The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-09
HISTORICAL QUESTIONS.
Fart Borne by Congregationalism in
Early New England.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Apropos of your editorial on the Presby-
terrain Church in the issue of June 9, 1 de-
sire to ask few historical questions:
First-Is it a fact that the people of
Massachusetts, and the other New England
States were overwhelmingly of the Con-
gregational faith in the revolution?
Seconds 1t fact that the Presbyterian
Church at Newburyport was the only one
in Massachusetts,. and that Connecticut had
a Congrega tional Church in every original
township?
Thirds it a fact that of the ''Contin-
entail Line" more than one-half were fur
nished from New England?
Fourth-Is it a fact that there were in
New England. in 1885, some GOO Congre-
gational Churches, many of them well
thirteen colonies the Presbyterian General
Assembly mustered only some $50 congrega-
tons?
Fifth-Is ii a fact that Oliver Cromwell
and his roundheads were Independents and
not Presbyterians, and that his soldiers ex-
PEELED the Presbyterians from Parliament
by force?
Sixth-Is it a fact that Rev. John Robin
son, the pastor of the Pilgrim Fathers and
the accepted religions leader and thinker of
New England, did, in his famous farewell
address to his exiled flock in Holland, ex-
pressly disclaim allegiance to Calvin and
urge his church to freedom intellectual by
saying, Il believe there is much light yet
to break forth from Gods word?"
Seventies it a fact that denominations
which have a congregational form of gov
eminent are in the majority as TO numbers
in the United State, as Baptists, Christians,
Unitarians, Universalists, Congregation
lists, etc?
Eighth-Is it a fact that the constitution
of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
was formed on the union of state and
church." while the Constitution of the
United States was formed on the 'separa-
ton of church and state, opposite sides Of
the pivotal question of the times?
Ninth-Is it a fact that ordained pres
byter in the Presbyterian Church is not a
member of a local congregation and amen
able to it, as its peer. but belongs to an
order" 1.-THE presbyterial ORDER which is
above the local congregation? On the other
hand. Is not President Mckinley any
official of the United States government
precinct? Where. then, is the likeness2
Tenth-Is it a fact that Thomas Jefferson
in his writings expressly attributes his con-
ception of republican government Tor
demooratic) to the workings of a congre-
gationally governed church in Virginia,
which he witnessed and studied?
Eleventh-Is il fact that the Scotch and
Scotch-Irish immigration landing in New
England adopted the congregational mode
of government largely, with the exception
of a handful of churches in New Hamp-
shire, so that New England as whole
was pretty solidly Congregational for $50
years preceding the revolution?
The facts mentioned in the admirably
conceived editorial are very interesting If
true. and. even if qualifiedly true. would be
a great feature in the cap of Presbyterian
ism Historical accuracy and balance may
suggest some qualifications and al least
mention of the place Congregational New
l.. ID. G.
INDIANAPOLIS June s.