New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-24
4 cHURCH CONFERENCE CALLED.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CONTROVERSY.
DR. sTORRs, DIR. BUDINGTON, AND MR.. BEECHEB
UNABLE TO AGREE-FINlL ACTION TAKEN BY
THE CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMS IN CALL FOR A
CONFERENCE.
According to call given on the preceding
day in church meeting of the Church OF the Pilgrims
was held the lectureroom at Remsen and Henrysts,
BROOKLYN last evening. About 20 members present.
The Rev. Dr. Storrs presided, aud at length the
object OF meeting His remarks were, i'll the main,
as follows;
After the last letter addressed to our committee by
Plymouth Church friend OF all the churches proposed
private conference of the pastors of the three churches
10 II they could come 10 mutua. understanding.
The conference held II was brief and il had not
expected that any agreement would be reached at
time. Subsequent private correspondence between
the pastors proposed ascertain II they could
upon the general principles at issue or upon questions
which might be submitted TO council such CORE
spondence begun and carried on for some little
time II was personal between the pastors as lndl-
viduals, aud private The church committees and the
committees simply suspended action during the CORE
sp1ndence. TIE correspondence scame to result Of
or questions council Whep thai arppcared the
Committee Of the Church 81 Tie Pilgrims and Of the
CintOn-aye. Church were asked TO meet and consider
what u WQRid DO desirable to recommend 20 the
churches. AS chairman Of the Committee Of this church
l make these remarks.
There are two open; first TO let matters stand
they In one sense that easier Ii is easier TO
sit still than TO walk aud work. That, however, would
be effect TO leave all the vital questions involved
settled For example, Plymouth Church maintains that
q
drawd by voluntary act absolutely terminates his
necton. Whatever charges may be brought the church
only drop his name without reflection on HIM The
effect IN our Judgment is wholly to set aside the
Of the church. covenant Is promise the fulfill
ment OF which there is right to claim. The idea that
man can enter no solemn covenant with the Church
OF Christ and then withdraw freely from street
meeting oOses all the bonds OF the church and makes
mere casual assembly. Inc case n winch our CORE
spOndence originated only fair and proper posi-
ton OF that principle. Further, Plymouth Church
claims entire independence OF other churches,
holding itself released from ali responsibility
responsibility TO ORDER doctrine and discipline. IL
that they might drop any fundamental article
while allowing privilege of remOnsrance, That
unfair sort OF fellowship. 1t lays all the burdens
on one side The true principles OF Congregational fell
owshp are that each church is independent In what
individual aud internal; that each church main
tain the evangelical faith If the positions taken by
Plymouth Church DO permitted 10 prevail accepted
Congregational principles then Congregationalism itself
Is wholly perverted
1t seems necessary that some way the testimony OF
other churches should DO sought To those funda-
mental principles OF COngregatonalsn brought into
doubt by Plymouth Church. IL seems desirable TO know
If the churches at large consider justified rep
reservations TO Plymouth Church Further there is q
We shall order ourselves with regard to Plymouth
Church Tue committee did not feel that we should
take any action further toward the alteration our re-
auons toward Plymouth Church without the advice OF
other churches We started with tue idea OF mutual
council before which that church spread ITS proceedings
and get advice rs 10 their past and future
We have received no definite reply. Plymouth Church
does not directly decline such a council but gives
such answers that no progress is made toward IT, 1t is
NOT desirable that we call pdr council 10 invest
gate the proceedings of Plymouth Church. Tue Com
nitee have Concluded that the
onuien WIN the Clintonaye. Church simply to call
oomlnOh ecclesiastical council TO advise us as TO the
action We have taken, shall do hereafter
anu as " the principles involved, without asking II to
@ any charges against any member OF Plymouth
.nucn, therefore the Committee has pre- pared the
FORM oi letter missive calling such a council
The letter was then by Dr. storrs Is fret mar,
is "a Ken up with recital of the events which have led
70 TINS can putting the case ss DR. storrs had put it in
Ms REMARKS IL then proceeds as follows:
We especially ask the testimony ana ADVICE nj, a..
sister churches and Of eminent dlynes ~" ~ ~ U1r
presented in the following questions H. ' I''H'
J.rai II Il ia accordance a.tL t.s -. 49, -.,, q,