Introduction

In 1789, the fledgling Episcopal Church, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the first American Book of Common Prayer. Explaining its departure in certain respects from the BCP of the Church of England, its preface observes that

It is a most invaluable part of that blessed “liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free ” that in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire... therefore, by common consent and authority, may be altered, abridged, enlarged, amended, or otherwise disposed of, as may seem most convenient for the edification of the people, “according to the various exigency of times and occasions.”