The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-19
The Congregatlonalist Family.

The International Councllof the Congrega-
tionallsts at London seems to be rather for
the purpose OF promoting good fellowship
than to discuss practical and definite meas
ures, or settle disputed questions Of doctrine
and usage. Addresses have been delivered
on general religious themes. but We get
no indication that precise and concerted
methods Of dealing with existing theological
difficulties will come from the meeting.
The very theory OF Congregationalism for
bids that there should be any such result.
It does not admit of n council whose deci-
sions will have authority over the churches.
like the great councils OF Catholicism. Each
Congregational church Is an Independent Or
ganization in affiliation with other churches
OF the same name and order, but subject to
no central and supreme ecclesiastical au-
thority except the Bible itself. NoGcumeni-
cal council can impose on It, creed, or dictate
to 1t in any way.
Such a meeting as that held in London
therefore Is merely voluntary gathering
of individuals for the expression OF their
Individual views. which will carry weight
with the churches only 80 far as they are &C.
cepted as sound and wise. 1t is a debating
society. not O council in the strict ecclesias-
tical sense: and its influence will be meas
ured by the respect inspired by the speak
ers. 1t can do nothing more than make
suggestions and prefer advice which will
be estimated according to their worth. II.
for instance, the meeting denounced the
Andover school OF Congregationalists as
false lin their theology. their actual status,
so far as concerns the churches. would be in
no wise affected. Any church desiring q
pastor OF that way Of thinking could secure
his services and yet remain unframed
by the London declaration. AS q matter
OF fact, very many, II not most OF the
most popular Congregational ministers al
ready belong to that school. As measured
by the Westminster Confession, which was
the old standard OF belief OF the Congrega-
tional churches, the professors OF the Andover
Theological Seminary are at least rs hereti-
cal as DIR. BRIGGS and the Rev. Mr.. MAC.
QUEARY, but they hold their places all tho
same. They may be dislodged by means of
civil proceedings, taken on the ground that
their teachings are in violation OF the
charter OF the seminary or of tho conditions
of its endowment, but they cannot be
brought to an ecclesiastical trial, whose
decision would be indisputable law for tho
whole body OF tho churches. There is no
General Assembly to stand over them.
Hence this London International Council,
as 1t is called. cannot be described as an
important gathering In any respect, except
30 far as 1t stimulates religious feeling and
activity among its members and those in
fuenced by them individually. 1t will con-
tribute nothing to the composing OF the the
illogical strife now In progress and TO
the harmonizIng OF the theological
differences which exist among tho Con-
gregational churches even moro than
among tho Presbyterian. Nobody's doc
| trinal views will BIO modified by what 1t
does. and tho Congregational drift toward
agnostlcism will be checked In no wise.
Ministers and churches will continue to
think as they please and they will gather
in associations tolerant OF their opinions. II
minister is driven from one church or
congeries OF churches because Of his theo-
| logical vagarles, he will find another all the
reader to welcome him because OF those
divergences. Therefore the Episcopal and
| Presbyterian heretics can always have a
home In Congregationalism. Theologically
| 1t Is vari-colored
Yet ConEregationalism does not seem to
be growing In vitality. DIR. BROOKS has al
ready drawn many OF his followers from its
ranks. and M Bishop OF Massachusetts he
| will doubtless attract more to the Episcopal
Church. Its great Missionary Board, the
parent OF the American missionary organ
| izations is weakened and embarrassed by
the spread of doubts rs to heather damna-
tion. and doctrlnal uncertainty and confu.