Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-09-18

for freedom, and crossed the sea to lay the
foundation of American civilization.
1t was the same work Of English-speakine
people in two lands. The Colonists who
came to Cape Cod held themselves not to be
single fugitives, but a body polite; and they
brought out this idea clearly in the instru-
ment subscribed at Cape Cod In 1920. They
regarded the State as an ordinance of
God; the State was to unfold itself within
the Church. And so, afterwards, II was re-
solved in the general court at Boston by the
Massachusetts, Bay colony that for the fu-
ture mo one shall be admitted to the
freedom Of its body polite, unless he be a
member of the same Church within the limits
Of the same.
recent compendium Of religions quotes
from q church history Of almost two hum
dred years ago. l give the whole passage be-
cause 1t illustrates that, when / am talking
about the Puritans, am talking about Con-
gregationalists and that when am talking
about what Puritanism has done, I am speak
ing certainly In the broad sense OF what Con-
gregationalism has done. This is the citation
from the old book:
Independents or Congregationalists hold
that each church or congregation is indie
that there Is no absolute occasion for synods
or councils, whose resolutions may be taken
Tor advice, but not as decisions to be
may advise or reprove another, but has no
authority to excommunicate. Robert Brown
preached these doctrines in 1885, but after 60
conformed to the established Church. K
church was formed in London in 1893, when
there were twenty thousand Independents or
persecution to Holland. where thew formed
several churches. That at Leyden was under
Mr.. Robinson, regarded as the author of In
dependency, or Oongregationalism In 1873 1879
founded q Westinghouse. Cromwell, him
self an Independent or Congregationalist, OBJ
tanned their federation, in opposition to the
gregationaiists, published an epitome Of
their faith, drawn up at conference at the
Savoy in 1858, and the Congregational union
laration Of faith, order end discipline in 1881.
The first Independent Tor Con-
gregationaD church in America was formed
by the followers Of John Robinson at Ply
mouth. In New England, in 1920"
And so, as have said, the Puritan Church
was Congregational Church. 1t was the
State Church. It took generations to dissolve
it from the State, and to separate the two no.
tions. And this was not thoroughly accom-
plished by the New England communities un-
til the early part of the 18th century.
Up to this time, Maine towns had particle
pated in the votes relating to settling or un-
settling the minister. The magistrate as
sisted the minister in his ministrations. As
late as 1903, the town of Turner voted in town
meeting that the town "settle the Rev.
Charles Turner, provided he will preach for
four dollars and half a week.. And the
same year it voted that the town appear at
court in Portland on the third Tuesday of
Februsry"'to answer for not being provided
with leader to preach religion and morality.
This was among the latest survivals of the
Puritan theory that the State presented only
the secular view of the Church. This union
Of Church and State did not entirely disap-
pear in this State until the convention of 1873
which formed the constitution of Maine,
when the separation was affirmatively made.
1 do not propose TO launch upon the sea OF
Church history, even for voyage along the
shore. leave that to men learned in the lore
of the Church. But without any profound
study, it is easy to follow the path along
which the Church idea worked itself out in
Puritan civilization. Harvard college, in
1885, was formed for the purpose of supplying
to the Church and the State body Of learned
ministers of the gospel. And this idea en-
tered into the formation of Bowdoin college
late in the 18th century.
1t is interesting to see how the idea OF rep
resentative government came along the lines
of Congregationalism. The Congregationalist
body was pure democracy. The citizen was
the unit; the State unfolded itself within the
Church. This idea OF individual RESPONSE
bility remained the leading idea of New Eng
land citizenship. The citizen was responsible
to no presbyter. to no synod; he was respon-
sible to himself and to his Maker.
In developing this idea, Congregationalism
showed its perfect work in New England
The Church historians tell US that New Eng
land Congregationalism had its reflex influ.
ence on the Puritans in the mother country
until the time of Cromwell, and that under
his protection, Congregationalism made grea,
progress. The idea OF the State controlling
individual preference in religion had gone
out with the Stuarts. Cromwell allowed each
churchman to organize his congregation or
any lines he chose; and this has not been Sc
riously denied by any government since. In
his book upon Oliver Cromwell, Mr.. Roose-
welt says:
1.-THE Independent or Congregational
churches, which worked for political free
dom and held that each congregation OF
Professionals should decide for itself as to its
religious doctrines, stood as the forerunners
in the movement that has eliminated in our
modern political and religious liberty"
cannot better state the effect of Congrega-
tionalism in New England than in that pas
sage. The modern Congregational Church
develops individuality and independence Of
thought. 1t is not true that all creeds look
alike to it; for while it has discarded much
that is outgrown, it holds fast to the essen
tial. And its best teachings are along tn,
lines, not merely of saving souls, but of serv
ing men on this earth in their day and gene
ration.
1t has not fallen away from its just pride il
it's great traditions. The history of New
England for two hundred years was Churcl
history. In his Magnalia, Cotton Mathe
assumed that the story of New England wa
merely another name for the annals of tn
Church. He scarcely refers to Maine, excep
to talk about its ministers and meeting
houses.
We must remember that the Maine problem
was much more complicated problem thai
10 ha,