The Church of England and Episcopacy

Originally published in 1914, this book contains a discussion of the position of episcopacy within the Anglican tradition. It was created in response to the controversy surrounding the 1913 Kikuyu conference, which proposed a federation of the various missionary bodies working in East Africa. At the close of the conference the majority of the delegates, who came from a range of different denominations, participated in a united communion service presided over by Bishop Peel of Mombasa and the Rev. J. E. Hamshere, of the Church of Scotland Mission. This was seen by many, notably Bishop Weston of Zanzibar, as unacceptable breach of Anglican practice. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of episcopacy, revealing its importance within the Church of England as well as the historical tradition of interaction with other forms of Christianity.

1. The appeal to antiquity; 2. Episcopacy and the Elizabethans; 3. Under James I and Charles I; 4. The Restoration period; 5. The revolution and since; 6. Modern Anglican criticism; Appendix A. Has the reformed Church of England ever admitted into her ministry men not episcopally ordained?; Appendix B. The foreign reformed churches and the plea of necessity; Appendix C. Ordination among the nonconformists of England; Appendix D. Schism and communion; Index.

Originally published in 1914, this book contains a discussion of the position of episcopacy within the Anglican tradition. It provides a comprehensive analysis of episcopacy, revealing its importance within the Church of England as well as the historical tradition of interaction with other forms of Christianity.