Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-10-25

1nder Christ and his word, of the local
,hurch, for which ConRregational1sm
stands, admits of no ceremonial or doc
trinal tests, and identifies organic unity
with fellowship in Christ. In other words,
insists that we are one,
and that the problem of Christian unity Is
vexing only because some will insist upon
imposing their private judgment upon al
the rest Grant the universal right OF
private judgment, under the lordship OF
Christ, and the scots will unite in mutual
federation and respect, the only unity for
which there seems to be the faintest shadow
of hope. Pan Presbyterianism, Pan Meth
odism, Pan Congregationalism, each and oil
complicate the problem which they aim to
solve. They are sure to increase sectar1an
rancor. The secret of unity lies In indie
pendence and in the right of association
which such independence involves; leaving
doctrinal, ritual and administrative pref
erences to express themselves freely and
without damage or loss to universal Chris
tian fellowship. When We shall come to
see that the church makes the denomina-
ton. not the denomination the church, and
that the church may be q church with or
without UNCONVENTIONAL utilization, as
man may be q man In rags or in purple,
the problem of Christian unity will cease
| to vex Ms, and the way will be prepared
for Christian federation. believe, there
fore, that Congregationalism still has mis-
sion, as a reputation of theological dog
| matism, as protest against ecclesiastical
| Capitalization and, as involved in these,
| to point the simplest way to the unity of
Christendom. Born in England, it has
found It's most congenial home In this
| western continent. The event which we
| celebrate to- night is one of many which
/ do tho iftaentb and airkaeOth oanfnriae
forever memorable. By right of discovery,
Narth America is the heritags of the Eng
lish speaking race. By right of settlement
1t is the heritage of Professionalism and Of
it's freest type-the Congregationalism o.
the Plymouth colony. "There," said
Rufus Choate, nearly fifty year.
ago, In words that have becom,
classic, "was state without king o.
mobiles; there was church without
bishop; there was q people governed b.
grave magistrates which it had selected and
equal laws which it had framed.n Tha
tells thewhole story. In the Mayhowe
nation converged and blended, giving
birth to new state, to be distinguished
for civil and religious liberty, a genuin
democracy trained in the schoolhouse ant
simple religion with the Bible as its onl
symbol, free church in free state. TIL
foundations were nobly laid. Be it ours t
build upon them according to the pstterl
shown unto the fathers, making this Ian
the nursery of an intelligent patriotism an
the home of simple, free, generous an
aggressive Christianity
Rev. Epwin Pond Parker, D. D., c
Hartford then read poem describing til
rise and progress of the Puritan. It wi
be published in full later in pamphle
which is to be Issued by the club. A hymn
composed for the occasion by Mrs. W. "
McLane was then sung and the benedi'
ton pronounced by DR.. Smyth.
, The meeting throughout was one {
striking interest. Congregationslists wei
present not only from all parts of the cit!
but from all the neighboring places.