Fac-simile of the title page of the first Prayer Book of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Issued at Philadelphia in 1874. Exact size. and in the doctrines of grace substantially as they are set forth in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. II. This Church recognizes and adheres to Episcopacy, not as of Divine right, but as a very ancient and desirable form of Church polity. III. This Church, retaining a Liturgy which shall not be imperative or repressive of freedom in prayer, accepts the Book of Common Prayer, as it was revised, proposed, and recommended for use by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, A. D., 1785, reserving full liberty to alter, abridge, enlarge, and amend the same, as may seem most conducive to the edification of the people, "provided that the substance of the faith be kept entire." IV. This Church condemns and rejects the following erroneous and strange doctrines as contrary to God's Word: First, That the Church of Christ exists only in one order or form of ecclesiastical polity: Second, That Christian Ministers are "priests" in another sense than that in which all believers are "a royal priesthood:" Third, That the Lord's Table is an altar on which the oblation of the Body and Blood of Christ is offered anew to the Father: Fourth, That the Presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper is a presence in the elements of Bread and Wine: Fifth, That Regeneration is inseparably connected with Baptism. At the Second General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church, held in New York, May, 1874, a revised Book of Common Prayer was adopted. The volume was issued the same year, bearing the imprint of James A. Moore, of Philadelphia. While the basis is that of the Proposed Book of 1786, certain alterations in the way of omissions and additions were made. On the page facing The Order for Morning Prayer, is the insertion of a Canon as follows: TITLE I. CANON 12-OF THE USE OF THE PRAYER BOOK. I. On occasions of public worship, invariably on the morning of the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday, and at other times at the discretion of the Minister, the Prayer Book set forth at any time by the General Council is to be used in the congregations of this Church; Provided, that nothing in this Canon is to be understood as precluding extempore prayer before or after sermons, or on emergent occasions. II. Congregations in the Dominion of Canada, and in other countries, shall have liberty to insert such Prayers and Versicles in the Service as are most accordant with their respective forms of civil government; and such prayers for those in authority may take the place of those in use in the United States; Provided, that no printed matter shall be inserted in the printed Morning Service, until it has been approved by the Standing Committee on Doctrine and Worship of the General Council. In the heading, The Order for Daily Morning Prayer, the word "Daily" is omitted. To the Sentences at the beginning of Morning Prayer have been added eleven other passages of Scripture. These are not added to the Sentences for Evening Prayer. A Declaration concerning the Forgiveness of Sins, is removed, and a Prayer substituted. Versicles are omitted: Minister. O God, make speed to save us. Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us. These Four verses are omitted from the Venite. In the Te Deum, the clause reading, "thou didst humble thyself to be born of a pure Virgin," is printed without the word "pure." At the end these words are added: "O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded." Eight verses are omitted from the Benedictus. The Apostles' Creed is prefaced by the following rubric: Then shall be said the Apostles' Creed, by the Minister and the people, standing: And any churches may insert after the words, Was crucified, dead, and buried," the words, He descended into Hell," or the words, "He went into the place of departed spirits." The Nicene Creed is restored, and is followed by this NOTE. By "One Catholic and Apostolic Church," is signified "The blessed company of all faithful people;" and by "One Baptism for the remission of sins," the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. These Versicles are omitted: Minister. O Lord, bless and preserve these United States; |