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ranged as a basis for Christian unity and ecclesiastical union, we ask, Who made this system? Where did it come from? Churchmen did not invent it nor make it. Many of them do not grasp it. Some of them in spirit are very alien from it. They inherit it from their fathers, and these again from theirs, back to the beginning. If it be not man-made, may not this Comprehensive Church have come, for gathering back into one the scattered flock of Christ, from the Hand and Will of God? In other words, looking at this system among the other systems around it, and as compared with those of (what the preface of our PrayerBook calls) "the different religious denominations of Christians in these States," is not its comprehensiveness, which is its distinguishing characteristic, a very strong evidence of its Divine Original?

But let the reader draw his own conclusions. Any judgment is worth nothing to him, except as it is sincerely, patiently, disinterestedly, and positively his

own.

แ O GOD, THE CREATOR AND PRESERVER OF ALL MANKIND, MORE ESPECIALLY WE PRAY FOR THY HOLY CHURCH UNIVERSAL; THAT IT MAY BE SO GUIDED AND GOVERNED BY THY GOOD SPIRIT, THAT ALL WHO PROFESS AND CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS MAY BE LED INTO THE WAY OF TRUTH, AND HOLD THE FAITH IN UNITY OF SPIRIT, IN THE BOND OF PEACE, AND IN RIGHTEOUSNESS OF life. ... AND THIS WE BEG FOR JESUS CHRIST'S SAKE. AMEN."

Prayer for all conditions of men.

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represented in the General Convention-DIOCESES the subdivisions

of the whole Church-represented in Diocesan Conventions-com-

bination, formation, size, and Episcopal charge of Dioceses-inde-

pendence of Dioceses-present number of Dioceses and Bishops-

PARISHES the subdivisions of Dioceses-independence and rights

of parishes-parochial officers--the territorial divisions of the

Protestant Episcopal Church convenient for unity, .

SEC. IV.-Laws. All written-made by the whole Church-laws of

the General Convention-laws of the Dioceses-the election of

wardens and vestry, and the use of the clerical dress, common cus-

toms-liberty in everything not defined by law-clear laws advan-

tageous for unity,

SEO. V.-Government. Democratical-representative. PARISH MEET-

INGS-the original sources of government-their various powers-

how composed-elect wardens and vestry-powers and duties of

these officers-an instituted rector is chairman-elect lay delegates

to the Diocesan Conventions. DIOCESAN CONVENTIONS-their du-

ties and powers-meet annually-composed of clergy and laity-

mode of conducting business-the Bishop the chairman-elect

standing committees duties of these committees-elect clerical

and lay deputies to the General Convention. GENERAL CONVEN-

TION-its duties and powers to provide general legislation and pro-

mote unity-composed of bishops, clergy, and laity-meets trien-

nially-is in two houses, each has a veto on the other, each equal

-House of Bishops-how composed—senior Bishop presides—mode

of conducting business-House of Clerical and Lay Deputies-how

composed-mode of conducting business-the vote by a division

of orders-by this the clergy and laity have a veto upon each other.

COMMENTS-analogy between the ecclesiastical institutions of the

Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States and the civil in-

stitutions of the United States-government of the Protestant

Episcopal Church very comprehensive-primitive-combines the

three elements, the Episcopal, the Presbyterial, the Congrega-

tional-a just system-broad enough to unite all Christians, .

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