Litchfield enquirer., 1876-01-20

that the brethyela in each particular city or town had regular and permanent off- cers ordained over them,'' &c. Also, an. swer 2d, Letters were addressed to the brethren thro' their officers, Sc. And in answer Sd, The brethren were charged with the maintenance of watchfulness over each other, with caution whom they ad- mitted to fellowship, and with the, disci- pline and accommodation of incorriga- ble offenders against the laws of Christi anity. Matthew, XVIII chapter. 15 to Is verses. Hebrews, X chapter. l9 to 25, &c. See also under question "A, page 30, under the head of Constitution &c., the answer given Concerning how the Congre- gational system was framed, VIZ: out of the Bible and by whom it was done. Are we so much tOiser than the founders and fathers of the Congregational church, that we canisafely ignore and ,cortemn their po1icy of church organization and order? Are we more profound in the investiga- tion of problems of social science and eth- ics than were they? If so, I have yet to be convinced of it; as the more see of the result of their counsels, and compare them with modern policy teachings, the more am persuaded that theirs were the product of more dilligent investigation and maturer judgment than are more re- cent modes of procedure, in some of our churches. s-5. " ~ -i" i'.'' .< --
 "How does the vote proposed accord with St. Paups instructions to the church in Corinth. See 1st Corinthians, XIV B, 34, and 35 verses. where he says. Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are comm landed to be under o6e- dience, as also saith the laW. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands. For it is shame for aOonae'a to speak in the church. See, ,also, 1st Timothy. II chapter, II, 12, 13 and IA verses, viz: 'Let the women learn ip si- fence with all subjection, but I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp an au- thority over the man, but to be in silence, for Adan, (of the earth) was first made, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but woman being deceived was in the transgression.' Now the above instruc- tions of St. Paul to his own son in the faith chapter I, 2d verse, as 'an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the command ment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope (and verse ? whereunto am ordained preacher, and an Apostle, Ispeak the truth in Christ, '&c. The above instructions to Timothy which from. St. Paul I receive as from Christ himself. or by his revelations, to him, whom, as he himself declares, was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, &c. II Corinthians, XII chapter, 2, 3, and verses If the women under those instructions were to be restricted from speaking in their assemblies, of course the lesser being included Tn the greater, their voting in those meetings would also, suppose, be equally inhibit- ed. The instructions, as Gods 'Messen- ger and Apostle, he as (spirituaD fath- CT to Timothy eon1n1dnds h1m as son to 'teach and erhort, chapter VT, verse 2d, and they were not even attempted to be answered or explained away, and will ever remain while truth and Gods word re- mains, as 1mmovable as the everlasting hlIls-yea, more steadfast and immovable.
 Vide ibid, 3, 4, and verses. The Apos- tle's instructions to Timothy, W chapter, 9th verse, and thro' him to the church universal were formerly supposed to be that 'Godliness is profitable. having the promise of the life that now is, and (also) of that which is to come But the mod ern rie,0 of it seems to be that Godliness is gain in this respect-it has the promise in the near future of lots of confectionery from the Christmas tree, and elsewhere producing sourness of the stomach, and thereby inducing moroseness of the temper and passions. Also, instead of Obey your parents in the Lord, for this IS right &c., Bph.. VI chapter, l, 2, and 3 verses, it is practically this, Children obey the hired servants. if you have not physical ooUer sufficient to resist and repel their demands, rightfully or wrong fully made upon you, and commit to mem ory their (too often) vile instructions " -
 Formerly the teachings of our churches were to "bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ::'' Eph's-6 6 ch. 4v., but now, practically, to great extent, they are to receive the teachings of ignorant servants, who know not the Lord, neither regard his ways or Commandments, to do them"
 The. above hasty notes wera designed for special, time, place, and occasion, but may perhaps apply as we'll to other similar occasions, should such occur else- where than in the locality where first ut- tered. And I the more willingly consent to the publication of them as MT. Wood ruff (Jr.) announced in connection with his argument-in said meeting of Dec. 21st-that he had received in reply to 8 circular letter of inquiry, by-him address ed to the 296 (besides our own) Congrega- tional churches of Connecticut; asking