Congregationalism : what it is; whence it is; how it works; why it is better than any other form of church government; and its consequent demands

Front matter

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Preface

As long ago as in 1859, I was desired by a publisher to recast, for a moderately sized volume, an article entitled " Congregationalism — its essential features and inherent superiorities," which, after some previous service as a sermon, had been published in the first number of the Congregational Quarterly. I undertook the labor, and the book was announced as in the press, in July, 1860. It so happened, however, that after the copy had been partially prepared and the type-setting begun, circumstances connected with my pastoral charge compelled the temporary relinquishment of the undertaking. Eesumed as soon as possible afterwards, the work — thanks to a printer of inexhaustible patience — has been carried on at desultory and often distant intervals, as the pressure of two exacting professions, and other things, would permit. It has thus been written and stereotyped in fragments ; since the first fifty pages, one " form " not unfrequently having been completed, before the next page has existed in manuscript.

I mention these facts because they are facts — which may explain, though they will not justify, some of the many defects of the volume. If any body sees in it crudities,

VIII PREFACE.

repetitions, and — in matter and manner — abundant marks of haste ; I can only say, with Paul, " I more." Being at last finished, it is now published, because it is an honest — though felt to be a very imperfect — endeavor to discuss, in a practical way, subjects of common concernment ; and particularly to make clear to all inquiring minds the simple and efficient processes of Congregationalism. While the wants of ministers, and others who are called upon to discuss Church Polity, have been constantly had in mind, and many notes have been inserted for their eye ; the book has yet been especially written for, and to, the intelligent masses of the people, in the deepest conviction that the system of Church order, which it aims to unfold and defend, has special Divine aptitude to bless them, while in the present position of our country this aptitude peculiarly needs to be considered and commended to the general mind ; and in the thought that, among other and abler treatises, they might, on some accounts, be grateful for such an one as this.

I have no apology to offer to fellow Christians of other denominations for anything said herein. I have not intended to speak in bitterness or censoriousness, nor otherwise than I would have them speak of my own faith — did facts warrant it — in reversed circumstances. I hold that the most peaceable and useful Christian union is that which is effected by the kindly co-working of denominational bodies, each thoroughly persuaded that it is better than all others, and stimulated to the utmost esprit de corps; as that grand army proves most victorious, in which each arm of the service is sure that it is more vital than all others

PKEFACE. IX

to that success which all, it may be equally, desire, and for which all, under one leadership, contend. If a fellow Christain is an Episcopalian, or a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, I want him to be such with all his heart and soul and mind and strength ; and equally I desire an earnest Congregationalism in all who accept the democratic, as, at once, the primitive and the peerless polity. The present crisis in our National affairs demands from every Christian, action of that sagacious, self-denying, and I might almost say strenuous character, which can only be the natural outgrowth of an intelligent, fervid, and untiring inward conviction that he has " the mind of Christ."

I have not always cited the most approved editions of the Fathers, and others ; because it was more convenient to use those at hand in my own possession, and I had no time to go to the public libraries, and collate passages.

I have remembered that a poor book with a good index is better than a good book with none at all ; and having lost countless hours in writing this, for want of tolerable help of that description in many of the volumes which I have had occasion to consult, I have been especially moved to make it in this respect, worthier of the public favor ; and I am sure that those who may consult it will not feel that it is over-indexed.

The die on the cover is from the title-page of the late Mr. Joseph Hunter's " Collections concerning the Founders of New Plymouth. London. John Russell Smith. 1854;" being essentially a map, in little, of that locality, " near the joining borders of Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and York-

X PREFACE.

shire," which was honored of- God as the birth-place of Amer ican Congregationalism.

I only add, that the plates of the statistics of pp. 5-7, have been suffered to stand as they were cast five years ago, because it has proved impossible, since the Rebellion, to gain later minute returns from the South, of the character required for those calculations ; and that I have introduced — often in the language elsewhere employed — many practical discussions of points of interest to Congregationalists, which have been already published, in one or other of the Journals with which I have editorial connection.

H. M. D.

Hillside, Roxburt, I 6 June. 1865. J

ANALYSIS

CHAPTER I. What Congregationalism is pp. 1-7 Definition 1

Fundamental Principles 2-4

Number of Congregational churches here and abroad 5

Ratio to other churches here 6

Very evenly diffused throughout the land 7

CHAPTER II. Whence Congregationalism is 8-159

Sect. 1. Intimations of Christ on church government 9-13

Sect. 2. Testimony of the Apostles 13-21

Sect. 3. Testimony of history to Congregationalism 21-25

Sect. 4. Proof of the principles of Congregationalism from Scripture and Reason 25-159

I. Principle. Any company of people believing themselves to

be, and publicly professing to be. Christians, associated by voluntary compact, on Gospel principles, for Christian work

andworship, is a true church 25-34

(1.) A true church is composed of Christians 26-29

(a.) It is described as holy 26

(b.) A vital union between it and Christ 27

(c.) Christ's design for it 27

(d.) Radically different from the world 27

(e.) Only believers can rightly receive its ordinances. . 28

(f.) Unworthy members are to be cut off 28

(2.) Those Christians must be united by covenant 29

(3.) This union must be for Christian work and worship. . 30

(4.) Every such company is a true church 30

(a.) From scriptural use of the word church 31-34

(b.) The work laid upon the church by Christ and the Apostles consists only with independent bodies 34

II. Principle. Such a church, as a rule, should include only

those who can worship and labor together, and watch over

each other : 34-35

III. Principle. Every member of such a church has equal es-

sential rights, powers, and privileges with every other ( except so far as the New Testament and common sense make some special abridgement in the case of female members J, and the membership together, by majority vote, have the right and duty of choosing all necessary officers, of admitting, dismissing, and disciplining their own members, and of transacting all other aj^ropriate business of a Christian church 3S-43

(1.) All of its members have equal rights, &c 38-40

(2.) The membership control its action 40-43

(a.) They choose officers 40-41

(b.) They admit and dismiss members 41

(c.) They discipline and exclude members 41-42

(d.) They transact all other appropriate business 43

IV. Principle. Every such church is independent of all out-

ward control, and answerable only to Christ, and is on a level of essential character with every other church on

earth 43-58

./ (1.) It is independent, under Christ 44-56

(a.) No Scripture confers control over it upon any. . 44-47 (b.) No Scripture furnishes evidence of such control. . . 47

(c.) Drift of New Testament against it 47

(d.) Arguments for such control do not prove it 47-49

(e.) Texts cited do not prove it 49-55

(f.) Christ made his churches independent, under

himself 55

(2.) All such churches on an essential level 56-58

V. Principle. A fraternal fellowship is yet to be maintained

between these churches, by advice in Council, <fc, <fc 58-67

(1.) Such fellowship is Scriptural 61-63

(2.) It is reasonable 63

Councils are mutual and ex parte 64

They have no authority (strictly so called) 64-66

Suppose a church declines such advice? 66-67

VI. Principle. The permanent officers of a church are its

Pastor or Pastors, and Deacons, only ; to be chosen from

its own ranks 67-159

(1.) Christ designated but these two classes 68-76

Apostles, Prophets, Deaconness, &c 69

Angel of the church 70

Evangelists 71-73

Miracles, Gifts of Healings, Helps, Governments, &c. . 74-75 Diversities of tongues 76

(2.) The first class is Pastors, called also Teachers, Elders,

Presbyters, and Bishops 76-132

(a.) Testimony of able and candid scholars that these

are all names of one office 77-92

Wiclif, John of Goch, Luther, Calvin 77

Cranmer, Melancthon, Coverdale, Polanus, Limborch. . 78 Episcopius, Arminius, Wollebius, Ames, Robinson,

Lord King, Sclater, Turretin, Stapfer 79

Richard Hooker, Milton, Lardner. . 80

Gibbon, Baxter, Doddridge 81

Owen, Cotton, Davenport, Thomas Hooker, Cotton

Mather, Chauncy 82

Shepard, Jameson, Wise, Hopkins, Emmons 84

Dwight, Mason, Woods, Guizot, Coleridge, Smyth,

Bennet 85

Coleman, Schmucker, Taylor, Sawyer, Breckenridge,

Pond, Davidson, Punchard, Upham 86

Garratt, Vaughan, HilL Jacobson, Newman, Plumtre,

Conybeare and Howson 87

Ullman, Hall, Bacon, Wellman, Athanasius, Cajetan,

Gualtherus 88

Zanchius, Gomarus, Grotius, Brennius, Poole, Henry, Bengel, Macknight, Clark 89

Whitby, Scott, Assembly's Annotations, Bloomfield,

Baumgarten, Eadie, Hodge, Barnes, Alexander 90

Haekett, Mack, Alford, Peshito-Syriac, Michaelis 91

(t>.) Similar testimony from the Fathers, and from Ecclesiastical history 92-99

Clement of Rome, Polycarp 92

Justin Martyr, Irenajus 93

Clement of Alexandria, Hilary, Jerome 94-96

Chrysostom, Theodoret, Pope Urban 96-97

Mosheim, Waddington, Milner, Campbell, Gieseler,

Guericke 97

Schaff, Kurtz, Killen, Neander 98

Epistles of Ignatius worthless in evidence 99

(c.) Similar testimony from the Scriptures 100-110

(aa.) Examine the words "Pastor," &c, themselves 100-103

(bb.) Same qualifications demanded of all 103-104

(cc.) Same duties assigned to all 104-107

(aaa.) To guide 104-105

(bbb.) To instruct 105

(ccc.) To administer the ordinances 105-106

(ddd.) To ordain 106-107

(d.) The texts claimed as making the Bishop a superior

order, fail to sustain the claim 107-109

Does the New Testament teach or authorize any such office as that of Ruling Elder ? 110-121

Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, &c, hold this 110

Passages supposed to prove it Ill

All turns on 1 Tim. v. 17 112

ANALYSIS.

But (1.) these are not lay elders 112

(2.) they are the same as labor in 'word and

doctrine 113

(3.) they can not have ruling for their sole

function 114

(4.) it is, then, a Congregational text 114

proof of its Congregational sense from

other texts 116

(5.) Presbyterian sense of it conflicts with

the directions of the New Testament 117

(6.) all elders were to be apt to teach 118

Testimony of antiquity, Vitringa, Rothe, Neander,

Dr. Wilson, &c 118

Calvin invented the office 118

The " Ruling Elder" of our Pilgrim Fathers 121-132

Their theory not self-consistent nor useful '123

Not a Presbyterian eldership, and soon abandoned. . 132 (3.) The second class of permanent officers set by Christ in

his churches (for temporalities) is called Deacons. 132-136

(1.) Record of«the Acts of the Apostles 132

(2.) Epistles prove the same 134

(3.) Early history of the Church proves it. . . . 134 (4.) Pastors and Deacons are to be chosen and set apart

by the church from its own membership 136-145

(1.) Every church is to elect its own Pastor and

Deacons 136

(2.) Every church is to ordain, or otherwise set

apart, its Pastor and Deacons 136

(a.) The proprieties suggest some setting

apart 137

(b.) New-Testament theory of ordination

very simple 138

Apostles did not " ordain " elders in every church, but " secured their election" 138

Scriptural ground lies in other passages . . 139

A comely and fit custom 140

(c.) This view supported by our Fathers 141

" Plebeian " ordinations 144

The " six months' notice " planunscriptural, uncongregational, needless, inexpedient, disgraceful, and disastrous.. 144 The hierarchal theory of ordination

false, pernicious, and absurd 145

(3.) The Church must elect and set apart these

officers from its own number 146-149

Duty of a Congregational minister to belong

to his own church 146

" Stated supplies " 149-154

XV

Congregationalism knows such only a3 exceptions 149

Eight of laymen to preach if competent 150

The Fathers held that only a Pastor is a minister 152

One may act temporarily as " supply," but

only ad interim 153

"Ordination as an Evangelist" 154-159

There is no true ordination hut of a church

over itself 154

A layman may be authorized by the church to

administer the Lord's Supper to it 155

And to baptize, where there is need 156

One who has been ordained as an Evangelist is just as much of a minister as he was before, and no more 157-159

CHAPTER III. How Congregationalism wokks 160-235

Sect. 1. How to form a church 160-166

Is it expedient 160

Number necessary 161

Application for letters of dismission, &c. (form) 161

Articles of faith and covenant (form) 162-163

Calling a council where practicable 164

Form of letter missive 164

Action of Council and process of organization 165

Sect. 2. How to choose and induct church officers. 166-172

(1.) Choice of lesser officers 166

(2.) Choice and induction of Deacons 167

(3.) Choice and induction of Pastor 168

Co-action of church and society (if one) 168

Form of call 168

Form of letters missive 171

Procedure of Council, &c 171

Sect. 3. How to transact the regular business of a church 172-195

(1.) Standing rules (form) 172-173

(2.) Rules of order 174

(a.) Coming to order , 175

(b.) Motions 176

(c.) Amendments 177

(d. ) Privileged motions 178

(aa.) The previous question 179

(bb.) The motion to withdraw the question 179

(cc.) The motion to lay on the table. 179

(dd.) The motion to commit 179

(ee.) The motion to postpone to a fixed date 179

(ff. ) The motion to postpone indefinitely 179

(gg.) The motion to adjourn. . , 179

(e.) Voting 180

(f.) Reconsideration 181

(g.) Quesfions of order 181

(h.) Committees 182

(aa.) Special committees 182

(bb.) Standing committees 182

(cc.) Committee of the whole 182

(i.) Reports 183

(j.) Closing a meeting 183

(3.) Admitting members 183-185

(4.) Dismissing members (forms, &c.) 185-188

(5.) Disciplining members 188-195

(a.) Private offenses when only one individual is

concerned (forms of complaint, &c.) 189

(b.) Private offenses between two or more 192

(c.) Matters of public scandal 193

(d.) Violations of the articles of faith and covenant. . . 194

Sect. 4. How to vacate church offices 195-206

(a.) How to vacate lesser church offices 196

(b.) How to vacate the deaconship 197

(c.) How to vacate the pastorship 198

Dismission ( forms) . 198

Deposition 205

Sect. 5. Church and parish 206-213

(1.) The church standing alone 206

(2.) The church for all secular purposes acting as a

parish 207

(3.) Church and parish co-acting 208

(a.) Organization of a parish 210

(b.; By-laws of a parish (form) 210

(c.) Rules for joint action (form) 212

Sect. 6. Councils 213-221

(1.) Who may call a Council 214

(2.) How a Council is called 214

(3.) Letters missive 215

(5.) Organization 216

(6.) Sc,ope of business 216

(7.) Method of business 217

(9.) Force of such a result 218

No authority (purely speaking) 219

Legally (in Mass.) : —

(a.) Of no force until accepted by parties 219

(b.) Justifies the party accepting and acting on it. 219 (c.) Conclusive as to facts adjudged to be such.. . 220

(d.) But the court may revise 220

(10.) Dissolution 220

ANALYSIS. XVH

Sect. 7. Consociation 221-225

A standing Council and not a purely Congregational

procedure 222

Sect. 8. Associations 225-227

Sect. 9. Conferences 227

Sect. 10. Church extension 227

Sect. 11. Denominational relations 229

Sect. 12. How to dissolve a church 230-233

Where unanimous (form of letter) 231

Where resisted by a minority 232

Sect. 13. The restoration of offenders 234-235

CHAPTER IV. Why Congregationalism is better than any other

form of Church Government 236-296

Sect. 1. It is more in accordance with the mind of Christ 236-237

(1.) It is the New-Testament polity 236

(2.) It is that which Christ has signally blessed 237

(3.) It is that which specially promotes earnest personal Christian activity 237

Sect. 2. It is more practicable in its working than any other system 237-251

(a.) In the formation of churches 238

(b.) In the matter of the pastorate 241

(c.) In its methods of worship 248

(d.) In all church work 249

Sect. 3. It tends most to promote general intelligence 252-254

Sect. 4. It tends most to promote piety in its membership 255-259

(a.) Develops especially individual responsibility 255

(b.) Throws its membership most directly upon the

Bible, the Spirit, and the Saviour 257

Sect. 5. It most favors true gospel discipline 259-263

Sect. 6. It has the most favorable influence upon its ministry. . 263-266 Sect. 7. Its fundamental principles are mcn'e favorable than any

other to the promotion of the general cause of Christ 266-267

(1.) In promoting revivals of religion 267-276

(a.) In virtue of its freeness of action, and flexibility

of adaptation 267

(b.) Its want of reliance upon any thing formal, or

ritual, for salvation 269

(c.) The high character of its spiritual demands 271

(d.) Its special training toward dependence upon God. 272

(e.) Its intense individualism 274

(2.) In promoting missions 276

Sect. 8. It furnishes the most efficient barrier against heresy and

false doctrine 277-289

(1.) Favors the development of error less than others — 277 b

XVIII

(2.) Furnishes a less favorable shelter for it 280

(3.) It, in its past history, has actually proved itself a

safer barrier than any other system 281-289

Sect. 9. It has a kindlier bearing than any other toward a republican form of civil government 288-293

Sect. 10. Its advantages are organic and peculiar to itself, while its disadvantages are incidental to the imperfection of

its past development, and so removable 293-295

The existence of heretical churches Congregationally governed, no proof that these positions are false 295-296