Page:De Schweinitz - The Moravian episcopate (1865).pdf/6

 is the historic form of her organic life; it enabled her to come forth from a time in which her visible structure was destroyed with the stream of that life uninterrupted; it conferred upon her the right to renew her ecclesiastical constitution and reoccupy her ancient place in Christendom. But, at the same time, she glories in the catholic standpoint of her fathers; and instead of presuming to unchurch other bodies of believers who have no episcopacy, upholds a close fellowship with them.

Nor do we intend to give a polemic treatise, although we shall take notice of a paper against the validity of the Moravian episcopacy written, in 1835, by Rev. A. P. Perceval, of England, and occasioned by a pamphlet published in 1833, entitled “Apostolical Succession Examined,” in which the episcopate of the Moravians was exalted above that of the Anglican Church. We shall do this, first, because it is, in so far as we know, the only critical attempt ever made to disprove with a show of ancient authorities the lawfulness of our episcopacy, and, second, because it has lately been republished in this country. Our chief purpose, however, will be to meet the wishes of members of the Church desiring information upon this subject, as expressed to us long before the appearance of that republication.

In order to a proper comprehension of our narrative, it will be necessary to present a somewhat detailed statement of the sources of early Moravian history.

In the very nature of the case some obscurity with regard to that history must be expected. This will be manifest from the following considerations:

In the first place, the Bohemian and Moravian Brethren were an oppressed and persecuted people; the rack and the stake beset them on every side. These were not circumstances favorable to the