The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-10


While the vote WAS being taken on the last question:
Mr.. BENAN refused to record his vote, the ground
that be DIDN'T think a member was compelled to vOte
voIcis-Yes, It does Great ssnsatien.l
The CHAm-lt 10 courtesy due to this body.
Mr.. BEMAN-I refuse.
The CHAIR, lin q Ak -Omit his name Mr.. Secretary.
Mr.. BnL-Has he been excused
Mr.. BEMAS-I don't ask to be excused. Tremendous
exctement.)
Mr.: DOWNING greatly excited)-We must understand
whether We are q body or not.
MEMBKRs (risiDg from their seats)That's the ques-
The CuAR-An in favor win say ssaye;o all opposed
decided the es TS
abruptly terminated its proceedings and till 10
O'Clock this morning Only three ladies present
TIE third jet. The attendance was tolerable.
AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL UNION.
The American Congregational Union celebrated its
niversary in the Church of the Pilgrims Brooklyn yes
terday. Rev. Dr. Bacon Of New Haven, Conn., presided
At 10A the exercises commenced with prayer, pro-
nounced by Rev. G. Adams, Of Brunswick, Ne. The
choir having performed an appropriate sacred piece,
Rev. Dr. SrEARNs, President Of Amherst College Mass
was introduced He commenced his address by saying
that he accepted the invitation to address the Union
the present occasion with pleasure nasmuch II a.
fOrded him an opportunity Of propounding his views
any theme connected with the interior constitution and
spirit, or the outward working and onward movement
historical deveiopement Of Evangelical Congregational
Ism in this country for though he sad the views Of
one humble may be of little importance to anybody
yet by attempting to give his own opinions, he would be
less likely to compromise those Of his brethren, as
entire congregation could not be held responsible for
opinions or views advanced by single member. The
general subject proposed was one of deep interest
Evangelical gationasm is not only Scrptural in
its origin but the best possible system of church poty
allows freedom to Individual dsvslosement Of mind
and heart while by its creeds and confessions, its prn
cples, prestige and SPIRIT it 50 strongly curbs erratc
cples, making SO much Of q man, the humblest
while it gives for high respect to experience and
without the intervention of human agencies or any but
the simplest forms it furnishes checks to theological
hatred and the ambition Of those who distinguish
themselves only BY hunting out heresies and accusing
their brethren. the history of the Congregational
Church, he said, was essentially in the New World,
mother Of best institutions The interior constitu.
ton and spirit Of the Congregational connecton-n
other words, What p CongregationaismS its nature9
said, was often asked with sneer, What Is Congrega
tionasmG though FULL clear answer was out Of the
sources lat That there no accredited manual OF
church polty. The Cambridge platform, which gives
ans several WHICH have asn into ds
AS scheme it has not been affirmed for several
generations and as whole is strictly followed by NO
tire Of the system, which includes q fundamental
principe-berty. It is not system Of detail but of
he said, the church is : divine institution Of which
Christ Is the invisible and only head it has NO human
head without and above itself it is subject to pope,
subject to Christ and in the visible organization the pre-
siding officer Of the church. The Bible especially the
which Christ pleased to govern his church. 1t has
man made church made look Of authority. In this
connection he said he deemed it necessary correct
error respecting the nature Of church. which to
be imbibed by certain ultra democratic spirits who
place it level with voluntary associations of human
have the control over all It's affairs the majority
OF temperance society has over It's arrangements.
ny other which exists and Vas orsspssd upon sntrsV
different principles irom any association Of mans de
vsng that fas been CT be estabshed therefore,
change In the foundation principles Of church poty,
in the ordinances, without bold presumption, and in
Of s
to be company Of orderly believers, who having en-
tered into covenant with God and each other aotnow
lodging Christ their head the New Testament
their rule and having chosen and consecrated certain
officers according to Chrsts direction and having the
boiy is no more church than human corpse man
cong gate stately in one place for religious ordinances
includes both shs sheer and the ismbsNfor true C,n
gregationasm, like al the leading denominations of
Christeneom with exception, considers the children
OF the church, when baptized, as members Of the
church, though such are not admitted to the
higher OF the church. without Of faith
repentance puonc profession OF the same
all which are necessary requisites not for infant bap sm
but the Lords supper In Il administration Of church
affairs Congregaonasm recognizes three and only three
orders-1st pastors, other ~ise designated ministers
teachers, bishops, overseers, &C. "a deacons 3d. the
brotherhood who taken together constitute the repre-
sentative body of believers The church enjoys the
rogative of designating its own officers to appoint its
own delegates to provide for the maintauance Its nt
tutions to decide the admission rejection Of pro-
he speaker Enumerated he them UreseedeS to
Of the various ecclesiastical Offices their incumbents,
ance 1t was the duty Of the minister to preach the
Gospel administer the facrament ordinances conduct
devotional services preside oyer and regulate religious
the ovsrfeer. IL is his duty to designate the tines,
places and modes Of public instruction and DEVOTION
to introduce snd extraordinary measures except with
the consent Of the brotherhood next spoke Of the fell
Sw'h Of the 81, Snufsh M SAID
tonaism, distinguishing II from strict independency.
1t WAS objected that there was no power to deal with
they had fearful power, whom all appropriate to
the restoration Of failed they had the power Of
characteristics Of the Cosgrssstionass Church, viz
that It possessed the great democratic principles Of IL
berty taelnowsdssd no sta.dins judieatory Or sccs.
strained only By The laws Of Christ The speaker in
e 81
true TO themselves their religion and ts interests
Ssss ss s: snasd
on their shores.
At this stage Of the proceedings II was announced by
the chairman that recess Of ten minutes would be
taken At the expiration Of the allotted time Rev. J. NJ
SruRTEvAxr President Of Illinois College, aseended the
rostrum, and delivered address OF two hours dura-
endurance the Of the audience already well taxed
TO outst For the thorough understanding OF the var
genera and Species with their divisions and subdiv
sions introduced in the Of his address, moral
Linnaus Culver treatise would be useful. He said
that the theme which would most naturally suggest
iteef q n m ID
OF the audience, was handled and exhausted by CO.
borer of his last year He would NOT therefore, dlAte
upon that subject again. OF the progress Of the Con-
cause the abors and efforts In its
favor ia the West. Those labors, he affirmed, cir
cumscribed by no limits, bounded by parallels, but
a. extensve ~ the Geld which