Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-07-12

-ram<un-zz-rznzezzm.u7
Congregationalism and the Liquor Law.
AT the recent Conference of the Congrega-
tional churches of Maine at Portland, Rev.
Stephen Thurstou of Searsport, introduced the
following resolution concerning the Maine
liquor law, which was adopted =
Resolred, That the law Of this State for sup
pressing the sale of Intoxicating liquors, meets
our cordial approval. Its necessity has been
a5undantly demonstrated, and we .beieve it to
be our duty 10 use our influence in every prop
er manner for its rigorous enforcement, and to
prevent its repeal or anyesScntidl mod fcations
Of as provisions.
Some of the political prophets connected
with the dominant party in this State, have
expressed the opinion that this resolution will
have great influence upon the denomination
that is, i; will be likely to drive the laity Of
that church into the support of Arson p Nor
rill. We have no doubt that was the leading
object of the clergyman who moved the reso-
hutton, who has long enjoyed somewhat of
fanatical reputation in temperance and abol-
ton; but that the laity of the church are to
be affected to any considerable extent by the
adoption of such resolution by the Maine
State Conference, we do not believe. For
one, we say, it will not affect our action in
The matter a feathers weight; and we know
of many sincere and worthy members of the
Congregational churches, who, if they are not
ready TO treat the resolution as Greeley did
the whig platform, ''spit upon it," are ready
publicly to announce that it will not exert a
particle of influence upon their conduct. Con-
gregationalism is purely republican. There
is no power behind the laty of the church, to
press them on 10 political action through the
clergy. "The MAJORITY rules" No popes
or bishops Issue their edicts on pain OF ex-
communication. In Congregationalism the
power rests with the people-they raise up
and put down. If clergyman whom they
have called to preach the gospel, manifests an
itching for political warfare, and leaves the
principles Of the gospel of Christ for the noise
and excitement of a popular contest, the peo-
pie have but TO quietly assemble and vote that
the pastoral connection be dissolved. This
ends the matter. Here we see the excellence
of the government of the Congregational
church. 1t is precisely republican, and moth
ing else.
1t is very easy TO see from these facts how
much binding influence such resolution as is
copied above, can have upon the independent
laity of dependent church. For the sake of
free expression of opinion in an assemblage
Of the clergy. ii may be deemed best to toler-
ate such resolution in a brother who has his
peculiar political proclivities, bat is otherwise
really valuable member of the Conference,
and in the main sticks snug to the gospel; but
70 contend that it contains any binding force
upon the action of the laity of the church, is
the veriest moonshine afoat
We have word more to say upon this res
olution. We think it would have been better
to have kept it out of ~the Conference. 1t
places that body in bad predicament. The
resolution has reference TO the present "inten-
siied' law, and not TO the old law which un-
derwent essential modification before the Su-
preme Court. Since the resolution passed
the Maine Conference, it has undergone an es-
sential modification, by the recent decision of
Judge Shepley, which the N. Y. Tribune
says completely nullifies the law SO far as
the manner and form of its execution have
been attempted" Consequently it is too late
for the Rev. Stephen Thurston to bring the
Congregational church up to the work of pre-
venting any Essential notification" unless
the influence of the resolution should be as
great as the po;itica! prophets alluded to will
have it, and really drive the church to drive
Fudge Shepfey to rcrerSe his decision. We
really synpathize with the Maine Conference
IN its present predcament, to which it is
brought by the generous federation of spas
modic zeal in clerical brother, who in his
hot haste TO endorse Neal Dow, has got us all
INTO fix hard Of extrieation. Our advice 10
brother Congregationalists is, 80 go against
the resolution, if for no other reason, because
you cannot do otherwise.