Evening journal., 1916-03-02
P. {. CLERGY make
Statement Of Faith
MakeDeclaration After Long
Meeting in Response to
Criticism by Bishop
ARE ON RECORD
FOR PROTESTANTISM

PHILADELPHIA fd.S MdIcu e.
Construed as an answer TO recent
statements by Bishop f. j. Kinsman,
OF Delaware. and Bishop Anderson, Of
Chicago. that the Protestant Episcopal
Church should declare itself for Ca
tholicism, "A Declaration and Tes-
timony" has been adopted by 100
Episcopal clergymen, which asserts
that the church is essentially a Prot
estant body.
The document was adopted at an
all-day conference yesterday at the
parish house of Holy Trinity. Twen-
tieth street below Walnut and result
ed in the organization of the Church
League Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church.
The object of the organization is
the maintenance of the Protestant
character of the church and to dis
courage the introduction into Episco-
pal churches of the teachings and
ceremonials Of other Christian insti-
tutions.
Elect Officers.
Rev. Dr. Randolph II. McKim. rec
tor of the Church of the Epiphany
Washington. was elected president Of
the Church League. Rev. DR.. Floyd
w Tomkins rector Of Holy Trinity
Church. and Rev. DR.. Herbert Ship
man, rector of the Church of the
Heavenly Rest New York, we're
chosen vice-presidents, and Rev.
Charles w. Shreiner. rector of the
Church of the Atonement. was made
secretary.
Episcopal clergy from New York.
Boston. Washington, Baltimore and
other cities throughout the East, at
tended the conference, which began
at 10 o'clock in the morning and con-
tinued until 6 in the evening. Several
of the addresses calling for an en-
phatic protest against the introduction
of practices foreign to the Protestant
faith, we're greeted with enthusiastic
applause. One visiting rector de-
,lared that before coming to Philadel-
phia he consulted his vestry, which
commended the Church League and
expressed their hearty endorsement of
The movement
Letters and kilograms we're read
from scores of clergymen represent
ing influential Episcopal parishes
throughout the country. All expressed
their hearty approval of the objects
of the Church League.
The following Declaration and
Testimony" was unanimously adopted !;
Issuing from the Reformation with
out the loss of her ancient heritage
and baptized afresh in the spirit OF
the New Testament, the character of
our Church became what is now re-
vealed in her name-the Protestant
Episcopal Church.
Confident in her possession Of the
historic creeds and maintaining hel
ancient ministry. cOmprehensiyeness
became a great Characteristic.
80 much that is alien to her history
and spirit is now being set forth in
her name that loyalty demands of heI
sons a clear declaration of the alleg-
lance.
Declare Allegiance.
First, we assert. therefore. our al
legiance to the following principles
Il. The sufliciency OF the one sacri-
flee of Christ. and His sole mediator
ship with God.
?. The sacred right OF an individ
nal soul to an immediate approach L
God in Christ.
3. The supremacy of the enlighten
I'd conscience in the individual life a
he final court Of appeal.
4. The supremacy of Holy Scrip
lure as the test and warrant OF Chris
tan doctrine.
Secondly We affirm our loyalty 4
he following truths. which are clear
ly indicated in the formularies of tn
Church,
/. The sacraments as the two alon
ordained by Christ Himself
2. The presence of Christ in the lii
)f humanity. realized. by faith, in tn
least of His own appointment.
3. The continuity of the ministry b
an historic method as a fact of sigma
7alue and authority. and independen
)f any theories that may be impose
upon it,
Thirdly. In the face of the presen
demand, openly expressed by bishop
and others. that our Church declar
Lerself that there may be no mistak
N her position, we affirm:
Started in New York.
l. The Church has declared herself q
these points historically, specifically an
mequiyocally.
,. This Chmchs unique conception (
,omprehensiveness cannot be nullitied i
the effort to include wnat she has DEF
litely excluded.
3. This Church has made confidel
declaration of her position as a result
her belief in the guidance of the llo
Spirit and as a consequence OF the cha
lcteristic use of sound learning.
The movement which eliminated
he formation of the Church League II;
It's inception at a meeting in ;
Thomas Episcopal Church. New Nor
IN January 26. when committee WI
appointed TO prepare the "Declarati'
md Testimony" Since that time mee
ngs have been held in the Church OF 4
Holy Trinity and st. Stephens Churc
n this city.