The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-21
Oongregationalism.

tant for us to understand what that polity is.
viii you allow me to state what / have sup
posed II to be; under what circumstances
such churches sustain any relations to each
other; and what those relations are, when any
exist? &9 -
A Congregational church may be indepen-
dent, though the number offs churches has
always been small. But it is the right of every
local church, if it chooses, to be Independent,
managing its own affairs without interference,
or even aduice, from other churches. Such
church will not ask for a council from other
churches in any of its own affairs, nor partici-
pate in any council called by them. 1t mana
ges its concerns the same as IL there was no
other church in existence. The first Congre-
gational church in New England was necessa-
rily independent; and every one still has the
right to be so, so FAR as other churches are con-
cerned.
But when several churches had been organ
ICED, agreeing substantially in doctrine, though
each might have remained independent, it was
thought best for them to be connected togeth-
er in some important matters, which should
be acted upon only upon mutual consultation
and consent. This bond of union was not
formed by any written constitution or COM
pact; and no church was bound to consent to
it, But 1t was agreed to by common consent,
with rare exceptions; and the practice of call
ing councils, in all important mstters, became
universal This system became established
early In New England and it has met the ap-
proval of the best minds in the churches, OF
all the Congregational denominations, down
to the present time. 1t originated in its me-
cessity, for the fellowship, communion, and
good order of the churches. fevery church
was organized, and its pastor ordained or in
stalled, only with the adoice and consent of
the other churches around II, then there was
no obstacle to free interchange 10 member
ship, worship, and ministry. And therefore,
as was said by John Cotton, though the
church Of a particular congregation be the
first subject of all church power needful to be
exercised within Itself, and consequently be
Independent from any other. church or synod
in the use oft, yet it is a safe and wholesome
and holy ordinance of Christ, for such parti-
cular churches to Join together in holy cove
nant or communion, and consolation among
themselves, TO administer all their church at
fairs which are of soeighfy and difficult com
mon concernment, not Without common con-
sultation and consent of the other churches
about them" And among such "weighty af-
fairs" he specifies the ordination of elders or
pas tors, and their "translation from one church
to another" Y
4 Each church determines for itself whether
thus to to Joined in fellowsh' p an com nnuion
l with other churches. This connection has
nothing to do with any State or local conso-
ciations, conferences, or conventions OF
churches, which differ in different denomina-
tions. and in different localities of the same de-
nomination These bodies have no ecclesas-
tical authority, of any nature. They consist
of certain specified churches, associated for
Iacertain general purposes, under written COM
pacts. But the intercourse of churches by
councils is under no written articles, nor is it
confined to, any particular churches, nor to
any definite limits. And church enters into
this relation, not by any form of compact, but
by acting Nth the other churches in such
councils. And the practice or usage of the
churches, in tho organization and proceedings
Of such councils, with the powers necessary
I to accomplish the purpose intended, are pre-
stunned to be the law to which all consent. and
by which they should be bound. 81
The nature of the relations between such
churches, which has given rise to this systems
and the objects to be attained by it. would
4 seem to make some things plain, about which
Notwithstanding, there has been much discus
sion.
.Ig i. "A church thatis organized by council
settles its pastors in this way, and assists 9TH
err churches in like matters, thereby ceases to
y be independent. Such action is a tacit cove
nant to do these things mot without the con-
sultation and consent Of the other churches
And though such church may still become
Independent, until it does so, it Is bound by
the decision of council. Ii dissati6ed, il
! may call another. BIT il, without doing So
1t acts contrary to the advice of council, it
ought thenceforth to expect to be regarded as
Independent. 1t should neither ask uor give
advice, nor claim to receive that fellowship Of
the churches which it has practically re-
nounced. wis
2. The church or parties calling council
have the right to select and determine, within
the denomination, the churches to be invited.
In doing this, they are restricted to no limits,
except that they should be near enough to be
represented, and enough of the churches in
the vicinity, who have the greatest interest in
!. the matter, should be invited SO that they
4 shall be fairly represented, But no pastor, or
church, should be invited NTH ,ohona the 9TH
err ehurches are not in fellowship, as SUCH
This rule is necessarily fundamental; for if
churches, or pastors, with whom the other
churches are not In fellowship, could take q
part in such councils, it would tend to subyert
the very end and purpose for which they are
called. 40 ~ ~
8. When the members of the council assem-
BILE, they organize, and in doing so, the coun-
Gil determines, by majority, Its opn member.
ship. It's right to do this is inherent, and in
| dispensable, as 1t is in all such deliberative
bodies. No one can possibly know, until they
meet, who will claim to be members. Neither
the churches, nor any other tribunal, can ad-
Indicate upon any such claim. To deny the
right of the council to do it, is to deny 1t any
right to organize, or to do any other act. If
itabuses this right, the parties, or either of
them, may refuse to abide the decision, and
call another council. A question of member
ships very rarely raised. But If such ques
tion does occur, the right of the council to
decide it, is too clear to be questioned.
QdAfter the members of the council come to-
gether,it may be found that there is dele
gate from some church, with which the other
churches are not in fellowship; or some pas
tor may be present, who is In the same condi-
ton. In either case, the council may deny the
right of such pei son to sit as a member. and