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.
ture to assure this gentleman that when he stigmatizes this
act of the last Assembly, as the act of "a waning minority;"
and when he gives an implied promise to his readers,-on
the credit of "men of extensive influence in our communion,"- that this act of the last Assembly will be rescinded
by the next he labours under a grievous mistake. We are
greatly deceived, if the conviction that the last Assembly
acted wisely in this matter, is not waxing, instead of" waning." Of one thing we are quite certain, that such language,
coming from such a quarter, and breathing such a spirit
will not be likely to conciliate reflecting Presbyterians to the
cause which such language is manifestly intended to promote.
Mr. Mitchell is, evidently, very much attached to the
principles of the Congregational system. He thinks them
founded in the word of God, and more conducive than any
other to promote the interests of pure and undefiled religion.
Of this, we make no complaint. Nay, we honour him for his
honest decision and zeal in what he esteems a good cause.
But what would he think of a body of Presbyterians who,
though pious and honest, should conscientiously and perseveringly busy themselves in going in to the Congregational
Churches, and there building up a system, under the guise
of "union" and brotherhood, which he saw was calculated
to weaken, and finally to undermine and destroy that ecclesiastical order which he deemed of great importance to the
best interest of the churches with which he is connected?
We need not wait for an answer. He would deeply disapprove
their conduct. Nay, more, he would feel indignant. Nor
should we blame the feeling.
We can assure our readers that we are so far from having
any disposition to remove or impair the ties by which we
are bound to our Congregational brethrenf of New England,
that the very reverse is the fact. It is because we earnestly
wish all our intercourse with them to be placed on the most
pleasant and edifying footing that the communion of saints
can exemplify, that we are grieved when any either of their
number or our own, are guilty of uttering language, or manifesting a spirit which we deem unfriendly to union. We
have never considered it as matter of complaint when our
beloved brethren of New England have manifested a preference to their own system of church order. We hope they
will allow us to enjoy the same privilege; and will not consider it as an offence if we are unwilling to concur, and per
1836.]
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