New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-07
NEED OF LARGER LIBERTY.
BIZ he Rsr. John Cotton smith. D. d.

have been asked to read q paper before
this Church Congress the proper limits OF legislation
in regard to Doctrine and Ritual AS am limited oy
the rule OF this body TO minutes In the delivery
OF this paper II becomes me to enter without further in
production upon the subject and in the presentation OF
various points TO be brief and explicit as possible
would then. at the outset. that whatever MINUS
there may be in this Church to legislation in regard
10 Doctrine and Ritual, they arc selflmposed'
except so far as the authority Of the Scriptures con-
cerned. There other external authority which Is
binding upon the Church The DEGREES OF the Ecunenca
Councils before the separation OF the Eastern and west
Churches are of very great value as a my ~
regard early Christian faith and worship, pnt are o.
binding authority IN any matter not expressly ecp p
Med in the case OF ereeds 9y thus INMATE tSnurh
they are. impose no Obligations upon US IN Ngera
either TO Doctrine Ritual. inconsistent with the
face TO prayerbook declares indeed that t ms
Church Of England any essential point of doctrine
discipline. worship but It dscloses at the same time
love yenersOD for Mother Church and close as
the See Of Canterbury, we must remember that our
relations to the AnglcSn can be sncS
o e%G f' as shall leave Us perfectly free
SO far any authority concerned to make new state
ments OF doctrine and TO modify our ritual at our VIII
The only authority in our Church which can rightly
leate In regard to doctrine and ritual IS the Generai
cept by the Holy scriptures and the primitive creeds
which this Church has declared may be proved from the
Scriptures. The question then to the limits OF such
legislation resolves itself mainly into one OF expectancy
There Is a phltOSOpnlcdl pIlnclpie uh'
cussion we shall do consider. the supposed OBJ
Jet ofegsson on the points IN question Is OF course
Looking at the matter pmoSophically, the tqaesISn
arises whether progress rlgdy nmea anu uensen ny
free Development wrought out 0y the forces
conducive to the welfare and CROWN Oh the
one of the most profound philosophers Of modern
times. Count De Maistre. work The Genera
tive Principle in Political Constitutional has shown
how vastly superior those unwrltten constitutions are
which are the result OF long process OF organic
growth 70 those which are bound up in written form,
aud provided III virtue of pFort considerations 10 mee.
ali the possible emergencies OF the future. Edmund
nioent pss:aSe in his Letter on the French Revolt
ton: These views in regard to political constitutions
principles OF such constitution are established,
either prescription and more or less clearly denned
aud capable ready accommodation 10 the changes OF
tlIno aud circumstances, is in accordance with the
Inc development of the civil ecclesiastical or
gauism should be free and unfettered as far as
may he. by statutory enaotments or special
legislation designed to accomplish special ends or
upon the idea that the Church organism, and has
1 higher life than the mere aggregate life Of Its
ders development. and in the providence of God
there are conservative powers in exquisite harmony
suffer the marvellous structure to grow without noise
OF shock OF our AK or hammer under the moldng hand
From what mas already been said it will be that
regard special legislation in reference to Doctrine or
Ritual with very great dstrust, and as much more
likely to impair than advance the prosperity OF the
a closer relation certain questions now before
US II peculiar distinction of the Church Congress
That IL allows the unrestrdned utterance OF ndi-
,TyiIege thus Afforded me recognizing no restraining
aeacs ' but sincere love for ali the brethren and
solemn sense OF responsibility TO Almighty
God. Special Legislation III regard TO Doctrine anu
Ritual is earnestly desired by many as means of pre-
the Church from dangerous errors The errors
ent entertained which threaten to obiterate
,ae distinction IN DoetTne and Ritual between s our
deeply than me aDsurdi,y ana possibly dangerous
persri into the dOctrnal system and
ni. that "a any attempt to deal With It by special leg
iation is calculated prevent that method of dealing
tnurcS has already provided That method, if rightly
used believe TO be abundautly sufficient Whenever
ordination have the concurrence OF MS exam
liners, of the Standing Committee Of his Diocese,
and of his Bishop; and any one has the
right. and is called upon to exercise it, OF
protest against his ordination on the ground OF error OF
Xeousness of life In the of elected TO
the Epscopate he must have confirmation OF majority
OF bishops and Of the standing Hoss Of Of sne
1ca and Lay Deputies in General Convention. Here Is
ia acton Just where action should be had, by all
estates OF the Church. on the part OF men
siiiIy. i'm reference to all cases which may
arise II there errors 10 the Church which lie out
side of the limits OF its legitimate compeheEsiveness,
have here remedy applied under solemn sense OF
personal responsibility and to the use OF which no rea
soDable exception can De taken Ihere Is not msreS
nethod provided meet the difficulties now under con-
but there positive VI very
boy special legislation. One method Of such leg
what is equivalent to canOnca legislation as to the
doctrine OF the Church. and canonicsl provision as to
CERTAIN the worship or the Church There is
nnost serious objection to this 10 the fact that ind
peetly accompsnes what should De seeompished Only
Church has provided in her constitution the manner IN
which the Articles Of Religion on tne Ka9rcs shall Dc
Eng all dioceses, and extending through period
of least three This furnishes strong proee
In Church against rash INNOVATION TO ignore
hos protection aud 10 give to canons passed by mere
majority single General Convention the force OF Ar
sicies Of Religion or Rubrcs manfesy violation Of
hhe constitutional provisions OF the Church
Regulation In regard to doctrine or ritual which we
ought TO consider. This objection grows out OF the
constitution of General Convention. The objection
which am now considering does not apply TO ccnsitu
tionai legislation In regard to doctrine or ritual. when
aut 10 the osnonica legislation OF single Convention
The objection grows out OF the constitution OF the Cen
a representative body. the Diocese OF Florida for in
with its Bishop and han dozen clergy Gle has the
EewYork with It's Bishop and 800 clergy. The evident
effect OF this OF the eq1a OF sne
remote from the center OF power ana culture ana nu
there ia no attempt to touch doctrine
cal legislation but so soon as that Is done you have
sortance settled by which is only approximately
hnd q very imperfect degree representative of the
40 legislation on points Of doctrine or ritual:
whether ean0Isa p merely ROCK BY ood means
constitutional provisions th: difficulty arises from the
promise of conformity which the clergy are required TO
make before ordination do not mean to say that the
TACT that this promise Of conformity made In regard
WHY no change should be made, but do say that
why changes should be made so FAR as legis
est deIiDeratlon and with overwhelming una,
nimity II there is any one mistake we snSad
Tor 80 many years, requiring unfeigned assent
90 standards UNDERGOING FREQUENT and important
changes The evil of TINS has been felt by the Church OF
England promise of conformity has according