New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-02


few of its scattered sgn determines s natural sphere
and limits OF outward fellowship. and 30 OF Congreea
tionshsm What the churches feel 70 SS anm anu
tional body than this taken on would DO unnatural
body and more left on dead S0dy S nv u. silent
operation plastic to the
sns mold
which fashion the coming Congregationalism anu
The churches, acting on their sympathies and conf
ences take cognzance 10 each other not only OF their
themsel v' A. in the case Of crystsSng energy
spanging ~ through crystalline MIXTURE IKE movers
around like. like elects like like produces like 80 the
spirit elects and crysalizes that which
homogeneous with ITSELF and thus preserves our order
from violent changes and abrupt DEPARTURE TINS
receives 1t from Congregational maternity, gives IL
Il S ns ess'
the ages with the flia marks and traits unimpaired
set aside our nacs as 1h Se
only keepsake and treasure OF the CONGREGATIONAL ian
y That would not be and nnaty Az
to violate the historical spirit and genus OF our
n Nor &c ds
divinity OF system that II has color and Qualty OF
without taking specific form, and whom the infinite
pei humanzes and locates ITSELF and retains its dvn
,sS sH Ey the s
salem, recommended the churches 10 insist ID ADDITION
to evidence OF the love OF Christ, on certain Pruo-
teal matters growing out OF the exigences
of that time, which were widely separated from
the central ytalitles Of the Gospel Inc t id@
from blood from things stranged--did not necessarily
involve moral principles the opai
duty. Hence IL is that the spirit OF Chrlst
in in coming down TO n r0o %a anS
Tone something that diferentiates IL rom otner
S DE- Soom and svor Deprive
OF its genius, broaden 1t till 1t has no pecuarlles anu
ness and thnness, Vacatns Of divine quality aud worth
THE COMMON LAW OF FELLOWSHIP.
Important however, this principle obviously 49, the
churches have never constructed full and exact system
OF fellowship, hold even as their ideal law; and
with good reason, lest 1t should interfere with their
freedom and gradually itself become kind Of authority
over them, practical eoceslasticism.
Certain principles. however have been developed by
KIND OF common law process OF growth, which may
l. The churches are equal divine standing and priv
ilege and while they have each the right OF selfgoy.
eminent, under immediate responsibility 10 christ II IS
part Of this responsibility 70 perform the duties OF lei
lowship.
power to enforce them except that OF Christ This
however, nvol7es the moral influence OF the churches
s. Fellowship gives the churches no more authority in
their combination than they have separate churches
no ne ecclesiastical principle or function. They have
in their JOINT intercourse and action no hgner knd OF
ence, except that which comes from the presumption
that they take a larger and unpreiudiced view
and truly represent Chrstthe larger influence OF
increased moral power.
The sphere of fellowship properly lies outside OF the
interior liberties and autonomy of the individual church.
II is confined matters affecting the welfare
and honor while the borderland between these two
dominons ia in practice somewhat underlined and va
rabe. In principle they distinct and setarate The
whole interior life Of churchthe details - its beleV
freensn's home is its castle; and no outer eye but
Chriss ntrude and call 1t to account for that 80
long just OF suspicion that there 10
any thing there that threatens the common welfare. 1t
only where the interior lite breaks over into the gene
raj life, when evidence Of faint or cOntagion
comes abroad that fellowship steps in and takes cogn
Of liberty and in OF doubt and conflict be-
these two principles the leaning Is generally on
the side OF liberty.
THE CONDITIONS OF ITS ENJOYMENT.
church cannot claim the advantages OF fellowship
unless 1t is willing to comply with the conditions. 1t
at it's recognition give evidences to the churches
council that has the mind and spirit Of
Christ and loyal TO the Congregational idea and poy
and after this 1t must remain within the recognized
reciprocites Of hepfulness and fidelity Congregations
aism does not launch church on wild sea OF ind-
vduaty and adventure, but among its own fraternity
1t not enough for church, the condition Of sym
patty and moral support to show that in general
must love snd serve him somewhere ,ae within
though ample and elastic is not vague and unmeaninG
G. Fellowship requires that those who start new
ures or enterprises affecting the general welfare should
take counsel Others and their impulse,
and commit the churches without their consent And
lively to ascertain tho mind and Will OF the denOmna-
ton Thus, If a council Is called whether IL be mutual
ence 10 the object fairly represent the churches This
may usually be done by inviting neghborng churches,
but il they disqualified by their those
distance may be selected yet in either such
will presumed to act mpartialy and protect the in
ferests Of the churches To do otherwise, and choose
partsans parties incompetent Is to insult fello wship
while pretending TO honor ii.
Z. BY the recognition of council church comes
within CONGREGATIONAL order and only by the advice
Of ap'SS ~ sne ne the can II be @
ever there various ways in which 1t may fail to
syg of Christ and drift into n regous
or measures or may attach 70 Itself human patch OF
doctrine or practice outside OF true
its good will it may refuse to comply with the
cprOctes and conditions; and So IN some one Of these
schism And the feowshping churches may. one after
another aTSp cs ne 1oi IN 0rm
power and beauty only by free and loving mutual at
traction and cooperation.
PRACTICES EXPRESSING FELLOWSHIP.
In addition to these principles there certain prac
tees which are in general use, expressing the fell
lowship OF the churches Among these the following
may be named:
l. There is the custom OF giving and receiving letters
OF dsmissIon and Recommendation Of members, end
spectng church acts Of another and yet not
in perfuuctory the churches to which the trans
fer is made claiming the right OF examination and re-
planted may be grated In vitality, quick joining to
quick. ,..
In organizing church or In ordainne or dism ssinga
pastOr council Is called by the parties more directly
affected and question is referred to that for advice
and II any case ordanng pastor the council
acts finally 1t does as matter OF convenience and by
the authority of the parties calling 1t.
s. In case Of trouble in church. when that church or
minority has tried by suitable efforts to settle the diff
fculty among themselves and failed, and wishes light,
the parties may call mutual council, or II that Is
fused by either party, the other may call an ex pdrk
council OF sister churches for advice. which council is
not court and has only advisory power and no right
TO give advice except the specific subjects submitted
10 in the letters missve But while the finding OF the
Council Is form advisory, and has no weight other
than that OF the and persons sustaining IT, and
the power of fellowship back OF It, IL s generally
regarded presumption, by the most Interested
FOR those advised heated warped by excitement to