to this Chirugh of the Puritans, news PROCEEDINGS

OF A

COUNCIL

OF

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES,

RELATIVE TO

The Church of the Puritans, New-York,

AND TO THE

PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS THEREOF.

MAY, 18 61.

NEW-YORK:

JOHN A. GRAY, PRINTER, STEREOTYPER, AND BINDER,

FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS,

Corner of Frankfort and Jacob Streets.

1861.

AN ex-parte Council assembled at the rooms of the Geographical Society, in the city of New-York, on the 2d day of May, 1861, at 2 o'clock P.M., pursuant to the following letter missive:

Congregational Church in

Rev. and BELOVED: Difficulties having arisen in the Church of the Puritans, in the city of New-York, the minority being aggrieved by the action of the majority, and feeling the need of counsel in the adjustment of said difficulties, and having requested the church to unite with them in a mutual Council, which request (a copy of which, with the main points of difficulty, is hereto annexed) has been summarily and emphatically denied, this is to invite your attendance by Pastor and Delegate at an ex-parte Council, to be held in this city on Thursday, the 2d day of May next, at 2 o'clock P.M., to advise us respecting the said matters of difficulty, and also with respect to the following, in addition:

As to the action of the church in summarily suspending the following-named persons, who were among the applicants for a Mutual Council, to wit: E. W. Chester, Charles Abernethy, C. R. Harvey, Geo. H. White, Thos. Rigney, and Joel Blackmer, without any form of charges or complaint being made, or any notice or intimation of trial.

It will also be respectfully submitted to the Council, whether in view of all the facts and considerations to be brought to their notice in the examination of these complaints, the interests of the Christian Church do not require that the fellowship of the churches be withdrawn from the Church of the Puritans, and it be declared no longer in connection with the Congregational body.

And it will further be submitted to said Council, whether the aggrieved members and such as may unite with them, shall not be constituted and recognized as a church of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, of the Congregational order, either in place of said Church of the Puritans, or otherwise, if they shall so ask of the Council.

Also all such other matter as may be legitimately connected with the foregoing main points, or with those presented to the church in connection with our request for a Mutual Council. Your brethren in Christ,

Copy of the letter referred to above, presented to the Church at a regular Business Meeting, on Friday evening, March 22d,

1861:

To the Church of the Puritans, New-York City:

Whereas, Difficulties of a serious nature have for some time existed in this Church-difficulties which seem not likely to be settled by any mutual consent or agreement.

And Whereas, The undersigned and others, members of the Church, feel themselves aggrieved by the action of the majority in various matters:

And Whereas, The undersigned believe that the action of the majority in the conduct of the business of the Church, is a departure both from Congregational principles and Christian propriety:

And Whereas, Such has been the course of the Church, that in the opinion of the undersigned, there is no hope, without a change, of its being further useful, while it is so reduced in means and members, that the majority have cast it on British charity for support:

Now Therefore, In view of all these things, and of the unfortunate history of the past, looking not only to the good of this Church, but to the interests of Congregationalism and and the Christian Religion in this community, the undersigned respectfully ask the Church to agree to submit all matters in difference between them and the majority, to the advice of a Council, to be mutually agreed upon and called according to Congregational usage, hereby pledging themselves in a Christian spirit to accept and follow such advice as may by such Council be given in the premises. And, as matters to be proposed to the said Council, the undersigned suggest and propose:

First, The course and action of the Church in regard to seeking aid from Christians in Great Britain, thus making this Church a dependent on the bounty of those who are foreigners to us.

Second, The course of the Church in the trial of Mr. Charles Abernethy, one of its members.

Third, The course of the Church in respect to its Rules and By-Laws; the undersigned claiming that these Rules and By-Laws have been repeatedly disregarded by the majority, and that in violation of them the minority have been oppressed and deprived of their just rights.

Fourth, The course and conduct of the Church in the admission of Mr. Thomas J. Hall to membership.

Fifth, The course of the Prudential Committee and of the Church, in establishing and sustaining new, and as the undersigned believe, unscriptural tests in regard to the admission of members, and the refusing admission to applicants unless they consent to pledge themselves to act with the dominant party, in party measures in the Church.

Sixth, The general course and conduct of the Church in regard to its internal affairs, and towards the Congregational body, its ministers and churches.