The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-06-19
THE SWEDENBORGIANs IN COUNCIL.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. W0rk-Demnnd for
More Funds-Evenina Enjoyment.
The Convention reassembed at ten O'Clock
yesterday morning. After the usual devotional
exercises and the reading OF the minutes several
reports OF committees were presented, OF which
the only important and interesting onenswas
report OF the Committee on Ecclesiastical
Affairs on the subject OF the withdrawal Of the
authority to Officate from Rev. Joshua T. Eaton on
account OF his heretieal Spritualistc opinions by
the presiding minister oil Massachusetts. The COM
mittee asked for time to examine into the matter ana
this was granted them until the meeting OF the next
Convention thus putting or one OF the troublesome
subjects which agitated the minds Of the present
Convention.
On motion of Mr.. ISAIAH T. WILLIAMS, OF New
YORK, proposing to change the mode OF elecing Of
hnaly re erred TO speca committee OF three to re-
port mex. year. The CHAIR named the committee
1oiloWs:-Mr. Williams, OF OhO Mr.. Williams, VI
New York, and Rev. Mr. Rec, OF Massachusetts.
ON motion OF Mr.. JAMES, OF Ohio, 1ne preamble
aud resolutions OF Mr.. Hitchcock and the substitute
OF Mr. }. q. Ager were taken from the table ana the
discussion reopened, which, however, inter-
rupted by Mr.. WILLIAMS OF New York, moving to
nave committee appointed TO nominate officers OF
the Convention for the ensuing year, which was car
red The discussion then proceeded. Both the
substitute OF Mr. Church and the amendment OF Dr.
Ager see HERALD OF yesterday were withdrawn and
Dr. AGER Immediately moved his resolution as a
sIosttu lor the ORIGINAL motion AS TINS seems to
be the great question with the Convention the mo-
non OF Mr. Hitchcock Is here Inserted
N, n hs fun Ia be P' Of as S
whereas the terms psrs' and diocese" in their usual
ami accepted senses include all the persons particular
faith ssians 10 GER avn geographical district therefore,
the primary EXAMINATIONS Of New Ghurchmen cosnectei
with BY tue name OF parish and associations OF such
kesoysd, That the following be made standing resou-
transactions of this Convention shall include any
primary organization OF New Churchmen by whatever
4 me Of MI
manner.
And Nh. Ayers substitute
Resolved, That this Convention does not deem wise
express OF any action Of the local organizations
order and teachings OF the Church.
Mr.. JAMES, Of OHIO spoke at length. II the word
"parlsh' means the same as society' 1t is unne-
cessary; iii means something else 1t was dangerous
There might in the fulness of time be future
Swedenborglan Mr.. Tying attempting to claim the
right to preach anywhere and invade the 'parish" of
another minister gave cause Tor trouble and dlssen
SION to the Church. "Dlocese'' implies bishop. He,
the speaker was not AFRAID OF prestcrat for 1t can
never take dangerous root IN this country hut the
very foundation of the New Church was The society.
IL started at the London Tavern and the sys-
TEN and genius of 'societyn has continued in
the Church ever since. lie Is not tenacious OF FORMS
but he not like the introduction OF these terms
And yet. with all his decided feeling he was not
ready to adopt these resolutions, as they appear to
strike at the freedom and independence of local
CARNATIONS, and are inconsistent with the general
practice OF the Church. He hoped that the matter
would be left over for future consideration. About
OF the necessity of warning ministers from trying to
build up dynasty within the Church, to which he
would never consent.
Mr.. LoRING with emphasis.-I think it very
foolish for any man to say that this or that he would
never do.
Mr.. JAMES, yield for inquiry. but not for com.
ment He continued that the church was not made
OF such plant stuff II is composed of ministers and
laymen and he hoped that al would work harmo-
Mr.. r. d. MUzzY, OF was' ington, believed that mis-
friend from Ohio was not a sturdIer radical IN ali
tionast than he was, but lie thought the was
about going too far, and he moved the indefinite
postponeinent OF the Whole subject
Rev. THOMAS WORCESTER Informed the Convention
that the Committee Ecclesiastical Affairs had been
considering this subject and would be ready to report
next year.
Mr.. PERRY, of Massachusetts, moved TO refer the
matter to that committee, whereupon Mr.. Muzzy
withdrew his motion and instead OF 1t. moved to
lay the whole subject upon the table which was car
ried, with only three votes in the negative. And
thus the Convention got over. or rather around
the reef which, from tine excited feelings exhibited
by several delegates this morning, needed but little
outside help to prove wrecking rock. Tie Con-
venton evidently felt relieved as If heavy burden
had been taken of its breast since for some time
after the VOTE and for nearly quarter OF hour,
the chatting and hubbub OF conversation was 80
loud and so gen eral that business was entirely
stopped, and IL required several raps OF the Pres-
dents gavel to restore order.
good deal OF minor routine business was quickly
gone over among which 1t was moved that II be left
to the committee In charge OF the printing OF the
journal TO either insert or leave out list OF all the
places on this american Hemisphere" where wor-
Swedenborgian New Church, During the discIis
sion OF this subject Mr.. Andrews, OF Massachusetts,
hoped that list OF Swedenborgan congregations IN
Europe would be included, since so many Americans
travel on the old continent that was probable
Europe might one day be taken by Americans THIS
asked 10 withdraw the motion, but objection was
made and an amendment was carried, that stand
ing committee of three be appointed, by this and
every succeeding convention, to annually revise the
list referred to and see to Its publication.
On a report from the Executive Committee to adj
fhp
delegate, Mr.. Dunham was received and enrolled,
amid appropriate ceremonies, the president, Rev.
DIR. Thomas Worcester resuming the CHAIR for that
purpose.
The time for recess having arrived divine service
was held, during which lady was baptized.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met again at half-past two p. NJ,
and the journal OF the mornings session being read
Mr.. ABEL SILVER read the revised answer to the |
address Of the swedenborgian General Conference |
sentiments and TO hopes Of fraternal cooperation
and denounces generally she tendency to RATIONAL |
ism, naturasm Liberalism modern Spiritualism and |
DELEGATE suggested to strike out the word
philosophical" and the CHAIR suggested that the |
word ''sensualismn had better be omitted, and with
such changes the address was adopted.
Several reports OF committees on subjects OF no
general interest were received and placed on file |
without reading, and number OF special commit
tees were appointed TO make the necessary arrange
ments for She next meeting OF the convention, In
1870
Rev. JAMES p. STUART moved that the address to
the English Swedenborgians be published In the
Journal Of this year, which was adopted
Rev. JABEz Fox, OF Washington presented q
paper detailing plan for the formation OF a society,
with q fund to succor needy church associations.
lie requested that IL be referred to the Executive
Committee, but on suggestion he changed his mo-
ton to special committee or three. which was
carried.
Rev. SAM. DIXIE submitted the report OF the Com
mtee on Missions, detailing some interesting infor-
nation about the individual labors OF some OF their
missionaries In drcrent parts OF the country aiding
In the increase OF the Church.
Rev. CHAUNCEY GILES, Of this city said that this
work was done by ministers employed
by the local associations. The Convention spent not
dollar for II. II, as had been stated In debate the
ministers the servants OF the laity then. like the
Ok In the yoke they were entitled 10 support. The
New York Association had set good example.
Where needed, they send man aud pay him TO stay
there. In this way they had four men employed
turing the last year with good results. This should
especially be the case In the southern States from
where reports TO cheer the heart would soon come
M. But then the COnyention should supply the