Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-13
THE CONGREGATIONAL CONVENTION

The General Convention of Congregational
Ministers and Churches of Vermont held its
Eighty-fourth Annual Session, in the College
Street Church, in Burlington, commencing
on Tuesday, June 10th, at . O'Clock p. III.
The Convention was called TO order by the
President, Rev Geo B. Stafford, ID. d., who
offered prayer.
The Secretary, Rev C. IL, Merrill, then
read the roll of delegates who had presented
then credentials, and the names Of members
er otieiis
The organization of the Convention WAS
completed by the choice of Rev. VIM. :.
| Hazen of Mortified, as Scribe, and Rev. J..
Ii. Hincks of Montpelier, as Assistant
Scribe.
The Report of the Committee on the Yer
mont Chronicle was next in order The
Committee not being ready to report, the
Committee on
THE HISTORIC RESOLUTION
reported by Rev. J. q. johnson. The Re
port was as follows:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE On DOCTRlNAl
BELIEF.
Your committee was appointed by the last
General Convention to report upon the fol
lowing resolution:
Rssolred. That the General Convention OF Congrr-
gaiional ministers and churches Of Vermont under
stand that TO he pastor of Congregational church
Indicates and requires the acceptance of the his
torc belief of these churches, as II has been from
time to time expressed by their representative
spmDllpS and Thai 10 remain naSOr of "A lOuQrelu-
tional church, and TO claim denOminational fellow
ship with our churches and ministers, after any
substantial part OF this historic belief has been ~
pudiated. Is considered 10y us rs breach OF faith
and Inconsistent with honor and Christian char
acter.
They come TO their task with the know
ledge that the subject has been very fully
and widely discussed during the year They
have endeavored 10 profit by the thoughtful
arguments which have been urged against
such action. They rejoice in being able,
without sacrifice of conviction, 10 present "A
united report. They are convinced that the
interests of Christian charity and liberal
ity, AS well as Of the unity of the
church of christ, require firm ad-
hcrencc 10 the truth. The tie which
binds the Congregational churches in fellow
ship is moi alone its distinctive polity. 1t is
Just As truly the common acceptance of
evangelical doctrines. Loyalty to the TRUTH
which alone can he ground of unity with
other sef-respecting organizations in the
Church of Christ, is TO be shown on our
part only 10y faithful maintenance by the
methods which our polity permits and en-
joins, of evangelical preaching in our pull
pits. 1t is doubtless the high duty of coun
ellis to exercise the greatest care when
receiving men into the Congregational
ministry, to know that they are fitted
for its duties, as TO their educational moral
and spiritual qualifications, including their
hearty acceptance of the Evangelical faith.
1t is as clearly the duty of our churches TO
use the methods which our polity most per-
fectly supplies to prevent the teaching of
error by our ministry. But your committee
feel that the resolution placed in their hands
by the Convention imposes upon them the
special duty of declaring what the Conven
ton considers to be the basis of fellowship,
and the course which one is expected To
adopt who changes, after his ordination or
installation. that doctrinal basis upon the ac
ceptance of which his sacred Office was be-
slowed. The resolution which they offer.
also, by the strongest implication, urges upon
our ministry and churches courageous and
ing the doctrinal purity of our teaching. An
added reason for adopting the resolution
which they offer lies in the fact that failure
10 do so after the question has been so long
before them, lays the Convention open to the
charge of Indifference to the purity of doc
trine of the Congregational churches They
therefore recommend the adoption of the fol- /
lowing