New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07
THE CONGREGATIONAL CONTROVERSY.


deem proper TO reforDatory legislation on heso
SUBJECTS
THE CONGREGATIONAL CONTROVERSY.
A CONFERENCE BETWEEN DRs. BURLINGTON AND
sToRRs AND MR. BEECHER-AN ADJUSTMENT OF
THE QUESTIONS AT ISSUE PROBABLE.
The pastors of the three Brooklyn churches
whose recent correspondence with regard 10 matters OF
church discipline has excited much interest have had
n brief conference The meeting was had at the sug-
gestion OF friend OF the three ciergymen MEMBER Oh
the Rev. DIR. Budington's Church. In New years
day call he asked the pastor OF Plymouth Church II ne
were willing to meet the Rev. Drs storrs and Buding-
ton and discuss the question at Issue between the
churches Mr. Beecher readily assented, and the inter
view took place To ascertain the character and proba-
bic results Of this consultation, TRIBUNE reporter
called upon Mr.. Beecher and Drs. Budington ana
Storrs yesterday. The following communication was
obtained by him from source which leaves no doup'
that 1t expresses Mr.. Beecher's view Of the matter
The three churches OF Brooklyn which have been 10
the lively exercise of their epstoary abilities lately
have wisely brought their correspondence 10 an END
ence Of Drs sorrs and Burlington and MT Beecher
was held on Monday forenoon, and that tney paIieu
with lively hopes of an adjustment Of difficulties which
would be satisfactory all around. Better late than
never; but what pity that course 80 wise ana proper
had not been hit upon at the beginning
Mr.. Bcccher himself said TO the reporter that AFTER
friendly talk Drs Burlington sorrs. and himself had
come to the conclusion that the questions which had
been raised by the churches could be settled without
further commOtion No compact had been made py the
three pastors but definite understanding was reached
that smooth adjustment is practicable IL was al nrst
proposed keep private the fact that this conference
had been held but it was afterward decided to lay
10 before the churches. DTs storrs and Budinetoh
would probably Immediately communicate what
they said to their Church Committees IL Is unhKey
continued Mr.. Beecher, that there will be any more
between the churches but must decline 10 say
anything about the means or ends for adjustment
I do not think the matter will be brought before
Plymouth Church his week, or II 1t is done 1t VIII De IN
very quiet way. When asked II 1t would not be neces
sary for either Plymouth Church the one sde or the
Clinton Avenue Church and the Church OF the fgrIns
on the other recede from their respective POSITIONS
in order to bring about satisfactory settlement MI
Beecher courteOusy refused to express any opinion on
that topic enter INTO further explanation II would
be premature he said until the matter could be closed
and every little peat bound up
The Rev. Drs. Burlington and storrs did not make so
liberal an estimate Mr. Beecher had done OF the
results Of the conferehce DIR. Buddngton said that he
was very rsaay 70 nave , one h neasad to have
met him in that at the beginning. Some people, ne
moved by hostility to Mr.. Beecher There is and has
been nothing OF the sort Our interview was pleasant
and informal and its effect ia 10 take everything OF
personal out OF the dscusson and to reduce It 10
its proper position question OF church order Inere
way No steps taken for holding another confer
ence nor 10 ard calling church council
declared Dr. Burlington, that the only course when
questions at issue be submitted am IN hope mat
the matter may be settled in that way finally. The
Clinton Avenue Church cannot recede at all from It's
present position and progress has been made IN ln-
ducng Plymouth Church agree TO a council. AT one
time church protested ITS willingness to unite In
council but there have been little playing AT
fast There Is not much likelihood that
letters will be sent to Plymouth Church by the
other churches and cannot say when my church VIII
take up the matter again No plan was arranged at
Yesterdays conference.
The Rev DR. Storrs said that the object OF the meet
ing, which arranged by discreet friend OF the
three pastors find out clearly how much of com
ground there was, and exactly what points OF d
ference there in the principles affirmed by them
BY the interchange OF public letters II hardly seems pos
sibe comprehend the precise attitude OF edcl Ia It's
It's position OF entire independence OF all
other churches III matters OF Order doctrine ana nls-
cipline, while from other Passages IL would appear 10
adhere TO the established rule, precedent ana
Of CoDgregatonalism, which declare the inde-
pcnence OF church all It's domestic concerns so
long il maintains its evangelical fath and its regular
order OF discipline but deny that can transgress these
and still truly ConGrc gatonalist church. In
the conference of the pastors steps were taken to
adjust the OF difference between the churches
the pastors could not do that without the cooperation OF
the churches. The conference too brief 10 eject
much. but progress made toward fuller under
standing ~ the several positions taken Further com
ncations for this end between the pastors in the
OF letters meetings for consultation are nKey 10 De
had
The differences between the churches may yet be adj
usted without calling council, II they are found 10
have enough common ground OF principle. There Will
be withdrawal OT church relations from PIynOuth
Church. unless Il becomes fully understood that that
attitude that will constitute
the In which the last letter of Clinton Ave
church ana the Church Of the Pilgrims declared that
cessalon Of fellowship relations would be unavoidable.