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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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