Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-02-06

The "Frotest" Of Congregational Ministers.
A COMMUNICATION FROM THE AUTHOR OF TIE
''HIsToRIC RESOLUTION
To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times:
There has come to my notice a copy OF
the Protest" against the action of the Con-
gregatonal Convention held in your city in
June last, which was first published, | am
informed, in your paper Will YOU he so
kind as to allow few words in refere nee to
il.
\ resolution was adopted at the COnven-
ton, by a vote of eighty-four TO ten, declar
ing that person iii the Congregational min
istry is expected to maintain the doctrines
commonly called Evangelical, held in our
churches from the early times" 1t was
not thought best for many reasons, to en-
cumber the resolution with the proviso that
was offered. The reasons for the proviso.
which were so forcible TO the minds of its
friends, did not seem equally forcible to the
large body of the Convention. The resolu-
ton was interpreted, as much more import
ant documents are interpreted, by the inten-
ton of its trainers. That intention, as de
carcd in the remarks with which the resOlu-
ton was presented TO the Convention, this
Protest" SAYS is 50 ''manifestly sound as to
be ''indisputabler In many public expressions
since the Convention several of the oppo-
nents of the resolution have declared their
hearty acceptance Of all that the supporters
of the resolution intended To declare. The
refusal, for good reasons. or for poor reasons
or for no reasons, to add the proviso which
was offered, does not affect the declaration
of the resolution, nor the declaration of its
few oIpusers, that, when interpreted by the
intention of its trainers, it is 'indisputable"
| am entirely unable To see why this does not
close the discussion.
In Il discussion SO long continued, partici-
pated in by 50 many persons, 1t would he
strange if some sparks We're not, now and
then, struck out ; but in the main | am sure
it has been courteous and kind | do not
doubt that the writer of this Protest" has in
his possession material to establish all that
he implies in the way of personal assault
and SANDER but | am confident that it
would be found to consist of single eX-
pressions which fell in warm debate or
in correspondence and conversation many
of them capable of other explanation; some
perhaps, if they We're remembered would no
doubt be Withdrawn; some perhaps, utterly
without excuse, for which their utterers are
alone responsible. And this would he equal
ly true of both sides. am quite sure that
it is now well understood, us has been pub
licly stated by both sides of this debate, that
the ten persons who voted against the rcso-
luton did not at all indicate by that vote
any weak grasp of the Evangelical doctrines.
In this Protest occurs this sentence:
Some voted for the resolution in order to
avoid the misconstruction to which their
negative vote would be liable, as implying Il
denial of the Evangelical doctrines" That
such n misconstruction followed the mega
tive vote cannot therefore seem unreasonable
or slandcrOus. The kind and charitable cx-
pressions toward the writer of the resolutions
and chairman of the Committee, are warmly
appreciated. ] believe that what is true Of
myself, is true of the members of the Con
vention generally, that the sentiments of
friendship and respect which previously ex-
listed. have not been disturbed by this differ
ence of opinion.
JAS. GIBSON JOHNSON.
IutlnuI Inn 1874