New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-04
SPIRITUAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL RELA-
1IONS.

BY THE REV. JOHN STOUGHT0N, D. D.. OF LONDON.
/ am to speak to you of the Protestant re-
la lions between America and Europe. As the earlier
part Of my address must be historical feel myself
placed at disadvantage before popular assembly,
historical statements when condensed To be at
the very best somewhat dry. However fresh and fra
grant they may be In the historians mind and TO those
before whom they presented in the expansive
forms of life, they must become a mere hOrhts
sccus when subjected to process of extreme
condensation. We're to take now the subject Of
the ecclesiastical religious relations OF America to the
continent OF Europe historically viewed that would
increase my difficulties than two fold and there
fore as the different countries OF the old Protestant
world were represented this morning and afternoon,
shall remit what may be said OF the relations to America
for treatment in the printed volume OF proceedings
simply remarkng that the different countries on the
other side OF the Atlantic have contributed greatly TO
the formation OF your religious character and life.
When America was covered with forests which no
woodman'si AK had ever touched. when where now
thriving cities may be naught existedlbut i'm
praries allowing bufflloes to wander at their
widest will when your majestic rivers furrowed
by barks bigger than the Indians canoe Divine Prov
idence by dispensation OF wisdom righteousness and
mercy, preparing by the medieval Church the
Waldensan and Bohemian brotherhoods, the Reforma-
tiOn the abOrs OF Luther and Calvin, the suerings OF
Lamer and Ridley, the struggle Of the HuguenOts the
and exile OF the Purans, the writings Of foreign and
English divines. tho language, literature, aud aspira-
lions OF Germany-nhuences which into the
Heavens become fertzng shower clouds, and these
in due time sailing. settling, and breaking over the old
American wilderness, have made the seeds OF truth
sOwn here upon the cleared lands grow into harvest
OF faith, and love, and blessings
In combining myself, as I am compelled TO do. within
the limit of the historical relations of America and En-
gland let begin by observing. in the first place. that
there has been age Of ecclesiastical union between
the two countries past II has been partly organic
and partly inorganic OF organic union two types pre-
sent themselves-the Episeopalian and Methodist. A
word respecting each.
Epscopalianism in America from its introduction at
the founding OF Virginia in the beginning the seven
teenth century to the conservation of bishops Amer
lean Sees where EpscOpaliapism, at the end OF the
eighteenth century obtained, was undoubtedly branch
OF the English Church. The book OF Common PRAYER
used to be read the shores OF Chesapeake Bay as on
the banks of the Thames; for the terms the
charter In 1906 granted to Virginia. colony consisting
OF Epscopalians prescribed that in the settle
ment :" the true word and service Of God should
be preached, planted and used, according
TO the rites and doctrines OF the Church
of England" The settlement, like other colonies under
the English crown within the capacious boundaries
Of the metropolitan OF London and ecclesiastical
authority the side OF the mother country submission
religion according TO the settlements under Elizabeth
and Charles H., continued amid many difficulties for
about century and three quarters AT the end that
period In 1874, DR.. Seabury as Bishop OF Connecticut
was consecrated in Scotland. and DIR. White and Dr.
Provost Bishops Of Pennsylvania and New.York, at
Lambeth.
Another branch of Chrsts Catholic Church sprane nm
this continent in the middle Of last century
and for little while retained organic union with IL
The year lT66 German Irishman-who fourteen
years before had become acquainted with John Wesley
and had by that recovered the blessedness OF
humble faith after losing 1t awhile-Openng his house
for Methodist worship In this city, and the infant cause
Of Methodism found hero not cradle
for sleep, but school for the development
of its mighty energies. Three years afterward An
appeal from the country for preachers the Eng
lsh Conference then sitting at Leeds. WHO'S willing
to 20 asked Wesley. Two earnest itinerants named
Boardman and PilmOor answered, each OF them "Here
am l. send me-" "What can do further in token OF
brotherly lovei" askedhe Conference To this thor
oughly Methodistical reply given: "Let make
collection" Thus the Mehodsm Of America became
engafted the English stock and the Methodist love
OF collections making perhaps contributed something TO
the characteristic generosity Of the American religious
public since.
But very naturally the American Methodist soceties
aspired 10 independence In 1913 the first Confer
once held in the New World and in 1884 DIR. Coke
received his famous commission to shores from the
hands OF the founder OF universal Wesleyandom From
that time dates the existence OF Mehodsm in America
distinct organization. Before. but for short
space, Methodist societies la tho Western World were