New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-25
IS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES COMMON
SENSE2

CLASSES THAT WILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE PRO-
CEEDINGs OF THE CoUNCH-A SIMPLE TEST OF
THE VALUE OF IT'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
The proceedings Of the three chief COngre
gatona churches Brooklyn will engage the interested
attention OF three classes Of the whole coun
try o.. Those who have little knowledge Of denomina
tona ecclesiastical questions, and who Will judge OF
these proceedings they would OF the dongs Of
litica convention board Of trade. t2). Those who
regard Congregationalism as system Of pure indvidu
alism, without organic force or authority. M Those
who fully recognize the broad distinction Con-
gregatonaism independently. With the first class
church precedents and even Scrpural examples Will
have but little weight II Congregationalism as made
known to IN these proceedings, commends itself
TO their common sense, and calls out the comment,
THAT is fair that is sensible " respect for the PHI
grim Church order will be widely awakened-such re-
spect as is being withdrawn more and more from all
systems which claim prescripve or even Scrptura pre-
rogatives but which have not in them the elements OF
common sense.
The second class who by temperament and habit
hate law and order and, fairly mado angry by the
mention Of the word authority, Is much more numerous
than New England men. who have not become person
ally familiar with other parts OF the country are aware
Of This Brooklyn controversy may develop the true
principles OF system to check quietly and Ivy the
force OF its manifest reasonabeness the very powerful
tendencies to pure indviduallsm which have been In
action from the beginning OF the present century, both
ia and out OF NewEngand Or 1t may develop strong
and compact party within tho Congregational churches
themselves as to Them all Mr.. Beecher's assertions OF
personal and church independently specially grateful
and inspiring.
The writer we'll remembers the first Congre-
oational Council he was called 10 attend af-
ter leaving Connecticut for the West The
questions little complicated but were In some
respects analogous to the Of the Church OF the
Puritans (Dr Cheevers) IN New-York and OF Mr..
Gerard Haeck's Church in New Haven After listen
ing for in silence he requested by OF
the parties TO state recollection of the presidents
laid down those and similar instances. After doing
this as he supposed with becoming modesty and mode
ration a long, lank man who had been lying half
stretched out in the slip before him slowly uncoied
himself and, swinging his long frame to and fro In
very peculiar manner, called out, Mr. Moderator!
Did understand the stranger here to that such and
such have been the usages OF the Congregational
churches Receiving affirmative answer he shouted
at the top Of his voice, with most comicai look OF
triumph, submit sir that that Is the very best
reason IN the world why should do-ust the other
uay~ This took. Tue whole assembly 1.-THE church
was crowded., including many of the Council,
burst into eager applause. That was their
idea OF Congregationalism, and 10 Is the Idea OF
not few On another occasion lay brother, OF the
autooratic ORDER declared 81 define Congregational
lam ma the system in which everybody does he
pleases" add brother" said sharp man near by.
{" and am everybody" Many who have never formu
lated their ideas words still hold practically to the
definition "Congregationasm lets everybody do he
pleases and am everybody" The idea Of any organic
rights matters of common concernment" as the
fathers phrased It, tho fellowship OF the churches"
we term it, only suggests. to this class tyranny and
arIstocracy.
Probably most New-England men read with amaze
mept Dr. Edward Beechers statement that tips the esab
| ushed usage OF Congregational churches TO allow
member scandaousy reported Of under accusation,
| fha wit
discpline But one can easily match that statement
with hundreds OF similar Ones IL he will only travel
tensiyely enough, till in parts OF the country
wellnformed gationalst gives up In blank des
nar the effort to remove such OF misconcepon.
whether this ecclesiastical Bedounism has far IN
vaded the ancient seats OF COngregationasm, as TO
itself n any concrete FORM Of
An omen separation the Brooklyn churches, re-
mains to be seen. Perhaps II may BIO instructed and
mollined.
The third class those who believe that Congregation
s,i.m is a common sense that Is a philosophical.
scrptura mode OF poity, will watch these
ceedines with deep interest These not only in
ths churches but In other communons.
Some of them-thousands OF them-are In Presbyterian
churches not from dislike 20 Puritan principles, but
from attachment to them. Their PresbyterlaniSm Is
only quiet protest against the violation OF Congrega
topsl principles by Congregationasts. Some. educated
I'm other communons, heartily respect true Congrega'
t,onaIism as they have come TO understand IT. The
writer Cbeng now Presbyterian happened few weeks
aimee TO be present meeting OF the Presbyterian
pastors OF New-York City and vicinity at which the
question was discussed lis the Presbyterian form OF
church poty prescribed In the New TESTAMENT some
OF the leading men, Old School and Princeton men
then stated emphaticay. 1--WE have NO controversy
with true gatonalism, but only with indepcnd'
eucy:" aud the absolutely unan,nsSs Aasvss 70 We