ít. His views were committed to the press, in the "Protestant Episcopalian," and he judges it to be agreeable to the present design, to insert that document in the Appendix, No. 37. GGG. Page 64. Within a year before the convention, it had been expected, that the Rev. Dr. Hawks, during the session of that body, would have been consecrated for what has been called the South-Western Diocese. But although there was evidence that the measure would have been popular; yet, there being objections made to the election as irregular, the doctor declined compliance. During the session, there were present from that quarter, several gentlemen who had regretted the failure, but were gratified by the new shape which the subject had taken, and were confident that it would be acceptable to all the states and territories concerned. HHH. Page 64. This measure arose from the consideration, that in any country to which the Church may send missionary presbyters, there may occur the expediency of superadding the Episcopacy. III. Page 64. The proposals referred to are of great importance, and were introduced in the House of Bishops by Bishop Hopkins. When our Church was organized, it would have been impossible to have carried the point of jurisdiction further than as it now stands. But there is the imperfection attending it, that in ecclesiastical trials, opposite decisions may be passed in different dioceses; which is manifestly a great evil. KKK. Page 65. The providing of a German liturgy, arose from the statement, that in some districts, there are German families, desirous of attending on the services of our Church, and whose acquaintance with the English language being imperfect, as expressive of devotional sentiment and feeling, they would be aided by the possession of German Prayer Books, and by a comparing of them with the English. LLL. Page 65. The people's repeating of the confession simultaneously with the minister, renders it the more solemn, and most probably, as in other places, was contemplated by the compilers. As for the question of "Amen," the author must confess himself not furnished with sufficient information. He does not know any rubric or canon prescribing the difference of type. There is before him a Prayer Book, edited under Charles I. in which no such difference is made. In another, under Queen Anne, it appears, not only in the places designated by the convention, but in many others; although the cause of the diversity is not obvious. In Baskerville's edition, there is the difference of type; and perhaps in all the recent editions in England. It is to be hoped, that the convention had sufficient cause for the provision made; and if not, it is of little moment. Since the time of the General Convention, there has been raised a question, as to the propriety of what they have required, of the concurrent voices of the minister and of the people. The doubt of the requisition rests on the meaning of the word "after," which has been construed as inapplicable to concurrence. In opposition to the doubt, the following considerations had weight with the convention. 1st. The exhortation calls on the congregation, to "accompany" the minister in the ensuing act, which cannot be but by a concurrence. 2d. There was not perceived any reason, why the confession should be different from that in the communion service, and from the Lord's Prayer in the morning and evening services. 3d. The word "after" cannot have so restricted a meaning as the doubt supposes. It often stands for "according to" or "imitation of." See Johnson's Dictionary. See also in scripture many places, among which are, Psalm xxviii. 6; Psalm xi. 3; Matthew vi. 9; and 1 Peter iii. 5. The Prayer Book is not without instances to the effect, as in the twenty-eighth article, "after an heavenly and spiritual manner;" and in the litany as in the English book"neither reward us after our iniquities." MMM. Page 65. In regard to the Bible, there having been occasionally typographical errors, so difficult to be avoided, there is great reason of provision for strict accuracy. Some years ago there had been a very large edition, in one instance departing from the Greek text, in order to favour the Congregational form of Church government. Although there had been provided what was expected to be a sufficient preventive of incorrect editions of the Book of Common Prayer; yet, the provision having been found not entirely to answer the purpose, further security was thought necessary, and constituted. NNN. Page 65. The books and other documents, presented by Dr. Hawks, will be added to those presented by the author of this, some years ago, and now in the library of St. James' Church, in this city. It is to be hoped, that they will be placed under a proper supervision. 000. Page 65. It is remarked often, and with truth, that much legislation is indicative of feeble administration. Still, there may be fruits of experience, and changes of circumstances, calling for corresponding changes of laws. It is to be hoped, that our Church has pursued, and will continue to pursue, a proper medium. For the enacted canons, it may suffice to refer to the journal. CONCLUSION. The author has brought to an end, a work comprehending the proceedings of the Episcopal Church, for somewhat more than the half of a century. He discontinues it from this time, partly because of his advance in years, and, further, because he knows of some of the clergy, who have been lately attentive to the preservation of facts, falling under their respective notices. It has been formerly a matter too little attended to. Incidents, not exciting much interest at present, may help in future transactions, by unfolding the grounds on which those preceding them had been adopted, and by which they should in some measure be explained. At this finishing of these Memoirs, he lifts his heart in prayer to the great Preserver of his health and strength, that the peace and the prosperity of the Church, of which he has been so long a witness, and to the promoting of which he has given his best endeavours, however feeble, and however in effect far short of his desires, may be perpetuated, to the glory of God, and to the best interests, religious and civil, of his people. W. W. |