The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-19
The Ecclesiastical Council Once More.

To the Editor Of the Press:
The arbitrary action of the ecclesiastical
council, recently convened in this city, will
show to Congregationalsts that they are not
in the enjoyment Of those independent rights
and privileges which they have been taught
were among the peculiar legacies Of their de-
nominational ancestors. ~
That council. by abrupt and hasty action,
committed an impropriety toward the church
which vitedthem, against their own churches
who appointed them, and especially, in . more
serious degree, against the sister church which
they subjected to an unauthorized discipline
by ejecting its Pastor from their body, ~. -.
The Third Church of Portland, was invited
in the usual manner to unite in the council by
"Acting Pastor and delegate" and on
each letter missive, the names of the other
churches invited were written. This is the
rule with Congregationalsts, that each invit-
ed church before acting, may know who are
to be Its associates, and proceed understand
iigly. If any Of the parties are Objectionable,
the church will decline further action; but If
they accept the invitation and choose their
delegate, it is decided that they assent to the
terms of the call. The Pastor and delegate
take their seats under virtual instructions to
act frsternally with their associates sHa
1t would be unseemly for a portion of the
delegates to cast censure on any of the others.
But a majority of this council thwarted the
express wishes and arrangement of the Bethel
Church, by setting aside the Pastor OF an invit-
ed church, and bringing in ministers who were
accidently present; not merely by inviting
them to a seat, as usual, but assigning them
important parts in the ordination exercises!
Rev. Mr.. Walker questioned the proprie-
ty of Acting Pastors, SO called, sitting in
Councils, by virtue of an invitation given to
the church where they were located, but SUBJ
sequently waived that objection in part
But this practice obtains throughout the
State. OF the las ministers reported in the
minutes Of the General Conference, over so
are set down as Acting Pastors; that is, or.
dained ministers chosen and employed by the
churches during their pleasure, without the
Intervention Of councils. These by way of
distinction are termed Acting Pastors, but
in true sense and Bible sense, they are real
~ Pastors, as much as the others.
Rev. Mr.. Walton is such, Pastor of the
Third Congregational Church of Christ" in
Portland, chosen by that church with great
unanimity, in their scriptural tight, and their
action unanimously accepted by the parish.
But the objection is made-ihe Council OF
July last, did not see fit to install him. True
they did not, but they gave their recorded ties.
timoay, that "they saw no reason to doubt the
personal piety Of the candidate, or his desire
to kno,v the truth" Furthermore, " The Coun.
Gil sympathises deeply wfts the Church in
the disappointment accustomed by this result,
bat CANNOT DOUBT, that, under the bless
ing of the Great Head of the Church 1t ,oiu
tend to their spiritual good. and to the best
interests of pure and undefted religion"
After enjoying the ministration Of the Pas
tor Of our choice for more than six months, we
have increasing confidence In the same hope.
Our church feels competent in this matter to
judge for itself. else is our faith uain, and the
preaching pain, which has been sounded ont
from our pulpit the past forty years.
E. GOULD.