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 Chutrch Member.
have not been always faithfully observed, and it is really difficult to know how far they are observed. Some of this
class have been not only commissioned to the General Assembly, but sent under the name of "Ruling Elders;" so
styled in their commissions; and under this name and guise
have taken their seats. Surely it is, in all cases, due to justice and order that their real character be known. To conceal
that character, and to present commissioners under the title
of Ruling Elders, who never bore that office, is a deception
altogether unjustifiable. Indeed, in one case, at least, that
fell under our notice, an individual was commissioned, and
took his seat in the General Assembly, under the title of a
"Ruling Elder," who was not even a "committee man,"
but an ordinary private member of the church.
Is it wonderful that the General Assembly, when they
saw the " plan" liable to these objections, and thus operating;
when they perceived it to be, in many ways, working mischief, and likely to undermine all our distinctive principles
of church order; when they found, that, instead of promoting "union," it rather generated heart burnings and strife;
and when it became evident that no remonstrance on the
subject could obviate these evils; but that they would be
likely to continue and grow as long as the system lasted; —
when these things were apparent, was it wonderful that the
General Assembly came to the deliberate conclusion, that it
was advisable to set aside the system altogether; and that the
sooner it was abolished, the better both for the purity and
peace of both parties. After all, however, so tender was the
General Assembly of the feelings and interests of the
Churches which had been formed under this plan, that it resolved, that the repeal of the plan should not interfere with
the continued existence and operation of such churches; but
should only arrest-the progress of the business, and prevent
the formation of more on that principle.
As to the offensive language which Mr. Mitchell has allowed himself to employ, concerning the act of the last
General Assembly, in proposing to the General Association
of Connecticut the repeal of this plan of union for churches
in the "new settlements,"-we can easily pardon it, under
the confident persuasion that he would not have expressed
himself thus, had he understood the subject. We appeal from
Mr. Mitchell in the dark, to Mr. Mitchell better informed.
We have never been accused, that we know, of belonging to
the class of the ultra orthodox; but we think we can yen
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