The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-08
CONGREGATIONAL DISSENSIONS.

FOUR MINISTER'S WITHDRAW PROM TIE NEW
YORK AND BROOKLYN AssocIATIoN-THE1R
VIEWS ON THE SPLIT.
There is likely to DO permanent split In the asso-
citation OF Congregational ministers OF New York and
Brooklyn in consequence OF tho action taken on Mr..
Beecher's Four ministers have already sent .
letter of withdrawal to tho Moderator the Row. George
whippc. These arc Drs William Ives Burlington,
Richard $. storrs William II. Taylor and Rev. H. II.
Mcfarland Further than this withdrawal nothing
definite has yet transprcd but IL Is believed that tho
split will lead TO other action the part Of the pro-
testing members Others may follow their example.
rs nj least nine voted against the resolutions and
those Withdrawing may, If they deem II wise,
form new ASSOCIATION. They considered, for tho
moment only the point Of refusing their sanction to
tho resolutions adopted. Their withdrawal Is not OF
special significance, in so far as It concerns the
churches Some pastors join association without
the knowledge Of their congregations and leaving II
they merely act with regard TO their personal RESPONSE
bilty The association gives law to the churches
II is merely convenience TO its members for certain
purposes among others the examn OF candidates
for tho ministry. There is very little discussion OF
Church questions and some OF the withdrawing men,
bers say that has little do with Church govern
mcnt social club has with the government OF tho
city.
Rev DR.. Storrs. whom called upon by HERALD re.
porter, was very cautious in expressing opinion
ns 70 tho probable effect OF this action IL was,
he said. act OF individual members II might result
in some new movement, but no had not as yet given
the subject sufficient consideration to- state what Is
likely To be the effect upon other churches within the
Congregational body.
reporter also quest oncd DR.. Budlngton yestcr-
day as 10 his probable action lie stated In substance
that his position had been so clearly defined that ha
hardly thought necessary Tor him to further explain
his views. lie would stand by the record so TAR ~
the committee concerned his withdrawal from the
association seemed 10 tho question OF his serv
ing IN the capacity IN which tho Rev. II. NJ. Storrs
had placed him Dr Storrs had put his name ON that
committee right in the face OF and against his protest,
and after he had been called away from the session
by parcchia duties He could say nothing as TO what
the Of the ministerial brethren who dissented
with him from the action OF the association would be.
He was avcrsc to expressing any opinion on tho like
llhood OF u new ministerial association beng
formed. II might DO accepted, however, that his
brethren would stand by tho protest
The Andover proposition he held 10 DO the truc Con-
grcgationaIsm and tho acceptance by tho association
of the proposition Of the Rev. DR. Storrs Tor the APP
poinmcnt OF this committee would only BIO to afirm
tho novel doctrines cnunciated by the Advisory
Council He believed that these questions that had
agatcd the ASSOCIATION so iorceiuy would never be-
satisfactorily disposed OF until mutual council had
been called, but hc disnclined to commit himself
as TO whether It was seriously contemplated TO call
Rev. II. II. Mcfarland, who was present whom Dr.
Burlington expressed himself above cordially in.
dorscd tho sentiments and position OF Dr. Budington
He. too felt dclcacy about outlining tho tuturo
Of the cergymen who joined in the protest and
withdrawal.
Another OF the clcrgymen VINO signed tho letter Of
withdrawal said he did not wish that his congregation
should be interested in tho matter at all hence he did
not care to have his name mentioned as tho affair
only concerned himself He said the association, II it
30 desired, may make mudrako OF itself 10 gather
into the scandal bureau all the filth OF the scandal but
raihor than be made tooth In the rake he chose to
retire from membership. No power on earth could
keep him in there II he wanted TO get out lie did not
want 10 be nut in the position by the resolu-
tons, Of first inviting people to come forward with
proof and II they did not como, pronouncing upon Mr.
Beochers character verdict OF unqualified approval
He hoped to Mr. Beccher able to establish his nno
cence to the world satisfactory manner but he did
not think the method suggested IN the resolutions
adopted on Thursday proper one, hence he withdrew
AS to the ultimate result Of this action he had as yet
ormed no conclusions