Quadrilateral

   The name commonly given to the summary of the declaration of the House of Bishops made in the General Convention held at Chicago in 1886, concerning the terms which they deemed to be a sufficient basis for the Reunion of Christendom, and which was reaffirmed by the Conference of Bishops of the Anglican Communion, held at Lambeth Palace, England, in July, 1888. This declaration is summarized under four heads as follows:

   1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

   2. The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

   3. The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself -- Baptism and the Supper of the Lord -- ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by Him.

   4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.