The Practical Church Member: being a Guide to the Principles and Practice of the Congregational Churches of New England. By John Mitchell [pp. 243-268]

Mitchell's Church Member.
chose to respect themn. The whole business of the lawfulness
of lay ordination was left by this Platform, as before; and
no regulation was made respecting the licensing of candidates
for the holy ministry.
The Churches of New England went on for sixty years
under this "Platform." Towards the end of that time, the
ministers of Connecticut became dissatisfied with the provisions of that Platform, and convinced that something more
definite, and carrying with it more authority and energy,
was essential both to the unity and purity of the Church. It
was generally conceded, that the state of the Churches was
lamentable, with respect to their general order, government
and discipline. For want of a more general and energetic
government, many Churches ran into confusion; and councils did not prove sufficientt to relieve the aggrieved, and
restore peace. As there was no precise rule for the calling
of councils, council was called against council, and opposite results were given upon the same cases, to the
reproach of councils, and the dishonour of religion. Aggrieved Churches and individuals were discouraged; as
the existing system of regulation seemed incapable, in
difficult cases, of bringing any matter to a final issue.
Such meetings of ministers as had taken place, were mere
conventions, countenanced by no ecclesiastical constitution;
attended only by such as felt inclined to give them countenance; and binding none but those who chose to be bound
by them. The neighbouring Churches might ask their advice, or neglect it at pleasure; and after the advice was
given, might comply with it, or not, at pleasure. There was
no regular method of introducing candidates to the pulpit.
When they had finished their collegiate course, if they
imagined themselves qualified to preach, and could prevail
on some clerical friend to invite them to his pulpit, they began to exercise their gifts, without examination or permission from any ecclesiastical body. Controversies of the mpost
distressing kind arose in several of the most important
Churches in Connecticut, which their existing system was
found wholly incapable of issuing. In these circumstances,
it became apparent to many that, unless some new system of
regulation should be adopted, anarchy, and great dishonour
to religion must ensue. Such was Congregationalism, as the
venerable John Robinson left it.*
*'See TiXReBULL'S iistory of Connecticut, Vol. I. Chapter 19th, in which
statements quite as strong as we have here given, are presented by that learned
and zealous Congregationalist. In fact, we have employed much of his language.
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