The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-11
prof. Sning,s New Church.

The readers oil tue lNTELLluENCEh aIe
generally aware that Prof. Swing, a dis
tinguished clergyman Of Chicago, former
ly a Presbyterian minister, has been
preaching for some time past to apromis-
cuous congregation at McVicker's theatre,
in that city, having resigned his pastor
ship over large, wealthy and popular
Presbyterian Church, because he felt he
was not in accord with the views express.
ed by the Presbytery, which, at the insti-
cation Of Prof. Patton, had tried him for
heresy. lie felt himself so much under
the ban Of the Presbytcry, although the
charges agains. him were not sustained,
that for the sake OF his peace OF mind
aud for the purpose Of exercising larger
liberty as Christian preacher, he form
ally withdrew from the Presbyterian
communion and commenced to preach TO
large audiences at the theatre named. fEc
conceived that he had wider and more
congenial mission than to preach within
the limitations simply Of n single branch
ofthe Christian church. He believed, like
the Rev. Mr.. Latane, that there were
many branches to the Christian church,
and that he had right to hail them all
aud to preach to them all without refer
euce to party lines or embarrassing dog
mas. So he came out as an Independent,
and vast number Of people of like mind
at once rallied round him: SO much so
that McYickers theatre has been throng-
ed every Sunday by large and eager aud
fences.
Up to aIew days ago his congregation
had no regular, formal church organiza-
tion, but on Wednesday evening last, after
the usual religious exercises, Prof. Swing
made brief address setting forth the
object Of the meeting, and the necessity
Of a central church organization. lie
said he had been in receipt Of numerous
plans for organizing such society, and
submitted the following rs the creed prep
AIRED by himself.
We whose names are signed 10 this paper, ear
nestly desiring 10 promote our own spiritual vel
fafe and to lake some part In the great work Of
helping others to lead Christian llfe living In
large city, where the moral worE 10 DO done Is 10
ere IL do form ourselves lnoR Christian society, 10
Be- known rs the Central Church Of Chicago. We
would found our church upon the great doctrines |
Of the New Testament We believe IN the divine |
character and nilsson Of Christ that lie Is the
Saviour which man In his Slniulness and darkness
needs; that all thOse believing and following this
Christ are entitled 10 the name Of ChrisiiAns
Furthermore, rs at the Holy communion many |
leading evangelical churches cordially Invite 10 the
supper all who love the Lord In sincerity and truth,
70 We feeling that no service Of the sanctuary Il
no lee thau IL communion, would invite into full
membership all who make this Saviour their way, |
truth and litc.
It will be seen that this lets into the
new organization every denomination
and name OF Christian people, and makes
no distinction between them. Nobody is
asked as to his private opinions about
mooted points OF doctrine, as, for in
stance, whether immersion or sprinkling
constitutes baptismj or whether either Is
essential: whether faith or works, election
or free grace, have most to do in the sal
vationof souls. All these old.time differ
euces are put to one side, and everybody is
allowed to hold such views US they please
about them.
We presume that the Rev. Mr.. Griffin,
the Zanesville Baptist preacher, who
preached his farewell few days ago,
would feel himself at home in this new
organization. And no doubt there are
very many other preachers in all churches
who would feel the same way. The
tendency Of the times is strongly in this
direction; so much so that no one need be
surprised to see great number Of indie
pendent churches in a few years.