The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-04-09
lfor 11le pdlRs Herald
what IL Cong regaIional Ohurch 2

A religious enterprise under this
head has been set on foot in Dallas,
and some people, not familiar with the
denomination, are inquHing what IL
is, Having had opportunities for be-
coming acquainted with this 'lCree-
way Of the Churches,p please allow
me q few words in answer to the above
question.
COngregationallsm Is the democratic
form of church organization and gov
eminent. The name Is derived from
the fact or principle that the right Of
self government inhereS in the con-
gregatlon of Christian disciples. 1t
rests all ecclesiastical authority IN the
associated and covenanted member
ship of the local church, aud recog-
ni2es no ruling power above IL, except
the lord Jesus Christ who Is "heHd
over all things TO the Church" Calling
m man master, and submitting TO die.
tation from no hierarchy or titled
ecclesiustic, the Congregational
Churches Cndeaypr TO maintain the
principle that lone is your Master
even Christ, and all ye arc brethren
AT the same time, they recognize
the duty Of ireleuul interest, an IN
telchauge Of mutual love aud good fel-
lOwsllip among all who belong TO the
household Of faith. The privilege Of
seeking advice from other churches,
ON matters Of Importance, is priced
aud made practical.
The officers Of n Congregational
ChurUh are those authorized by the
New Testament, viz: ministers (called
elders, bishops aud pastors, inter-
changNbly,) and deacons These OIL
GERS are, or according to the principles
Of the pollty, ought to be, members OF
the church they are chosen to serve.
They are elected 10y vote Of the major
ity and hold their places of trust at
the Will of the church, 1t Is usual
however, in the matter Of installing or
dismissing n minister to ask advice of
II council Of neighhoring churches,
iihis IL substantially the polliy Of the
4 Baptist, the Wesleyan Methodist and,
/ ,o fact Of more than half OF all the
| Christian Churchc5 Of the United
States,
/ ~ ioctlinsl belief and toachiag,
CongraSaiionalisls are most nearly IN
accord with Presby the two
systems in this respect being neatly
| Identical, the iurmer, perhaps, allow
4 ing a somewhat larger liberty OF per
sonal opinion, on points 10, deemed
strictly essential.
An who accept the vital truths OF
| the Christian religion, giving evidence
of piety and purpose TO obey Christ,
are welcomed to membership. The
ordinances OF baptism is administered
usually by sprinkling, but In. either OF
the other forms when needful to salts
fy the conscience of the candidate.
This Is the merest outline of the
faith and practice of Congregational
Churches, but it may serve as short
answer TO the question with which we
started.
Congregationallsm is not a new no
ton, nor il IL - thing done in a
cornern II is an order that has a
numerous ard Respectable following on
both sides Of The Atlantic. 1t is not
only identified with the rise, progress
aud culture OF our country, ia not only
n conspicuous part Of our nations his
tory, but IL has an ilIustrons an(
heroic history OF its own, running TAI
back of the settlement OF either. Ply
mouth or Jamestown.
Rev. III, M. Daniels, an accredited
Congregational minister, has recently
come among ne, and, 10y making him
selfa home, hasgiVen proof OF his pur
pose to be identified with the Interests
/ of Our civ cnuyrpnntionnl society
has been organized, with Mr., Daniels
for its minister, which, for the present
is maintaining public worship on tht
Sabbath in Knights of Pytlias hall.
This society seeks the.co-operation o
those who are Of this way of thinking
and hopes, by legitimate Christian eff
fort, to build up church that shall
merit the God-speed of all who low
|, our Lord Jesus Christ.
ta FELLOW CITIZEN.