New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-25
THE CONGREGATIONAL CONTROVERSY.


The decisive step taken by the two Congre-
catona Church in Brooklyn which have been in coniro-
versy with Plymouth Church. over questions oil order
and discipline, has called out much continent Tue
meeting OF the Cntonave. Church. at which the letter
calling council 1.-THE important parts of which were
published exclusively in TIN TRIBUNE OF yesterday
was adopted, did not pass OF smoothly az that of
the Church OF the Pilgrims. Considerable opposition
To the ulan was developed, and this was met by
action which had the appearance OF an attempt
10 frown down free discussion. TRIBUNE reporter
called Yesterday on the pastor Of the Clinton-aye
Church the Rev ". /. Burlington, ID. d., To get ma
views on the subject OF calling Council and It's Effects
and his statement of the feeling in his church WIN
reference 10 the meeting of Monday evening" at which
the letter nIssiye calling council adopted By the
Cintotaye Church. he said that the attendance was
considerable, although not so large as at the TWO
special meetings .previous, at which steps had
been taken for the publication of the letter.
The letter was not unanimously adopted but the OPP
po.inc votes were few. The Clnton-ave. Church is
n,sttv well united in the matter he declared, the op
posipg minority being only IA IA in number Arrange
ments will Immediately be carried out TO call the
Council which, IT il proposed, shall represent the most
mature thought OF the Congregational church. ana IN
clude the most eminent minds in that body and have
tbe participation the most prominent churches IN all
parts OF the country II Will be notable in dignity and
in the representation OF the wlscst and best thought
when asked what he thought OF the suggestion made
nv DR. Storrs at the meeting in The Church OF the P-
orr ms that a mutual Council in which Ply mouth Church
should unite possibly follow the Council called nv
the other churches Dr. Burlington answered that he
thought ii very improbable. Plymouth Church had
sho v IA no spOson TO unite i'll Council without Gi-
ractIy refusing do IT has declined any aetion
lookipg toward practicable plan. when asked
H. i'm his opinion, the result OF the council
would be the separation Of Plymouth church
from the fellowship Of Congregational churches,
he said that he expected that the Council
would affirm the principles set forth by the Clinton
ave Church and the Church OF the Pilgrims,
and the result would probably he that Mr.. Beeclers
Church would occupy peculiar position independent
OF the body OF Congregational churches, which would
no longer be held responsible for ms peculiar views
ri. views were exceedingly pec"har Tor i-ndine
Congreuationai minister. HIS positions as 10 ire
Withdrawal OF member from the church, and
as 10 independence concerning doctrine, order,
and dscIpne IRE widely ~ variance with the irad-
f,ous rules and practice OF Congregaions!sm cener.
ally ana if maintained by Plymouth Church. II could
only apart that IL action and principles would
no longer involve the other churches. In answer To an
INQUIRY a. to the possibility that The Councbs
action might cause division in Congregational
churches he declared that ne san no reason
10 fear such a result. No CoDgreg itonal Churches
SO far AS he anew except Plymouth Church, aud very
few individual members IN this part OF The country az
least desire 10 take the position Of the English hide
ueudents who differ FROM Congre gatonalists in having
no Councils OF any kind and IN the Independence OF
individual churches A. 10 the time when this Council
would meet, ne said that the correspondence with
churches and ministers would require time but the mat
Ter would he pushed forTard and the Council would he
akcdl a