New-York tribune., 1876-03-11
PLTMOCTH TOPICS.
DIR. STORRS'S POSITION.
AN EXPLANATION EXPECTED TOMORROW NIGHT
TWO EIkMENTs IN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

AN EXPLANATION EXPECTED TOMORROW NIGHT
TWO ELEMENTS IN COSGRRGAT1OSAIIsM
II is understood that the Rev. DR.. X. S. Storrs
OF the Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, will make
personal explanation evening OF the reasons
for his resignation OF the Presidency OF the American
Congregational Union and membership in the Board OF
Directors OF the Home Missionary Society Great inter-
est is felt in the explanation not merely by his own
church, but by esationasts generally as there
reason believing that he will give his views in regard
TO the recent Council and its decision, and will define
his position in the Congregational body. some
persons believe that this is the first step In plan to
disfcllowship Plymouth Church. which IL is thought.
could not be effected at the present tmefooying ni-
mediately the heels OF the Council which embraced
large number OF representative churcheswithou Great
ing schsm In the Congregational body Of very serious
nature 1t stated that there have long been two ee
ments among CongregslioDalsts. known b. some as
High and Low Church, by Others as Conservative ana
Radical In the early days OF Congregationaism in
Connecticut the authority Of the pastor was very
great his congregaton-approachn almost 10
Massachusetts at cary day earlier. eaeh cOngIe-
CATION self governing. This Is one point OF dne'
removing members Is declared 10 he az yet unsettled
and is likely 10 Iem.in So as no utteance can oe more
authoritative than that which has already Deen
made. The two schools are generally recognized as ed
leadership is conferred gratutously, as recognition
the prevailing spirit OF the two institutions nether OF
which has assumed an attitude placing IT in anag-
onism opposition TO the other In the matter OF &c
clesasca authority, II is said hat Dr storTs ana Mr.
Beecher types Of the opposite extremes tile former
exercising much iH the government OF his church,
and the latter exercising except 10y persuasion; nut
these things lett the individual churches to decde
for themselves by the very spirit Of CUngcgatonaiS'
40 under God by many Of Its leading writer's
Whether Dr. Storrs will declare his position
this point, or on any 0ther than
tho action OF the late Council, Il at
present matter Of conjecture only. Many COngrega-
tiluasts are unable 20 discern what be effected by
protest against the conclusions reached by the Council
or by calling another COngregationalsm, they say,s
not church but union of Independent churches; the
decision Of Council has binding force, except so lar
as the church whose action Is under consideration ana
other churches who choose to be bound by IT. III another
Council should be convened by DR.. Etorrs, or Dy
Anduvcr Church, and ITS conclusions should De 10
opuoStion those of the recent Advisory Councll,
those would in sense bc oyerrled eacn
church and each church member would follow that Whch
accorded best with his views. III the churches
which are in opposition IN Plymouth Church should DE
eide To held no fellowship with II II is considered tat
others not in opposition would nave no reason 10
change their attitude in any degree.