Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-04-08

Of debate, and It could not be executed. The
fact Of failure is more significant than all the
explanations Of it that can be offered
The Springfield Republican, which has
condemned the council and vindicated MIR.
Beecher from the beginning, says OF the
foregoing uiterauces;
Perhaps we have no right TO be surprised,
under all these circumstances, that Dir. Beech.
ers paper should indulge in these tauuts and
gibcs There is good deal Of human nature
IN all OF us-even in eminent preachers. Al
the same, though, we can't help thinking this
sort of thing little imprudeut
The st. Johnsbury Caledonian, whose edi-
tor, Dca. c. NJ. STONE, was delegate, says
The wide extent Of country from which the
Council came the representave men in IL, and
the spirit Of harmony and brotherly love which
pervadod all IT, sessions won the respect and
even commentator of those who at first were
disposed to sneer and rdcule IL. Whatever
were the feelings of individual members OF the
Council towards Plymouth Church and Mr..
Beecber-and there were as warm and de-
voted friends Of both on this Council as there
are in the Countrywide decision as finally given
was almost the unanimous voice of the body,
and Is. in effect, that INDEPENDENCE and Con.
gregatioualism are two different things, and
that the principles Of the latter are those to
which the Congregational Church in this c0un-
try adhercs.
From the New York Tribune.
The decision has been awaited with great
interest In substance 1t declares that the ac-
ton Of the Plymouth church, complained OF by
its neighb0rs, was irregular and not according
~ the Congregational usage IL will he re-
rod hot Pm
churches calling the Council was that which
pertained TO their future fellowship with Ply
mouth church. The Council say that they ad-
wise q continuance Of relations in Christian fell
lowship with the Plymouth church, unless that
Organization shouiu REPEAT the au,lOu cu,i,-
planned Of, or regard that as precedent for all
future time. The Council was composed of
men Of eminent ability, high Christian charac-
ter, and strict impartiality. 1t is evident that
their deliberations were conducted with great
dignity, fairness and tenderness. The con.
cusion to which they arrived undoubtedly
seemed to them inevitable. II will be so re.
cciyed, probably, by the great bulk of the de-
nomination represented in the conyocation
which has Just dissolved.
From the New York Observer, tPresbyteran)
The church will be thankful that the largest
advisory Council ever held 10 this country has
affirmed the s1undest ecclesiastical law, and
sustained the ancient and universal usage Of
C0ngregatonalism In all ages of his church,
God raises up men to meet the emergencies
that demand peculiar powers. II the position
taken by Plymouth church, of the complete in
dependency Of every church, and the right of
any member 10 call himself no member at his
pleasure, had been sustained, the consequence
would have been disastrous TO the last degree
But the two witnesses stood up bravely for the
truth and right, and God has given them and
His church great victory. In common with
the church universal, We tender our thanks 10
DR. Burlington and S,orrs.
From the Christian Register, tUnitarianJ
After two days and half of secret confer
ence, the Brooklyn Trinitarian Congregational
Council gave u decision which, in the main,
Iusllfies and approves the course Of the churches
Of Rev. DR.. Storrs and Burlington, and iayors
the continuance Of fellowship with Plymouth
Church only upon the ground that, in "its
latest utterance,' it has virtually retreated
from its position OF independently, and there
is reason to believe that it will not be guilty oil
another deviation from the orderly course of
discipline.
From the Boston Congregationalist.
The first judgment which must have sug-
gcsted itself 10 any spectator familiar with the
facts and with the men, must have been the
patent fairness Of the actual composition Of the
. 3
sidered. Mr. Beecher and his church
have no warmer friends or more chiyalrc ad.
vocates than some who we're members of this
COucil and If anybody corresponded before
| band with delegatesand sought to " Tx things -
in anticipation Of the session, it surely was
neither Drs. Storrs and Burlington, nor their
committees As it was not in form, 50 il was
not in spirit, exparte.
| In general it will be seen that this Result
delivers the entire moral force of the
] Council to the support OF the position of the
two churches conyoking it as in distinction from
that OF Plymouth Church endorses their views
OF Pollty at every point, and their practice I'M
| der the same, with the exception of IA single
suggested regret that their patient effort to Sc
cure a council in common with Plymouth
Church had not been further extended eulo-
-glzes the moral herOism Of the course they and
| their pastors have taken under the difficult and
painful circumstances in which il has been
taken and constructiyely offers to them.
should they finally fail Of satisfaction from
I Plymouth Church on the points at issue be-
tween that church and the Congregational sys.
TEN, the moral support Of the Council aud the
churches which it represented, in a withdrawal
from it Of their fellowship.
From the Chicago Advance, Congregational
The result will commend itself to the churches
Tor ITS unbiased candOr, its clear discernment
OF the questions involved, its fair minded con.
illusions. There is no beat 10 it, no quibblinR.
The Council had delicate and difficult task 10
perform. Few dared hope beforehand that il
would reach 80 satisfactory a result.
The New York Independent (Cougrega.
tional,) thinks the impartial selection Of
the Council was quite apparent, and that its
spirit was simply grand 1t is sure that
throughout the country Congregationalism
will be more honored for the wisdom Of its
representatives. 1t applauds DR.. Storrs'
address for its tender references to his in.
timacy with Mr. Beecher, so free from per.
sona feeling that no man could doubt his
sincerity. There is no doubt" the In.
dependent thinks, that the churches invit.
ing the Council will accept its results
Theirprinciples are adopted by it as correct.
The New York Evangelist, (Presby.
terian,) 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 "on every
question of discipline the two churches are
fully sustained. Theirs is held to be the
true doctrine Of Congregationalism, and the
contrary to be designating and destructive
to anything like Church authority or order.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Tribune, who certainly cannot
be called unduly Influenced in Gen. Grants
favor gives the following synopsis of re.
cent conversation with him.
rba D.o.,1o... IL