New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-19
CONNECTICUT.
General Association Of Connecticut-Dr.
Bushnelps Case.

Bushnell's Case.
Correspondence ofThe n. Y. Tnbane.
DANBURY, Conn, Friday June II, 1882.
The venerable General Association of
Connecticut has been in session during the week at
DanbuIy and attracting 10 Itself unusual degree Of
attention both in and Of the State 10 consequence OF
the expected action on the case of DR.. Bushnell of
Hartford. The delegations Of the several District As.
socstions full and large number OF strangers
were in attendance At the opening session, Rev. Dr.
Hewitt of Bridgeport was chosen Moderator, and Rev.
Mr. Broce, Of Milford Scribe In the afternoon the an
nual Sermon preached by Rev Mr. Churchill, from
l Core lion the incapacity of the natural man to
understand spiritual truth.
After sermon the documents were MISUNDERSTANDING
them the Review of DR. BushueIls last work, Christ
in Theology" by the Fairfield West Association The
appeal of tia, Association was then read which pre-
scented series Of questions 10 which the answer of the
General Association was desired These questions are
whether the Hartford Association, 20 which Dr. B.
belongs In their decision respecting Dr. Bushnes first
book God In Christ" have not publicly given their
shield and countenance to doctrines which deny the fun
dsmentsl doctrines Of the Christian religion has not
Dr. BushDes second book furnished new evidence that
he persists in holding the chief heresies of the first
and whether the Hartford body in refusing % bring him
TO ua alter such proofs Of heresy the review OF the
Fairfield Association Afforded have not violated the
fundamC tgl principles of eoy.hip on which the Asso
caiiOn Is based &c
A remembrance from Dr. Bushnell was then read
which proiessed to be selfmoved, and protesting Ia his
own name against the ciOn required by the Fairfield
memorial The Temonstrsnce written in the usual
y clear and nervous style of DR.. Bushnell, and
upon the personal rights he 4s 20 De regarded as or
thodox and in good feo webp till otherwise proved by
the ecclesiastical body to which he is amenabe and
impossbity of any action of the General Association
which will not affect him personally He concludes
.1tH
himself that when the smoke of these artadons Is
blown away, il will be discovered by any competent
scholar and critic in church history that he was really
in closer agreement OF doctrine and closer sympathy
of evangelical sentiment with the acknowledged fathers
of the church. than those who tesyng 10 30 great
concern on his behalf The verdict will be- not that he
raised any banner OF revolt against orthodoxy but thai
be only sought 10 restore It's equilibrium and keep II al.
justed to the varying currents Of thought and opinion
involved in human progress.
Ii was proposed to refer this document 10 Special
Committee Of one from each District Associations but
Dr. Porter, of Farmr gto. affirmed that the Association
had nothing 10 do with the subject except to receive
and record or reject the protest The remarks of the
venerable speaker excited strong sensation aud rs
called TO order by the Moderator An appeal from
the Moderaters decision restored Dr. Porter n the
floor and he went into Argument on the subject of
discipline, contendDg that the General Association,
the District Associations, have judicial power over
Pastors Of the Consociaied Churches The difference
between Associations and Consociatons consists m4ny
in the possession OF Judicial power There three
NOT iouf processes OF bringing Dr. Bushnell 10 trial,
be be herttca before his Consolation. but none
Of them are resorted to by the Fairfield brethren The
Hartford Association has not shut the door against a
proper process they have simply decided that they
no occasion 10 present Dr. Bushnell for trial 10 the Con
soeiston II others do occasion, there Is not the
slightest difficulty in the way OF proper arran cement
before the body 20 which he Is amensble
Rev Theopblus Smith, on the contrary msintsinei
that both usage and the organic principle Of the Gene
raj Association authorized action az the 4eld
memorial calls for; He went into minute and inter
esting history OF the Association aud dwet upon the
law OF association and fellowship which formed IT, Mr.
) Is brother OF Senator Trumsn Smith aud Is one of
the closet thinkers, and specially erudtte In Connect
cut ecclesiastical history His luminous style and peril
pacous logic make him great debater though ia this
particular many of his ellOwd delegates are conspicuous
IS Dr.. Hall DR.. Porter, DR.. Cleveland &C. The sub
iect 1t hardly need be said, exces very deep interest
among the Congregahonalsts of Connecticut and in.
deed in the religious circles Of the country generally
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