New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-06
snoe may according the laws of Christ, properly be

may according to the laws of Christ properly DO
| oiicrod or received
| Mr. Raymond fastened to say, in explanation. that
these were not offered without discussion with many OF
the brethren or ~ ANYTHING Ike o new departure one
object OF his speaking to correct error which
had been abroad in the Church. and which had crept
into the speech OF their pastor that there sentences
IN the Manual tending to give appearance OF right 10
this outside interference. The independence OF this
Church had always been insisted upon The sentences
| referred to from an essay Congre-
gatlonalism which once bound up with the
rules Of this church, and had since been omitted from
! the edition. lAppause 1t ia charged by overwlse
rites that this may seem like measure OF weakness
on he part OF Plymouth Church. He wished TO say TO
them that there was no hint OF retreat or evasion any
more thu that there any challenge. Plymouth
Church hao been tainted for having forgotten true
Congregational sm but it only declaring principles
which those broth. ZEN who had lived by its side TOT
many years had ne va discovered be such aDomina
BILE traits.
Mr. Beecher then MAIDS the following REMARKS
I merely wish 10 say that there are typesHn every
ohurch-in the Episcopal Church. high and low; III
Presbyterian, old and new In Bapti't, open ana
communion. In other words. human nature dN''
itself from the great principles in itself The sam'
true OF the Congregational poty. Many have held 10
very high degree OF authority TO be exercse by inc
churches each other through organized public sent
nent hold the local independence of the church.
and the right OF the church to determine without iner
ference OF other churches, questions belonging 10 se
In other words democratic and an arisocrac CohBe
gatonalism. | need not say that Plymouth Chnrch'
from the feeling OF the people and the disposition oil tho
pastor, has always the platform OF democratic
congreg "a tonasm distinguished from the stringent
aristocrato congregatiOnalism We are taking de'ho
cratic ground most Of tho churches that are
springng up. The following letter received nom
brother in Massachusetts,;
DEAR BROTHER You are right IN the famous dscF
pne case, and IL IL and simple COngregatlonah'm
whatever may be said Of independence. nave been
Congregational minister Tor 10 and the tme never
was when | could not have my church do as thls,
believe three-Ourths of the CONGREGATIONAL churcnts
Of TINS State would have done the same thing, anu
think many OF them have done IL. Very many. man
cannot get out OF church without censue, wheh ncIo
Scripture authority for one word OF censure
Strange indeed. The fellowship OF the churches mere
about has become exceedingly oppressive from tho
word born in many applications To lie sure, many
don't know what 1t Is or that Conversational churcn
has not the night 10 manage ITS own affairs on CHRISTIAN
principles. Now, brother, though L nave DO,
been what IA sometimes called Bnecher man,
thank the Lord for the great good Won have Deen uoB
and for your stand in this Stick! am not sure
but Goa designs yOu TO make reform IN church ol,o
pine III Eew-Engand and everywhere. such reform
is needed, aud perhaps you are the man 10 OIlhs ~
about love you all the for that good ana loving
speech OF yours church meeting, for the khu anu
words about Brothers otorrs ana BauulnSVn
May others initiate 1t.
The resolutions Of Prof. Raymond were then unan
nousy adopted and the meeting adjourned after notice
was gwen OF few unimportant amendments " the
Constitution.