THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
O'KELLY, JAMES: Methodist clergyman; b. probably in southern Virginia c. 1757; d. there Oct. 16, 1826. Little is known of his early life. In 1778 he was admitted into the itinerant Methodist ministry and labored with great success in southern Virginia; and in 1784 was ordained as elder. He antagonized Francis Asbury, and at the first general conference of the Methodist Church at Baltimore in 1792 offered a resolution to the effect that " after the bishop appoints the preachers at conference to their several circuits, if any one think himself injured by the appointment, he shall have liberty to appeal to the conference and state his objections; and if the conference approve his objections, the bishop shall appoint him to another circuit." The resolution was rejected, and subsequently O'Kelly withdrew (see Methodists, IV., 1, § 4) and with his followers formed a new body entitled " The Republican Methodists," a popular term borrowed from the political agitation of the time, and immediately put into effect by leveling all ministers to the same grade. In 1801 the name was changed to " The Christian Church," in consequence of which it suffered two divisions, and although numbering at one time several thousand, it so declined that at the time of 0 'Kelly's death only a remnant remained. He was also an active opponent of slavery from press and pulpit and was charged with denying distinct personality in the Trimty, affirming that " God was Father from eternity, Redeemer in time, and Sanctifier forevermore."
Bibliography: J. M. Buckley, in American Church History Series, v. 283-285 et passim, New York, 1896; A. Stevens, Hist, of the M. E. Church in U. S. A., iii. 16-37, ib. 1864; J. Lednum, Hist, of the Rise of Methodism in America, chap, xxiii., Philadelphia, 1859; Bennett, Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, chap, ix., Richmond, 1871; J. A. Faulkner, The Methodists, pp. 161-162, ib. 1903; and, in general, literature under Methodists.
OLAF, SAINT: King of Norway 1015-30. See Norway.
OLD CATHOLICS.
I. In Germany. Origin (§ 1).
Faith and Practise (§2). II. In Other European Countries. III. In the United States.
The Independent (Polish) Catholic Church (§ 1). National Catholic Church (§ 2). IV. Statistics and the Congresses.
I. In Germany: The Old Catholic Church owes its origin to certain Roman Catholics who refused to accept the decree of the Vatican Council of 1870 (q.v.) affirming the infallibility of the pope when speaking ex cathedra. The decree had been fiercely debated and opposed by a consider-
i. Origin, able minority of the bishops present at the council, their arguments being based upon the early history of the Church and its fundamental faith and usages as declared by the ecumenical councils. A further charge made by the minority was that freedom of discussion had not prevailed at the council and that final action was forced. Of this minority only a few, however, persisted in the logical course indicated by their position. The organization of the opposition after ■' Ue issuance of the decree was made at a meetr _, at
Nuremberg, Aug. 27, 1870, of professors from Bonn, Breslau, Braunsberg, Munich, Miinster, Prague, Wiirzburg, and other places, who, under the leadership of Johann Josef Ignaz von Dollinger (q.v.), declared against the decree. A gathering of laymen at Kbnigswinter in September of the same year resolved that: " Considering that the council did not deliberate in perfect freedom, the un-
dersigned Catholics [1,359 in number] . do not recognize the decrees concerning the absolute power of the pope and his infallibility as the decision of an ecumenical council, but rather reject them as innovations in direct contradiction to the uniform faith of the Church." Of the dissenting minority spoken of above Bishop Hefele was the last to submit (April, 1871). Ecclesiastical pressure was brought upon the dissenting professors, and those who continued in opposition were excommunicated. The necessity was seen for an organization to protect the scattered clergy who adhered to the position of the minority, and a congress was held at Munich Sept. 22-24, 1871, with Prof. J. F von Schulte of Bonn presiding, at which the conclusions of the preceding gatherings mentioned were endorsed, the direction the movement should take was decided, and measures were taken for the cure of souls. The organization of congregations in various places followed. The second congress was held at Cologne Sept. 20, 1872, provision was made for the election of a bishop, who was chosen on June 4, 1873, the choice falling on Joseph Hubert Reinkens (q.v.), professor of theology at Breslau, who received consecration at Rotterdam from the Jansenist Bishop Heycamp of Deventer, his recognition by the king of Prussia following on Sept. 17 of the same year, and by other German princes a little later. At this congress provision was made for the government of the church by a synodical board of clerical and lay members. The third congress was held at Constance in Sept., 1873. Thereafter the congresses were regularly held, but their function was limited to general discussions for the general good, provision for the specific care of the church being committed to the synod which was organized.
The first synod was held at Bonn, 1874, and successive synods shaped the polity and life of the church. The possibility of union with the Protestant Church was not overlooked. A
2. Faith catechism and a manual of instruction and were issued, recognizing only those
Practise, doctrines which were deemed apostolic. Auricular confession was made voluntary, and absolution was regarded as a ceremonial declaration made by the priest as a servant of Jesus Christ. Christ, " the son of God in the sense that he is of the same essence with the Father," is the head of the Church, which latter is defined as the invisible body including all who have part in salvation through faith in Christ. The Apostles' Creed is employed in all services except the mass, where the Nicene Creed is used. Attempts were made to do away with abuses arising from penance, fasts and festivals, the celibacy of priests, and various matters financial, while the use of the German language has been so extended as to cover the entire