South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865 · scan page 167

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THE    EX-PARTE    COUXUIL.  157
In  conclusion,  we  append  the  following  extracts  from  an
article  in  tlie  Congre<?ational  Quarterly  for  January,  1860,
on  the  "Authority  of  Councils,"  written  bj'  one  of  the
Editors,  Rev.  Alonzo  H.  Qui,\t.  If  we  rightly  under-
stand the  positions  of  the  writer,  they  accord  much  more
nearly  with  the  views  of  the  South  Church  on  the  points
he  discusses,  than  with  the  action  of  the  Ex-parte  Council
recently  held  in  this  city.
EXTRACTS    FROM    THE    CONGREGATIONAL    QUARTERLY,
JAN.,    1860.
"  Whenever  perplexity  arises  in  the  administration  of
Congregational  Church  policy,  it  is  either  because  its  prin-
ciples are  misunderstood,  or  because,  when  understood,  they
are  not  observed  with  Christian  manliness  and  fidelity  by
its  adherents.  When  practical  confusions  arise  in  the  work-
ings of  Councils — Councils  stepping  out  of  their  legitimate
work — Councils  called  to  override  Councils — Councils  ar-
rayed against  Councils, — we  believe  that  it  is  because  the
fundamental  principles  which  are  their  basis,  are  forgotten.
Though  loth,  as  we  are,  to  admit  that  want  of  principle
ever  enters,  we  must  confess  that  our  policy  is  evidently
intended,  by  its  reliance  only  on  moral  power,  for  people  in
a  high  state  of  grace,  and  that  that  grace  is  not  always
found."
"  To  remedy  the  want  of  grace  is  not  in  our  power.  To
do  what  little  in  us  lies  to  explain  some  features  of  Coun-
cils— esi)ecially  under  the  rather  general  title  above,  we  are
glad  to  attempt."
"  What  the  authority  of  Councils  is,  depends  entirely  on
our  essential  principles.  These  are  two-fold  :  first,  the
entire  sufficiency  of  every  Church,  in  and  of  itself,  for  all
purposes  of  government  and  discipline ;  and,  secondly,  the
obligations  growing  out  of  the  fellowship  of  Churches,  as
such,  to  each  other,  and  especially  in  all  matters  concerning
the  general  welfare.  AVhen  these  principles  are  followed,
there  is  no  practical  difficulty  as  to  the  proper  occasions
for,  or  the  proper  work  of,  Councils.  It  is  to  these  princi-
ples that  we  look,  to  find  how  Councils  come  into  being, —
their  prerogatives  while  in  being, — and  the  force  of  their
decisions."

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Silent Grounds Collective, Church Burial & Death Records, CH-P004-0167. South Congregational Church history and catalogue, 1852–1865, printed page not verified, PDF page 167. Hallock, Gerard, 1800-1866; digitized copy contributed by University of California Libraries https://archive.org/details/historyofsouthco00hall/page/n171/mode/1up Accessed September 8, 2026.

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