The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-03

atheist nGde without religion ut all system long
complained OF by the Church yoke and griey
could themselves repeal the law by which they could
repeal the law by which these rights were
should be settled and ordained by them as pastor
congregation II the congregation were opposed TO
ceivng him their pastor Surely that was reasonable
resolution, and principle OF the truth which man
who had the slightest idea Of what the Church Of Christ
was who hal the fragment OF notion OF the rights Of
conscience and the liberty Of private Judgment who was
thoroughly heart and principle and spirit slave
could entertain doubt II was, beyond all question: an
act OF gross tyranny and oppression for party what
ever whether patron or proprietor whether cjv court
OF church court to attempt 10 form the pastoral rea-
ton between the person represented and Christian con.
gregaton Surely they had right to say, 1--WE Will not
enter into the pastoral relation with him. and not sub
Ject themselves to him in the Lord. The American
the Free Church oil Scotland adopted this resolution she
was right although she might not go the whole length oil
what the word Of God required Yet just because
OF the adoption OF that resolution that she had been In
volved in all her recent dcultes,an subjected to all
present trials and hardships. This matter then
brought unser the consideration. OF the civil courts;
and the civil courts gave judgment to this effect that it
the law Of the land that Pesbyers in Church Courts
had right to refuse to thrust minister upon congre-
CATION which was unwilling TO receive him-that they
bound to intrude ministers upon congregations
against their will also that the civil courts entitled
to exercise general control superintendent over all
the church courts and especially that they
titled to Judge Of the legality OF their constitution and to
we're
pronounced the evangelical party were led by fuller
consideration OF and enlarged and comprehensive
views Of the sole headshp Of Christ TO exa the supre
macy Of his word to claim sole control and jurs-
Of the Church of Christ. and the exclusive jurs.
dction ecclesiastical office bearers in the transaction of
the ordinary business Of Chrs house, and the obligation
of the civil authority to have respect the interests Of
religion Upon these grounds they refused to ntrude mi
the civil courts said the law of the land required it. The
reverend gentleman here reviewed at some length the
sion which was that the law ofsthe land must be obeyed
This principle he said equivalent to asserting that
Church but that Cesar was ALSO entitled to exercise u
dction it-that the word Of God was not the only
rule and standard by which the Church OF Christ to
BIZ regulated but that what called the law Of the land
the proper standard whereby to regulate its affairs
and that ecclesiastical Office bearers who had received
gifts from government at the command of Christ were
the only parties who to transact the ordinary
business OF Chriss house. but that the civil nctonares
acting in the Queens name were entitled to exercise u
rsdcton in those matters He next review the decision
Of the House Lords in its appellate Jurisdiction, which
was also against the claims Of the Free Church and also
ed to support the government in their determination to
maintain the view taken by the civil courts observing
the church. The result of that debate was the dsrup
ton Of the church, and his before the churches
America for their prayers their sympathy and their aid
Dr. c. then proceeded to speak Of the position and
prospects of the Free Church Of Scotland The SYM
pathes Of the people had been efectuay Awakened
They firmly convinced that the principles for which
he Or CO. and his associates commended and for which
they had made no small sacrifices, identical with
those of the martyrs whose tombstones craven
the memorable motto-"Christs crown and covenant"
It would not perhaps be becoming in him to dwell much
the conduct of the Ministers in these trying circum'
stances. That might sound like boastng of their own
firmness sincerity and seadfastness-o their own faith
and their trust in God He would therefore dwell
to realize what ii was did-that we forsook the
churches wherewe had met with people many ofthem
for many years. and had held sweet fellowship with our
hockswe forsook the manses where our children had
clustered around uswheTe we had enjoyed much comfort
and happnessw forsook the fixed State provisionsand
only did sacrifice those temporal advantages but
sacrificed many strong feelings and hallowed associa
onsbroke through many long formed habits and in ma
ny cases to all human appearance at first sight at least
sacrificed what might have been important opportunities
Of usefulness These were called in the providence
Of God to sacrifice, and these did sacrifice Thus we
sincerity firm conviction that principles were
based the word Of God and our reliance on the faithful
G he n0nT
| have said, great sympathy. They have gained
for access to the hearts of the people and afford
ed and important opportunities Of usefulness Ma
ny indications of the divine blessing accompanying
labors. We have had several revvas of religion,
similar in some respects to those vsitations with which
the free churches Of America have been emnenty ia
vored by the great head Of the church We have also
been brought into state of friendly cooperation with
other evangelical bodies from whom formerly we were
separated We find that multitude of people OF all parts
Of the land most anxious to have the means OF grace
great deal work is pressing than we can pos
sbly be able to discharge Free, now, from all trammes
in which formerly had been enhralled, and with all
this sympathy and all these encouraging tokens Of
future extended cheerfulness and prosperity, we
now appeal to you for aid in our present cir.
Of the establishment sacrificed their spends and emolu
merits and far larger proportion Of the elders ana Of the
people There is still good deal of confusion and tur
mol in Scotland many fthe churches have not yet been
sited and can hardly state with precision the ex
act number of the people who adhere to But think
assert that about twohirds Of the elders and the
people who connected with the establishment
have left it, This then is the extent of the secession Now
a o Large sy9g any
that they the very best of the church-men
most thoroughly acquainted with the scripures-most
deeply convinced Of the importance of religion. and
most jealous for the welfare of Christ's church
they, too, have made sacrifices Il they have
their clergy and Of prepared to make pecuna
ry sacrifices which they would otherwise not have been
required to make, being called to contribute to
wards the erection of churches and the support of thu
ministry Blu, they have manifested the greatest berah
ty although, is important for you to know, have
very few Of the wealthy the noble Almost to man
with few honorable exceptions the arstocracy op
posed to usbtterly opposed and exercise all the tyraR
ny and in their power in the effort to put down
the Free Church of Scotland Well them 40 ministers
and 500 congregations have come out" and declared
their determination to connect themselves with the Free
Church. they stretch their hands to the other
Free Churches Of our land and TO you, the Free
Churches Of America, to aid them in their present
difficulties Notwithstanding our present difficulties we
have determined to continue missionary operations in
India amongst the Jews, and at home None Of these
enterprises will be abandoned But don't ask you to
AID us IN thls nor 10 we SOLICIT an IN supporting our
isters But we have, you will perceive eight
hundred churches to erect at This Is the grand
difficulty. Until have these churches position is
safely Established Until then we have full and
adequate provision for preserving the vitality Of those
great principles and of eectuay securing the interests
Of Christ's Kingdom. Many Of congregations are
able to build churches; but the great majority OF then
are utterly unable As ample provision was made fol
their support the ministers Of the Church were settled
without any reference to the Of the people to sup
port minister amongst them. And the consequence ha
been that many parishes the people are quite unable
contribute adequate means and for many cannot b.
expected to be able to support minister But we had de
ermned and every reasonable and just ind will see thu
propriey of the determination that all the ministers wh
out with should have the Of existence pro
vded for them decent provision Of the Decessaries
life all that is required and all that seek To Obtain
this an accumulation of the contributions Of the richie
congregations and of sister churches is necessary an'
| far lie he Central Eundr has es