The bishops over whose signatures these statements were made were Otey of Tennessee, Doane of New Jersey, Potter of Pennsylvania, Burgess of Maine, and Williams of Connecticut; all of whom, except the latter, have since closed their earthly career, leaving behind them reputations for prudence, learning, and earnestness in their official labors which are sacred in the heart of every member of the church over which they ruled.
Third, in the communications sent to the commission, in answer to their _Circular_, the same sentiment prevails. The Rev. Dr. Craik, of Louisville, Ky., in speaking of the constitution of the apostolic church, remarks:
"Nearly the whole church has sanctioned the wisdom of this seemingly apostolic arrangement by imitating it. The refusal of the church in the United States to imitate it, has sanctioned its wisdom in another way, _by our comparative failure to do the work of the church in this country_." [Footnote 36]
The Rev. Dr. Gregory, of Syracuse, writes:
"It is said that the Episcopal Church is the church of the educated and the rich. _This is so_ to a considerable extent, particularly in the cities." [Footnote 37]
[Footnote 37: _Memorial Papers_, p. 250. ]
Then, speaking of certain remedial measures, he continues:
"It cannot be done, in the present state of feeling--the pride of social distinction is against it; and all the canons and councils in Christendom cannot make a church _efficient_ in which this feeling prevails." [Footnote 38]
"The great body of our people are at ease--satisfied to have a _valid_ ministry, and _valid_ sacraments, and a _sober_ liturgy, and a _conservative_ ecclesiastical system. And the rest of the world have _no evidence_ that we _care_ very much about them." [Footnote 39]
The Rev. Dr. Howe, of Philadelphia, declares:
"Having been through my whole ministry (now of more than twenty-two years continuance) in a position to observe the relation of our church to the middling and lower classes as they are found in and around great cities, I cannot forbear the confession that we do not, by the authorized appliances of the church, reach and interest them. Individuals of these classes, by the force of early association, or a refinement of taste unusual in their sphere, do retain or acquire a strong attachment to our worship, and derive unspeakable benefits from its use. But the fact is too glaring to be denied, that mechanics and laboring men are not in any considerable numbers reckoned among our people; and pastors who will expose the truth in this behalf, must confess that of those who are reared among us to these industrial pursuits very many desert the church, and find religious associations more acceptable to them among other denominations. This is too general to be attributed to the unfaithfulness of ministers. There must be some lack in the system of means under which such disastrous issues occur." [Footnote 40]