A History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIII. FORMATION AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE PRAYER-BOOK (1784-89). THE movement to constitute one Episcopal Church for the whole United States was begun at an informal meeting of several clergymen from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, at New Brunswick, N. J., May II, 1784. They met by appointment to consult concerning the interests of the " Corporation for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy," a corporation which had been founded in 1769, largely by the efforts of Dr. William Smith, for the benefit of the three provinces now represented at the meeting.1 Its charter and its-funds needed attention under the changed conditions of the country. Before this meeting was arranged, the Rev. Abraham Beach, of New Brunswick, who suggested it, had written, in January, I 784, a letter to Dr. William White, of Philadelphia, expressing the hope " that the members of the Episcopal Church in this country would interest themselves in its behalf, would endeavor to introduce order and uniformity into it, and provide for a succession in the ministry." This was thoroughly in accord with the plans and purposes of Dr. White. As early as November 13, 1783, he had proposed, at a meeting of the vestry of his own church, the appointment of committees from the vestries of the churches in Philadelphia to confer with the clergy concerning the formation of a representative body of the Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania. The committees were appointed, and, after consultation with the clergy, at the house of Rev. Dr. White, March 29, r 784, "were of the opinion that a subject of such importance ought to be taken up, if possible, with the general concurrence of the Episcopalians in the United States." When, therefore, the clergy...