New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-30
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MINISTER'S.

WINDING FAULT WITH THE PLYMOUTH COUNCIL
DISCUSSIONS OF THE MANHATTAN ASSOCIATION.
The Manhattan Congregational Association,
which is composed OF ministers who left the regular
association OF Congregational clergymen OF New1orK
and Brooklyn on account OF their opposition 10 MI.
Beecher met yesterday In Brooklyn. the Rev. DTS W
NJ TAYLOR r. g. storrs, W. J. Burlington, d. b. Coe, g.
W. Gilman, III. II. Clapp. Ray Palmer and W. H. Ward,
and the Rev. Messrs. NJ H. Wilder j. II. Lockwood, b.
Faulkner H. H. Mcfarland, A. G. Reed and ]. H. Paine
were present.
After statistics Of the churches had been read COM
mttee (Dr Burlington charman TO which had been re-
ferred question: What constitutes Congregational
minister" made preliminary report containing these
suggestions:
The usages OF the Congregational Churches have not
been uniform times past and are less so nI Ss ,aoEy
think 1t may be said win 1qs,co overnment has
never been consistently developed SO as 10 , du,,
the conditions of good ministerial standing THESE
difficulties have been aggravated aud new ones crSn
by tho result of the council called by Plymouth Chuch
IN ls76 The principles OF that result hold in
consistent with those of the council OF lsaa auo ues,
ers or the relations Of churches fellowship with one
another. 1t is principle Fundamental 10 oongrega,,
action OF council of neichboring churches
called for the purpose and that when j., a pas,
of council Crds the proper ceriicaton OF his good
standing as minister Bat While ,e sfTh 81 u
the character and standing OF minister, there are
cases which this testimony needs 10 De u!
regular member ship in ministerial association or
conference churches. Years may eapse aiter pas
tors dsssOn and the testimony OF his OF te
churches would TO be necessary, and the only
means within reach. attest the moral integrity ana
soundness OF the minister.
1t was recommended that committee be appointed
70 whom should referred the credentials OF ministers
seeking mem be ship in the association.
A long discussion followed the report. The Rev. DE-
storrs urged the necessity of competent BODY 10
pass upon tho literary and other qualifications OF the
candidates the ministry. Many who went INTO inc
pulpit without the requisite education, became disap-
pointed and were the end unsuccessful He strongly
favored the collegiate education OF ministers. r,
After remarks by other members, the Rev. DE- lNior
strongly opposed the practice OF allowing men 10 enter
the pulpit whose only qualification was their eioquehce
Even immoral men had been allowed 10 retain tnelr
positions for that one reason He knew OF LONDON
BAPTIST minister, who very eloquent, ahd VINO aIer
some time convicted OF adultery and expelled lie
settled in Toronto. Canada, and resumed s relations
with the denomination, through the Young Mems Chris
pulpit, and occupies il now. although the facts
of his case fully spread before his congregat10I
similar case occurred in Allegheny CITY Penn lie
protested against the rOtenness OF the sentiment tha
men might hold ministerial positions, no matter wna
their past life had been, present life was. III was
shame churches did not take some action III such
cases. ,,,
After further debate the morning session adjourned
the association considered hymns ana
hymn books and then adjourned to the first Tuesday IN
April.