for the union of the general synod and the synod failed in 1890, because the latter would not agree to a basis which interpreted the phrase "incorporate with the political body" as meaning "such incorporation as involves sinful compliance with the religious defects of the written constitution as it now stands, either in holding such offices as require an oath to support the constitution or in voting for men to administer such offices."

The general synod embraces 5 presbyteries, with 33 organizations, the same number of edifices, valued at $469,000, and 4602 communicants. The average seating capacity of its edifices is 375, and their average value $14,212, which is an extremely high figure. One hall, with a seating capacity of 100, is occupied.

II. THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

(COVENANTED).

This body was organized in 1840 by two ministers and three elders who withdrew from the synod, or the branch known as the "Old Lights," on the ground that the latter maintained sinful ecclesiastical relations and patronized or indorsed moral reform societies with which persons of any religion or no religion were connected. Its terms of communion are somewhat stricter than those of the synod. It is a small body, having only 4 organizations, with 37 members, divided among three States.

This body was organized in 1883, in consequence of dissatisfaction with the treatment of a question of discipline by the general synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (New Lights). In the matter of participation in elections. it holds with the general synod, and contrary to the synod, that Christians may vote and be voted for, regarding the republic as essentially a Christian republic. It has

but 600 members in the United States, who belong to one congregation in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

SUMMARY BY STATES OF ALL PRESBYTERIANS.-Continued.

CHAPTER XXXII.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL BODIES.

I. THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

THE beginnings of the Church of England in this country reach back into the sixteenth century, although the Protestant Episcopal Church was not formally organized as an independent branch until 1785. Clergymen of the Church of England accompanied the early colonists of North Carolina across the sea, one of whom baptized an Indian chief in 1587 in a colony unsuccessfully begun by Sir Walter Raleigh, and also, about the same time, the first white Christian born in that colony. It is probable that the Rev. Francis Fletcher, who accompanied, as chaplain, the expedition of Sir Francis Drake to the Pacific Coast, held services on California soil as early as 1579. He officiated for six weeks in the neighborhood of Drake's Bay. In 1607 worship according to the Anglican ritual was established in the new colonies at Jamestown, Va., and Kennebec, Me. It was soon discontinued in Maine, but in Virginia it was not interrupted. An Episcopal congregation was gathered in New Hampshire in 1631, and parishes were formed in other parts of New England and the Middle States in the early colonial days, Trinity parish, New York City, being constituted in 1693, and Christ Church parish, in Philadelphia, in 1695. The church became the established church in New York, New