The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-02-15

enough 10 be effective. But the great
trouble with this theory after all is that 1t
is not backed up by proofs. There is no
evidence upon the face of the matter which
even tends to show that Plymouth church
is not honestly seeking light as to her
duty.
Surprising them to be acting with sim
cerity, honestly and humbly seeking light
as to their duty, is it proper, is it courte.
Gus, is it in accordance with the funda.
mental principles Of Christian fellowship
to turn the cold shoulder lest 1--WE may
get mixed up in this Brooklyn nastiness ?"
What if our Divine Exemplar. when
upon earth, had been thus careful in look.
ing out for His good name The truth
is, if we ever need friends, if we ever de.
sire sympathy, If we ever come to feel
that brotherly love is Of real value, it is
when we are 10 trouble; and it would
not be strange if this church, torn and
harrassed and tried as they are. were
humbled and like others in similar cir.
cumslances, were sincerely seeking advice.
Suppose the Middlebury church were
to become involved in serious trouble, no
matter for what cause and should sin.
cerely appeal for counsel to the sister
churches in this county. Gould the
Cornwall church properly refuse its
friendly Offices of Christian fellowship RI
1t seems to be fundamental principle of
Congregationalism that the churches,
though to all intents and purposes indie
pendent, yet that they are bound together
by the strong ties of universal brother
hood and that this relation imposes upon
them especial duties. The national coun.
Gil Of Congregational churches held at
Boston, in 1865, adopted platform of
UNCONVENTIONAL usage, which became at
once the organic law Of the church. On
page so we find the following
I" When difficulties, whether internal or ex-
ernal threaten the peace and spiritual prosperity
Of any church and are not likely to be adjusted
without aid, or when any question arises on which
the church needs advice for the guidance or con-
frmation of its own judgment. that church has
righ to ask the advice of other churches with
which it is in communion"
This case of Plymouth comes within
this rule. She has difficulties" both
"internal" and "extornal." Those diff.
culties are mot likely to be adjusted
without aid" And questions have arisen
ION which the church needs advice" so
by the platform she has right" to ask
the advice of other churches That right
to ask advice implies also the duty to
give it. This theory was reaffirmed by
the Brooklyn Council of 1874, in these
words:
I" We desire to reafirm and emphasize the doc
cation of fellowship. This duty
applies to all Christian churches. In the case Of
Congregational polity it involves that more inti-
mate communion which is exercised in asking and
giving counsel"
There may be honest and weighty OBJ
jections to the application of these princi-
pies to this particular case. But if so,
wherein is the case Of Plymouth church
exceptional She has not yet been dis
fellowshiped. Is it in the fact that all
the powers of hell are leagued against her,
sowing the seeds of discord within and
bringing upon her from without all the
force of Internal malignity and hate
Shall she be cast off in the midst of her
trials, when apparently she is humbly i'm.
ploring the sympathy and aid OF sister
churches? 1t was asserted at the meet
ing of the Middlebury church that the
questions to be submitted to this council
were not materially different from those
acted upon by the council of 1874. But
) the author of that statement must have
inexperienced the case. One matter
only has any similarity. By implication
) an opinion was expressed upon the pro.
priety Of dropping members without trial
: ,nhn proper subjects Of discipline
the council disappearing of the method in
: practice in the Middlebury and Other
: Vermont churches equally with Ply
mouth. Beyond this matter the present
council are called to decide upon eigh
other matters, three Of which are Of vita
T. importance to the afflicted church. 1t ii
= difficult to understand how the learned
II professor could have SO far overlooked
= these issues as to pronounce them ''unim
II portaut," and to assert that there wal
Il nothing in them but what had been decid
j. ed by the council of 1874. There is on
. objection to which we will refer. Th
70 calling church offered to defray all ex
u penses and this liberaity was made TIL
y basis of an objection that there wa
y danger of the charge that the judgmen
., of members was warped by it. This seem
81 to be very frivolous. 1t is scarcely com
10 plimentary to the clergy. to say nothing
- of tho laity, to suppose their judgmen
10 would be warped by the free offer of wha
they ought to be allowed to legally claim
q Does the compensation of jurors for thei
- services in court Of justice expose ther
=, to the charge OF having their opinion
purchased ? 1t would be hardly reason
~ able to ask the members to defray thei
ovn exnenses. in addition 10 giving thei