The New York herald., 1873-12-03
RELIGIOUS REFORMERS.
FIRST Council Of the Reformed Protestant Epis.
copal church-A Secession from the Protss-
tant Episcopal church-A Restoration Of
tho Prayer Book Of l7s5 Interest
ing Meeting at the Young Mems
Christian Association Rooms.

A council was called yesterday by Bishop Cum
| minis, OF Kentucky, for the purpose OF organizing
for the formation OF q new Episcopal Church ON
the basis OF the Prayer Book OF 1885, The Council
assembled at ten O'Clock yesterday morning in the
east parlor OF the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion.
A declaration or principles was read by Bishop
| CUMMINs, who moved that the document be re-
ferred to q committee, and that recess OF fifteen
minutes be taken while the committee was en-
| gagged In the work OF examination. The resolution
was adopted, and Messrs. Albert Crane, OF Illinois
Charles d. Kellogg, OF New Jersey; J. A. Sabine, Of
this city, and the Rev. Marshall b. Smith, OF New
Jersey, were appointed as the committee. During
the recess copies Of the Prayer Book OF 1885 and OF
the Journal OF the Convention OF ITS5 were dis
tributed.
The committee appointed to consider the decia-
ration OF principles proposed by Bishop Cummins as
the basis OF organization OF the Reformed Episco-
pal Church then returned the same to the meeting
and onered the following resolution
Resolved That we whose names are appended to the
sp do h here n a name e s A.
mighty God, organize ourselves into sIphurch, to be
enpgn BY the IS and title 9t The S sso
lion Of principles and with the Rev George David Cum
Minis, D. D., Is presiding Bishop
~ IT,. DEcLAaarISs or PRINcipLEs
faith onaa ead & a the
Holy Scriptures the Old and New as
the Iord ans IN the ans
they set Ioth in the Thirty nine Articles Of Religion
SccondThs Church recognizes and adheres episco-
Pscy not as OF Divine right but as very ancient and
Third-1he Church, retaining liturgy which shall
81 ~ s a n
Posed "a ana ar i9r use BY the general c9nstt
iu liberty to ase1 abrdae enlarge and
eaon people provided that the substances IS s su Of
hurc conde I'M nd tba
ing erroneous and strange doctrines as contrary to Gods
Esrm-That tine Church OF Christ exists only in
order Sr S1m e poy
sense than that in which all believers royal
T1rd-That the Lords table is altar on which an
obation Of the body and blood of Christ is offered
yoramThat the presence Of Christ in the Lords sup
YA-fhat regeneration Is inseparaby connected with
The report and resolution were unanimou sly
adopted. The Chairman then rose and formally
declared that by the vote OF the ministers and lay
men present they had organized church to be
known as the Reformed Episcopal Church, and
with the Right Rev. George David Cummins, D. D.,
as their presiding Bishop. The chair then re-
signed to Bishop Cummins who offered fervent
prayer for the blessing OF God upon the work OF
ADDRESS OF THE BISHOP.
Bishop CUMMINs next read long written ad-
dress, embodylng a detailed history OF the
changes in the Episcopal Church In England and
this country. He described the preparation OF the
Prayer BOOK OF l1s5 and noted the particulars IN
to be the most acceptable Prayer Book yet pre-
pared ana the one most in conformity to the Scrip
lures In the conclusion OF his address the Bishop
said:-
the Prayer Book Of lss then perfectly free from OBJ
But sS Ss cS & nce the ing
q the Reformation Of the sixteenth century prayer
e Holy Y we e p5esGa n LEFT LEFT
the q
existence as nation But we reserve e ourselves h full full
the Lord may gnide rs BY S. His M,uI holy spirit,
spicqous obligatory and our generaiions after
e hsae %aS TIi a
God Judge between nee US and yoq al Gher Chris
oficSe and sympathy and desire to co.peras
N he the s Of We Ga
only sa @ the w soa a Sar Of az
gladly acknowledge the CONSCIENCE Of men that al
naS Say
and
s hns oan ne E s o bTes ssa 81 s s
Protestant Episcopal Church Io our brethren who
S ds
church, He knoweth and all his people shall know that
have y We done tins snns
@ breen whom has sent HIS
yard whose labor. ths land has and
SS 10 sa meet e sm snd sr
ss ecss Is often may ssDedens around the Lords
body in Christ members one OF another.
THK BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL.
Bishop CUMMINs then said that the meeting was
the first Ecclesiastical Council OF the Reformed
Episcopal Church. and could proceed to general
business.
meetings OF the Church be called the General
Council Of the Reformed Episcopal Church." and
shall be composed OF the representatives Of the en-
tire Church and under that name shall hold and
dispose OF temporalities; also that the Council
shall be held annually, on the second Wednesday In
May. The resolution was adopted.
on motion OF Mr.. CRANE, it was also voted to
choose four ministers and ye Isymen as stand- HI
mittee and one layman as Treasurer.
A vote by ballot was then taken and the follow
ing were elected as the committees
jersey hs ssv isseocs New The
Charlie: !. Cheney D: p: Illinois; The Rev: Mason Gal
ssae e. a. Sabine. New York: Alexander a. fyng illinois,
'GTo9n a9nes 2ycrss New jersey
Albert Crane Illinois, and James McCarter, New York
James L. Morgan, OF Brooklyn, was elected
Treasurer and Herbert B. Turner was made per-
The Rev Mr. WYLIE, Presbyterian clergyman OF
Nyack who was formerly an Episcopalian made
short address, expressing mis- grathcation with the
DR.. CHENEY oriered resolution that the presid-
ing Bishop and the committees elected be APP
pointed an executive committee to draft con-
stitution and consider suggestions for the amend
ment or the Prayer Book until the meeting OF the
next General Council The resolution was ADOPTED.
voted that the presiding Bishop and the standing
Committee be authorized to prepare forms for the
ordination OF ministers.
The Rev. Mr. LEACoCK offered the following pro-
visiOnal rules for the government OF the Church
until the meeting of the General Council.
Ministers in good standing in other Churches shall
be received this Church letters OF dsmison with
reordnaton. they sustaining satisfactory examna
ton such points may hereafter be determined and
subscribing to the doctrine, discipline and worship OF
this church. 49,,
church shall be performed by one or more bishops with
the iaying on of hands of the presbyters
s. COMMITMENTS in good standing in other evangelical
Churches shall received presentation oil letter of
dismissal or other satisfactory evidence.
The rules were unanimously adopted.
After the singing OF the Doxology, the benedic--
tion was pronounced by Bishop Cummins, and the
meeting adjourned until three O'Clock p. M.
AFTER RECEss-ELECTION OF ANOTHER BISHOP.
Alter recess the Council was called TO order and
Bishop CUMMINs said that he desired to direct the
attention of the Council to the consideration Of