The Portland daily press., 1867-06-20

EccIesinstical Council. .-
An Ecclesiastical Council called by the I'd
Parish Church and Society, convened at the
vestry of High Street Church, Wednesday af-
ternoon. June 18th. for the purpose nj. e"nsid-
ering the request of Rev. DIR. Carruthers to be
dismissed from the pastoral charge of said
Church and Society, and of advising in rela-
ton to said request.
Rev. W. II. Fem called the members to Or
der and read the letter missivc from the church
Rev. John C. Adams was nominated as Mode
rator but declined, and, on motion of Rev. Mr..
Wiswel, Rev. VIM. II. Fem of High Street
Church was appointed Moderator. Rev. John
G. Adams OF Auburn was appointed Scribe.
Rev. Mr.. Wiswell of Windham being called
upon by the Moderator, invoked the Divine
blessing upon the proceedings of the Council.
The credentials of the members were then
handed in from which it appeared that the
Council was composed as follows:
PoRTLAND-High Street Church-Rev VIM Fl.
Fem, pastor; Eben Steele delegate. t.-i II ll
Third Parish Elisha Trowbridge delegate
State Street.: E. Shaw delegate.
Centra-F e Pray delegate. .i.i.- a.l- t..-4tf
Bethel-GeOrge COnant, Jr., delegate.
St. Lawrence Street-Rev. s. Morrison. pastor.
West COngresatiOnal-Rev Geo. +. Tewk bury,
pastor; Dea. VIM. II. Bailey delegate.
Fourth Congregationai-Rev. j. w. c. Pennington
pastor; j. Parr delegate.
CAPE ELrzABETH.-lst Congregatonal-Rev H.
NJ. Vail, pastor; Capt. Ebenezar Jordan delegate.
GoRHAM-1st Congregational-Rev. S. c. Strong,
pastor; IL. Cousens delegate, lag ~ i.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Churcli-Rev. Jo-
seph Danielson, pastor; Deacon David Hayes dele
gate. . ..-5.., ~ g. a. .......-- .t .
YAnMoUrH.-lstC Congregational Church John M
Putnam delegate.
AUBURN.-lst Congregational-Rev. john c. Ad-
WINDHAM. -Congregation Church-Rsv. L. Wis
well, pastor; E. Garland delegate.
DANvERs, MASS Maple Street Church-Rev.
William Carruthers, pastor; Rufus Perham dele
gate. H. ..gt5 e.. e. s.f-,t.. b. .
A letter was received from Rev. DR.. Harris
of Brunswick, excusing himself on account OF
pressing Collegiate business. 1t was also stated
that Rev. DR.. Kirk being upon an important
committee of the Tract Society. now in SEES
sion, was unable to attend. ...
Rev. Dr. Carruthers then addressed the
Council upon the matter that was to come be-
fore them. He went back to period of three
years ago, when Rev. DR.. Dwight was pastor
of the Sd Parish Church, and said that be-
tween himself and DIR. D. there was the most
fraternal feeling, and the thoughts of each
were known to the other. Foreseeing the alb
solute necessity, at some future time, of unit
ing in one congregation the ID and Sd Parish
es, in consequence Of the continued removal Of
members up town, who connected themselves
with societies in the vicinity of their dwell
ings, he had frequent consultations with DR.
Dwight upon the matter. TWAS subject that
was close to the hearts of both, and when DR.
Dwight removed from Portland he DR. c.,
falt almast alOna-
DR.. c. then alluded incidentally to the pro-
ceedings of the 81 Parish Church in regard to
the effort to settle pastor to succeed Dr.
Dwight, and stated that the majority of that
church stood fast to the doctrine that had been
preached to them for so long time.
DIR, G. then went into history of the pro-
ceedings of the "a Parish in relation to re-
building their edifice after it was destroyed
from which it appe AIRED that the Parish when
they thought of purchasing the Barrett lot
had no idea that the Sd Parish would rebuild
on their old lot; and a vote was passed that if
the Sd Parish intended to build there, the I'd
Parish would seek some other lot. He then
read various letters from pastors of churches
in Portland and other places recommending
the ID Parish to reouild their church and ex-
pressing qualification at the suggestion of styl-
ing it the Payson Memorial Church.
He then spoke of the meeting of the Sd Par
ish in which they proposed that both parishes
should disorganize and form new church, and
stated that he was glad when he heard of it,
and came Immediately to Portland to see if he
could not help it along. But on arriving here
he learned that the proposition was not d.
rect one from the Sd Parish or Church. The
proceedings of the ID Parish Church of Sept.
II, proposing to the 81 Church union of the
churhes was then read, and to this, said DR..
c., no answer had ever been received from the
Sd Church. i'Ht
The proceedings of the Sd Parish Church of
Dec. 7th, showing that the church was willing
to unite with the ID Parish Church, and ex-
pressing the wish that the Sd Parish Society,
which held property to the amount of $4,000,
should turn the property into a common fund
with that of the I'd Parish Church, and that an
edifice should be erected, and the proceedings
of the ID Church upon the resolutions were
then read. THESE proceedings were pub
lished in the Press at the time.] DR.. G. said
that being in Brooklyn at the time, he imme-
churches were drawing nearer together and that
Christian men had the subject in their hands,
and that he sent in his resignation of the pas
toral charge OF the I'd Parish. The Church
and Society, at a meeting Dec. 31st, requested
him to reconsider his resignation, which he
did. On the Sd of February he renewed the
request, and on the Goth Of May requested the
Church and Society to unite with him in call
ing Council according to the usages of the
churches, to consult and ad-
wise upon his dismissal. .'-
Dr. Carruthcrs then stated what the motives
were that avtuated linn i'll persisting i'll asking
his dismission. He spoke in the warmest
terms of the people of his charge, of their af-
lection to him, and of his love to them He
loved the members OF the Sd Parish and no
one could say he had ever done any thing
against them. He had taken strong ground
against a soul-destroying heresy that was
lbout to be introduced into that church, and
hereby had incurred the displeasure of many
igion that he did it, and he should do it again
Under the same circumstances. He desired
nothing more than that the I'd and Sd Socie-
les should be united-it was the warmest wish
If his heart, and every thing that he could do
% effect it he was willing to do a
He stated that he had already collected about
900 towards rebuilding the Payson Memo
'ial Church, and much more might be expect
"a from various churches that had given prom
ses and pledges.
In conclusion DR.. Carruthers said: And
low, Sir, having trespassed SO long on the pa
fence OF the council and of this large audi
nee, have only to add, that the action taken
n asking my dismissal does not arise from any
minution of affection to my people. have
othing assuredly against them, and cannot
xpress all 1 would say for them. Further, 1
ave not, as stated in one of these docume nts
ny interests apart from those of the church
Christ. My hearts desire is that the I'd and
a churches of this city may be united and form
ne strong body of believers. deprecate above
II things the existence under present circum
Lances of two churches of the same denomi- |
alton in the lower part of the city. The hon |
r of the gospel, the credit of the denomina-
on, the interests of religion in the city, the |
tate and the country, all demand that these
hurches should be one. And if my withdraw
can be in any way subservient to such an
beet trust the Council will not hesitate in
tvising dissolution. Bro thren, am in
our hands. have no plan or purpose as to
he future. am free to act on your decision
hatever it may be.
DIR. Perry, in behalf of the I'd Parish Church,
Al