Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-10-24


church shall be governed. Christ al
ways taught the spiritual. His ministry
on earth was only three years and if he
had remained longer visible there at Je-
rusalem it would have tended much to
materialize the peoples conception of
Christ. Christ gave to the church the
power of the keys, that is of determining
who should and who should not be re-
ceived into Christian fellowship. And he
did not give this power to the state, and
any usurpation of that power by the state
the power of the sword would be by the
church.
The next principle which we have to
consider is Christian fellowship. This is
manifestly an institution of Christ, and
one which he sought to promote in every
way possible. So it would be more proper
to speak of the churches of Christ than of
the church of Christ; because they do
differ, and of themselves. But we should
all have a common bond of fellowship.
ADDRESS BY REV. DIR. MUNGER.
Rev. DR.. T. T. Munger was the next
speaker, and his subject was "The In
fuence of Congregationalism on Civil
Institutions" In his remarks he said: ''In
speaking of the relation of Congregational
ism to civil institutions, shall dwell for a
moment on the discovery of America, and
I think that it will then take but moment
to land in tho midst of Congregationalism.
The condition of the old world at the
time Immediately preceding Columbus
discovery was progressive. The mariners
compass had been introduced. The art of
printing had been invented. Great dis
coveries had been made in geographical
science. Man also was coming to himself
and his rights and privileges. The change
from monarchy to freedom, though the
struggle was long one, was important;
And its idea the idea of monarchy still
STA, jest, though a serious one, in Ger
many, and in England a mere form. But
it could not live. 1t is a written decree
of the gods that man must govern him
self
In a narrow view of the case science and
| plucky sailor discovered America, but in
| wider and more general view it was the
| advance of society that brought about
the discovery of this continent. The new
world came because the old world had
come to point when it could find it. And
there was one great use for this continent
that of self government The old forms of
government had formal recognition for
time, it is true. Now the archbishop wears
| the mitre among US, bat it is made of pretty
fiimsy material. But the chief cause that
brought this result about was that of the
social and religious condition of Europe.
The discovery of our new world came in
1892, that is, that part of the new world
known as the West Indies, and affected by
the Spanish civilizations; that of the Eng
lish in 1920; and it is out of the 100 years
of Congregationalism succeeding the year
1920 that modern Congregationalism grew.
The town meeting was purely Saxon
idea which our forefathers brought over
with them. And hand in hand with the
town meeting goes Congregationalism.
The town meeting is just the Congrega-
tional church put to secular use. Each is
endowed with the democratic principles.
Thus we are free, not from love of liberty,
but from conscience. It was the natural
Congregational church. For one could
not be under the teachings of this church
without imbibing the pure democratic in
stincts of liberty.
DR.. Munger's address was fraught with
interesting and suggestive thought on
the branch of the evenings discussion
he had under consideration.
ADDRESS OF REV. MR.. MEsERvE.
Then followed Rev. I. G. Meserve, pastor
of the Davenport church, who spoke ably
aud eloquently on ''The Mutual Relations
of Local Congregational Churches" A
brief extract from his remarks follows:
Congregationalism Is, first, administra-
ton, and this is an important item in it's
| meaning and in its history. We share our
democratic polity with other denomina-
tons and heartily believe that it is pecu-
liarly suited to free people and free
government. But it is not of administra-
ton that wish to speak tonight. Con-
gregationalism is, secondly, fellowship, and
| of this little more at large. Our fellow
| ship has been more sentimental than prac-
| teal for some years. We have been
| busy with our garden patches, or
| have had missions connected with single
churches, have been content to work to-
gether by our representatives. in city mis-
| sions. Our purely fraternal gatherings,
| with the exception of the Congregational
club, have been much neglected. Then,
the feeling between the "historic" church.
es and the younger ones has not been quite
| free from stiffness. The younger churches
| veterans, and it is not remarkable that
| they should. Moreover, the "old" and
''new" in theology has kept us apart We
| are just beginning to rise above the con-
straint of this division. A better day is
here, and one that has promise of much
good in it. An opportunity is now given
for the recognition of the things COM
mon to all our churches: We
are fellow travellers, like Christian
and Faithful in "Pi1grim's Progress"
Once fairly thrown into common
company we are bound to get acquainted
and like each other we'll, as fellow travel
ers usually do. Then our common order
draws us together, only it is well to re-
member that as an old suit Of clothes
stuffed with draw does not make man, so
q creed and service and custom cannot
make church, and Christisn fellowship
presupposes Christians and churches. Once
more we have common interest. Two
churches and location call for ministry
and attention. The churches are to be as
sisted to occupy their fields and hold
alone. The location must have Congrega-
| tional church planted in it without unrea-.
sonable delay. This We are to undertake