New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-25
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Continued from Frat Page.


.nv other than Mutual Councils parte Councils
The Moderator-fes they dol Were you ever ordained
nv a Council, brotherf tLaughterl
..S: do not know that this Ia wise, but on thinking
che %sGr o Ss w"i the rs step for US TO take do
not know which of those venerable and noble men love
~ most or love them all. those pastors, ana
s have the interest Of all the CHURCHES at hear and
it to me there are between Ine
ent from the little of some correspondence nave seen
bween pastors that ought to have something more
from plymouth Church and its pastor.
Jonathan Dixon OF Jersey CttyIhe preamble ana reso-
linton are in opposition TO the ruling Of the Moderator IN
sarence 10 the railing of the Council The preamble
seosres the Council 10 be technically erpGr we un-
the ruling Of the Moderator TO TO that this is
not an ex pdrte Council bat mutual council, In the
sense that it is called to advise with tue churches
The Moderator-Not mutual council, but simply an
sdyisory council called by two churches
The scribe-DO we understand the Moderators ruling
has ANY binding on the Council or is simply bus
opinion in reference TO the easel - ..,
..Dssd and which would be binding the Council
until was appealed from In the regular way ana re-
Scrsnce TO that question 1t struck me- too
mat there great deal in the SUGGESTION tnas TINS
80 moi an "a pdrte Council even technically we are
Iad ~ a. true by churches who are 10 some extent
psrtes 10 what seems TO be IN controversy, putw we
. . us and the Letter Missve expressly repudiates
the idea that this Council IS tor tne purpose
e tbat "a we are only advise these churches that
bal, u.s. not s pare ~ .es me urthsr that the sub
tntes for tine resolution offered by Prof. Smyth are OF
such Of this Council is the Letter Missve
s""S has been the expression OF the Moderator Is 1t
SanSe IFS character from the character indi-
Gated by the Letter missiye and become
another sort OF council which shall be summoned not by
me two churches that have summoned 1t, but by
those churches in conjunction with another church.
the exact position on tins floor that it would
have in case it Joined IN the C call I 81
have not power to do that thing. We are Council
called by those two Churches ana thst sort
futon of preambles and resolution also. because
of the phraseoogy OF that portion III reference 70 tne
Seams 10 me that We ought cast such reflection
npon the other churches belonging to the Oongrega
tonsi Convention as do when we compliment
specially in set some OF the churches that compose
this Council We all stand here on tne same iTo1ag
wise them 1t part ot the province OF tns Oounc 70
lsklPymOuth Church to give rus ngHt first prSn
pes in the consideration Of any qnesuon potMeen p
Ties to hear both sides II there DC vsr2 nroosr
Cb1rcb renresened on the floor OF this Council just
fully as il is possible have them. and therefore IT'S
that In favor OF the resolution Just prOpoSeu oy
Prof smyth. Perhaps l would make it little
plymouth Church TO stand upon the floor
delegates here stand, except the right to vote,
30 all questions that may occur they may De heard
In reference TO their views. But it seems 10 me the
resolution of Prof. smyth sufficiently meets that and
therefore shall favor the resolution while oppose the
substitute, and move TO lay the substitute on the
table.
The Rev. Mr. Fush-I move the question be taken on
the amendment.
AN ADVISORY COUNCIL OR NOTHING
THE REV. DIR. SIORR: wish to say a very few words
IN regard TO subject, the impression under
which this Letter Missve prepared and sent out.
We understand that there four kinds Of council
recognized in the platforma mutual council where two
parties having difference agree to refer the whole
subject TO Council as common tribunals an eI pate
Council. where one of those parties in controversy,
the other party having refused TO unite III
such reference, refers the same subject
to the Council called by itself alone. In that
the same question would be presented 10 the e1
p1re Council which 1t had been proposed to present to
the mutual Council The er pgre Council has no right
TO exist until mutual Council mas Deen distinctly de-
clned. A third Council is what Ia called an ecele
acfion the oTdahIng Of min
lister. the installing OF minister, the institution
Gil Is different Council ir0Ie either ~ lisa Council with
which we very familiar here. church wishes help
10 the removal OF ITS churc ADVICE ~ regard 10 any
questions that arisen within it, when desires the
oS Judgment in terms which the platform expressly
We intended 10 call this not as a mutual
ecclesiastical Council for common ecclesiastical
action. but precisely as we style It, and have
TO whether what have done in the past is
proper. TO how We should order our affairs IN time
10 come and have said expressly in the letter that
after you hear our statement and have got all the light
you can II there are questions upon which you cannot
give us your advice yOu at liberty TO decline. We
I've Won All m. infrmatiop and SI the conceptions
selves discuss the SUBJECT and give us the benefit
Questions hons vii be disposal Of but il
you find when you come TO consider the matter that in
your Judgment any question lmpinges on any church
than you are willing to have IT, il is IN your dis
erection 10 decline 10 give US your advice. We desire
questions. But then this is advisory council II it
pGre 1t has existence, for we have expressly said
III the statement accompanying our letter msslVe that
We have obtained no answer 10 our request for
eo9nc ana we are no, 80 Young IN our Ton
pWte council have got 10 have positive decna
ture OF mutual council. Therefore we called no
parh council Therefore our questions submitted to you
are not the same question We submitted 10 Plymouth
Church. which desired mutual council. We
asked them TO join In calling mutual council, to in
quire whether their action, presented in public
documents merely, obtained by an investigation OF
record as obiaioed 10y oral testimony was not mi
70 the Christian reputation and influence of the Church.
name OF the pastor We nave asked you no such ques.
ton. Our questions are not the same that we pro-
posed 70 them the occasion Of mutual Council;
but our questions concern ourselves the past action
and the future action of the churches or course they
ourselves in regard 10 Onother church, and
appreciate and feel with you all the dehcaey OF the SIT
uatloD. But suppose that we had been IN fellowship
of faith the doctrine OF the inspiration OF scripture
the doctrine Of the DIVINITY OF Lord, and said 10
them. will you Join in mutual council consider
whether this proper IN the relations we sustain TO each
other and whether fellowship should continue and
got answer 70 that question could not we ask our
negbborng churches TO come IN and advise US whether
ought TO continue III that feiiOwshp are we 10 be
0ebarred from seeking tho advice OF our sister
churches, when church, concerning which we wish
nd vice as TO our action to It's action, by delay
by failure " reply positively either one way or the
other leaves us without any proper resort 70 b, an
is this: This is not mutual council, not ne,
Rn ca parke council, ecclesiastical council.
for the performance Of any ecclesiastical functions but
STRICTLY absolutely advisory council called under the
provision OF the platform which said IN 30 many words
that when church needs advice for the guidance and
correction or confirmation Of its judgment. IL has
right TO ask the advice of It's sister churches, aud we
adhere 10 the Letter Missve We desire that you shall
have ali the light you can get from every quarter.
We have the least disposition in the world 10 shut
out a raw, a glimmer but we would gather all
the light we can from every side, and we welcome
speak myself, and have doubt speak for the