The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05


other possible restraint on our old gas monoT'-
olies. Regulation by law, which is the only
reliance in the absence Of competition, is, OF
course, not available in State whose Legis-
lature is so ridiculously cheap as ours and
SO, in the name of the people, give us compe-
titlon
The Religious Press ON the Council.
The Congregational Council, whose adjourn
ment last Sunday morning came too late for
the religious press last week, receives its due
share of attention from them in their latest
issue. It divides the honors with Easter, but
takes to itself the largest half of the editoss'
pens. The Christian Union, whose editor was
or ought to have been more interested in the
deliberations and results of the Council than
anybody else, writes that after wrestling two
days with the question OF its own status. the
Council settled practically upon the ground
that it was advisory. Bat it nevertheless
played back and forth between advisory and
er poate, and was from the beginning adverse
| to Plymouth church by q large working ma
| jority, which, however, weakened in the inten-
sity OF their demands during the sessions of
the body. ''The net result is, says the Union.
'sthat by vote of 81 yeas nays
and 20 abstaining the Council Endorsed
the stringent view of the covenant,
but accepted as Congregational the state
ments of Plymouth church as to both disci--
pline and fellowship. On the whole, the his
tory and result of the Council constitute a
practical vindication of Plymouth church as
o Congregational church. The declared pur-
pose was to excommunicate that church. The
fact of failure is more significant than all the
explanations of it that can be offered" The
Union is quite safe in asserting that the expe-
rience Of these brethren in Brooklyn was
such as to discourage all further attempts like
that in which they were entangled.
| The Independent looks at the Council and
its results differently. 1t thinks the Council
was about evenly balanced between both par
ties to the controversy; that its impartial
selection was quite apparent, and that its
spirit was simply grand. II is sure that
throughout the country Congregationalism
will be more honored for the wisdom of its
representatives. The Independent applauds
DR.. Storrs' address for its tender references to
his intimacy with Mr.. Beecher, SO free from
personal feeling that no man could doubt his
sincerity. The secular press failed TO dis
cover any such tender references, but, on the
contrary a shaving SO close to the old SANDER
against Mr.. Beecher as to give pretty clear
indication that that was the thing sought after
rather than advice on matters Of discipline.
''There is no doubt" the Independent thinks,
that the churches inviting the Council will
accept its results. Their principles are
/ adopted by it as correct"
The Methodist sums up the results of the
! Council in this way:-''The decision is mixed
in its character. On the principle it sustains
the churches which called the Council, and it
justifies them in seeking advice. On the par
ticular case it implicitly admits that there may
have been circumstances to excuse the irreg-
ular proceedings of Plymouth church
The Christian Lsteligencer was certain, in ad-
vance, that No other decision could have been
reached by SO competent and candid Coun-
Gil than that rendered, which reflects SO Sc
verely it thinks, on Plymouth church and its
pastor, and leaves an impression behind that
that church would not have arrested the inves-
| tigation of its own member at the cost Of such
an infringement of Congregational law had the
case been less difficult and the adventure less
rugged.
The Examiner and Chronicle feels sure that
results Of the Council will appear wise and
satisfactory. To the editor it appears emf
nently Scriptural and in accordance with that
sanctifed common sense which Congregation
alists have claimed to be Characteristic OF their
system.
The Evangelist gives a very complete and
fair editorial summary of the whole case from
its first beginnings to the conclusion Of the
Councils finding, and adds that son every
question of discipline the two churches are
fully sustained. Theirs is held to be the true
doctrine Of Congregationalism, and the con-
trary to be disorganizing and destructive to
anything like Church authority or order.
The only point on which the decision is
made more easy and indulgent to Plymouth
church is that the other churches are not rec
commended to withdraw their fellowship from
it. 1t is victory for conservative Congrega-
tionalsm as distinguished from independently,
and from all those forms Of radicalism and
come-outerism which both in Church and
State tend to disintegration.
Thus far the opinions OF the leading denomi-
national organs in this city-Congregationa
Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist-on the
great ecclesiastical event, probably, Of this
year 1874.
Others of our religious exchanges, as, for
instance, the Christian at Work. and the Chris
tan Leader, have commendable articles on
Easter. The Catholic journals deal with mat