New-York tribune., 1870-08-25
.SUEPHERD AND SHEEP.

The beautiful language OF une ScTlpJuIc
which characterizes the Deity as Shepherd
leading his flock, has been applied to the
pastors of Congregational Churches. In the
East, the sheep, we are told, really follow the
sbenberd-in our modern ecclesiastical arrange
ments, the individual who carries the crook
walks behind, and if the rams and ewes OF
tbe society do not like his driving, they turn
about and drive him. To drop all metaphor,
we do not know anything more mOurnful than
the spectacle of a clergyman badgered and
worried by those to whom he is appointed as
a teacher of truth. 1t is such an absurd
solecism. 1t is such ridiculous perverslty.
| 1t is such a droll putting of the cart before
| the horse. As we gaze upon 1t, we follow the
example of the Widow of Ephesus. We laugh
with one eye, and we weep with the other
We are alive to the distressing character OF
the fuss but in spite of ourselves, we cannot
help giggling at the fun.
| A scene of kind which has become not un-
common upon this continent, occurred in the
| Church of the AtOnement in Chicago, on Sun
day, the 14th inst. 1t is the misfortune of the
Rev. DR.. Thayer, the Shepherd of this Church,
to have a chronic quarrel with that part of
the flock called Vestrymen. He is accused of
making ill-timed and unnecessary remarks
"in his sermonsr Nor does the Church under
| his ministry grow" as it should, to the great
detriment of the treasury. Wherefore the
| Vestrymen held a meeting and voted to ask
| DR.. Thayer to resign and, should he refuse to
| do so, to turn him out. Although not officially
served with this document DR.. Thayer OBJ
tanned copy of it, and on the aforesaid Sum
| day, in full congregation, he expressed his
mind, which was not pacific or complimentary
mind, of the aforesaid Vestrymen. The ac-
count before us says that he was "pale with
"rage;" but can we imagine a gentle shep-
herd thus disregarding the Arcadan simplici-
said that he did not believe that majority of
the sheep wished him to resign; and, not to
put too fine point upon it, he would MT. 1t
was then that the Vestrymen rose to do battle,
and such bleating never was heard in the
fold before. Some were for having a vote at
once taken on the subject, and some declared
that such course would be illegal and revO-
lutionary." Large numbers of people sprung
to their feet. Dozens were gesticulat-
ing and talking together. Some swOre ESQ to
speak, that there should be vote. Others
affirmed that there should not. "The Church"
says the report of the affair, "was filled with
noise and confusion" There was hesitation
in some faces, and wrath in others. Alto
gether, it was quite carnal scene, and what
might have happened we tremble to think
POSSIBLY manslaughter) if one of the Vestry-
men, who bears the strong and strdent name
of Stridiron, had not, with admirable presence
of mind, ordered everybody to leave the
sacred ediice. He spake and was Obeyed.
The ferocious alteration was renewed upon
the sidewalk, and then the whole flock went
home to the subduing pasturage of their Sun
day dinners, to allay by their pleasant nib
blings, and by either still or strong waters, the
partisan fervors of this extraordinary occasion.
What will come of all this we do not know
but should there be an actual physical con-
test, we shall try to chronicle the fearful
fact.
1t has been generally conceded, in all ages
OF Christianity, that brethren should dwell
together in unity !" but, somehow, in all ages
they have sadly failed to do so and church
| quarrels were never more common than at the
present time. Being ourselves, although secu-
lar, great lovers of peace and harmony (when
the same can be maintained without com
promising princlple), we wish that the fact
were otherwise; and it does not lessen our re-
| gret 10 observe that more than n mOlety OF
cnurch squabbles seem to be about things
which are not of the least consequence.
fhap txaa ahn a1 uav vyara