The New York herald., 1851-12-20

call il repre- sentative democracy. The churches
severally were democratic and Independent, each
having, within itself, the elements Of supreme
power over its members and all questions of disci-
pline or law were settled as they now, by vote
of the members, as an Independent democracy. But
for purposes of general good, ecclesiastical councils
and associations are held, consetng of pastor and
elder, representatives from every church within
. certain district. These correspond very nearly
to the Presbytsries of the Presbyterian Church.
True the decision of these associations is said to be
advisory only but, what went with those who
would not be advised? They were uDfello whipped
| 1t becomes a question how We are to account for
this Presbyterian caste, in the Congregations
Church! Yet it is easy. The Presbyterian and
Independents were two wings of one great army
they were beth originally Puritans who, beginning
to differ in ecclssiasticals, divided into two great
branches, which originally held the same church
order, and differed only as to the need of standing
courts Of authoritative review and control The
Independents of the Westminster Assembly, and
the Commonwealth, were the real prototypes and
representatives of the Presbyterians of the present
day. The New England Puritan originally was, in
substance, q Presbyterian. Carlyle tells US that
the Puritanism of Scotland be came that of Eng.
| land and New England. In every question of
political bearing, we regard the Purtans Is the
ancestors equally of the Presbyterians and Inds-
pendents between whom" says Mr.. Junkin, Gas
they were found among the colonis.s of New Eng
land, and the Southern States there but little
difference and no separation" No wonder. then,
that traces of Presbyterianism should be found
among the Congreg ationalists This was the reason
that, before the revolution, the discontented in
New England recommended Q union of the Presby-
terian and Congregational interests throughout
the colonies. This no doabt was one thing
which helped the impression that the chief
glory of originating, advancing. and developing
the constitutional principles Of liberty be-
longs to the Congreg gstionalists, and not to the
Presbyterians, whereas the Puritans that came
here were Presbyterians in substance, or differed
from them but slightly. And none can question
the influence Of Puritanism in fashiening those ele
ments of republican government. which gave origin
to the commonwealth, to the revelation, to these
United States, and to the rapidly extending mea-
sures of reform which now preparing to shake
down despo.s, to overturn every kind of tyranny,
political, civil, or ecclesiastical; to convulse all
Europe to its centre, and introduce q new era of
liberty, equality, harmony, and consequent prospe-
rty, in the history of the world. All may be traced
to the spirit of discussion and free inquiry, which
existed in the mind Of the Puritan $50 insignificant
that churchmen laughed at him), and nerved by
the genius Of the New Testament, burst the fsttsrs
of power, bgotry, and oppression; and in spite Of
them all, gave birth to representative rspublic.
The commonwealth, under Cromwell, tended to
give a more Independent democratic caste to the
Puritans, who were originally Presbyterian; and
up to the time Of the revolution, when the consti-
tuition of a republic was formally and forcibiy
crushed by the Independents, maintained their
Presbyterian character. If the Parliament had
been left free, England would have been thorough
going republic; but Cromwell said, " Take away
that bsuble (the mace) you are no longer parlis-
ment." The Presbyterian Parliament was over
awed and dispersed by army of Independents,
and the constitution Of q republic snatched away
from the hands of the members when they werejust
about to adopt it. "Had Presbyterianism OBJ
taine the asce ndancy, "ssys Mr.. Junkin, "in the
English mind-hsd it stamped it's system Of regu.
lar and well balanced commonwealth England. and
not America, had won the glory Of having 6rst
solved the problem Of national sslf-sovernment.
Cromwell, as We have intmated, corrupted the
original Puritan. Still, as We had him in America
he answered the purpose. Notwithstanding the
democracy Of his Congregational votes, he had in
him something Of the representative system; and
it is certain that he fought well through the whole
revolutionary war. The New England Puritan was
the hrst to perceive Nat taxation and representation
were inseparabe. The New England Puritan thre. .
the tea, with tax on II, into the sea. The New
England Puritan took pretty active measures abou.
the stamp act. Being at least three quarters of q
Presbyterian, he derived his ideas Of representation
from his religious system, and 30 impressed himself
on the constitution that We see him now. His de-
mocraey and inde pendence in his churches, but re-
presentation in bis synods and associations, was not
losf fha MIA tie .,.s
tutions were In forming state. The puritan. so to
speak, embodied himself alive In them; and now we
look at him thus embodied the greatest character
Of modern times. The Harringtons, Sydneys,
Vanss, Millions, Cokes, Loekes, we're all indsbted
for much Of their light and enthusasm Ia defence Of
popular freedom to Puritanical influences. Roger
Williams, Lord Baltimore, and William Penn, had
been under the same training Sir Henry Vane re-
mained still Puritan, and would belong TO neither
the Presbyterian nor Independent branches but 80
thoroughly republican that he epenly condemned |
out as Governor Of New England, be failed not to /
water the rising schools that sprung from the see Is
OF Liberty and ihdependence, brought over by the
Puritan settlers In bis constitution he stated az
cording TO Lord Brougham, the elementary princi-
Piles Of the constitution of the United Statey
Men may talk about churches, but If there had |
been no churches, there would have been no United |
states or the churches made the States. The |
spirit Of liberty grated the stalk Of religion
The spiritual is the beginning Of the temporal. |
The spiritual will bodies Itself forth in the out yard
enjoyed, there the cry Is for political freedom, |
equality, and Independence. Those very con. |
troversies respecting the Genevan discipline)," |
says Archdeacon Blsckburne, " frst struck out, |
and in due time perfected, those noble nnd gene |
rous principles Of cvil and religious liberty, which,
without those struggles, something Of that sort,
would hardly have been understood TO this very |
hour" Those who had fed to Geneva, grew 50 /
fond OF the governmen and religion Of the place,
that returning 70 England, they proceeded, by |
degrees. 10 quarrel with the kiDgly government, |
till, in the reign Of Charles J., IL reached crisis,
for while the king resolved to be absolute, the |
people determined to be free
The New England Congrega gationolists we're no /
mean cosdjutors, in our reyou sionsry strug. !
le, singing, as they were, with Of persecu-
ton The men, themselves, we're sturdy, impal. 1
sive, fesolute, accustomed from their very religion