Is the Vicar of Brompton a Tractarian? A Question for the Parishioners — John Shaqi
Is the Vicar of Brompton a Tractarian? A Question for the ParishionersEllis, Arthur
Religion
Is the Vicar of Brompton a Tractarian? A Question for the Parishioners
Ellis, Arthur
Irons, William J. (William Josiah), 1812-1883; Oxford movement
Having thus commented upon the communication of Dr. Irons in the
“Record,” I would place before my fellow parishioners copies of some
letters which passed between the Reverend Doctor and myself several years
ago. My object in doing this is not to say harsh things against the
individual, but to demonstrate that the Doctor is by his own admission a
“Tractarian.”
I do not presume to sit in judgment on Dr. Irons, though I should think
more highly of his candour and consistency, if he did not deny the
holding of those opinions which I am constrained to believe he does
entertain.
I am no admirer of a certain bishop in the West of England, but we must
do him the justice to acknowledge that he is an exception to many of his
“Tractarian” brethren.
There is no faltering on his part as to what his principles really are,
and though we differ from him entirely, we recognize that we have a
plain-spoken Englishman to deal with, who would feel it beneath his
dignity to deny that he does not heartily side with the “Tractarians,”
and endeavour by every means to advance their views and opinions.
Lamentable to the Church of England as are the proceedings of this
dignitary, we should not think the more highly of him were he to assert
that he is not a Tractarian “in any sense.”
The four following letters passed between Dr. Irons and myself soon after
the public meeting relative to the Papal Aggression in 1850. {8}
“19, _Alfred Place West_, _Brompton_,
“2_nd_ _December_, 1850.
“SIR,
“At the Meeting of the 15th November, one of the speakers alluded to the
fact, that of the many clergymen, who had apostatized to Rome, all, or
nearly all, were from the ‘Tractarian,’ or High Church party, whilst few
or none were from that section of the Church, usually known as the
Evangelical, or Low Church party. You replied (or remarked) to the
statement, ‘Six of one, and half-a-dozen of the other.’
“It would not, sir, become me to attribute to you, the Chairman of the
Meeting, an intentional misrepresentation; but I may be permitted
respectfully to remark that your assertion is entirely at variance with
clear and well established facts.
“It is very possible that amongst the Perverts, some three or four once
belonged to the Evangelical party, but in every case these clergymen had
embraced High Church or Tractarian principles, before they finally joined
the Church of Rome.
“Apologizing for troubling you with this communication.
“I am, Sir,
“Your very obedient Servant,
(Signed) “ARTHUR ELLIS.
“The Rev. W. J. IRONS.”
* * * * *
“_Brompton_,
“_December_, 3_rd_, 1850.
“DEAR SIR,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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