The writer anticipates the probability that in some things he may not please all his brethren; he may not express precisely the sentiments of all. Some are for keeping their Church aloof and disunited from all others, and will have it that there are in it no points of natural contact with other denominations. Some, of an opposite habit of mind, are for assimilating their Church as far as possible with one or another particular denomination which commands their sympathies; while others still have selected some particular denomination against which it is their hobby to oppose their Church. Now all these are more or less sectarian in their spirit. Certainly, they have no just perceptions of the comprehensiveness of their Church. We commend to them all our subject.

Moreover, it is not in the plan of this book to say everything that is to be said about the Protestant Episcopal Church. It is not presenting ancient history, nor abstract generalizations, nor pleasant conceits. It is stating present facts, without going into the philosophical or the historical or the logical reasons which lie under them. It simply looks at an Ecclesiastical system which is in existence (no matter how or why) in this country to-day, and analyzes it in reference to its aptitude for the all-important purpose of Church comprehension.

Of one thing the writer is assured-he has asserted no facts which he does not prove; he has advanced no

principle which is not simple and well-nigh demonstrable.

Finally, he accommodates, with humility, to this place the closing words of the preface of the Book of Common Prayer, which he prefers to the reader as expressive of his own hopes: "And now this work being brought to a conclusion, it is hoped the whole will be received and examined by every true member of our Church, and every sincere Christian, with a meek, candid, and charitable frame of mind; without prejudice or prepossession; seriously considering what Christianity is, and what the truths of the Gospel are; and earnestly beseeching Almighty God to accompany with His blessing every endeavor for promulgating them to mankind in the clearest, plainest, most affecting and majestic manner, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour."

ALMIGHTY AND EVER-LIVING GOD, WE BESEECH THEE TO INSPIRE CONTINUALLY THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH WITH THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, UNITY, AND CONCORD: AND GRANT THAT ALL THOSE, WHO DO CONFESS THY HOLY NAME, MAY AGREE IN THE TRUTH OF THY HOLY WORD, AND LIVE IN UNITY AND GODLY LOVE. GRANT THIS,

o father, for JESUS CHRIST'S SAKE, OUR ONLY MEDIATOR AND ADVOCATE.

AMEN.

Book of Common Prayer.

Prayer in the Order for the Holy Communion.

(6 WE SINNERS DO BESEECH THEE TO HEAR US, O LORD GOD; AND THAT IT MAY PLEASE THEE TO RULE AND GOVERN THY HOLY CHURCH UNIVERSAL IN THE RIGHT WAY; WE BESEECH THEE TO HEAR US, GOOD LORD!"

Book of Common Prayer,

The Litany.

PREFACE TO THIS EDITION.

IN the year 1841, thirty-seven years ago, the first edition of this book was published by the late H. Huntington, Jr., at Hartford, Conn. The book was read, in the manuscript, by the then Bishop of Connecticut, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., LL. D., ever to be revered, by whom it was approved and commended. The Rev. George Burgess, afterward the distinguished Bishop of Maine, then rector of Christ Church, Hartford, a very dear and lifelong friend of the author, who was compelled to be absent from that city, read the proofs for him, and kindly saw the book through the press. It had his hearty endorsement.

The phrase adopted as the title of this book was in those days seldom if ever heard; and the conception embodied in it was little understood or appreciated. The editor of the New York Churchman, the late Dr. Samuel Seabury, a personal friend, of one school in the Church, denounced it, as representing the Church to be an ecclesiastical omnibus, rashly inviting everybody to