The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-09
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Has . Good Roothold In Warrington
Eapeclally In King County.

Especially In King County.
Statistics Of the Congregational denom-
ination prepared by the census bureau
show that Massachusetts,, whore the Pill
grims and Puritans established churches
Of the Congregational order early in the
seve nteenth century, 10 still the strong
hold Of Congregation aiism. It has in that
state nearly 10000 members. In Con-
necticut, which comes second. there are
50,lA. and in New York. 45.6Sd In tho
six New England states the aggregate Of
Congregational strength 10 nearly $50 900.
which 10 about Is per cent. Of the whole
number of members in the United States.
The proportion of members to population
In Massachusetts il to %; In Vermont,
1 TO 1872; In Connecticut, to 126; In New
Hampshire, to 1871: In Maine, I to 307;
in Rhode Island. 1 to 4s.
Abe FIRST church of the Congregational
order and faith in tho United States came
over tho sea to Plymouth, Mass, in tho
Mayfower, in 1920. Before the close Of
the first half Of that century there were in
New England ffty-one Congregational
churches, besides two or three on Long
Island and one in Virginia.
Congregationalism developed great
strength in New England, spreading but
slowly over other sections OF the country.
In 1901 plan Of union was entered into
with tho Presbyterian church concerning
the formation Of churches in new settle
ments, and under it Congregatioualists
going West from New England generally
entered Presbyterian churches. This plan
continued in force until 1852. when it was
formally abrogated by . convention of
CongregationAlists at Albany. on the
ground that it practically excluded Con.
gregationalism from the country west Of
New England. It is noticeable that in the
older states. where there are many Con-
gregationalists, there are comparatively
few Presbyterians, and vice versa. Since
the abrogation of the plan Of union the
growth Of Congregational churches in the
West, particularly in Illinois and the yet
newer states of the Northwest, has been
quite rapid. Their anti-slavery record
entirely shut them out of the States OF
the South until after the civil war. Their
numbers in that section are still limited,
and include good proportion Of colored
members, to whose education they have
been much devoted.
The Pilgrims and Puritans. who consti.
tuted the early Congregational churches,
were not averss TO Presbyterianism on
doctrinal grounds. Congregationalists and
Presby terians were In substantial agree
msnt, the Westminster Confession serving
scceptably as the doctrinal symbol Of
both for many years. 1t was adopted by
the Congregation alists at general synod
at Cambridge, Mass, In l6i6-l640 The
Savoy Confession of Faith, which 10 SINH
lar to that Of Westminster, was adopted
by local synods in 1850 and in 170S, and Q
national council held in 1865. in Boston,
Mass, expressed its adherence to the
faith substantially embodied" in these
two confessions. and adopted . declare
ton, known a. the Burial Hill Declara-
tion," affirming the general unity Of the
Church of Christ in all the world, and SET
ting forth the Fundamental truths in
which all Christians should agree" - .
basis OF general cooperation and fellow
ship.
Tho polity OF the Congregational
churches is based On the principle Of the
complete autonomy of each local church.
Connected with this principles 10 that Of the
felio ship of the churches. The Cambridge
platform, adopted in the middle of the
seventeenth century, declares that ''al-
though churches be distinct and therefore
NAV not be COMPOUNDED with one another;
and equal, and therefore have not domin-
ion one over another; yet ali churches
ought to preserve church communion one
with another. because they are all united
unto Christ, not only as . mystical, but ~
q political head, whence is derived . COM
munion suitable thereunto." The foun-
tain of ecclesiastical power is in the1ocai
church. and not In any association
or council Of churches. Each church
manages it's own affairs. When diff
ferences arise between churches or
between members OF the same church. or
between q church and Its pastor, they may
be referred To q council specially sum-
mened, composed of pastors and represent
tatives OF neighboring churches OF the
same faith and order. The decisions Of
councils are. however, not mandatory, but
simply advisory. Councils have to do
chiefly with questions OF denominations
fellowship. They examine, ordain and
install pastors, and recognize churches
There are Local associations purely minis
terial. meeting for fellowship, and which
In acme sections assume the duty Of ex-
aiming candidates Tor license TO preach,
the license being in the nature OF = cersifi-
cation 10 the churches o! the fitness Of the
iicentiate. There are also local and state
associations, or conferences, Of churches
and ministers, which hold regular meet
inss for consultation concerning the benev-