New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-08
THE AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL UNION.
My county, Ills Of thee,
Sweet Land Of Liberty,
. OF thee ] sing.'

THE AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL UNION.
The Eighth Anniversary of the American COngrega-
tioua Union WAS celebrated in the Church VI the P'
prims corner of Henry and Remsen-streets, Brooklyn,
last evening, Rev. Dr. LToYARD BAcoS, Of New
Haven. Conn., conducted the exercises. The Rev. DIR.
H,mLIs, late Of Consanlinople, took par. IN the
services.
The Rev. J. p. LAScwoRrHV, Corresponding oeere-
tary Of the Union read the annual report, when com
menced with reference 10 the present CONNER t"tIme
forth that as IN days of yore the dcscendansoi me W.
ritans were found true 10 the Government Every SHOT
at Font Sumter was a shot al our tonsIega'lohal
Churches 80 also was the attack upon the Massachu-
setts roops on the 18th Of April attack upon the
Congregational Church of New England and esow here
Notwithstanding the numerous obstacles OF the pact
year. the Congregational Union had been enabled 10
commence buding Il churches, az an average cost OF
5000 20; and finished the building OF 81 Others at an
average of 1872 i6 Pledges had been made To 10
churches for help in building, and 81 Others were wait
ing for such pledge The amount received for the year
had been $S,967 -.
The report concluded with an appeal for renewed
sacrifice for the benefit OF the churches winch were
weak and in need of aid.
The Rev Dr. JosEPB II. THOMPSON Of the Broad
way Tabernacle n. Y, delivered the annual address
He commenced by stating that be should quote pre-,
ccdent for discussing subject Of church doctrine ana
poy in times of military action, il was that OF Ohver
Cromwell who, while he was waiting TO strengthen
his batteries fOr the siege Of Edinburgh Castle cent To
the Governor thereof to inquire why any Christian
could not have the right 10 preach az well AZ those
who lad been specially set apart 10 the office OF !he
ministry lie proceeded to notice some OF the leading
and primary usagesof church poly in points OF disci-
pine and church order. .
subject proper-THE PHIsuWE EccLEsfA ~ ITS
PRIycifiEs AID FoEns. The Ecclcaia was meet
ing OF the people III their corporate body. That OF
Athens was nothing more than town meeting; -
was a true theater Of free speecl-eyery ore had his
rights duly protected. The citizens Were trained NOT
only 20 Lelrng, but TO Speaking, aso. Nothing was
determined upon without fair opportunity for every
member Of the Eccles 20 contribute bis opinion or hls
arguments. There could be no snap Judgments sqch
n We have I'm some churches IN our time. 1he &c
cleia was essentially parallel TO the modem Congre
/ rational Church syftem
lie prgued that Chri.ans made churches, and that
cburchcs did not make Christians. lie then went on
TO show what the duty Of each member OF the re-
,lesia us an individual In the time when Chrst =
Apostles preached the gospel 10 the people II was eyi-
dent thar as the di.c PIES were already members OF the
Eccleia by virtue of their faith they could declare
themselves a church in their own locality. lie next
proceeded 10 show that individual Christian sacri-
. Iced none Of bis nights - Christian by uhlting
with a church organization What an outrage
I for an accidental majority in a church TO trampbe
: uuon the rights OF members who are ACKNOWLEDGED
! one in and one with Christ. Then again, each local
,hnIch or ECcleaa VS. Independent OF All eAtTaneous
authority nor Odd tney acknowledge the authority OF
any body other than the local Eeclesia itseil The
Apostle Paul did not official jurisdiction over
]
IN forming In of discipline ihero 10 higher
o.nsure than that inflicted by the Eeclesia church
iisclf Bat IN this, AID in other respects, no church
could act otherSS lee than according to tie law OF
Christ Nor any particular class Of officers an
aFisiocucy. They were OF the people, chosen by
( them. While every church was independent, no
church was isolated Churches united in fellowship
ior the purposes Of mutual sympathy by intercommu-
/ ncaiion. In speaking OF the rights Of individual
churches and the spirit OF reciprocity between the
/ churches, he said that Hypolytus, Roman bishop
had char ged q contemporary bishop named Calistes Of
having been cheat and decever, setting up school
against the church. receiving and fellow Shipping per-
sons who had been expelled from other churches.
A Church Of the future had been talked of. IL
however but a dream. Ii was pictured new pr
QafZAiOn which should be "A reconstruction of the dis
ntegrated elements of all present Churches, but they
might as well talk OF demonstrating the Union Of these
States while it the duty of the Government to
store order and return TO the first principles Of the
Declaration Of Independence.
But there was Church IN the future, the Church OF
the Living God in which the Ecclesia would forget ali
pact differences, and seek only the highest am-the
original fundamental principle Of all churchesthe glory
of God, aud the proclamation that Jesus king over
all.
The address gave evidence Of considerable research
and careful study, and received that for which the
speaker inquired VI the outset the profound attention
OF bis audience.
Rev. DIR. III ,NLIs pronounced the bene dction
The body oil the church was nearly filled, principally
by ladies.