A Guide to the Principles and Practice of the Congregational Churches of New England

that our people are often too little intelligent in this matter properly to discharge the duties which our system requires of them as members; and too little established in their views to be not soon unsettled and drawn away to churches of a different order, whose polity they find to be more insisted on, and whose claims they are not qualified to canvass? Ought we not, as a part of our duty to our churches, and especially when large accessions are made to them of the subjects of our revivals, to instruct them, not only in the doctrines and moral duties of their religion, but in the polity also, under which it is their duty and privilege to act?

Besides the direct practical importance of the subject, it is always desirable that we should be informed respecting it that we may be able properly to appreciate the claims of our own system in comparison with others.

And we shall be excused for believing that it is particularly desirable that the true character of our system should be extensively made known at the present time: when large numbers of emigrants from New England, and their children, have been ejected from another commun

ion; and are reproached for their Congregational partialities and habits, as though all the evils in the world had their source in Congregationalism; and, as the price of peace, must adopt the entire polity of the church which has exscinded them, or else be settled on some other plan. For their sakes, we could wish that they, with all our emigrants to the great West, would consider well the principles of the churches of their fathers.*.

A knowledge of these principles becomes the more important in view of the place which these churches occupy, and doubtless are destined to occupy, in relation to the great cause of Christ on earth. It is not to be supposed, indeed, that the world is to be converted by means of this or any other single denomination of Christians. But if we consider the history of these churches, with their numerous and increasing offspring in the east and in the west-if we consider the

* It is with no unkind feelings, much less with any party feelings, that this allusion is made to the Presbyterian church. We love and honor that church. We pray for her prosperity, and for the healing of her dissentions; and can say, with long cherished affection, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

way in which God has led them from the beginning; how he planted, and has watered them ;-if we consider their principles and spirit; their institutions; their intelligence; their presses; their zeal, enlightened, principled, and constant; and their liberal devotedness to the work of missions and other objects of universal philanthropy; we cannot but suppose that they are to have a very prominent agency in the renovation of the world. It is therefore important that every member of their communjon should be prepared with every sort of instruction and qualification for the fulfillment of so high a destiny.

If this humble volume contribute at all to such a result,—if it cause so much as one church, or member, of so important a communion, to be better informed, or more judiciousif it cast a little salt into so great a fountain,it will not be valueless, nor the labor of it lost.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL

CHURCHES.

A knowledge of it important. Early developements of the

Congregational plan. The Leyden church. Settlement

of New England. The denomination in England.

Character of the settlers of New England. State of so-

ciety. The first ministers. Discussions of church poli-

ty. Platforms. Present character of the New England

churches.

CHAPTER II.