Unitarian Church, Salem, Mass. (First), CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST CHURCH AND THE TABERNACLE CHURCH IN SALEM. IN WHICH THE DUTIES OF CHURCHES ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE VINDICATED. "How vain then are those, that, assuming a liberty to themselves, would yet tie all men to CONTENTS. Proceedings of Tab. Ch. against First Ch.-Uncharitableness worse than error-Seed Rev. Mr. C's acc't of these proceedings-Ancient practice-Third Ch. in Sal.-Watts Exclusive spirit-Baxter-Hall-Principles involved in present discussion Integrity, ground of confidence in civil relations-why not so in religious?-Sincere desire and efforts to attain truth, in our power-not infallible assurance 2. DUTIES OF CHURCHES-1. AS TO EACH OTHER-2. AS TO ADMISSION OF MEMBERS-3. AS TO RECOMMENDATION TO ANOTHER CHURCH All chr. ch's are sister ch's,with duties as such, whether they will or not-N. Tes.-Hall 14,15 All, same rights of private judgment-same obligations to mutual candor and charity 15, 16 Full agreement in opinion not possible-Union of affection-Our creeds not a standard Duty to receive as members all who comply with the gospel terms of communion-Add- ing to or varying these, usurpation of Christ's authority-Stillingfleet-Taylor A chr. ch. not a mere vol. soc'y-Subject to Christ only-Owen-Hooker-Warburton, &c. 19-21 What the gospel terms of communion-New Test.-Departure from them-Example of puritan fathers-Their creeds and cov'ts-Chillingworth-Chandler Recommendation to be given when orderly asked-Edification the end of church com- 28-31 3. SCRIPTURAL MEANING OF HERESY' AND 'SCHISM'-Campbell, Henry, &c. Both terms indicate a spirit opposed to peace and love-never mere errors of judgment 34 Scripture heretics bad men-None but such can be heretics-Macknight-Grove-Sharp,&c. 35-38 4. CHARGE AGAINST CHRISTIAN CHARACTER OF THE FIRST CHURCH Fundamental doctrines-What those of Tab. ch.-Its Art. and Cov't.-Westm. Cat. 40-42 Bible, the creed of F. Ch.--Omission of hum. creeds, no evid. of rejecting chr. doctrines 42-44 Apparent diff. betw. Tab. and First Ch. greater than real-Need be no 'gulf' betw. them 44, 45 Reasons for omission of human creeds-Subvert the divine rule-Clarke-Gale 'Impudence' in imposing, 'folly' of submitting-- Sin and danger'-Warburton-Baxter 50--54 Evils of creed-making in the church--Benefits-Worthlessness of a uniform profession 54--58 Simplicity of faith and profession of early christians-Apostles' creed first deviation 59-60 Slavery and darkness--Object and principles of the Reformation-Errors of the reformers 61-63 Principles, not errors, to be followed--Reformation still to be advanced Human creeds further considered-Hartley--Milton-Sherlock-Blackburne, &c. Foundation of faith and obedience-Reason--Conscience-Right of private judgment Duty of judging for ourselves--Sin of judging others--Paul--Doddridge-Macknight, &c. 72-75 Inconsist'y of prot's fixing sense of script. for oth.-Am. divines--Prince-Stiles--Penn, &c. 76--79 United voice ag't hum. tests in religion-Infinite diff. betw. word of God and word of man 79-80 5. PRINCIPLE ASSUMED BY TABERNACLE CH. IN ITS CHARGE AGAINST FIRST CH. 80-98 Infallibility implied--Vain plea of conscience--Peculiar obligations of protestants Bible, source of fundamentals--Westminster Confession also--Bible alone infallible Fundamentals plain to com. capacities and honest inquirers--Locke--Gale--W. Con. &c. 89-91 Doctrines not found in bible by such inquirers. cannot be fundamental-Is F. Ch. honest? 91, 92 Denunciation of honest inquirers, as Newton, Lardner, &c.-Christ's test of christ'n char. 92-98 Manifest in 'strifes and divisions'--No spiritual gifts security against it--Owen Judg'g others' consc'ces leads to exclus. spirit-'the plague of apostasy'-Howe-Henry 100-102 Presumption-Evils-Conscience not to be pleaded in excuse--Evans-Grove, &c. 102-107 Spirit of persecution-Iniquity of uncharitableness-Gale-Orton-Watts, &c. 107-113 Nature and extent of chr'n love--Sincerity the test of religion-Emmons-Sharp, &c. 113--116 'Absurdity, arrogance and impiety' of judging another's conscience-Faith once Christ the pattern of christian love-Evils of departing from it-Hall-Barrow, &c. 118-123 Inconsistency and delusion of protestant christians-Integrity of conscience Exclusive spirit-same under all modifications-to be suppressed-Conclusion At a meeting of the Church of the First Congregational Society in Salem, at the house of the Rev. Mr. Upham, Feb. 18, and by adjournment Feb. 19, 1832, the following proceedings were adopted: The Committee appointed to correspond with the Tabernacle Church on the subject of Mrs. Baker's application to be recommended to the communion of the First Church, and who were subsequently instructed to consider and reply to the charge of that church respecting the christian character of this church, having reported a full answer thereto, in the form of a letter addressed to the Tabernacle Church, it was thereupon voted, that the same be accepted. And whereas the Tabernacle Church, in their last communication to this Church, appear to have taken leave of the correspondence on this subject, while they manifest a perfect readiness to receive information and satisfaction that their said charge is unfounded; and whereas the answer now reported is designed to give such information and satisfaction to all the members of that church, and may be useful to others, also, laboring under similar erroneous impressions, which purposes cannot be accomplished without printing the same: therefore voted- That the Committee who reported the answer, be directed and authorized to cause the same to be printed, together with so much of the correspondence and proceedings connected therewith, as they may judge expedient; and that a copy of the publication be communicated to the Tabernacle Church. Copy of Record. Attest. JOHN PRINCE, Senior Pastor of the First Church in Salem. CORRESPONDENCE. The Church of the First Congregational Society in Salem, to the Tabernacle Church: CHRISTIAN BRETHREN, We have duly received your reply dated the 17th of January, to our communication addressed to you on the 8th of November last, vindicating this church from your charge against it of having manifested" an entire disregard to the discipline of your church, by readily admitting to its communion those who have been excommunicated by you." Our refutation of this charge appeared to us so complete and satisfactory, that we cannot conceal our surprise at the manner in which it has been received by you, and your want of candor in not retracting a charge so clearly proved to be groundless and unjust. But it is not our intention here to go into any examination of your reply, having no disposition to extend this discussion unnecessarily, and finding nothing in the principles or facts stated by you, which materially affects the merits of our defence against this charge. But the manner in which you allude to and reiterate your other charge, which you now represent as a "charge of a dereliction from the great doctrines of Christianity," has led us to think it more important than we had supposed, to give to that also a full and thorough consideration. We are the more encouraged to undertake this from your having expressed "the pleasure which you should experience on ascertaining that this, your far weightier charge, is equally unfounded." We may, therefore, expect your candid attention, and if you will but favor us with that, we have no doubt of being able to afford you such pleasure in the fullest degree, and also to convince you, upon serious reflection, that your charge is no less presumptuous than unwar B |