Controversies on Church polity in America have chiefly prevailed in the rivalry of denominations. For the most part, different churches, while commending their own forms of polity, have respected that of others. Discussions conducted after that manner have greatly extended the feeling of Christian fraternity, and at the same time made almost universal the opinion that par- ticular forms of Church government are of quite inferior importance as compared with the essential elements of Christian faith and practice. On the other hand, pre- tentious claims and intolerant practice have tended to defeat their own aims and to secure public disapproba- tion. Notwithstanding numberless varieties in unim- portant particulars, the distinctive systems of Church government are few. Designated by the highest au- thority recognised in each, they may be enumerated as the Congregational, the Presbyterian, the Episcopal, the Patriarchal, and the Papal. The details of these systems may be seen by reference to articles on the churches adhering to them severally.
Literature. — The controversial literature of the sub- ject of Church polity is very nearly identical with that of the subject of ordination (q. v.). The general, his- torical, and didactic literature of Church polity is also quite extensive. The following list of books will at least fairly represent it in its different branches and phases : Migne, Dietionnaire. des Ceremonies et des Rites sacres (Par. 3 vols. 8vo) ; also Dietionnaire de Discipline Ecclesiasiique (2 vols. 8vo) ; Amyrald, Du Gouvernement de VEglise; Marsden, Churchmanslrip of the New Test.; Brokeshy, Government of the Church for the first Thin Centuries; Kay, External Government of the Church in the first Three Centuries ; Parker, Church Con ruim ut .;/' the first Six Hundred Years ; Thomdike, The Forms of Church Government; Cartwright, Directory of Church Government; Canons of the Church of England; Wil- berforce, Church Courts and Discipline ; Clergyman's As- sistant; Clay, Essays on Church Policy; Birk, Church and State; Baptist Noel, Church and State; Thompson, Church and State ; Clergyman's Instructor; Bannerman, The Church of Christ ; Cunningham, Discussions on Church Principles; Canons of the Prot. Episc. Church : Vinton, Manual Commentary on the Canon Law and Constitution of the Prot. Episc. Church ; Dobney, Three Churches; Uhden, New England Theocracy; Upham, Ratio Disciplince ; Punchard, Congregationalism ; Saw- yer, Organic Christianity ; Smyth, Ecclesiastical Re- publicanism ; Miller, On Presbyterianism ; also Ruling Elders; Engles, Ruling Elders; Form of Government ; Cambridge Platform of Church Discipline; Bacon, Church Manual; Cummings, Congregational Diction- ary; Lutheran Liturgy ; Kurtz, Why are you a Luther-
an? King, Presbyterian Church Government; also On the Eldership ; Hiscox, Baptist Church Directory ; Way- land, Principles and Practices of the Baptists; Ripley, Church Polity; Schmucker, Lutheran Manual; Grin- drod, Compendium of the Lairs and Regulations ofWes- leyan Methodism; Barrett, Ministry and Polity of the Christian Church; Discipline of the Methodist Episco- pal Church; Baker, On the Discipline; Emory, Hist, of the Discipline; Sherman, Hist, of the Discipline; Porter, Compendium of Methodism ; also Helps to OJficial Members ; Bond, Economy of Methodism ; Stevens, Ch. Polity ; Hodgson, Polity of Methodism; Morris, Church Polity ; Crane, Methodism and its Methods. (D. P. K.)
Poliuchos (ttoXiovxoc,), a surname of several dei- ties among the ancient Greeks, who were believed to be the guardians of cities.
Poliziano. See Politian.
Polk, Leonidas, a noted American prelate of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a general in the late war between the Northern and Southern States, was born at Raleigh, N. C, in 1800. He was educated for the army in the United States military academ3' at West Point, N. Y., but had served only a few months as lieutenant when he determined to take orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was ordained deacon in 1830, and in 1831 took a rectorate. In 1838 he was made the missionary bishop of Arkansas and the In- dian Territory, south of 36° 30', and in 1841 bishop of Louisiana. He then took up his residence at La- fourche parish, where he had extensive plantations. Being a man of wealth and enjoying a life of ease, he never paid very much attention to ecclesiastical labors, and did but little to strengthen the work of the Church within the range of his diocese. At the outbreak of hostilities against the North he was on the side of the planters, and did all in his power to further the seces- sion movement. Not only did he speak in public and contribute from his purse, but he offered his services to the Southern Confederacy as soon as established, and was made a general in their army. He early urged upon Jefferson Davis and the other Confederate author- ities the importance of fortifying and holding the stra- tegical points of the Mississippi Valley, and in other ways proved himself a far-seeing and skilful adviser of their cause. He took part in several battles, and though not always very prominent in action, was ever indis- pensable in council, and contributed greatly to what- ever success the Confederate cause achieved in his days and surroundings. During a reconnoissance near Mari- etta, Ga., he was killed by a cannon-shot, June 14, 1864. He had never resigned his episcopal dignity, but was buried with military honors. Though bishop Polk gave his life in what we consider an unworthy cause, we must revere his memory for his sterling qualities as a man who was not afraid to do what he believed to be his duty. He was noted for his kindness of heart and the most devout Christian life, such as he understood it to be. See Men of the Times, s. v.; American An- nual Cyclop. 1868, p. 679; Drake, Diet, of American Biography, s. v.