Episcopal Fidelity

We think we find our doctrines in the formularies of the Church of England; we think we find them in the writings of our Reformers; we think we find them in the records of primitive antiquity; we think we find them in the Word of God. We lay no claim to infallibility, but we claim a right to be true to our convictions. We have tasted the old; we have examined the new; and we say from the very bottom of our hearts, ‘The old in better.’

It in on behalf of such a ministry that we ask your prayers.

In these difficult days, when questions of the most perplexing kind are springing up on every side, and when the demands made upon a bishop’s energies are of a most exhaustive character, the bravest might well shrink from entering upon so great a charge. But we serve a loving and considerate Master. The burden may indeed be heavy to bear, but He who lays it upon His servant will assuredly give him strength to bear it; and bear it we believe he will, untiring, unresting in his work, until the dying echoes of this day’s service give place to the blessed, joyous welcome. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’

1

Besides other points of difference, the Apostle held no local office: he was essentially a Missionary, moving about from place to place, founding and confirming new churches.

2

The most probably date of the Epistle of Clement is 96 A.D.

3

‘The Bishop ought to depute as much as possible of mechanical and secular work.. he ought to restrict even his political and social duties, so as to leave full scope for the spiritual. Whatever grumbling may be caused by his so doing he must husband his energies and his influence.’ —Guardian, June, 1877.