The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-01
The Late Congregational Council.

Many matters of large practical Importance
presented themselves for consideration, but the
chief interest Of the Council gathered about three
points
One of these was the question of the formula
ton of new creed. The matter came up ON
the overture from the State of Ohio. The Coun-
Gil was manlfestly IN sympathy with the gene
raj intent of the overture. 1t was felt that a
statement of belief, definite, comprehensive. and
IN the language of current speech, was an i'm
portant object of desire The solution of the
problem as to the method of its acquisition--the
reference of the duty of formulating such a
creed to commission of twenty five represen-
tative men of the denomination to be des-
gnated by committee of the Council whose
work when done should be recommended to
the churches-was so generally accepted as a
wise disposition OF the question that It elected
little debate. general acquiescenee marked
the introduction of the measure 1t NAV. now
reasonably be expected that before another
Triennial Council is held revised statement of
Orthodox, Evangelic doctrine, adapted to use
as confession of church faith or in the cate
chetica! instruction OF the young, may be in the
| possession of the denomination as the result of
this Council. Should such be the case, and the
document be fairly expressive of the clear Evan
| gelic position of the body, it will in all poba-
bility be adopted by the Council as its own doc
trlnal basis, and commended to the churches as
theirs.
A second point, eliciting far more debate, was
the report OF the committee appointed three
years ago at Detroit on the matter of " Mniste.
rial Standing" or IN other words the best
method of securing and certifying to good stand
ing in the Congregational ministry, as also the
proper mode of dealing with those who have
forfeited such standing. The committee showed
plainly the need of some provisions more prac-
teal and definite than have heretofore existed
for meeting the dangers arising from the wide
extent OF the UNCONVENTIONAL domain and the
mobile and changeable character of the ministry.
They also pointed out the absolute lack in the
Platform of 1865 of provisions for meeting the
case OF a certain class of clerical delinouents-
those namely, whose church stood by the them
and refused to deal with them. The committee,
therefore introduced several propositions, the
first being for a committee to revise the Plat
form IN the particular mentioned, and the others
suggesting practical methods of tracing and GER
tlfylng ministerial character. For the first of
these propositions the Council saw fit to substi-
tute another, declarative of the present rights of
the churches-a substitute it is safe to saw.
more sharp and bold in its reference to the GLASS
| of clerical dellnquents spoken of than the com
mittee would have dared to propose. The rest
of the propositions were referred to the churches
for their favorable consideration. A minority
report of this committee, specially AFFIRMING
some elementary propositions of CONGREGATIONAL
ism, but IN Its main points inimical to the sug-
gestlons OF the majority of the committee, was
peremptorlly voted down. This report on the
question of Ministerial Standing" and the ac
ton taken on it, will doubtless prove the sub
Ject OF much comment and in certain Indepen-
dent quarters of objection; but it marks a posi-
tive advance in the strength and unity of the
Congregational fellowship.-Christian at Work
! Congregational