The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-09

White. never ought to have boon printed Mt ALL
Some OF these rejected alterations however
deserve both as to mnttor and spirit tho atten-
ton Of the student Of history. Besidcs largo
number Of verbal changes. the Articles Of Re-
ligion" were reduced TO twenty while the
article, He descended into hell" in the Apos-
Ties creed together with tho Nceno and Athara-
sian croeds. were expungcd from the projected
book OF PRAYER. In view Of such n programme
1t was natural That renewed and distinct assu-
RANGES should be- eXactcd. that the American
communion nourished no intention Of depart
ing from tho Church Of England. in doc
trine. discipline. or worship. Accordingly tho
convention Of 1879 which finally settled upon n
liturgy. recognized the fitness or necessity of
diverging ms little Ms possible from the Anglican
Book Of Common Prayer. In the volume which
received its sanction the alterations arc almost
purely verbal except in 90 far M they are adjusted
To the changed civil relations OF an Episcopal
Church in the United States. One signal differ
en'e. however. Is remarked in the communion
office. the oblation and the Invocation ofthe Holy
Spirit occupying the same place rs in the first
prayer book Of Edward W.. and also in the
Scotch liturgy. This seems to have been due
mainly to Bishop Seabury. who was under
something Of pledge to the Scottish Bishops to
secure the change II possible. The same
churchman likewise endeavored to have the
Athanasan creed inserted not In an obligatory
form. indeed. as in the English missal but
as pormssory feature. The House of Dele
gales however, woulI not admit u in any
shape. whereas they adopted tho Apostles and
Nicene creeds with hearty assent. 1t appears
that the Articles OF Religion were not deter
mined until some twelve years Inter In the Con-
vcntion OF 1901. when the Anglican Thirty
nine" were ratified with few cancellations.
mainly suggested by the altered political stua-
ton.
twas fortunate for the Episcopal Church in
the United States that it entered upon the pres
ent century with the cohesive forces OF a strictly
defined doctrine and perfected organization.
The epoch was concdent with perhaps its
worst extremity in respect Of material appli-
ances. II not in numerical strength Of member
ship. BY an untoward combination OF circum-
stances. the act OF tho Virginia Legislature con-
iis'atng tho globes and other ecclesiastical
property became law by the death OF the pre-
siding Judge in the Court OF Appeals the night
before he was to deliver the decision. already
written out. securing its endowments to the
Church. The effect upon the Episcopal Com
munion In that state was calamitous came nigh
indeed. to annihlation. Even in 1914. when
some CLEANS Of resurrection were discernhbe.
the records OF its Convention attest the presence
OF but seven clergymen aud seventeen laymen.
Thus. after tho lapse OF two centuries the
Church OF tho Old Dominion numbered Just
about as many ministers as she possessed at
the close Of the first eight years of
her existence In Maryland and Delaware
the spirit OF Indifference seemed almost
equally widespread and inyeterate. On the
whole there never was n time since the settle
ment at jamestown when throughout tho South
clergymen were moro needed or when IL was
more difficult 10 obtain them. II is true that In
the Northern States tho prospect was more
cheering. but only by comparison with the sig
nal decadence Just noted. since In the former
quarters the Episcopal Church had long been
overshadowed by other denominations. In view
OF the dark outlook during tho quarter " n cen
fury following the adoption of n Prayer Book. we
learn without surprise that not little interest
was awakened In project sanctioned by one or
two OF the Bishops-that. namely. OF a reunion
with the Methodists then. rs now. avery numer-
Gus and influential sect. But the scheme was
denounced by Convention which declared its
conviction that the Protestant Episcopal Church
should keep sedulousiy to itself in all eccesias-
tical affairs. eschewing alliances OF any kind OF
the risk OF possible entang elements with other
denominations.
Considering the assiluty with which the
American Episcopal Communi ION has sought TO
demonstrate its structural coincidence and
vital identity with the Church OF England. we
should expect to see the excitcments and
proclivites OF the Anglican parent repro
duccd in the offspring As matter Of fact we
find each movement or controversy which has
disturbed the clergy Of the English Establish
ment reflected. sometimes In an extenuated.
sometimes in an exaggerated form. on this side
ofthe Atlantic. Such was the case with the Trac-
tartan agitation. thirty-nve years ago. and we
note a similar phenomenon in the much-vexed
questions that have recently grown out OF the Hit
ualist tendency. On all these occasions II must
be conceded that the conclusions OF the Church.
rs formulated by it's ultimate court OF appeal.
evince degree OF tolerence. sobricty. and cir
cumspoction which goes far TO account for its
singular immunity from scbsm. Some defec-
lions. doubtless. have occurred during the past
half century. but none have approached the
gravity OF mutilation or have avaed To- stem the
steady current Of expansion. On the prosperity
which dgnihes and stimulates in our own day
the American Episcopal Church. II would be- SUI
perhuous 20 dwell. Neither need we refer TO the
magnitude OF the resources accruinR from the
vast appreciation OF some Of its urban endow-
ments. or to the sage and generous application
OF its funds. 81 hoe quarts. cbcumsDicel
NJ W. H.