Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-12-09
ECCLESIASTICAL.
DIR. Cummins Organizes the Re
formed Episcopal Church.
AEdberaI and BROAD Creed.

meeting of Clergymen and other.
was held to-day in Association Hall,
in response to a call issued by Bishop
Cummins, to organize Church, Oas'
ed upon the principles of the Prayer
book of 1885. Among the clergy
men present we're Rev. Mason Gal
Flagber, of New Jersey; Rev.
DIR. Cheney, of Illinois; Rev. Marshal
B. Smith OF New Jersey; Rev DR..
Prime and Nathan Bishop, The
meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. DIR. Curnmins, after which a
hymn was sung. Rev. DIR. Cheney
then offered an earnest prayer for
the prosperity of the new Church
which wss about to be organized.
Colonel b. Ayeregin. of New Jer-
sey, was appointed chairman, and
Herbert b. Turner. of New Jersey
Secretary. DR.. Cummins read the dec.
aration Of Principles under which the
church is to be organized. and offered
suggestion that itshould beIeferred
TO special committee. consisting OF
Charles D. Kellogg, of New Jersey
Albert Crane, Illinois, Rev. Marshal
B. Smith. New Jersey, Rev. j. a.
Sabine, New York. DR.. Cummins
was appointed chairman of the com,
mitee. The committee after short
consideration made the following
report:
Resolved, That We hope the names
appended TO the call for this meeting
as presented by the Presiding Bishop,
do here and now in humble reliance
upon Almighty God, organize our
selves into church, to be known by
the style and title of "The Reformed
Episcopal Church.
In conformity with the following
declaration of the principles, and
with Right Rev. George David Crm-
Minis, D. D., as our Presiding Bish-
op, the declarations of principles:
First. The Reformed Episcopal
Church, holding the faith once deliv-
cred unto the Saints, declares its be-
lief in the Holy Scriptures of the
New Testament as the word of God
and sole rule of faith and practice in
the creed. commonly called The
Apostle Creed " In the devine in
stitution of the sacrament of Baptism.
the Lords Supper and the doctrines
of grace, substantially as they are
set forth in the thirty-ninc articles OF
religion.
Second. This church recognized
and adhereS to Episcopacy not as OF
divine right, but as very ancient
and desirable form of church policy.
Third. This church, retaining a
liturgy which is not imperative or re-
pressiye of freedom in prayer, accepts
the book of common prayer as was re-
vised, prepared and recommended for
nse by the General Convention OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church, A. D..
1885, reserving full liberty to alter.
enlarge, abridge and amend the same
as may seem most conclusive 20 the
edification of the people, provided,
that the substance of the faith be
kept entire. Fourth, This Church
condemns and regrets the following
erroneous and strange doctrines as
contrary to Gods words:
/. That the Church of Christ exists
only in one order or form of Ecclcsi
astical policy.
2. That Christian Ministers are
Priests in another sense than that in
which all believers are royal Priest
hood. r--
Third-That the Lords table is an
altar on which al obIa ton of the
body and blood Of Christ is offered
anew.
Fourth That the presence of
Christ in the Lords Supper is a
presence in the elements of bread and
wine.
Fifth-That resenra.ion is
inseparab'y connected with ba ytism
Signed GEO. DAVID CUMMINs,
MARSHALL 2. SMITH.
ALBERT CRANE,
GUsTAvUs SABINE,
... CHAs d. KELLOGG.
The report Of the committee was
adopted, after which DR.. Cummins
made a short address, dwelling Oh the
history of the prayer book.
The Gloria in Excelsis Dec was
sung, the praye vas offered, when
Or. Cummins announced that the
meeting was regularly organized, as
the first council Of the Reformed
Episcopal Church.
The Council was then thoroughly
organized.