order that the
rights and responsibilities of the whole Christian community in the
government of the Church may be adequately recognised, the
Episcopate should reassume a constitutional form both as regards
the method of the election of the Bishop as by clergy and people,
and the method of government after election.... The acceptance of
the fact of Episcopacy and not any theory as to its character
should be all that is asked for.... It would no doubt be necessary
before any arrangement for corporate reunion could be made to
discuss the exact functions which it may be agreed to recognise as
belonging to the Episcopate, but we think this can be left to the
future.

The acceptance of Episcopacy on these terms should not involve any
Christian community in the necessity of disowning its past, but
should enable all to maintain the continuity of their witness and
influence as heirs and trustees of types of Christian thought,
life, and order, not only of value to themselves, but of value to
the Church as a whole....

It would be difficult to imagine a wiser, braver, or happier statement
than this in the whole history of the Church. A landmark indeed! The
Chaplains to the Forces in France almost shouted for joy. At one stroke,
the first and greatest incompatibility of conviction has been cleared
out of the way. Perhaps that is too strong--or prophetic--a way of
putting it. Let us say rather, that at least the question of Episcopacy
and Church order has been raised to a new plane, where all can discuss
it, and think it out, not only peaceably, but with good hope of new
wealth of conception and polity pouring into the old, rigid, bitter,
rival views of church government. In France I corresponded with a
Wesleyan chaplain on the subject of orders and ordination. He wrote a
careful letter affirming the historic Nonconformist position about
ministry. But, he ended, it would all be changed, if re-ordination could
be presented and accepted as a great outward "Sacrament of Love" which
reunited us. That is more than the Church of England has ever asked, for
she regards ordination as a Sacrament of Order merely, not of Spiritual
Love. But let us gladly put the higher value upon it. And the day will
surely come, unless goodhearted Christians settle down to accept the
intolerable burden of permanent separation in communion and worship,
when this Sacramen