The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-02-10

II
be instructed bis audience that the
Church of England was no trus Church.
that there WAS liltle Of Chriss's insti-
tuition In the public ninistrations, and
that all good Christians were obliged
10 separate from those impure assem-
blies; that their next step was 70
join him and his Disciples; that here
was nothing but what was pure and
uhexceptionable, evidently inspired ~
the Spirit Of God, and refined from all
alloy AMI profsDation."
"Thess diEcoursss prevailed on the
audience and precept vas brouxht up
to praetics; and now bis disciples called
Brownists formed new ssciety, snd
made total detection from the Cburch.
For tho men Of this thorough rsforma-
zion refused to join any congregation
in any public offics Of worship. This
was the frst gathering Of Churches.
she FIRST Eehism in form which appear
ed in England"
This Robert Brown was afterwards
reconciled 10 tho Church Of England,
and then again relsPscS; be then as-
sePtsd bsBefce or cure in the Church,
and after while was again busy- IN
strengthening his followers. He was
another time censurcd by the ecclessias-
tical authority, and ths historian son-
siudss The notice Of bis life thus
"Brown icing deeply affected with
with the solemniiy. Of this csnsure
made bis sabmiSsioB, moved fer a6solu-
Iioa and rocsiyed It.; and from this
tims continued in the communion Of
tho Church. Hs lived, azd died at
Iart in Northampton Jail, but not upsn
tbs score Of Eonconformity, but breach
Of peace" Many Of bis followers
continued uLreclaimed, ar1 suffered
death Tor their mispsrsussisn.
This was the origin Of the Indspen-
dents at first called Brownists. Many
severe laws were enacted against them
and they braysly here much fer their
religions sake. But they were not Ia
the leass more tolerant than their
sdversarits; for whom they in turn OBJ
taineA powsr they we're guilty Of she
same oppression aud put 10 death those
who would not conform TO their pecu-
liar and before nnheard ef views.
The distinctive principle put forth
~ ths Independents, is that every
congregation is entitled, "to elect It's
own eEcsrs, 10 manage al its own af-
fairs, and 70 staad indcpendsEt Of and
irresponsible to all authority saving
that Of the Supreme and Divine head Of
the Church, the Lord Jssus Christ.
They bold that human traditions,
fathers, councils ard creeds possess no
authority over ths faith azd practice Of
Christians, and deny that there is any
authority IN Scripture for uuisisv the
Churches cf a nstion inte q prssincs
ruled by a bishop, or by synod or
Prssbytery, in other words that there
are no grades in the Christian ministry,
and tat no one congregation Is re-
sponsible 20 the whole bedy sf believers
IN Christ.
This WAS contrary 10 the established
order and practice Of the Church fer
fifteen hundred years. Oa what
ground has one person a right to differ
from established Law In the Church
more than frum the law Of the landi
Ii the ancient oustens are 20 have no
respect, tho pope hs1 as gsod right to
interpret the Ssriptures as favoring
papal infallibility az Prctestants to a
, contrary view. When il is cia;msd by
the Romanisl that the Scripture refer
ences to St. Peter prove him to have
, been the infallible head of tbs Church,
We answer that the assumption is
{ contrary to the history of the early
; Church and shat sixth general council
condemned Honorius /, pope, for
Hsresy, as admitted BY the accepted
{ records. II self viii and opiRisn be
admitted IS the rule to iRterpret Script
urs the Romanists hare a. much right
. on their side as their opponents.
By allowing = private Interpretation
+ Of Scripture persons can explain away
5 any texts opposed TO theic views. St
0 Paul said to the Corinthians sif any
1 man seem to TO content tions, ve have
e no Iuch eustom neither the Churches
q of Cad" Thus he peruiss appeal to
:, established usGSes In examining
o tho position assumed by those Whs
r SEA the first example Of sivisioB, th,
. universal practice Of ii- Church skoul'
have weight uusi proved IN error
d We claim theu that IN tie S-TiPtrI,
times and as shown by .hs Scriptnre
. themselves, there was ,hrss folk
& order in the ministry, Apostles, pres
: byters and deac csns, corresponding I,
h the three fold orlsr of Bishep., priests
d or presbytcrs and deaesn, at The time e
II reformation. and rightly retained BY
g the Church Of England On Seriptur
l, authority. When view contrary ti
'f this is held so tenaciously as 50 divide
!. tho Caurch of Christ, il must bs sup
i ported by positive testimony.
IS That the congregations ID the Chris
y tian Churchez did not have the pswel
a to elect their own ministers withou
n the concurrence Of the ministry of Oh
" Church, and shat as Christ chose tk
l. Apostles as the leaders and founders :
Of His Caursh they had the right t. dc
r eide upon tbs fitness of candidates f.
IS the ministry.
y That the affairs Of every parish wer
N not left alone 10 the minister as 81
IS Paul while nes living in Coriath, no
'f at the tire, minister Of any Churc
" there, accommodated the incestnou
Of Oorinthian.
ID Nor il each Church ahle without
4: synod to settle doctrine or discipline a
10 we read in Acts XIV.
to Nor was the ministry cf the Me-
ID Testament equal in order as-wa rea
- =. II - IL n n = --,Kyl II al