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SOUTHERN DICTRICT OF NEW-YORK, ss. BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eleventh day of April, in the forty-first year of the Independence of the United L. S. States of America, PARACLETE POTTER, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a "book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor in,

the words following to wit:

"The Trial of Episcopacy, Reported by R. C. C. A. M."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States entitled" An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an act, entitled, an Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."

THERON RUDD. Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.

TENOX LIBRARY

NEW YORK

TO THE READER.

This book owes its existence to the following circumstance :-In a recent company,composed of gentlemen of high respectability, but of different religious denominations, the tenets of the various sects into which the great family of Christians is divided, became the topic of conversation. The company, altho❜ agreed on some of the most important doctrines of the Gospel (VIZ.) of salvation by the Son of God; of the power and influence of the Holy Ghost to sanctify the soul, and of the ever blessed Trinity of the Godhead, entertained a contrariety of opinion on a

iv

TO THE READER,

variety of other subjects, which drew them into controversies, as learned as they were spirited.

The controversies which were thus

commenced, were continued from time to time with so much zeal and ability, as at length to excite the attention of the public, and they finally drew together some hundreds of the most pious, and learned of the American nation, who formed themselves into a council to settle the important matters in dispute.The following is a record of the pro ceedings of that council, for the accuracy of which, the Reporter feels himself solely accountable,

THE

TRIAL

OF

EPISCOPACY.

As soon as a sufficient number of the gentlemen had convened, they proceeded, as is usual in such cases, to appoint a Chairman: when President James was elected by an unanimous vote, and by a similar vote, Daniel was chosen Secretary. The assembly being thus organized, the chairman enquired the business to be done.

Doc. Presbyter Primus answered, that it was to ascertain,

1. What the visible Church of Christ is. 2. What constitutes membership in that Church. 3. What is the precise nature of its constitution. On which the Chairman remarked-Gentlemen, business of so great importance to mankind, of such solemn moment to the souls of men, should not be proceeded upon rashly. Every thing relating to it should be done with great deliberation

A.

as well as with decency and order. This assembly should recollect that they are, in this case, acting for the present not only, but for future ages; that the decisions of so extensive and respectable a council may be expected to be quoted as authority by future generations. Every party concerned, should therefore be present; and when present, should disdain to be influenced by sectarean views, and be willing to submit to the only true standards of divine truth-to the scriptures, to facts, and to the monuments of antiquity. I therefore presume to enquire, if the different denominations are properly represented by some of the most pious and learned of their communion. If this be not the case, some measures should be adopted to effect so desirable an object.

On enquiry it was found that they were, except the Methodist and Protestant Episcopal christians.

On motion, it was therefore resolved, that this assembly adjourn, for the space of four days; and that the secretary immediately invite the Protestant Episcopal and the Methodist Churches to send delegates to this convention, at the same time stating to them the nature and importance of the business to be transacted.

ADJOURNED.

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