The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-12 00:00:00

Till CONGAZZATION. A L UNION.

The sittings of this assembly were resumed and
concluded on Thursday, in Grosvenor-street Chapel, Pic-
cadilly, Manchester, under the presidency of the Rev. J. R.
CAMPBELL, D.D., Bradford.
The Rev. P. Winn, Montrose (the deputation from the
Scottish Union), delivered a brief address on the condition
of congregationalism in Scotland. Hs said the Scottish
churches would watch with eager interest and sympathy
the course which the English congregationalist, should
pursue in the critical times upon which they were enter-
ing. He was persuaded that • great amount of the old
puritanic fire still dwelt in the heart of English congrega-
tionalist.; and that the great staudard of ecclesiastical
freedom would be by them carried forward to complete
and final triumph—that triumph being not the destruc-
tion of the church of England, hut its emancipation
and salvation. (Hear, hear.) The deepest sympa-
thies of the Scottish churches were with the full,
free, earnest proclamation of Christ's Gospel. They
valued independency because is nourished a strong, robust
spiritual life. (Hear, hear.) He claimed of them the
characteristic which belonged to all congregationiste—the
minimum of sectarianism and the maximum of evangelism.
The moderatism of GO yam ago had long owed, and an
evangelical ministry now abounded, who strove to adapt
themselves to the spirit of their times. Whilst they did
not neglect the rural districts and small towns, they had
come to perceive that it was in the large towns that evan-
gelistic and missionary efforts were most required. He
unhesitatingly said it was not true that congregationalism
was on the decline in Scotland. In many towns the
number of the churches had been doubled, sail in others
the accommodation in the churches had been largely
increased.

The Rev. R. M. DAVI= (Oldham) moved the following
resolution :—" That this assembly cherishes a lively
intermit in all that affects the welters of the congregational
churches of Scotland, desires to continue as in Teen past
its psternal intercourse with the Scottish Lulea and
welcomes most cordially the presence of the Rev. Peter
White, of Montrose, as a delegate from that body to the
English Union, and assures him and the brethren he
represents of their moat hearty sympathy and Christian
esteem." He said there bed been no lack of sympathy
between the Scottish and English churches'. The former
had sent to England a great number of ministers, who
now occupied very preeminent positions in the denomi-
nation.

The Rev. W. TARN:error seconded the resolution.
.

The Err. Dr. SMITH supported the resolution.
Rev. J. G. Roane said he had jut returned from
visiting some of the churches of the Scottish Union. He
found them doing a very hard work, and doing it very
nobly. (Hear, hear.) He was very glad to find that
music had been introduced in several churches ; and to
his utter amazement he had found that psalms were
chanted in Edinburgh. He wished that the churches in
England were as sturdy, decided, uncompromising, and
wise in their organisation as the Scottish churches un-
questionably seemed to be. (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was passed.
The Rev. J. G. Rooeits read a paper on tbe Romish ten.
donde& of the present age, as exhibited in the catholic
revival in the Anglican church. He said it was not an
easy task to convince English protestant& that there was
any danger of the triumph of Romanis= in this country.
At first sight it would seem that no peril could be more
remote, and no apprehension more groundless. If pro-
testanism hail retained its position in times of darkness
and superstition, it seemed incredible that it should be
threatened in an age which was characterised by the im.
patience with which it chafed against all restraint and
authority, and the boldness with wh(ch it asserted its
right to press its inquiries in every department of thought.
But there were numbers of thoughtful men who felt that
the protestanisiu of England, as far as the established
church was concerned, had not been in such grave peril
since the days of the Revolution. (Hear, hear.) Events
had made it apparent, as strong nonconformists had
always maintained, that the real danger was in the church,
and not without it. (Applause.) The movement had, in
his opinion, very unfortunately been named ritualism,
which served to conceal its true character ; and under that
name it bad developed itself to an extent which two years
ago would hardly have been believed possible. Ritualism
was exultant in tone, and that tone was justified by the
position it had taken and felt itself able to maintain. The
bench of bishops had shrunk from any decided condemna.
tion of the theories of tbe ritualists ,• royal commissioners
had been compelled to temporise, and even the mild advice
they gave was laughed to scorn by a party which felt
itself strong enough to defy even the highest ecclesiastical
authority. Ritualism was active, energetic, wise in its
generation, exhibiting wonderous skill in meeting the
various weaknesses of the age; and consequently it was
progressive, and was now hardly disguised Humanism.
(Hear, hear.) It was fallacious to argue from the decline
of the tractarian movement of thirty years ago a similar
decline of the ritualistic movement. That argument
proceeded upon an utter igeoranoe of the facts them.
selves. Ritualism was the faller and bolder development
of tractarianism. (Hear, hear.) Tractarianism sought to
detach people from Rome, and to set up an Anglican
catholicism ; ritualism sought to bring about a reconcilia-
tion with Rome on terms that involved surrender of all
that was held vital by protestant,. The tractarians did
not shrink from accusing Rome of the guilt of schism ;
but the ritualists took a much more humble and penitent
tone. They confessed the guilt of past wandering, and
sought re-union with catholic Christecdom, on the plea
that, though it had been guilty of schism, the church of
England still had preserved the apostolic succession and
' the sacraments. They said that in 20 years the whole
I current of English thought would be brought to the
catholic level. Their efforts were put forward with the most
unsparing energy and self-denial. In one of the London
and ritualistic churches the offertory yielded 4,000/. a
year—a significant lesson for congregationslista—of
which 1,000/. was spent in music alone. The position of
the clergy of the church of England seemed to be this—
, that they were at liberty to believe everything in general
I and nothing in particular. [Mr. Rogers was unable to
complete the reading of his paper for want of time.]
The Rev. ENOCH MELLOR moved, and the Rev. T. 0.
' Hoirron (Wolverhampton) seconded a resolution, thanking
Mr. Rogers for his paper, and requesting him to allow it
to be printed in the proceedings. The last-named speaker
said that be had attended the recent Church Congress at
Wolverhampton, and he found a spirit of intense earneet-
nese pervading the councils of the ritualists, who were the
master spirits of that assembly.
The Rey. G. H. MURPHY (London) said that the con.
gregationalisb must aid in repelling the ritualistic move.
meet and removing the causes which bed given rise to it.
They must meet it by influencing public opinion ; by the
circulation of small, pithy, and pungent tracts that should
lay hold of the peopls—(hear, hear)—and by working
among the great masses of the people, instead of leaving
them to the priests. He believed the mass of the people
were sound at heart on the question of ritualism. (Haar.)
Mr. U. l'eaer (London) said that ritualism was but
popery under another name. The best definition of popery
was that it was a compound of superficial truth and solid
Orrer. (Hear, hoar.)

The Rev. H. T. hon.;.ortrir (Newcastle-oe-Tyne) said the
congregatiumilista had been called upon to assist the even.
gelical clergy in their efforts against ritualism, instead of
giving them the cold shoulder. The fact was that for •
long aeries of years, except upon Bible Society platforms,
the evangelical clergy had always given congregationalists
the add shoulder, and were ready to do it still. (Applause.)
'The duty of the denomination was to preach the purr
Gospel of Jena Christ and the freedom of his church.
(Hear, hear.)
The Rev. F. Wacsrser (Dayligh) said that the congre-
gations in the small towns wow looking fur en cueleet.c
deliverance from the assembly on this question, which
they regarded as the great subject of the day.
The Rev. J. G. Roor.as said that the absence of the low
church party from the church congress was • very signifi-
cant fact. It was owing to the great disadvantages under
which they had been placed at the previous congresses.
(Hear, hear) If the people of the north,witb their strong
common sense, could not understand how greatly ritualism
suited the namby-pambyism that was to be found in the
south, they could not understand the real magnitude of the
daner. (Hear.)
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. JOSEPH THOMPsoN (in the absence of Mr. Hngh
Mason) moved the following resolution : " That being
conscientiously opposed to the establishment of any
form of religion by the state, and especially object-
ing to the establishment of the church of England
in Ireland, as indicting great injustice on the Irish people,
and as being inimical to the interests of protestant'', this
union rejoices at the prevalence of a conviction that the
circumstances of that country imperatively demand •
great legislative change in regard to that institution.
That, at the same time, the union observes witb appre-
hension the disposition of influential statesmen to sub-
stitute for the existing system the indiscriminate endow-
ment, from national sources, of various religious denomi-
nations ; and, inasmuch as it regards such a policy as being
contrary to sound principle sad certain to be followed by
injurious results, it urges protestant non-conformista to
unite in emphatically protesting against its adoption by
the legislature." He said that nothing more dradful
could happen than the adoption of the principle lately
enunciated by Earl Russell. Let all the churches of Ire-
land be brought to rely on the voluntary principle ; and
they would not only be strengthened themselves, but the
influence of their example would re-act in aid of the same
principle in England. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. Moahsr, in seconding the resolution, said that
the aim of the congregatioiste was not solely against
the Roman catholic'', but it included all religious endow-
ments. (Hear, hear.) The Irish church was one of the
greatest scandals of Christendom. (Ap Janie.) With the
view of influencing the opinion of pessbyterlans, he sug-
gested the following addition to the resolution :—" That
this assembly cannot give expression to this deep mei*.
tion without the further suggestion that the continued
reception by presbyterians of the Regium Donors se
a decided barrier to the satisfactory settlement of the
endowment question in Ireland." (Applause.)
After sonic discussion the resolution was passed, with
the addition suggested by Mr. Morley.
The Rev. T. W. AVELINO (ICingsland) reel a paper on
British missions.—The Rev. SH.. OLLARD (Derby) read a
paper on the claims of foreign missions on the churches
of the denomination.—The Rev. B. DAL'' (Halifax) read •
paper on the state of the continent in relation to religious
liberty and Christian effort.
The Rev. D. MELLILNR, D.D., moved • resolution on the
subject of passions, as follows :—" That this assembly,
recognising the obligations of the Christian church to pro-
pagate the Gospel to the utmost extent of our ability,
rejoices in the missionary efforts put forth by the various
organizations of congregationalism, and the large amount
of blessing which has followed their endeavours at home
and abroad, and embraces the present opportunity of
commending the London Missionary Society, the British
Missions, and the Evangelical and Continental Society
to the more extended, systematic, and liberal support
of the congregational churches."
Mr. CHARLES HEED (London) seconded the resolution,
and urged the claims of the London Missionary Society to
increased support.
Mr. S. MORLBT said he believed the time had owns
when the London Missionary Society should be declared
honestly before the world to be congregational. (Applause.)
It was almost exclusively supported by the denomination,
and should take its name from it. The suggestion was
warmly supported by several subsequent speakers.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. BREWIN GRANT (Sheffield) obtained permission to
put • question which did not relate to any subject upon
the programme. He said that he had sent up a note to
the chairman containing a question, and the chairman
could have put that Anestion in • shorter time than he
had occupied in inquiring whether or not he (Mr. Grant)
should be heard. Its wished to ask for information with
I respect to the commencement of the Year Book. At the
beginning of the alphabetical list there had been an
alteration this year ; and he wanted to know by whom
or by what authority? By that alteration, any minister
could be struck off the list by any tutor or local secre-
tary. Had the congregational committee reported, as
they had been requested respectfully to do? and when
did they report ? Was it in London, in May last ? or
was it in Manchester? The ministers were all slaves.
(" No, no," and cries of " Order.") In principle
they were, because anyone could now have his name
struck off without knowing anything about it until the
thing was accomplished. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps the com-
mittee would only do that to • few poor men, who either
could not speak for themselves or get anybody to speak
for them. He felt ashamed to stand before churchmen
and talk about independency, when he felt that indepen-
dents violated it in the very plainest and simplest way.
He believed their principles were perfect, but that the
holders of them were not. (Laughter and applause.)
He asked did the committee, as requested in October,
18C6, consider and report upon whether any alteration
should be made in the terms of adding ministers' names
to the list or taking them from it ? and if they had not
reported, when would they ? Secondly, who had changed
the Year Book so that now it could be quoted, and why
had the words " omitted from " been put in this year that
never were in before, and would not have been in now but
for the tyranny of the committee which he had endea-
voured to expose. (Order.)
The Rev. Dr. SMITH said he would put it to the assembly
whether gentlemen were to be charged with tyranny, and
have other offensive epithets directed against them in
such an off-band way? (Applause.) Such episodes would
not tend to create • good opinion of the assembly out of
doors. He was thankful to say that Mr. Grant was the
only member who had used language of that kind in the
assemblies of the Union during all the time that he (Dr.
Smith) bad attended them. (Question.) If any friends
of Mr. Grant were calling " question," he begged to re-
mind them that he bad a right to reply to the remarks
that had been made. (Hear, hear.) He explained that,
in accordance wills the resolution passed in October, 1866,
'the matter was referred to the committee of the Union,
and they drew up • definite form of description which
was now given in the Year Book. Neither secretary nor
editor, but the committee of the Union, had done that.
The change which they made was reported to and sanc-
tioned by, the annual meeting in May. (Hear, bear.)
The Rev. R. ASHTON said that no name was put in or
omitted from the Year Book but by the authority of the
brethren. The county secretary sent him (Mr. Ashton)
lista of the ministers, and he inserted the names in the
Year Book. If names were omitted from thoie lists, they
were omitted, of course, from the book. It was not he,
but the brethren in the country, who were responsible.
Mr. S. MORLRY said this was really • vital question.
(Hear, hear.) He accepted the explanation which had
been given as perfectly satisfactory, but was it satisfac-
tory to all the friends? (" Yes, yes," and " No, no.' )
What could be suggested better? They were • union
of associations—(hear, hear)—and he had always felt
extreme jealousy upon this point, that the character of
no living man should be in the hands of any one man—
(applause)—and that he should be protected by those
amongst whom he was living. If they left it to the
associated churches of a county to furnish the editor of
the magazine with a list of the ministers of that county,
the editor was justified in acepting it as conclusive.
(Hear, hear.) If • gentleman felt that he had be en un-
justly excluded from the book, he should lay his case be-
fore the annual meeting.
The CHAIRMAN said the question had been most irre-
lularly introduced, and he put an end to the conversation.
The Rev. R. ASHTON moved, and the Rev. P. Trioirreon
seconded • vote of thanks to the pastors, deacons, and
friends of congregationalism, and ev: 7 Christian church
in Manchester, for the kind and generous hospitality they
had received during the &vision; and to the local commit-
tee of management for their able and active exertions.
The resolution was passed with applause, and was
briefly acknowledgedby the Rev. R. W. M'CalL
A vote of thanks to the chairman was passed with ac-
clamation, and the sittings of the assembly were brought
to • close. - - _

In the evening a soiree was bud in the Rush°bne-road
Schoolroom, followed by a sern ea to young men in the
chapel, by the Rev. Henry Rata elo of Glasgow.
An evening meeting was also held in the Corn Ex-
change.
Mr. C. Ram resided, end wre well supported on the
platform, while in the body of the hall there toss a very
numerous audience, chiefly of men.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that
the meeting bad been called to explain to the Lien of
Manchester the principles of congregationalism. The In-
dependents had a religious principle in all they did, and
their principle wu that which Milton gave to the world—
" Liberty to utter and to argue freely." They wanted
liberty in every action in which they took part. In these
days independent, were testing every way by which edu-
cation could be extended which did not infringe on the
rights of the parent, and did not require any violation of
perfect religious liberty, and they were the men who de-
aired the extension of education. If the working men of
Bradford did their duty, they would return Mr. all as
member for that borough. (Cheers.)
The Rev. J. C. kooxen said he hoped the next parlia-
ment would include their chairman es one of the members
for Hackney. (Cheers.) Independents hell that every
working man had a perfect right to do with his labour as
be would, and that while they wanted liberty for them.
selves, they ought to recognise that liberty in every one
of their own class. They were undoubtedly coming into
the exercise of great political power. Do not let them
forget to pay a debt of gratitude where it was due. They
might be sure they never would have come into the pos.
'melon of that power if they had not shown that they were
determined to have it. Home persons would endeavour to

persuade them that parliament ought to do a great deal
for the working man ; but he reminded them that parlia-
ment bail no power to do anything except they put the
power into its hands. (Hear, hear.)
The Rev. E. WHITI (London) said the working classes
seemed to be in the position of poor people who had come
into the possession of a great fortune, and to whom very
distinguished wrens were paying very delicate atten-
tions. (Laughter.) It was perfectly delightful. to see
the great men of the country coming down from their
high position and vowing that they had ever had the
coutidnuce in and admiration for the working
classes. There seemed to be no exception to these com-
pliments, not to say flattery. (Hear, hear.) The Con-
gregational Union wished to explain itself to the rising
powers, because if all that it represented was understood
by the working men of Lancashire that room would not
have sufficed for the multitudes who would have thronged
to rejoioe in the progress of congregationalism. It was to
be regretted that the union amongst working men extended
only to their trade interests. He solemnly called upon
the working men of the north to give due attention, not
only to their economical interests, but also to do their
duty in politics and religion. In order to do that the
must increase their knowledge, and he had been very much
gratified at the result of his inquiries into the kind of
literature which was read by the working men of Man-
i cheater. _

'Several other speakers briefly addressed the meeting, and
the proceedings concluded with the usual compliment to
the chairman.