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Melton Mowbray; William Bedford, Narborough; Thomas Islip, Stamford; James Buckpitt, Castle Donington; George Legge, Leicester; Edward Leighton, Loughborough; W. Tate, Ashby-de-la-Zouch; Stephen Causby, Hallaton. Mr. Joseph Cripps, Leicester; Mr. John Smith, Loughborough; Mr. Thomas Nunneley, Leicester.

Lincolnshire.-Rev. Messrs. J. N. Bergne, Lincoln; D. R. Campbell, Lincoln; Richard Soper, Grantham; Morgan Lloyd, Brigg; George Amos, Great Gonerby; William Todman, Louth.

Middlesex.-Rev. Messrs. J. Blackburn, William Stern Palmer, Algernon Wells, Secretaries, London; John Morrison, D.D., London; Thomas Clark, Highbury College; Robert Vaughan, D.D., Kensington; John Robinson, London; Robert Littler, London; James Matheson, D.D., London; John Hooper, Esq., Mill-Wall; B. Hanbury, Esq., Treasurer, London; James Spicer, Esq., Islington; Josiah Conder, Esq., London; H. Hopkins, Esq., Clapton.

Northumberland.-Mr. Joseph Mather, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Northamptonshire.-Rev. Messrs. Benj. Hobson, Welford; Thomas Milner, M.A., Northampton; Edmond T. Prust, Northampton.

Nottinghamshire.-Rev. Messrs. Richard Alliott, LL.D., Nottingham; R. Weaver, Mansfield; William Christie, Fritchley, James Moreton, Tuxford; William Hugill, Worksop; G. B. Johnson, Retford; Thomas Colledge, Riddings; John Fogg, Courck; W. Inman, Keyworth; Henry L. Adams, Newark; Joseph Gilbert, Nottingham; John Wild, Nottingham; Thomas Keyworth, Nottingham; S. Foster, Mansfield; T. B. Burton, Hyson Green; Benjamin Ash, Laxton. Mr. George Dexter, Tuxford; Mr. Jonathan Dunn, Nottingham; Mr. Edward Harrison, Worksop; Mr. Richard Davidson, Newark; Mr. Henry Brentnall, Eastwood; Mr. John Outram, Newark; Arthur Wells, Esq., Nottingham; Mr. John Theaker, Nottingham; Mr. Thomas Knight, Nottingham; Mr. John Burton, Hyson Green; Richard Morley, Esq., Nottingham; Messrs. S. W. Moore, Richard Preston, Thomas Cullen, John Harrison, of Nottingham.

Staffordshire.-Rev. Messrs. James C. Gallaway, Westbromwich; John Cooke, Uttoxeter; D. A. Owen, Smithwick; William F. Buck, Burton-on-Trent; John Hill, Gornal; Edward Gatley, Lichfield; Joshua Shaw, Tutbury. Mr. Lewis Matkin, Tutbury.

Surrey.-Rev. Messrs. Robert Ashton, Putney; George Rose, Bermondsey.
Sussex. Rev. James Edwards, Brighton.

Warwickshire.-Rev. Messrs. Alfred Pope, Leamington; John Harrison, Strettonunder-Fosse; John Hammond, Handsworth; John Sibree, Coventry; John Angel James, Birmingham.

Wiltshire.-Rev. Richard Elliott, Chairman, Devizes.

Worcestershire.-Rev. George Redford, L.L.D., Worcester. Mr. Edward Wall,

Worcester.

Yorkshire.-Rev. Messrs. Thomas Scales, Leeds; W. H. Stowell, Rotherham College; Thomas Roome, Silcoates; Thomas Stratton, Hull.

Scotland.-James Macauley, M.D., Edinburgh; John Legge, Huntley; Adam Thompson, D.D., Coldstream, visitors.

The first business was to read and consider papers that had been prepared by the Committee for discussion at this meeting. The following document," The Congregational Union of England and Wales explained, and recommended to the Independent Churches and Pastors within the limits embraced by the Union," was read and received for consideration:

The Congregational Union of England and Wales is now in the twelfth year of its existence. Its perpetuity may now be considered secure. The necessity and the

encouragement for promoting its efficiency to the utmost are therefore strong. The grounds on which its claims to general support may be established, have gained confirmation. It has not occasioned the evil that was predicted, nor developed any tendencies to injurious results. It has accomplished much of the good anticipated at its formation, and has proved itself adapted to produce extensive and lasting benefit. If its progress has not been all that could be wished, it has been all or more than might have been expected. Nothing is required for its permanence, and good fruit, but wise management and able advocacy. Nothing could be a more hopeful indication in its favour, than that its claims should awaken interest, and obtain examination. Let it be examined, and it will be understood; let it be understood, and it will be approved.

It is impossible that the Congregational churches should remain without any distinct, recognised bond of Union; without any medium for fellowship and action as a community of Christians. Growing in numbers and strength-placed in the most free and favoured countries; and in times at once difficult and auspicious-agreed in sentiment, their interests common, in affection singularly harmonious and fraternalthe depositories of truths not more important in themselves, than exact in adaptation to present exigencies-having great and sacred interests to defend by an arduous struggle-surrounded with activities and combinations on every side—wanting nothing to qualify and prepare them for the accomplishment of a great work for the cause of Christ and truth in this and future generations, but such concert as may consist with their liberty-having already felt the want of that combination, made an attempt to provide the desideratum, experienced in part the advantage and delight of the required union—it is not probable that the Congregational churches will ever again be destitute of such a combination as the present Union provides. To make that Union all it ought to be, must, therefore, be the duty of every friend of our body, and to promote that most desirable end is the object of the present address.

PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE UNION IS FOUNDED.

The Congregational Union of England and Wales is founded on the cherished principles of the Independent churches-the principles in which they originated, and by which they are distinguished. It violates none of these venerated principles, and it assumes none that are novel, or inconsistent with them.

The first principle of Independents is, that each church usually assembling in the same place, and organised for Christian fellowship according to the will of Christ, is complete within itself; and fully empowered by the Saviour to administer its own internal affairs-such as the admission of members, the choice of officers, the administration of discipline and ordinances, and the conduct of worship. In respect to all such internal affairs of churches, Congregationalists believe that Jesus Christ has not subjected his churches to any external authority whatever. The Congregational Union recognises and adopts this principle. The first article of its constitution states this primary principle-founds the Union upon a recognition of it—and guards against its violation by the proviso, that "the Union shall not, in any case, assume legislative authority, or become a court of appeal." The Union must violate its own constitution ere it can invade the rights or liberty of any individual church.

A second principle of Independents, no less uniformly, no less strongly held than the first, is, the fellowship of churches with each other. They are not to have dominion one over another, nor many over one; but they are to have communion one with another, and each with all, as far as opportunity for it can be obtained. There is to be a mutual recognition of churches. They are to acknowledge each other as communities of believers. They are, on suitable occasions, to unite in worship and ordinances. They are to maintain sympathy, counsel, prayer, and a good understand

ing, among themselves. They are to receive to occasional fellowship the members and officers of all other recognised churches. But they are not thus to recognise and commune with churches not sound in faith, not pure in discipline, not charitable and peaceful in spirit. This principle the Congregational Union did not originate. It is found in the earliest writings and declarations of the Independent hody. The practice of which this principle is the root, was found in extensive operation by the brethren who founded the Union. They found that the Congregational churches of England and Wales had recognised each other, had united with each other in numerous and beneficial associations. The Union is but an association of associations, as an association is a union of churches. Churches already admitted into associations, where the associations do not, as such, connect themselves with the Union, are also severally eligible for its fellowship. Thus, whatever churches have previously recognised each other, the Union will recognise, and for that, and no other reason-because they stand in previous mutual recognition and fellowship. The Union originates nothing, not even the recognition of a single church. It builds on the old foundations. It takes up and acts upon the old principles and long established practices of the Independent churches.

The third principle on which the Congregational Union of England and Wales is founded, is, like the two preceding, one long admitted and acted upon by Independents, namely, that there are great purposes connected with the administration and advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the world, not to be effectually accomplished, if at all, without some concert and union among churches. The separation and independency of churches is for the attainment of purposes peculiar to each. The union of churches is for the accomplishment of objects common to all. Each church, uncontrolled by any external authority, administers its own affairs, for the security of its own peace, liberty, and edification. Many churches act together for objects in which they all have a like and common interest, but for the attainment of which their separate, uncombined efforts are inadequate. Such are declarations of truths surely believed by the churches and their pastors; institutions and plans for training a succession of pastors in all godly qualifications for their sacred work; efforts for the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ, the spread of his holy Gospel in the world. It is not meant that, for these great purposes, nothing can be done by churches acting separately, but that churches acting only apart, and not at all in combination, would attain them in a very imperfect degree compared with what may be realised by their combined energies, their concerted movements. For the first of these public common objects, various solemn testimonies to Christian truth have been set forth, by agreement, in the name of many concurring churches and pastors, from the earliest commencement of that struggle for pure doctrine, in which the separation of Independents from other Christian communities originated. Independents object to creeds and tests imposed, but not to statements of truth publicly declared and professed. It is one powerful method for maintaining truth, that many churches should openly and unitedly profess it. It will be a bond of union among themselves, and an instrument of their power in the world. The Congregational Union, in putting forth a declaration of the faith and order of the Independent churches, acted in accordance with the old principles and practices of Independents. With respect to the other two objects, the education of the rising ministry, and the propagation of the Gospel, these great objects have been, for many years, committed to combinations of Christians, rather than of churches. Christians acting in their individual capacity, and without reference to church relations or duties, have united themselves into societies for these objects, and have done nobly in so promoting them. To attempt any change in this course of procedure might be unwise and injurious ; but without the least disturbance of existing arrangements for these objects, there is

room for the most beneficial action of a union of churches and pastors for their attainment. The declared approval of such a body, its counsels and prayers, its influence and activity, may exceedingly advance the interests of societies for promoting the kingdom of Christ. Nothing can exonerate churches from their duties and responsibilities in relation to these great interests. No existence, or activity, or success of societies, for training ministers and spreading the Gospel, can make it cease to be the duty of churches, as such, to take counsel, to offer prayer, to contribute money, to act together, for these great purposes.

OBJECTS FOR WHICH THE UNION WAS FOUNDED.

1. For extended Christian fellowship-first among the churches and pastors forming the Union, and between the Union and other bodies of Congregational believers, founded on their firm, unanimous consent in the same views of the whole system of Christian truth. And next, through the Union, with communities of evangelical Christians not Congregational, based on agreement in all the greater truths of Christ's holy religion, and on candour and mutual forbearance in respect to differ ences on points of minor moment.

2. For promoting the interests and enlargement of the Congregational body in this country. There can be no reasons for forming the Independent churches as a separated body of Christians, which are not equally reasons for efforts to increase the vigour and extent of the community thus formed; and these churches are believed to be the depositories and witnesses of views of Christian truth so important, as to justify and require courage, zeal, and energy for their propagation.

3. For exerting a beneficial influence on the missionary movements of the Independent churches in which they labour to extend the glorious Gospel, by proceedings in harmony with all their distinctive views of Gospel truth and church polity.

4. For advancing throughout the Congregational body, the tone, and life, and power of spiritual religion, by a constant and careful adaptation to that end, of all its proceedings and influence.

MEANS BY WHICH THE UNION SEEKS TO ACCOMPLISH ITS OBJECTS.

1. The formation of the Union is in itself adapted to promote the objects contemplated. It embodies the sentiment of Union. It is a centre for fellowship, and a medium for action. It calls up the idea that the Independent churches constitute a Christian community. It is a testimony to their mutual obligations and sympathies. It gives form and scope to those elements of true fraternity which have always prevailed among the Independent churches in their unity of doctrine, spirit, and affection.

2. The annual assemblies of the Union, constituted of the pastors and delegates of the churches. These meetings of brethren gathered to attend upon this very thing-the welfare of the denomination—are indispensable. They afford opportunity for fellowship and counsel. They promote peace and love. They are seasons for combined action. From them public declarations of sentiment can be put forth. Amidst their fraternal harmony, the representatives of other Christian bodies can be welcomed to affectionate fellowship. There all the interests peculiar to the body can receive free and confidential discussion. They are the gatherings of the brethren of our Congregational family, at their own peaceful, united home.

3. The publications of the Union. It is superfluous to speak of the influence of the press. By it chiefly the mind of the world will be for all future ages swayed and governed. The opinions that do not find a powerful advocacy through the press, must remain feeble and uninfluential. But even the power of the press itself is augmented when it is employed to publish the sentiments of a Christian fellowship

the sentiments that have been matured and adopted amidst the prayers and conferences of many enlightened, devoted men. Nor was there ever a time when such testimonies to the truths maintained by the Independent churches so urgently required thus to be published and explained, defended and propagated.

4. The connexion of the Union with the British Missions of the Congregational churches their labours on their own principles to extend the Gospel in their own country. In the British empire, the spread of principles dear to the Independent body is most immediately necessary. Those principles are purely evangelical, thoroughly scriptural, entirely opposed to superstition, formality, and human authority over conscience in things sacred and religious. There never was a time in English history when efforts to maintain and extend these principles was more needed. Congregational principles require to be propagated in their entire range-the theology, the polity, the spirit they embody—the theology to save the souls of men, the polity to preserve the purity and simplicity of the theology, the spirit to repudiate the authority of men, that the authority of Christ may be obeyed, and that alone obeyed. To spread the doctrine without the polity, is to fail in wisdom. To labour for the polity, without pre-eminent regard to the doctrine, is sectarian. To resist human authority, except with a view to entire obedience to Christ, is but faction. The due and well-proportioned regard to all three is the wisdom that cometh down from above, is the true apostolic succession in adopting the principles, and following the practices of the first, the inspired propagators of the Gospel. The connexion of the Union with the Congregational British Missions promotes in all their proceedings unity of action, consistency of principle, and energy of effort. It brings them all into nearer and more avowed connexion with the churches. Certainly the churches, as such, ought not to be excluded from a part and an influence in Missions. Yet a society of churches might be objectionable, impracticable. The affiliation of the societies with the Union of the churches realises perhaps the just medium-the legitimate influence of churches, the necessary liberty of societies.

THE METHODS that will be MOST AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE UNION.

1. The extension and improvement of district associations. These involve the principle, and promote the spirit of union. On them and their organisation, the general Union is founded. As these become severally vigorous and efficient, and as through the general Union they obtain mutual concert and fellowship, all the ends contemplated in this organisation of the Independent churches will be attained.

2. The introduction of the Union to the notice of the churches. It is believed that the principles and objects of the Union, when fairly presented to the view of the churches, would secure general interest and approval. Were the pastors to call the attention of the churches to the thought that there are many hundreds of churches in their native land of a faith and order identical with their own-that these many churches are one great Christian community-that with them all a fraternal Unionmay be formed that through this Union they can hold mutual fellowship and sym pathy, can labour and testify on behalf of their dearest principles, and can obtain fellowship with other bodies of evangelical believers, it can hardly be doubted that greatly enlarged views would be taken by our Christian brethren, that the range of their sympathies would be extended, and their zeal for great truths and interests much promoted.

3. The purchase and distribution of the publications of the Union. Were this easy and natural method of serving the Union, and of promoting its objects generally adopted, it would almost alone be effectual-it would spread information, awaken interest, secure funds, and establish the Union, whose principles, objects, means, are all embodied in its publications.

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