Charles Inglis Day: 'The members of our Church have always been distinguished by liberal sentiments'

To mark this Charles Inglis Day (and mindful that Canadian Anglican friends commemorate Inglis on 12th August), words from his Charge delivered to the clergy of the Diocese of Nova Scotia, at his primary visitation in 1788:

With respect to those who are not of our communion, a candid, brotherly and respectful behaviour should be observed towards them, as indeed it should to all mankind. We may be firmly attached to our principles, without illiberality, or a spirit of malevolence to others; and if it be possible, as much as lieth in us, we should live peaceably with all men.

It is truly painful and mortifying to see a furious Bigot, pretending a zeal for the Gospel; yet wholly destitute of that temper required by the Gospel, and ignorant of the two first and principal lessons taught by it, Humility and Benevolence. Perhaps he tramples on every dictate of truth and moral rectitude, as well as of charity, that he may serve the contracted system which he has adopted. Such men - and alas! there are too many of them - mistake the workings of their fallen nature, of their narrow prejudices, and selfish, unhappy temper, for a regard to religion; although they injure it in the most essential manner. People are apt to judge of principles by their effects. Were a judgment to be formed of Christianity from the conduct of these men, (and many there are inclined to do so) in how shocking a light must it appear!

I trust it is unnecessary to caution you against such a procedure. Let us shew by our Christian spirit, by our regularity, and order, how much better our principles are than theirs; and this will be the most effectual method to soften and remove their prejudices, and win them to the right way. The members of our Church have always been distinguished by liberal sentiments - may they ever continue to be so distinguished.

Inglis here gives expression to characteristic Old High concerns: the critique of Enthusiasm; the call to preserve and protect the gift of communal peace; a recognition of the modesty and generosity - the "liberal sentiments" - of Anglicanism; and how Anglican 'regularity and order' embodies a peaceable spirit. 

This vision of Anglican order promoted by Inglis (and carried by the United Empire Loyalists who settled in Nova Scotia) we might regard as particularly represented by Old Holy Trinity Church, Middleton, Nova Scotia, a church which he designed. The quiet modesty of Old Holy Trinity speaks of those "liberal sentiments", of a peaceable ordering of common life. Likewise, in being explicitly designed for the rites and ceremonies of the Book of Common Prayer, it points to a tradition "firmly attached to our principles". 

For those of us in the Church of Ireland, Inglis' design of Old Holy Trinity Church will resonate. Many a Church of Ireland rural parish church will likewise reflect that quiet modesty, peaceable commitment to communal life, and provision for decent Prayer Book worship. What is more, these words of Inglis also resonate. His use of Saint Paul's exhortation - "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" - in a context of religious diversity, amidst a significant presence of the Dissenting and Roman Catholic traditions, not only echoes the context of Irish Anglicanism, it is also the very same exhortation invoked by the Church of Ireland's 1870 Declaration:

The Church of Ireland will maintain communion with the sister Church of England, and with all other Christian Churches agreeing in the principles of this Declaration; and will set forward, so far as in it lieth, quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people.

On this Charles Inglis Day, amidst bitter culture wars, 'Enthusiasm' on ecclesial Left and Right, and loud sectarian voices urging the churches to enthusiastically engage in those culture wars, may we recommit ourselves to Inglis' vision of Anglican order, lived out quietly, modestly, and peaceably, "distinguished by liberal sentiments", in order to commend the Faith in "that temper required by the Gospel".