe trials. We are not called upon “to resist unto blood, striving against sin.” Unbelievers are, nevertheless, numerous, subtil, [4/5] and malignant. The principles which they advocate, unless baffled by determined resistance, will be productive of the same effects here which they have produced in other parts of the world. With indefatigable perseverance, they are disseminated by methods almost infinitely diversified; by secret societies caballing in darkness, and by lectures delivered at noonday; by histories and travels, by novels and plays, by cheap pamphlets for the poor, and by newspapers circulating far and wide, among all classes of the community; and, when the original productions of our own country fail, the most impious publications of foreign nations are translated with mischievous industry. The word of divine inspiration has forewarned us, “that, in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, boasters, proud, blasphemers, despisers of those that are good. Ye have need, therefore, to be exhorted to put on the whole armour of God, that ye may fight the good fight of faith, and having done all to stand.”
Be not misled by the bold pretensions of those proud boasters, who are ever declaiming upon the superior attainments of this enlightened age. It will be readily acknowledged, that, in the course of a few years past, improvements have been made in astronomy, geography, chymistry, and some other branches of natural philosophy, which depend upon experiments; but, in all these things, how is pure religion concerned? What have these to do [5/6] with that merciful scheme of salvation which has been revealed in the gospel of our Redeemer? Of this momentous subject we know no more than what God has been pleased to disclose to us. Christianity is now what it was from the beginning; and all the wisdom of this world can make no improvement upon the prescribed method of obtaining the remission of our sins, the sanctification of our corrupted nature, and the final salvation of our souls. It is written in the scriptures of everlasting truth, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nought the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” In things pertaining to godliness, let the word of God be your only guide. Attempt not to be wise above what is written. “Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought, to the obedience of Christ.”
Note to the House of Bishops:
Spend less time at Starbucks, Move On.org, and Barnes and Noble. Spend more time on spiritual retreat (not the vacously-invented “Sabbatical”) and you might grow up to be a bishop. Bishop Moore is top shelf reading.
Note that Bishop Moore was elected and consecrated in extraordinary circumstances. Bishop Provoost had resigned as rector of Trinity Parish in 1800 and resigned his episcopal jurisdiction in 1811 – at age 59. Moore was six years younger than Provoost. Born 1748, ordained 1774, he was assistant at Trinity under Loyalist rector Charles Inglis (later first Bishop of Nova Scotia). Elected to succeed him by the Loyalist vestry in 1783 he was removed by the newly elected Patriot majority vestry who elected Provoost who had sat out the war on his Hudson River estate. Moore taught at Kings’ later Columbia College until elected to succeed Provoost at Trinity in 1800, and “Provisional Bishop” of New York until he suffered an major stroke in 1811. John Henry Hobart was elected and consecrated in 1811 as Assistant Bishop until Moore’s death in 1816 at age 68. Moore’s consecration at age 53 was a sign of the reconciliation of the remainining Patriots and Loyalists. Thank God the Episcopal Church was served in its time of crisis by men of such faith and courage.
Tom Rightmyer in Asheville, NC