Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Present indifference to the subject.

being men of piety, and learning, and experience; familiar with the Scriptures; well read in the history of the world; conversant with the treasures of antiquity-with the writings of the Fathers of the Church, and with classic authors; having had great experience of the workings of an ecclesiastical establishment in their native land, and having enjoyed opportunities while in Holland to examine the polity of the Reformed Churches on the Continent; and feeling the deep responsibility of laying aright the religious foundations of a new world-it was natural, it was unavoidable, that the subject of church order, and discipline, and worship, should arrest, and fix, and for a time, all but absorb their attention. If men in their circumstances could not, did not, study to advantage this great subject, then may we well despair of ever having it thoroughly and impartially investigated. Our fathers did study the science of church polity, and the fruits of their study New England-yea, the world itself, has long been gathering.

For many years after the settlement of New England, the subject of church order and government received much attention: some have thought too much. But he who has well weighed the bearings of this question upon the interests of pure religion, will be of a different opinion.

However it may have been in the days of our fathers, certain it is, that for many years past, this subject has excited far too little interest among the descendants of the New England Puritans.

Various causes have contributed to produce this state of things. Among the more prominent, perhaps, may be named:

1. The anxiety of Congregationalists to unite different denominations in benevolent religious societies. To ac

Influence of union in benevolent enterprises.

complish this, there has been a readiness to keep out of sight, and even to sacrifice our denominational peculiarities. However benevolent the design of these Unions, the result of them has been to injure Congregationalism. Episcopalians, and Methodists, and Presbyterians, while they have united with us in this joint-stock labor sufficiently to neutralize Congregationalism, have kept up their separate and denominational organizations.

But we have had nothing of this sort, by which to propagate our own peculiar views. And while Congregationalists have been furnishing a large proportion of the funds of these Unions, as a denomination, they have derived no benefit from them. They have even, with an unauthorized generosity, yielded the entire advantage to other denominations.

"What then, shall we give up all united attempts to save souls, for fear of injuring Congregationalism?" If the question were-shall we save souls, or promote the interests of any particular denomination? it would be easy to answer. This, however, is not the question. It is-shall we, in connection with our efforts to save souls, endeavor to promote the interests of what we esteem as the most scriptural and excellent system of church government in the world; or shall we utterly disregard this? Bishop Hobart thought that a few Bibles, and the residue of Common Prayer Books, were better for a destitute neighborhood than all Bibles.* I would be content, if permitted to write upon every Bible this simple Congregational senti

ment-THIS IS THE ONLY INFALLIBLE GUIDE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION AND CHURCH GOVERNMENT.

*See McVicar's "Professional Days of Bishop Hobart."

Influence of union in benevolent enterprises.

And

Our Home Missionary societies have founded hundreds of churches in the Western and Southern States; and New England Congregationalists have supplied a very large proportion of the means and men which have established and sustained these churches; and yet, scarce one in fifty of these is upon the Congregational Platform. Scores of young men, professedly Congregationalists, have gone out from our Theological Seminaries and thrown themselves into the bosom of the Presbyterian Church. And why have they done this?" To do good." could they not have done good and yet have retained their Puritan principles? Have these made New England an intellectual and moral garden; and yet shall we be told, that they will not answer for the South and West? Had New England men and money carried New England principles of church government wherever they went, and boldly and faithfully sustained them, other sections of our country would now more nearly resemble the land of the Pilgrims. I would neither hinder nor help other denominations in establishing their favorite institutions. The land is wide enough for us all. Let each denomination peaceably labor to do the utmost good, in that way which seems to it most accordant with the Divine will. If we are brethren, our object is the same; though our methods of attaining it, are different. If the question be, Shall there be a Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist, or no church; my influence and my money shall freely go for either. But, if the question be, Shall it be either of these, or a Congregational church? I am bound by my principles to saythe latter, by all means.

We should live with all on the most friendly terms; but chiefly mind our own business.

REESE

LIBRARY

OF THE

Influence of Theological Seminares

CALIFORNIA.

2. Another cause of this state of things-it is suggested with diffidence, and with all due respect to my superiors -may be the operation of the principle on which some of the Theological Seminaries of New England are conducted.

Nearly every dollar of their funds has come from Congregationalists; yet, these seminaries are open alike to all Protestants. To this, as a general principle, there certainly can be no objection. But if, in connection with this admission of different denominations, there should be any hesitation on the part of the teachers of these institutions, to advocate openly, thoroughly, and earnestly, Congregational principles of church government, the influence of this course would be very injurious to the interests of our own denomination. A three years' experience in one of these institutions and one that has supplied the churches with more than seven hundred ministers-compels me to fear that the operation of the principle referred to, may possibly be among the causes adverse to the spread of Congregationalism.

If the Professors of any of our Theological Seminaries, are even apparently indifferent to our church polity, we need not be surprised to find their pupils really so.

Shall I be accused of narrow bigotry, in wishing to shut out from these schools of the prophets all but those of our own denomination? I have no such wish; but simply, that our denominational peculiarities receive that atten'tion which their importance demands, and which the interests of the denomination which supports these Seminaries require. If the young men of other denominations please to avail themselves of the advantages of our institutions, they should be welcomed, and kindly treated;

A false impression prevalent.

but should expect to hear all the doctrines of the Puritan Congregationalists of New England faithfully and earnestly defended.

3. Another cause of the apathy which pervades the churches upon this subject, may be found in the impression that no efforts are required to protect and promote our excellent system of church government.

It is generally thought that intelligent New England men must of course prefer, to every other, the system to which they have been accustomed from their childhoodespecially, as this has so many incontrovertible arguments to support it, and is so perfectly in accordance with the spirit of our free institutions.

That, however, must be a good cause indeed, which will take care of itself; a better cause than this world has ever yet known. The truth is-and there is no occasion for concealment - while Congregationalists have been sleeping in their fancied security, other denominations have not been idle. Their peculiar tenets have been advocated and urged, with a zeal and confidence, which, contrasted with our own apathy, have been as arguments for the correctness of other systems, and against our own. The inference with many has been: That system of church government best deserves our attention and belief, whose advocates most urgently and boldly claim them. Or, in other words: They who make the most noise, have the best cause.

4. Another cause of the state of things of which we complain, is found in the dearth of modern books upon Congregationalism.

The fathers of New England covered the land with publications upon church polity. But these are little

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »