Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-13
The Congregational Convention.

The Congregational Convention.
The session of the General Convention OF
the Congregational churches, which closed in
tins place Yesterday, was of more than usual
interest and importance The attendance was
somewhat larger than customary The ser.
mon, by Rev. L. T. Fairbanks, though very
long was an able and admirable one The
reports Of the various societies and boards
presented the usual clear statements of their
condition and needs. The essay by Prof.
Higley of Middlebury attracted much atten-
ton, in part from its general interest; but
more especially from its severe denunciatiou
of what the esSayist called the ''evangel-
IStc' methods of revival work. Without
either defending or disappearing Professor
Hisley's views on this point, at this time, we
simply call attention TO the fact that reviv-
alists Of the class Of Mr.. Moody and Miss
Smiley could not, except by great stretch
al language and Of truth. be included in his
description or denunciation, and probably
We're not intended To be included by him. In
the discussions of the Convention two sub
jects had especial prominence those of Di-
vorce and of the Historic Belief. The tone
of the Convention on the question of Divorce
was clear and strong and its action ought
to have some good influence on public opin-
ion and on the practice of those who are
charged with responsibility in the matter
The llsbYt,a an fi,n IIiet,r;c
aroused the strongest interest in the Conven-
linn. ami on the part of all in attendance on
It's meeting |, WAS spirited but never heated,
and WAS marked throughout by dignity,
courtesy. and freedom from personal attacks
and allu>ians. That the Convention would
make 4 declaration of somewhat similar
purpori /" the famous Historic Resolu-
lion has MT been doubted by any
any one who has watched the discussion and
The set of opinion, among the ministers of
the state. \ majority of them probably
sympathizcd with the object of the original
resolution. though not quite willing to
charge with personal dshonor any one of
their number whose views did not correspond
with theirs and who refused or neglected to
take himself ont Of their fellowship. in order
to save them the trouble of disciplining
him in the regular and orderly way Dur
ing the year all have read the printed dis
cusSion. and most doubtless have taken
sides. on one side or the other. A majority
of the Convention apparently came together
pretty strongly determined to accept and put
through the modified resolution which il
was announced would be presented by the
committee. Had the amendment offered
been offered by one of their own side, it
would probably have been accepted Com
ing from the other side, they did not propose
To- take it. Yet, with all allowance for u
pretty strong measure Of this party feeling,
We must, with one of the speakers, express our
profound establishment" that Congrega-
tional Convention anywhere should be found
willing 10 vote squarcly down declaration
that they did not wish to he understood AS
denying the right Of appeal from human
standards 10 the word of God. Such dec
laraii"n, pure and simple and standing by
itself, the Convention voted down by a vote
of over two 10 one of the ministers present
Having accepted the argument advanced
against the amendment, that to adopt il
would permit a man TO exercise his private
judgment in matters of faith, it was perhaps
logical sequence that the majority should
hold their private Judgment in allegiance in
regard 10 their action in Convention. Yet
it would he a wrong Inference TO suppose
that the mass Of the Congregational minis
tiers of Vermont do actually hold that n man |
has 10 right 10 exercise his private judgment |
and conscience and 10 test human crcctls hy |
the word Of God. And we fancy that |
enough of private judgment will return to a |
good many of them, as they look the matter
over, 10 lead them 10 regret that they did |
not permit the adoption of the first clause OF
the amendment. ,riW which the resolution
could Lave gone forth as the unanimous
de ciaraiion of the Convention such
unaninity would probably have ended the
public discussion. A. i, is, it can hardly he
expected that the subject will ne dropped
The action of the Convention, we suppose.
may be fairly Interpreted, on the whole, as "A
step in advance towards consolidation of
he denomination within narrower and more
distinctly defined lines. The narrowing will
be considerable. if it is intended that i, shall
% on till the denomination consists only of
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