Letter Bishop to Robert Tomlinson 26 February 1873
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[1] (Copy No 2) Bishop Close
[2] Feb 26 1873
[3] Dear Mr. Tomlinson
[4] I must correct a statement
[5] in your letter If you mean by the words
[6] “I have just heard from your own lips
[7] that when there was no expression or teaching
[8] in the sermon of what you could
[9] disapprove“, to represent that I personally
[10] approved the sermon you state what
[11] is not true. I told you I did not
[12] agree with with the views of the preacher
[13] on the controverted point, but, that
[14] there was nothing in the sermon which
[15] went beyond the tenants of the liberty
[16] of opinion allowed in the church
[17] of England and of which any formal
[18] notice could be taken with regard
[19] to the arrangements for the ordination
[20] which you venture to criticize. they
[21] are precisely the same as have been
[22] carried out all on all formal occasions
[23] and as there has never been any in-
[24] terruption to the reverent performance
[25] of the service in strict accordance with
[26] the rules of the church to anticipate
[27] any irregularities is unreasonable the
[28] idea of their being any connection with events
[29] at the consecration in December is
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[1] purely imaginary. The four clergy
[2] including the Dean appointed to take
[3] part in the four senior clergy nearest
[4] available. But I have already endeavoured
[5] to convince you of the unreasonableness of
[6] your position. I will only add now
[7] lamentable it seems to me that a young
[8] clergyman should leave his distant mission
[9] and come to his Bishop for the purpose
[10] of quietly diligently and prayerfully
[11] preparing for admission into the Holy
[12] Order of Priesthood and then should
[13] throw himself needlessly into a local
[14] controversy and still more sad that
[15] the opportunity which God in his Providence
[16] was offering for a step in the ministry
[17] which would bring an increase power of
[18] usefulness to many souls should be slighted
[19] and rejected on the grounds so utterly intena[-]
[20] ble Some day you will be deeply regret the
[21] part of you now taken I can only
[22] pray God may give you grace to
[23] temper zeal with sobriety and may avert
[24] you from your flock self and your flock
[25] the evil consequences of to hasty judgment
[26] I am dear Mr. Tomlinson
[27] faithfully yours
[28] G Columbia
[29] Rev Mr. Thompson
