Its successes have been won in the face of most decided opposition, but it has grown from a con dition of contempt and 'obscurity to one of prom inence and usefulness. Very worthy of notice is the fact that when it realized its mission to the world outside of its hereditary membership it be gan to make firm strides forward. The organiza tion of its missionary society thus marks its de termination to adapt itself to the needs of all sorts and conditions of men and to become a helpful factor in American life and progress.
It has not been the popular religion of the land, nor is it so to-day in many sections. In fact it is still well-nigh unknown in some parts of the country. But with the growing intelligence of the Ameri can people and the decay of old prejudices, and especially with the new life pervading every part of the organization, making it earnest and aggres sive for good wherever it goes, it awakens atten tion and wins favor. Our American people are beginning to see that the Episcopal Church has been of great value to this nation, and that it pos sesses most important features which demand re spect and affection. Among these matters which have never been as fully considered as they de serve are the following: (1) The Way for the American Revolution was Paved by This Church. Said Bishop Meade: "The vestries, who were the intelligence and moral strength of the land, had been slowly fighting the battles of the Revolution for one hun dred and fifty years. They objected to the ar bitrary appointment of ministers, and those old controversies had as much to do with loosening the bonds between England and the Colonies as did the town meeting in New England." Said W. C. Rives, of Virginia : "Without denying to other religious bodies their full and glorious share in the early struggles for political liberty in Virginia, the leaders and chief actors were members of the Established Church." (2) Many Churchmen Were Patriots. Al lusion has already been made to the fact that the majority of the signers of the Declaration of In dependence were members of this church. They were representative men and men of influence. Washington, the leader of our forces, was a churchman, and the placing the command in his hands gave a national character to a movement which otherwise might have, been but a sectional struggle.
(3) The Influence of Churchmen was felt in the Molding of the Civil Government. It is largely due to the wisdom and conservative spirit of these men that our civil government was so wisely planned, so generous and so comprehen sive. Not only in that formative period of new national life, but ever since, much has been due to churchmen. They have been the friends of true refinement and education, lovers of liberty and honor, and so have vindicated the claims of culture as opposed to money making and the greed for place and power.
(4) For a Simple Faith and a Sober Piety. In days when great whirlwinds of religious ex citement swept over the land it held up the truth that religion is character. The views of Christian nurture for which it contended have been gradually adopted by other religious bodies. Much, too, that is now commendable in the improved condi tions of religious life, can be traced to the influ ence of this Church. It surely deserves credit for better styles of architecture, for better music, for the observance of sacred seasons other than Sunday, and for many measures of benevolent activity whereby the condition of once neglected classes has been improved. In a word, the Epis copal Church has become a strong and wholesome influence for truth and righteousness in this land.
3. Stand for Church Unity. One unique dis tinction belongs to it, and that is the stand it has taken in favor of Church unity. It has always prayed in its appointed services that "all who pro fess 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 righteous ness of life." Whenever it celebrates the sacra ment of Holy Communion, the prayer is offered that God "would inspire continually the universal church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord, that all who profess thy holy name may live in unity and godly love." One of the most important steps in the religious history of modern times was taken in t886, when its bishops set forth four simple propositions as in their judgment, essential to the reunion of Christians. These are as follows: I. The Holy Scriptures as the revealed Word of God.