New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-07
DEFECT IN A RELIGIOUS LAW.
CONGREGATIONAL AND BAL TlST CHOfChho
PRACTICALLY ROBBED OF SELF-GON-
FRNNENT BY IT, 1T is SAID.

An Interesting point was raised on Friday night
in the regular monthly business meeting at fIym-
outh Church. which took place In the lecture-room
after the prayer-meeting, when Thomas c. Shear
man called attention to certain features or the re-
ue1ous CORPORATION law of 1885, which. he holds,
practically robs Congregational and Baptist
churches Of their independent organic govern
mental features and puts them under the authority
OF the American Congregational Union. as the gov
erning body OF the Congregational Church. ana the
Baptist Missionary Society Of the Baptist Church.
Mr.. Shearman thinks that the law was changed
through ignorance. and DR.. Abbott, when seen yes
terday said that it was legal monstrosity. ana
that Dr. Behrends the first minister TO dis
cover the existence of the Law, which he did d he"
DAYS ago Mr.. Sherman, in speaking OF the as
covery yesterday, said:
"The LEGISLATURE without consulting any one. so
far as | am informed. has presumed to recognize
the American Congregational Union as the govern
Ing body Of the Congregational Church II gives 70
the union the power TO acquire the property OF all
churches becoming extinct and also the power TO
conHscate the property Of any Congregational
church which does not conform TO the laws Oh 'ie
American Congregational Union
THE minute that the State presumes 10 put
governing head over Congregational churches they
cease TO be Congregational churches
I'm the case of the Baptist Church. the Baptist
Missionary Union in New-York State has been des-
ignated as the governing body. Baptist churches
are really more Congregational than are Congre-
gational churches themselves The American Con-
grecational Union has no governing powers what
ever and exists principally for the purpose or
church extension, and the Baptist Missionary con.
vention exercises a like relation TO the aHalrs or
that Church. l do not think the law II eNpllCIs
enough to enable the union TO take the properly OF
an existing corporation but 1t may be so We IN
tend to sift this matter thoroughly ana hnd out 10
what extent the law affects MS.
"a n result of the discussion at the meeting on
Friday night. Messrs. Sherman, Rossiter W. Ray
mond and Frank Rudd were appointed committee
to Investigate the subject and report az the earnest
practicable opportunity. - ,>,
When the attention OF the Rev DIT. a. {. Dixon,
of the Hanson Place Baptist Church, was called TO
| the anomalous condition in which the law placed
the Baptist churches of the State OF Newly orK ne
! said: . - ., ..,.
"If there Is such a law that on the statute
books IL Is unconstitutional. Baptist conventions
! and associations have no executive power What,
| ever They are simply voluntary organizations and
! indenendent OF the Church. They have no organic
| connection with the Church Baptist ASSOCIATIONS
| have no more direct connection with the individual
| RaDtist churches than the State Christian En-
deavor Society. II that IS the law II Is piece oil
ecclesiastical diocy and II there is any attempt &c
! enforce It whenever a split occurs in Il church
! there will be a rebellion on the part or 2Vr,W
| Baptists right off There Is no such thing. accord
ing 10 the orthodox view, as the Baptist Church
| There are Baptist churches but the highest power
| &c represented by the individual church If tbs
| MISSIONARY Society of the Baptist Church should
attempt TO avail itself Of any such law as you sug
| gest II would un-Bapist Itself"