Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-27

clause of the amendment, it is perhaps suf-
fcient To say that its effect would he to open
the way TO intermnable and proftless discus
sion. All the Christian sects, however wide
" they differ between themselves, base their
crecds on the Bible: the Universalist has his
texts, the Unitarian his, the Congregational
ist his and 50 on. II will not be thought ir-
reverent, we trust, if We recall the fact that
Satan himself quoted Scripture effectively in
support of his arguments. No good would
come from a war of texts inside of a denom-
nation. The real purport of the action of
the Vermont Congregationalists "a we un-
ders,and it, is simply this; That, in their
Judgment. the old faith is moi outgrown :;
thai the full acceptance of it is necessary to
effective and harmonious work among Con-
rrerational minisic rs and that if ConahH
tonaliSt becomes a Universalist or a Unitarian
or a Baptist, To the Universalists, or Cnita-
rians, or Baptists he should so. We do not
detect any trace of Popery in this, nor any
thing to Justify the hue and cry which has
been made over 1t.
From the Worcester Mass spy.l
One of the historic beliefs of Congrega-
tionalists was expressed by John Robinson,
the pastor of the Pilgrim church, when he
ha,lc his people farcwellupon their departure
from Holland. to seek freedom TO wor-
ship God" in the new world. Il am per-
suaded," said he. that the Lord hath more
truth vet to come for us-yet TO break forth
out of his Holy Word. Neither Luther nor
Calvin hath penetrated into the whole coun-
sci of God" Nor, he might have added had
he been living now, were the councils of
Nice, Saybrool or Boston, the infallible or
exhaustive opponents Of ii. John Robinson
and his wise and Z lie uiteranccs are as
historic as aI.y of f:iormtlms of belief ex-
pressed by New England representative as
semblies; but We do not quote him as an
authority, nor do we claim authority for the
words of Chilingworth: Take away this
persecution of men for not subscribing the
words of men IA the words of God require
Of Christians only TO believe in Christ and
to call no man master hut him. Let them
leave claiming infallihility that have
no title to it, and let them that in their
own words disclaim it disclaim it
also in their actions Nor yet is Jeremy
Taylor's declaration authoritative ''lIc is
rather the schismatic, who makes unneces-
sary and inconvenient impositions than he
who disObeys them because he cannot do
otherwise without violating his conscience.
These are not authorities, but all may he
claimed for them that according TO Congre-
gational theory is claimed for the result of
council, that they have so much weight as
there is in the reason Of them.
The resolution adopted, though nominally
disclaiming authority, aims to put pressure
upon individual ministers and churches to
accept as test Of orthodoxy formulas of hu-
man origin. 1t rejects the historic belief
that the Lord hath more truth yet 10 break
forth out of his holy word" and holds that,
though Luther and Calvin may not have
a
yet the general councils of Boston and Ober
lin undoubtedly did. In defiance Of the dis
tinctively Congregational principle of the in
dependence OF the chmches, while it pro-
fesses TO disclaim authority for itself, it does
recognize if it does not set mp an external
authority other than the word Of God, as 4
standard al doctrine To which ministers and
churches are required To conform on pain of
exclusion from fellowship. This may be
right and wise, hut it is moi Congregation
alism as We understand it,