The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31
For the Central Presbyterian.
What Can the Presbyterian
Church Learn from the
Episcopal?
Episcopal ?

There are many things about the Epis-
copal Church that awaken the curiosity
of an observer.
How aOouLd you account for ITS EAST IN
f1teace? an influence overwhelmingly
disproportionate to its natural position
In the ecclesiastical family. In numeri-
cal strength it stands seventh in the list
of Protestant churches IN the United
States. There are some denominations
of which many readers of the Central
have scarcely heard the name, which are
yet actually more numerous in the United
States than the Episcopal Church.
Though standing SO low in numerical
strength, yet in general weight and in
tiuence it stands very nearly the first, if
not actually the first. Examine the lists
of public positions in the gift of the ma
ton, the State, the country, and you will
find the Episcopal representation therein
amazing y out of proportion to their pro-
per constituency. This has been puz-
cling fact to the writer.
They are not entitled to such influence
upon any ground of merit conceivable.
The ability of their pulpit does not justi-
fly it; they are VIGOROUSLY inferior to
some other churches in the eloquence of
their preachers they make meagre show
ing in authorship-very few commenta-
ries, works on divinity or philosophy
emanate from their ranks; their theo-
logical schools are far below those of
some other denominations they are de-
cidedly less active in general benevo-
lence, they contribute to nothing but
their own schemes, and these denomina-
tional agencies are not supported with
anything like the liberality of the Pres
byterian Church the piety of her mem
bership is conspicuously low Gas gen.
eral thing compared with that of any of
the leading evangelical Churches And
yet Notwithstanding these things there is
no denomination that wields larger
general influence than the Episcopal.
Again; consider It's growth. The Epis-
copal system is out OF harmony with re-
publican institutions. The English mon
arch, in his hostility to Presbyterianism
and INDEPENDENCE, summed up the phil
osophy of the thing and marked the
genius of Episcopacy in the apothegm,
No bishop, no king" 1t is well known,
to all familiar with history, that in our
struggle for independence the Episcopal
Church was on Englands side and sup
ported the king. This doubtless put
back its progress many decades, but il
has recovered from this long ago and is
growing with marvellous rapidity. Dur
ing the decade from 1870 to 1880 the
Episcopal Church increased by seventy.
five per cent-from membership of 2O7. =.
1852 to one of 347781. Now when we
consider such disadvantages as have been
already referred to-, this increase chal.
leDges our wonder Is there not lesson
for us in this increase and in the strange
ly disproportionate influence this body OIL
believers yields? Among other elements
of strength, we mention
/. It's churchliness. 1t lays the great
est stress upon the Church. The posi-
ton, Importance, power, etc., Of the
Church is ever brought to the forefront
Her worship, her ordinances, her sacra-
ments, her clergy, are always held forth
as worthy of all love and reverence
Everything connected or associated with
the Church sharesin this devotion. You
never see an Episcopalian who believes
that it makes little difference what
Church you join, provided only you are
a Christian. You rarely see an Episco-
palian who will attend any other church
when his own is open, whether at home
or IN strange town. They do not think