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Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Terms: Established

Baptists. Established in England, 1608. They hold that baptism should be performed by immersion , and that only after a personal and intelligent confession of faith. They differ among themselves, and are split up into minor sects; the chief are the Particular Baptists, who hold the Calvinistic doctrine of election, and the General Baptists , who deny them. In the United Kingdom they have over 3000 places of worship, and nearly 300,000 members.

Bereans. A section who seceded from the Church of Scotland, founded by the Rev. J. Barclay.

They profess to ground their doctrines on Scripture, and reject human authorities.

They hold Calvanistic views on some points. Now a very small body.

Bible Christians. Established 1815 by William S. O'Brien, a Wesleyan local preacher. The general practice of the Wesleyans is followed, but their preachers are not styled Rev., and women are allowed to preach.

Broad Church. A term applied to a section of the Church of England which does not accept unquestioning reverence for tradition, but gives a wide scope to the teaching of Christ.

Calvinists. Followers of John Calvin, who died 1564. He taught very strongly the doctrine of predestination, and his ideas of religious discipline were very stringent. He held that those whom God had called could never fall from a state of grace. The extreme form of Calvinism is dying out very rapidly. Christadelphians. This sect, first founded in America, has many followers in England. They hold that the wicked have no resurrection, but that the good are immortal and will ultimately reign with Christ on earth. They deny the personality of Satan. Dissenters. The modern name for all who differ from the doctrines of the Established Church. High Church. A term applied to a section of the Established Church who attach a very high value to ceremonial observances and elaborate ritual, and also maintain the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.

Independents or Congregationalists. Established in 1593. A large and influential sect. They hold that a Christian Church is a congregation of true believers, and capable of governing itself. They resist all state patronage and interference. No creed or confession is acknowledged by them but there is general agreement in their rules and practices. Their doctrines are truly Scriptural. Irvingites. Followers of the Rev. Edward Irving, who was expelled from the Scottish Presbyterian Church in 1829. They use a liturgy, and their ritual is elaborate. It is said that all who join the church, give to it a tenth of their income. The practice of auricular confession is usual. Their ministers are called apostles or " angels," prophets, evangelists, and pastors.

Jesuits. Founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola. Recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, but in occasional antagonism. Their methods are such as to invite misunderstanding, and almost every country has in turn expelled them. Low Church. A section of the Church of England holding views of a decidedly evangelical character.

Methodists. There are two distinct sects of Methodists, one branch being the followers of Wesley, the other of Whitefield, each of them being split up into smaller sects. The public services of both are a mixture of the service of the Church of England and Dissenting Chapels. Their system of training and instructing their members is very thorough.

Millennarians. A sect who believe in a literal millennium, and that Christ will reign on this earth 1,000 years before the final judgment of the world takes place.

Moravians. A sect who are much opposed to the errors of Popery, and aim at restoring the primitive purity of the early church. Their doctrines are grounded on Scripture, and the discipline of their church is strict. Their morals are irreproachable, also their practices. Their number in England is very small. Plymouth Brethren. Established 1830. This sect first arose in Plymouth, whence their name. They receive into their communion all who confess Christ and own the power of the Holy Spirit. Their doctrines are evangelical, but they recognize no office of the ministry. Any of their male members may preach. Presbyterians. So called because they maintain that the church as appointed in the New Testament was governed by presbyters or elders. English and Scotch Presbyterians united to form one body in 1876.