CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I. THE BISHOPRIC IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Presbyters and bishops-Meaning of the words-Applied to same per- sons-Gradual change of application-Hatch on the organization of the early Christian Church-Pope-Farrar-Stanley-Onderdonk-Views of the fathers-Teaching of the twelve apostles-New Testament references -Lightfoot's opinion-Mosheim-Stanley-Neander-Pope's Theology— Title bishop limited to presiding presbyter-Diocesan bishops-Rural bi-hops-Metropolitan bishops-Primates-The papacy.......... Page 11 CHAPTER II. EPISCOPACY IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. After the Reformation-Episcopacy retained in England-Discarded on the Continent-View of English reformers-Bishops and presbyters the same order-Bishopric an office-Non-episcopal ordination recognized-- Close relations with non-episcopal Churches-Articles of religion-Book of Common Prayer-Definition of a Church-Of a lawful ministry-Eccle- siastical diversities admitted-Presbyterian ministers received without reordination-Apostolical succession not essential-Change of view at the close of Elizabeth's time-Puritanism-Beginning of claim that bishops were by divine right-Bancroft-Hooker-Laud-Bishop Hall-No dif- ference on essential points with non-episcopal Churches-Usher's view- Stillingfleet-Act of uniformity in 1661-Up to that time the validity of presbyterial ordination recognized-Triumph of the opposite view.... 52 WESLEY'S VIEWS OF EPISCOPACY, ORDINATION, AND CHURCH GOVERNMENT. John Wesley the founder of Methodism-His original intention-High- The ordain -Provides for the perpetuation of organic Methodism Methodist organization distinct from Church of England before Wesley's death-Foresaw that the Methodists would be separate-According to Charles Wesley and Lord Mansfield John Wesley did separate from the Church of England-Wesley meant Methodism to have a distinct organic existence.... CHAPTER IV. Page 86 WESLEY'S RELATION TO THE EPISCOPATE OF AMERICAN METHODISM. Whitefield in America-Preparation for Wesleyan Methodism-Its introduction into America-Wesley's general assistant in America-Asbury and Rankin-Disastrous effect of Revolutionary War on Church of England in America-Methodism a compact and well organized bodyMethodists and the sacraments-The few clergymen could not meet the demand-Methodist preachers propose to administer the sacraments to their own people-Virginia Conference ordains some of them-Division on the question-Grounds of the right to administer-Conference between Northern and Southern preachers-The latter agree to suspend the administration and that the case be appealed to Wesley-Asbury_aquaints Wesley with the condition of affairs-Wesley decides to send Dr. Coke and two preachers to America-Could not induce the English bishops to ordain preachers for America-Dr. Seabury's difficulty in securing consecration The Methodists under the care of the Countess of Huntingdon withdraw from the Church of England and ordain ministers-Wesley exercises his right to ordain, and ordains Whatcoat and Vasey-Assisted by two presbyters-The validity of this ordination-Wesley's authority sustained by Saravia, Hooker, and the Anglican articles-The true idea of ordination-The place does not affect the act-Bishop Seabury consecrated in a private house-Wesley ordains preachers for Scotland and other places-Considered that the Methodists constituted a Church-He was its head or bishop-Makes Dr. Coke a superintendent for AmericaDid he originally intend to formally consecrate him to this officeChurch at Alexandria used no service of consecration-Wesley did consecrate Coke-Did he make him a bishop-Did he give him a higher order than that of presbyter?-Imposition of hands not ordination-Letters testimonial-Bishops and presbyters the same order-Letter to American Methodists-Prepares a liturgy and other services for Methodists in the United States-Articles of religion-Coke, Whatcoat, and Vasey sail for America.... CHAPTER V. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 147 Different denominations injuriously affected by the Revolution-Pres. byterians-Baptists-Church of England clergy scattered and churches in many places closed-No general organization--Approaching annihilation-Prejudices against English Church and bishops-Difficulties in the way of an organization of the remains-Dr. White proposes a presbyterial plan-His liberal views-Answered by ten Connecticut clergy-In secret meeting they select Dr. Seabury to secure episcopal consecration Reasons for secrecy- -Who was Seabury?-Sails for England-Difficulties met in England-First steps toward organization of Protestant Episcopal Church-Seabury's views of the law an indorsement of Wesley's position-Fails to secure consecration from regular English bishops-Holds "irregular" consecration in reserve- Clergymen who had received "irregular" consecration for America-Seabury reorganizes "irregular" non-juring bishops as true bishops-Coke lands in America-The first American bishop after the Revolution-Baptist bishops in Virginia-New obstacles in the way of Seabury-The right of the Methodists to organize recognized in the preface to the Protestant Episcopal Prayer Book-Not certain that the remains of the Church of England would be organizedThe Methodists had a distinct organization-Did not separate from the Church of England or the Protestant Episcopal Church-These did not exist-Emerged from the ruins of the Church of England in AmericaCoke seeks Asbury-The meeting at Barrett's Chapel in Delaware-Asbury will not accept position of joint superintendent without an election -Council of preachers favor a conference of all the preachers-Garrettson sent to notify them-The Conference at Baltimore on the 24th of December, 1784-Its composition-They organize the Methodist Episcopal Church-Did Wesley mean they should?-Coke and Asbury elected superintendents-Asbury ordained deacon and elder-Set apart as superintendent Other ordinations-A college projected-A Church with a liturgy and clergy with gowns-The new Church gladly accepted by ministers and people-Dr. Seabury consecrated in Scotland by non-jurors -The Protestant Episcopal Church organized in 1785-Bishop Seabury's diocese did not unite until 1789-The Protestant Episcopal Church_not complete with three bishops in the English line until 1790-Bishop Seabury's consecration recognized as valid, but no consecration permitted until there were three bishops in the English line-The Methodist Episcopal Church organized before the Protestant Episcopal Its rapid growth....... Page 235 CHAPTER VI. THE SUPERINTENDENCY. Its nature-In harmony with Wesley's views-A bishop a presbyter performing the work of oversight-The bishopric an office of oversightFollowed the Scriptures and the primitive Church-The bishopric an office filled by a presbyter-The superintendents were elders and the superintendency was a presbyterial episcopacy-Making Presbyter Wesley their supreme authority-The parity of bishops and presbyters-The basal prínciple.... CHAPTER VII. THE EPISCOPATE FROM 1784 UNTIL THE DEATH OF ASBURY. 299 The word bishop in the Minutes of 1785-Explaining the title superintendent-Work of editor-Wesley's personal authority-Asbury reconstructing Discipline-Conference of 1787-Wesley claimed authority to name and remove superintendents-Conference refuses to yield to Wesley -Declines to have Whatcoat as a superintendent-Annuls the agreement to obey Wesley-Effect on Wesley-Asbury's relation to the act-Coke's official action challenged-Coke agreed not to act as superintendent when out of the United States-Not a superintendent when out of the United States-Supreme power of the Conference-Discipline revised and rearranged Insertion of title bishops - Not by Conference but by the superintendents-Conference permits the title to stand-The superintendents were bishops-Wesley's displeasure with the change of name, but not with the episcopate-His letter-Introduction to Discipline -Whose work-New introduction-Wesley honored "as the father of the whole work "-Wesley's name restored to the Minutes-Wesley formally recognized as filling the episcopal office-Bishop Wesley a presbyterSecessions-No ordering in the service for bishops-Dickins's declaration that nothing was conferred by the service-Use of the word consecration -Coke and Asbury's notes on the Discipline-The episcopate an officeBishop Coke offers his services for America, etc.-Reduced to an assistant -Asbury. proposes to resign-Coke permitted to return to Europe-The new bishop to be equal to Asbury in authority-Whatcoat elected-Coke permitted to return to Europe subject to recall-Delegated General Conferences decided upon-Restrictions on their power-Coke to the General Conference of 1808-Power of General Conferences-Coke not to exercise the office of bishop unless recalled-A suspension or deposition-Coke explains his letter to Bishop White-Validity of Asbury's consecrationCoke's opinion that bishops and presbyters are the same order.. Page 316 CHAPTER VIII. THE BISHOPRIC FROM THE DEATH OF ASBURY TO 1844. Ezekiel Cooper's testimony that bishops were presbyters-Controversies-Bangs on Methodist Episcopacy-Emory's Defense of Our Fathers -Bangs's Original Church of Christ-Bangs's History-Emory's viewsDr. Bond's-Hedding on Discipline-Elliott's Life of Bishop Roberts— Presbyterial ordination-Imposition of hands not absolutely necessary, but appropriate-Power of bishops-Not a distinct order.... 374 CHAPTER IX. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1844. .... Light on the episcopate Address of the bishops-Subjection of bishops -Episcopate mainly executive-Orders conferred by the Conference and not by bishop-Bishops confirm-Bishops and presbyters the same order -The bishopric an office-The case of Bishop J. O. Andrew-Resolutions-Suspension or deposition-Nature of episcopate and power of Conference-Griffiths - Bangs - Cass-Comfort-Peck-Collins-WinnerDurbin-Hamline-Elders equal to bishops in orders-Power of General Conference to suspend or depose without formal charges or formal trialLaw of expediency-Protest of minority-Views never advanced by Church-Dr. Bond's comments-Committee to reply ordered on M. Simpson's motion-Reply to the Protest-Analysis of episcopal power and rights of General Conference-Control over bishops-On motion of E. R. Ames entered on Journal and ordered to be printed by vote of 116 to 26.. 387 CHAPTER X. THE EPISCOPATE FROM 1844 TO 1884. Stevens's Church Polity-Bishops primi inter pares-General Conference of 1852-Bishop Hamline resigns-Resignation accepted-Goes back to his Conference as an elder-Dr. Eddy's explanation-The ritual-Corrections needed-Amendment of C. Kingsley-Committees on revisionCommittee of 1856 reported that the services contained grave errors which the Church had never accepted-Changes made by General Conference of 1864-Ordination stricken out and consecration inserted-Stevens's Centenary of American Methodism-A bishop the first among equals-Bisn op Scott in addressing a Conference calls himself a presbyter-Porter's History of Methodism-Bishop Simpson's Hundred Years of Methodism -E. O. Haven's article-The parity of bishops and presbyters maintained.... 409 CHAPTER XI. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1884. Errors of isolated individuals-Misuse of words order and officeChurch held the same view from the beginning-Resolution reaffirmning the doctrine that the bishopric is an office and that bishops are presbyters -Adopted almost unanimously. -Dr. Curry-Dr. Buckley-Explanatory note proposed to be placed in Discipline-The service for bistiops elect not an ordination-Prevailed by an almost unanimous vote-Fraternal letter to the Presbyterian General Assembly-The same view held by the Church from the beginning.... CHAPTER XII. CONCLUSION. Page 422 The Church has always recognized the distinction between order and official position-Order of elder, office of presiding elder-Office of bish-op-How many orders may a Church make-How many did the Methodist Episcopal Church make-The diaconate and presbyterate-Forms of Church government-The episcopate has not an element of order above the presbyterate-Nature of an order-Presbyters the fountain of ordination-Powers of bishop not inherent but delegated-Authority of the General Conference over the office-Hamline in 1844-An office has not the peculiar permanence of an order—A bishop may resign and be a mere elder-One may be removed from an office as he cannot from an orderBishop Harris on powers of General Conference-Presbyters can do what bishops do-Bishops tried by presbyters, who are their peers-The services for deacons and elders use the word order-The service for bishops does not-Implies they are presbyters-Different uses of the word office-The bishop an officer-Danger of misuse of words-Practical reasons against applying word order to bishops-Tendency toward prelacy-A government with but not by bishops-Changes of view in the early Christian Church-In the Church of England-Wesley from High-Church to LowChurch views-Mission of Methodism to maintain views of the uncorrupted Christian Church..... 430 THE END. |