Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1860-01-19
Communications.

we insert, coming from the competent source that
it does simply because it defines certain respon-
sibilites of those respectable bodies and which we
are the more willing to do as it is candid in its
tone and makes no personal illusions.
Mr.. EDITOR In this communication 1 pro-
pose to make brief statement in regard to some
of the regulations and usages respecting clergy
men that prevail in the Congregational and
Presbyterian denominations. 1 do this unsolic-
tied and without the knowledge of either of the
parties to the matter that has produced so much
feeling in and about Litchfeld.
Throughout New England, and generally in
the country, Congregational clergymen are asso-
cated together in local bodies called associa-
tons.
When Presbyterianism prevails, the clergymen
are associated in bodies called presbyteries. As
sociations and presbyteries are on terms OF such
fellowship that the recommendation of an asso-
citation is regarded sufficient introduction to
membership in presbytery, and the contrary.
When clergyman leaves the bounds of one as
ISOLATION or presbytery, and goes to preach
within the limits Of another, he is expected to
carry with him, or to be able to procure, the tes
timony of the body he leaves to his regular min
isterial standing in it. If he becomes settled in
his new field he ordinarily has his relation trans
ferred, just as member of a church on changing
his residence has his relation transferred from
one church to another.
If member of an association or presbytery
falls into essential error or is betrayed into any
immoral conduct, it is made the duty of the body
to take notice of such case, to employ proper
means to restore the delinquent, and if that can
not be accomplished to adopt the prescribed
mode of deposing him from the ministry.
By this arrangement, the association or the
presbytery, exercises a species of supervision
over its members, and is responsible to the
churches and to the world for their soundness in
doctrine, and blamelessness of life. BY failing
to notice in member any serious departure from
the faith as maintained by those denominations,
or any fagrantly immoral conduct, the assocla-
ton or presbytery would expose itself to the
charge of completely and forfeit the confidence
of the churches and the respect of the world.
Thus far all is clear and plain. There is no doubt
in regard to the course proper to be pursued by
an association or presbytery in regard to its own
delinquent members.
We will suppose the case to be somewhat diff
| fcrent
A stranger purporting to be Congregational
or Presbyterian minister comes to reside with.
in the limits of en- association or presbytery and
signfying his willingness to supply Congrega-
| tional or Presbyterian pulpits, is actually so en-
ployed At first it will be taken for granted
that he possesses or can easily procure the usual
ministerial credentials.
But suppose it comes to be rumored that he
has no credentials, certify his regular
standing in the ministry The rumor gains
strength. The association or presbytery meet it
everywhere. They feel themselves bound in JUS
tce to the stranger and to the churches, to inves
| tigate the truth of the rumor. A thorough in
vestigaton brings out clear and official proof
that the individual, has been tried by an ecclesi
astical body, whose decisions they are bound to
respect, and formally deposed from the ministry
Now has the association or presbytery any
further duty in the premises? If the person sup
posed, had brought from the body which deposed
him, certificate of his good standing in that
body, all would say that ON the ground of it he
would have been entitled to be recognized and
treated as clergyman in good and regular
standing, by the association Or presbytery. The
action of the foreign body if commendatory,
would be valid and entitled to consideration.
Can its action when condemnatory be consist
emily treated as null and void E? The association
or presbytery within whose bounds such per-
son is, and after being fully apprsed of his eccle
siastical position, cannot ignore the matter
They will naturally first demonstrate with him,
remind him Of the regulations and usages of Con-
gregational and Presbyterian churches, and at
tempt to dissuade him FROM exercising the func-
sure. Failing in this what remains for an asso-
citation or presbytery to do, but to lay the facts
before the churches. By this step they rid
themselves of the responsibility imposed upon
them by the regulations and usages of their
churches
If he choose to hold on his way, and there are
societies who choose to employ him, so be it.
Such step by an association cannot without
great injustice be construed as furnishing evil
dence of any i'll will towards the parties con-
cerned.
1 conclude this statement with single ques-
ton. Is it desirable that these regulations and
usages that are as old and as extensive as are
Congregationalism, and Presbyterianism them
selves, and which were designed and fitted to
guard our pulpits against unsuitable occupants,
should be broken down or covered with odium
put the question to those who have sincere
regard for sound doctrine and for pure religion,
to those who revere the memory of our puri-
tan ancestors, who value as a rich inheritance
the institutions we have received from them
JOSEPH ELDRIDGE.
New HAVEN, JAN. 10th, 1860.
DEAR ENQUIRER Yale College certainly de-
n