Explore a heated 19th‑century dialogue about church government, authority, and identity in early American Methodism and Anglican tradition.
In The Episcopal Church Defended, readers follow a pointed exchange between James A. Bolles and the Rev. Allen Steele. The book assembles letters and replies that weigh claims about church governance, ordination, and the boundaries between Methodism and Anglican practice. It presents a historical debate set against a backdrop of public accusations, defenses, and appeals to charity within a divided Christian landscape.
The material offers insight into how early American church leaders argued over who may ordain, how ministers are chosen, and what counts as a legitimate church. It traces arguments about the presence of lay participation, the role of bishops, and the authority of Wesleyan practices versus established episcopal structures. The result is a documentary‑style examination of a complex controversy that shaped views on church order and communion.
- Detailed discussion of ordination practices and the question of episcopal authority.
- Clarifications about charges of Jesuitism and accusations between clergy and congregations.
- Excerpts and context related to Dr. Coke, Mr. Wesley, and the rise of Methodist structures in America.
- Twenty‑first‑century readers will see how 19th‑century disputes were framed and argued.
Ideal for readers of religious history, church governance, and the study of early American Methodism and Anglican‑Methodist relations.