The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-02-05
Our Philadelnhin Latter.

Our Philadelphia Letter.
PH1LADELPH1A FEBRUARY l, 1875.
THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL MOVEMENT.
Taking it for granted, that nine-tenthf
of your readers are openly, or indirect
ly connected with some Christian de
nomination, and their taking an interest
in any new ecclesiastical movement, has
led me to notice, in this letter, what
seems destined to mark an era in reli
gious history. What l do say is of re
liable character, and is given as, what
regard, important information, and
without any preiudices or partiaity
whatever.
On the ID of December 1873, the doc
trinal troubles that have been so long
agitating the Protestant Episcopal
Church, eliminated in a schism. A
Bishop of that Church, with some eight
ministers and twenty laymen, gathered
on that day in the city of New York.
The object of the meeting as stated in
the call, was "to organize, and not dis
cuss," and the men engaged in the
seem to have stuck to their
work, for by the close of the day, a Re
formed Episcopal Church had been or
ganized, with Bishop Geo. d. Cum
Minis as its Bishop, Charles E. Cheney.
as Bishop elect, with seven Presbyters,
perhaps thirty laymen, and two church
ready to vote themselves
in union. This bold, and in the estima-
ion of some, wicked step, created quite
an excitement at the time.
Since then, little more than a year
has passed, and without noise or special
effort, this new church is beginning to
ocate its ministers and to dot its
churches in Canada and the States, and
even from across the water a respecta-
Die body of English Christians the
Free church of England-have reached
forth fraternal hands, which have been
clasped in a close union. Episcopal and
and yet strongly protestant,
and liberal to degree that is eminent
Iy calculated to conciliate, this chuch
takes its place among its sister organiza-
lions. In addition to the great work it
has, in common with other churches
5he ingatherings of souls-its adherents
regard its presence as felt want among
jhe Christian bodies about them. If
his be true, it will be q success; for
whatever is wanted, will be sought after.
Already its ministerial and lay ranks are
being recruited from all denominations.
There are those who admire q liturgy;
but cannot accept the pretentions of an
exclusive Prelatical Church; they are
therefore, to forego their
taste, and continue to worship without a
form. On the other hand, there are
hose who prefer moderate episcopacy,
out desire more freedom in the use of a
liturgy; rather, however, than give up
he desired form of church government,
they will submit to liturgical rigidity.
70 both these, the Reformed Episcopal
Church offers a common ground. An
Episcopal form of government, shorn of
III its objectiOnal assumptions-a itur-
yy freed from every trace of Romanism
"a formula of worship not suppressive
Of eXtemporaneousness; a ministry fra
cordially with their brethren
Of other names; in a word, a Liturgical,
Episcopal Church; that is, Protestant
TO the core, and fully alive to the spirit
ual necessities of the age.
Your readers may ask, is such a
church needed2 Is there room for il
among the numerous divisions that al.
ready exist These questions will call
forth different answers from different
quarters. But there can be no doubt
but there is a very general, though
quiet, interest felt in the movement,
and that it is not confined to any body
of christians. There is a strong desire
on the part of many to be identified
with it: but family considerations, OF
pastoral relations, hinder for the pres
ent With others L find it a second
choice, A movement that comes into
the midst of the jarring elements o.
Christian life, and by its order, its doc
trinal purity, and its charity, can a
once disarm all opposition and 80 awak
en- so large a degree of sympathy, mus
contain in itself the elements of success
Certain it is, that this year-old move
ment is growing. The mass of busy
passers-by may not notice it; but he whC
will take the trouble to give a look al
the work will find that these workmer
are laying their foundations deep anG
strong, and that, Judging from the prog
ress made, it will not be long before q
superstructlre will begin to show itsel
that will challenge the attention of all
who have eyes to see.
THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION.
| trust I am not giving your readers
too much of the Centennial, but there
is now 80 much going on connected with
this Fraternal Love Feast, in which rep
resentatives from almost every county
in the United States will participate,
with every respectable nation of the
world assembled here to witness il, that
l scarcely know how to write q letter
without saying something about it.
Since my last was written, we have
had the Centennial Committee of Con
gress, with the President and several
Cabinet Ministers, here, to personally
examine the arrangements thus far made
and to note what is further requisite.
AS it is PROPOSED 70 exhibit the progrese