The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-07
The WV Ordeal of yankee Orthodoxy.

What are the Congregational brethren
going to- do with the Roy. MIR. MERRIAM ana
the Indian Olcnprd Cluchf
There are obvious rca-un. for the anxiety
"a played in that denomination that nothing
shall be- done or attempted, and that the
affair shall be allowed To- drop a. quickly
and uui~iya4 possible. Least said, soonest
mcndcd is mn old maxim But can the
brethren let it drop? That is the question.
Here il u regularly ordained Congrcga-
tional minister whoavows his utter dishc-
lief In the doctrine that sinners who die in
their impcutcucc are to bc tormcutcd to all
eternity. lie * also under SUSPICION OF
hcrc-y rs to other doctrines hitherto de-
scrbcd in Congregational standards AZ
essential for instance, the doctrine OF the
Trinity and that of VicarOus atoncnoht'
4 Congregational council refuses by a close
votes It, &. If We remember arght-to IN
stall him over the Indian Orchard Church,
placing it's refusal distinctly upon the
ground Of his ductrinal unsoundncss. The
Indian Orchard Church snaps its fingers at
the council. and coavcs all the more closely
to its chosen pastor.
The most serious part Of the business il
that leading Congregational pulpts and
! journals applaud the church for its insubor-
dination if they do not actually uphold the
pastur in his hnrcsy. Thus Brother SWING $
newspaper says that a church Is no more
bound to take u councils advice about set
thing a pastor than Mrs. SMITH il 10 take
| Mrs JuNIS's advice about making cookies
the church is t. hcnr what the council has
to say, and then do rs it plcascs. This Is
the Plymouth Church theory OF Congr"ga-
tionai-m. as cxpuundcd 10y llENRY WARE
BEEClIEI Of whom young Mr. MERRIAM Is
one OF the most devoted admirers, and from
whose teachings in former years he may
have imbibcd his opinions.
by way of feeling the denominations
pulse, the Springfield Republican recently
asked each OF the Congregational pastors II
the four western counties Of Massachusetts
these two questions Do you teach tina
endless conscious suffering awaits the i'm
pcnitcnt Z" would you have voted to in
stall the Rev. Mr. MERRIAM = OF the 81
ministers 10 whom letters were sont AZ re
Piled and ~ did not OF the ~. II teach TIN
doctrine of everlasting torment. do no
teach IL. do not define their position. q
the "a who answered the second question.
would have voted to install Mr. MERRIAM
p approve the action OF the council
We have already noted the uttcrancos G
several leading New England pulpits on tn
issue presented 10y the occurrences at India
Orchard; they have been supplemented b
, others not less significant. Thus. only las
Sunday the Rev Or. BURTON of the Par
Church in Hartford declared that 1t WI
neither desirable nor possible to eXclud
men from the Congregational ministry fo
differences Of opinion on these " minor lue'
tiuns.' OF five other leading Congregations
pastors of Hartford, four are reported a
agreeing with Dr.. BURTON; ono OF these
the Rev. DR.. PARKER of the South Church
, makes no secret Of the fact that he share
, Mr.. MrRRIAM's opinions and skcpticism
simultaneously the Chicopcc Falls Churc
, having called new pastor invites VI
MERRIAM and the Indian orchard Church
the Installing council
1t is pretty clear that the fence Whit
d formerly divided New England orthodox
from Unitarianism and Univcrsalism is q
10 Of repair; and there are a good many poor
4, on the orthodox side who do not appear
see any necessity for repairing il.