The Portland daily press., 1864-07-23
Ecclesiastical Councils.
To the Editor Of the Press:

To the Editor Of the Press:
have been glad to see that the daily papers
have, to considerable extent, relraned from
discussing the recent decision of such a council
In this city. But l have also noticed Incl
dental remarks and paragraphs calculat-
ed to make false impression In regard to the
necessity and design of such councils. VIII
you allow me to make a brief statement of the
principles held, as / suppose, by all Congrega-
tionalis,s, including Untarians, Universalists,
Orthodox, and Baptists?
A church, being body OF persons holding
substantially the same form OF doctrine, en-
| ploy and settle pastor, among other objects,
to act as a public teacher, for their families,
and the community. He should therefore be
qualified TO instruct, and should substantially
agree with them in doctrinal belief II is not
less important, certainly, that his qualifications
should be first ascertained, than in the case Of
teacher in public schools and seminaries of
learning. Hence it is that, in all denomna-
tons, some tribunal is provided for this pur-
pose. In most congregational denominations,
this matter Is referred TO an ecclesiastical
council.
Its sometimes said that each congregation
! al church is Independent. This is true, TO this
| extent,-that each church has the right to be
| independent.
But, generally, churches Of the same denom-
ination in a copmunity, or State, enter into
| certain mutual relations with each other and
in such case, when pastor is to be ordained
or settled, the question OF his fitness Tor the
office is determined, not alone by the church
over which he proposes to be settled, but by
council from other churches, called together
ny such church. Experience has proved the
wisdom of this arrangement; or, at least, that
~ method any more lar should be adopted.
Mr. is the congregational or democratic ell
nent in this way impaired. The church it.
self selects the other churches to be repre-
'ented, without interference, or restriction.
And the other churches, whose advise is desir-
I'd, are represented not only by their pastors,
but By lag delegates also, chosen by them
selves. These are generally intelligent, able
nen, who. though they may not take promi-
lent part in the examination, have an equal
voice influence in the de ision. Tia. such
council would ever irish to interfere with
The rights of church, no one can have any
fear.
But lift could In any case be otherwise, 1t
has no potrer TO TO do 1t. Its decision is mt re-
Iy advisory.
Il is true, the churches being associated to-
gether for certain purposes, when the advice
| ,fs Il bv 10 il tod sit
It will be followed; otherwise II ought not to
be asked. Ifdisregarded, proper selfrespect,
and regard. for that order which Is for tile
peace and safety Of all, would require that the
church so acting should forfeit lis right and
privilege in the association, fellowship, or con-
ference OF the other churches. Nothing less
would be expected; aud no one would com
plain oft. This simply leaves such a church
in that condition OF entire freedom and indie
tendency which Is the ultimate right of all.
There is certainly nothing like arbitrary pow
er In this.
Nor can the candidate Cor the ministry right
fully complain il The council does not advise his
settlement. 1t is tribunal before which he
uJltmtariiy appears, selected toiM his concur
renee, under system of church polity TO tohich
he dssents He knows, or ought to know, the
articles OF faith Ia which the churches are
agreed. Unless be substantially agrees with
them, he ought not to oifer himself for pas
torate or accept of an invitation. Ii, on i'm
portsnt points, he has different belief, or no
belief at ALL he certainly cannot expect coun-
Gil to advise his settlement. A Unitarian
church would not want pastor who believes
in the trinity; nor Uniyersalist church one
who believes in endless punishment.
1t very rarely happens that council de-
clines 10 advise the settlement of candidate
and still more rarely that the advice, II against
settlement, is disregarded by the church
But this uniformity Of action shows that
the calling OF a council is merely matter OF
form-not that its action is Of no consequence,
and may be set at nought, blt-that the ne
cessity for harmony OF views is so apparent,
that no man is likely to offer himself as the
pastor or accept the call OF a church, to whose
doctrines he does not cordially assent
LAYMAN.