At the close of the convention of 1877 a joint resolu- tion was adopted, which is worthy of being quoted in this connection, inasmuch as it shows the spirit and de- sire of this Church in regard to the very important as well as difficult subject of public-school education :
/. That it is the solemn conviction of this Gen- eral Convention, in both houses, that it is the duty of the clergy and laity of the church to take, so tar as the op- portunity is afforded them, an active interest in the pub- lic schools provided by the Mate for the purpose of ex- tending the important benefits of a secular education to all onr citizens, and of diffusing side by side with these as much of religious influence and instruction as i- p,.-- ,;.■ i tnent them with thorough Christian teaching elsewhere, and to add proper Church schools and institu- tions for the whole, and more complete work of education, wherever they are needed and the means for their sup- port can be commanded ;
/.. i 'V.j. That, with the concurrence of the House of Deputies, a joint committee, consisting of two bishops, lyters, and two laymen, be appointed to consider this whole matter during the recess of the convention, to collect facts and prepare sturL'estions for the next ( leuernl Convention, and to promote, by any means deemed ad- visable, the general work of Christian education."
II. Fundamental Principles, Constitution, Government, ere — From what has already been stated, it is dear that the Protestant Episcopal Church, while holding in common with other Christians evangelical doctrines .as
the incarnation, the divinity of OUT Lord, the atonement. the inspiration of Holy Scripture, salvation through faith in Christ, and all such like- at the same time takes id that it is the American branch of the "one holy Catholic Church" spoken of in the Nieene Creed. It was planted on these Western shores, under God's good pro\ idence, to be what it aims to be— the National Church ofthe United States. It is a historical < Ihurch. It tract ii lineage through the Church of England di- rect^ back to the apostles of our Lord; and it gives, as its deliberate judgment, that "it is evident unto all men. diligently reading I [oly Scripture and ancient au- thors, that from the apostles' lime then' have been these orders of ministers in < Ihrist's < Shurch bishops, prices, and deacons." It is not a new or recently formed de- nomination, and in this respect differs from the great
hulk of Protestant Christian bodies, whatever titles they may give to their respective organizations. Its creed
i- the same creed which has been in use substantially in the same form since the very beginning— viz. that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed ami the Nieene Creed as finally set forth by the G< neral Coun- cils iu the 1th century, and received everywhere and by all throughout tin- Catholic Church. Its liturgy is the very concentration id' the deep piety, soundness in the faith, earnestness, zeal, and fervor ofthe wise and holy
and g I of all I he early as wall a- later ages; and its
services of prayer and praise, combining the use of this liturgy with the continual and frequent reading of Holy Scripture in men's ears, tire in the truest and highest sense of the word evangelical, and calculated to meet all the longings ofthe pious soul for spiritual commun- ion with God our Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the quickening energj ofthe Holj Ghost.*
The position of the Protestant Episcopal Church rel- atively to Protestantism, on the one hand, and Roman- ism, on the other, i- somew hat peculiar, hut yet clearly marked out and defined. It cannot, consistently at least, recognise the validity ofthe ministry of the great body of Protestant denominations, whether Presbyterian or Congregational, for it distinctly enunciates that the only lawful ministry is that in the three orders. Hence it cannot have communion with them, or interchange of services, or union of action in undertaking to spread the Gospel throughout the world. It recognises, it is true, the validity ofthe episcopate in the Roman Cath- olic Church, but at the same time it positively and un- qualifiedly repudiates tin- i not- in doctrine and worship of that corrupt Church, not only in its own proper home in Italy, hut also wherever, in violation ofthe ancient canons, it ha- spread itself. The Protestant Episcopal Church litis no sympathy* with, hut is in direct antago- nism to, the claims of Rome in regard to the denial of the sufficiency of Holy Scripture lor salvation, transub- stantiation, sacrifice ofthe mass, purgatory, c< libacyof the clergy, elevation ofthe Virgin Mary into a sort of goddess to he worshipped, the absolute supremacy of the pope by divine right over all the world in civil as well as religious matters, etc Hence it cannot act in any concert with the Roman Church, or further its plans and purposes in any wise.
The constitution, framed for the purpose of uniting the Church in working together a- one body, we give in full. It was adopted in October, L789, and has re- mained the same ever Since, with the exception of a
tiw alterations which became necessary in consequi nee
ofthe growth of the Church, the increase of the epis- copate, and the format! f several dioceses within the