New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-28
CONGREGATIONAL ISSUES.
THE APPROACHING NATIONAL, TRIENNIAL
COUNCIL.

CHURCH ARGUMENTS AS To ITS EXPEDIENCf-
THE REV. DIR. r. S. sToRRs TO DELIVER The
OPENING sERNON-PAPERs TO BE REAp-oiA
rIsuCs OF THE DISSEMINATION.
The second Trennial Council OF the Oon-
gregational Church in America Will convono az W.
Center Church In New-Haven-the Rev. d. he""a,u
Bacon's--at p. M Wednesday next anu WIN
continue its sessions for several DAYS on '"o o'
hand, the influential character OF the uenoln""uou'
both numerically and intellectually and on the other
the novelty Of this system OF councils whch are az nrs'
Thought opposed to the simplicity OF congregational
polity demand that forecast OF the proceedings OF 'ne
Council should he prefaced by brief account OF ts
nature and authority
The Council is held triennially, and this will be its
secoud session 1t having been organized at oOerh'
Ohio in November 1871. Previous 20 this. four gen
erai councils OF the Congregational churches hao oee
held: The first Cambridge. Mass In 1887 the secouu
at the same place in 1906 the third at Albany IN 1901
the fourth at Boston in 1865. The hrst "synod was
called 10 correct certain erroneous opinions seven
after the landing of Robinsons band of Congrega
tiopalists at Plymouth Rock. There were then IL
churches and Is ministers second synod adopted
the Cambridge platform" of polity and approved III
substance the Westminster Confession OF Faitn Inc
plumber of churches then was 3d. The Albany Couheh
met to consider subject Of aiding feeble churches
I'm bmldng church edces" and plan OF union with the
Presbyerans It is estimated that the churches in 1882
numbered 1850 At the time of the meeting of the Bos
ton Council there we're 265s churches. which had IN
creased to $500 when the Oberlin Council assembled
H1sToRY OF RECENT COUNCILS.
The close OF the war 1861 was the occasion OF tne
conveninR of the National Congregational Counch
at Boston, Just referred to. of which the then
popular War Governor, the Hon. William A. BUCK
ingham OF Connecticut, Moderator and at whlch
the leading men of the denomination were present. III
large numbers The sessions continued for 10 days anu
included affecting pilgrimage to Plymouth hock, a'
which spot was adopted simply stated Declaration
OF Faith" while the Council in the course OF lts strings
approved statement of church pOy which has taKen
the name OF the Platform of 1865" The entire meet
ing occurring it did at the hood-tide OF exu'atoh
and gratitude at the triumph OF the National arms was
most enthusiastic one, and gave to the denomination
unity OF feeling which it had rarely had BEFORE NO
steps toward stated repetition of the Council were
then taken but ground broken for such movement
by the work accomplished The approach OF the 2oOth
anniversary Of the Landing of the Pilgrims LED the
Church OF the Pilgrimage at Plymouth Mass to invite
the churches TO meet by delegates at New-fork
TO consult as to its suitable celebration. me
Committee met on March Q, 1870, and one OF It's
acts was the calling OF a Pilgrim Memorial
Convention, which met at Chicago on April "a OF the
same year. and Of whose acts was resolution Ior
institung. the principles of fellowship and excud-
ing authority a permanent National Conference"
Similar resolutions adopted by various associations
and conferences and a Convention OF Committees APP
pointed by various subordinate bodies to consider the
subject met at Dec. 81, 1870 and before ad
jourujng resolved that it Is expedient and appears
clearly to be the of the churches that National
Council OF the Congregational Churches OF the United
States of America be organized specified the general
purpose5 OF the organization, and appointed com
mttee with the Rev. AlOnzo II. Qunt of New-Bedford,
Mass, as Chairman. to draft constitution The nrst
Council the result Of this action convened at ODern
Ohio, in November, 1871, elected the Rev. Dr. Leonard
Bacon as Moderator adopted permanent constitution
meetings. and proceeded 10 the
discussion Of topics of moment to the denomina-
ton holding. throughout, an enthusiastic and
harmonious session.
THE COUNCILS AN EXPERIMENT.
The series Of Councils thus established, and Of
which the approaching ones in New-Haven Is the
second have these objects as regards the churches
"To express and foster their substantial unity In
doctrine. pOllty, and work and TO consult upon
the common all the churches, their duties
In Of evangelzatOn, the united development
OF their resources and their relations TO all parts OF the
Kingdom of Christ" The delegates to the body consist
Of one to every churches TO be appointed by local
organizations while each State organization is repre-
seated by one delegate and by delegates appointed by
IT at the rate of for every 10000 communicates
The several general benevolent societies and theological
faculties of tae denomination also entitled to repre-
sentaon Besides the Triennal Councils, special ones
may called the request of five State organza
tons The Councils authority, and can only con-
the bodies being single churches,
10 whom as Dr. Leonard Bacon puts it, the views OF
the Council have up" rather than 60 down." as
IN EpscOpalian, Presbyterian, Methodist and other
churches The bylaws provide for the appointment OF
seven persons Provisional Committee to prepare for
and call Of the Council and TO transact bus
mess which may be referred 10 Them The Rev. Dr.
Ii. N. storrs of Brooklyn is Chairman OF this Com
mittee. The Oberlin Council appointed committee on
the consolidation benevolent societies, the Rev. E. T.
Atwood Of Massachusetts,, Chairman, and another to
supervise the proposed manual Of doctrine and pOy,
the Rev. DR.. Storrs Chairman These committees, 1t Is
expected, viii report TO this Council
tits because these Councils are yet in some measure
an experiment-and experiment because of the ill.,
tense adherence OF authority in the denomination
that special interest will attach itself TO the approach
ing meeting There is still some division Of opinion as
TO the expediency of the Councils In favor OF them
are urged l. The advantage of cooperation in mission
and other enterprises; and O. The organic unity and
esprit de corps assured by frequent meetings. Against
them are urged l. The confusion Of having the large
missionary and other organizations influenced by
body liable to conflicting The jealousy OF the
individual churches against undue exercise OF au-
thorIty ; g. The fact that the denomination is not
sect but principle AS Sect 1t has nothing distinctive
TO stand on not immersion and 1t is urged that
the less individuality sect has the lower is its status
as sect toward which frequent and stated Councils
would tend 70 bring COngregationasm. On the other
hand as principle-the principle of the inensest sim
plcity and freedom--t would have in the absence OF
organic machinery an added influence and power. The
drift of feeling u.s. however, toward the compromise
involved in the constitution Of the Councils which robs
them OF authority aud yet the advantage Of
organic form.
PROGRAMME OF THE SESSION.
The members Of the Local Committee ia NewHaven are
actively making arrangements for "A thorough enter
tainment OF delegates. No especially striking issue
is likely to be brought before the Council, except
that OF the ACCESSIBILITY of consolidating under