II. The Lambeth Quadrilateral and the Free Churches of England.—The Appeal, reaching the Federal Council of the Free Churches of England, was
primarily acted upon 1921–25 by a Joint Conference between the Council's
representatives of the Baptist, Congregational, Moravian, Presbyterian,
Primitive Methodist, United Methodist, and Wesleyan bodies and a committee
appointed by the two archbishops of England, the archbishops themselves being
included. The deliberations were suspended by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
1925, that 'full opportunity might be given to the Churches to study and
understand the documents already submitted' and the Federal Council's committee
dismissed.22582258A memorandum presented June 19, 1925, by the representatives of the Anglican
Church in the Joint Conference called the ministries of the Free Churches 'real
ministries,' but declared, at the same time, that, though they 'may possess
spiritual, reality and efficacy, due authority' did not follow. 'This matter of
due authority,' it added, 'is to us one of highest importance. Spiritual
efficacy is one thing, due authority is another.' See Bell. Documents II., 79.
The Churches of Scotland took no part in negotiations, as they were engaged in
discussions over their own consolidation. The Rev. C. C. Starbuck, writing years
ago, said, 'the impression given him by the consensus of Episcopal judgment on
the Historic Episcopate is that it is rather a demand for submission than a
solicitation of brotherly union.' The Free Churches then individually discussed the Quadrilateral and
replied to it. In general, objection was made to the Lambeth condition of
episcopal ordination as essential, to the limitations put upon the dispensation
of the Lord's Supper, and to creeds as of perpetually binding force. The
Baptists declared that there is 'no separated body of priests.' The
Congregational Union of England and Wales denied that 'the existence of
separated Churches is necessarily contrary to the mind of Christ' and affirmed
that the view that the validity of the ministry depends on episcopal ordination
'ran counter to their deepest convictions.'
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