Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume V.djvu/247

 CONGREGATIONALISM 243 from the society, which is a legal term, de- noting those especially incorporated for holding real estate and providing for the expenses of the church ; and from the parish, a term nearly synonymous with the two preceding words, but sometimes also used to mark territorial limits. Hence also are derived such terms as church members, pew-owners, and parishion- ers. It is of course an object with every church to gather around it a congregation from which it may receive accessions to its ranks ; but the society or parish organization is an unessential thing, and simply a matter of convenience. Congregationalists insist on the competence of each church to elect its own officers, to regu- late its own concerns, to receive or reject can- didates for membership, and to pronounce cen- sure upon any one of the brotherhood who walks disorderly ; and on its independence, in these matters, of all dictation from other churches, its allegiance being due to Christ alone. Moreover, it is a principle of Congre- gationalism that in the administration of church affairs the brethren of the church have equal- rights. Each male member of full age is en- titled to vote on all matters affecting its in- terests. The internal structure of a Congrega- tional church is very simple. Its officers are a pastor or pastors and deacons, the latter elect- ed from and by the church, and the former usually called from the same office in some other church, or selected from candidates for the ministry who have a general recommenda- tion from those already in the pastoral office, and who have made trial of their gifts in the pulpit to the satisfaction of the congregation. In the election of a pastor, it is usual for the church to nominate to the society, and upon their concurrence an invitation is given to the candidate. Provision is made for his support, a revenue for this purpose being secured by subscription or by a tax, or by the rent of seats in the house of worship. Upon his acceptance he is inducted into office by a council, being ordained if he has never been set apart for the work of the ministry, but otherwise only in- stalled. It is usual also for churches to appoint a clerk to keep their records, and a committee of the brethren, who, in connection with the pastors and deacons, examine candidates for admission, inquire concerning cases of scandal, if any arise, and have a general oversight of the interests of the church. The pastor is the moderator of the church, the spiritual counsel- lor of its members, and its authorized teacher, who has entire control of the pulpit, adminis- ters the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, and performs the marriage ceremony. The deacons are officially the almoners of the church charities, being specially charged with responsibility for the sick and needy, while, in consequence of their position and experience, they are naturally looked upon as the counsel- lors of the minister. Congregationalists hold to but one order or rank in the ministry, the deacons being only laymen. Licentiates are not ministers, but simply candidates for that work. Evangelists are ministers who preach and administer the ordinances, but who have no permanent place of labor. Missionaries are ministers who have been sent to destitute places, or to foreign lands, after ordination. Ministers who are employed to preach to churches year by year, without the formalities of an installation, are sometimes called stated supplies. The use of the terms bishop and overseer, as designations of church officers, is not common in Congregational churches ; but when they are employed, they denote simply the pastor of a church. The Baptists fre- quently designate their ministers as elders. In early times the New England churches made a distinction between the work of a pastor, a teacher, and a ruling elder, and these three officers formed a presbytery in every church, whose concurrence with the brotherhood was necessary for the consummation of every church act ; but for a long time the pastor has been the sole representative of this presbytery, and the distinction is known only as a mat- ter of history. The Congregational "ruling elder " is not to be confounded with the ruling elder of the Presbyterian church. The former was an ordained and ordaining minister, though he was not a professional preacher, and did not administer baptism and the Lord's sup- per. Congregationalists advocate and practise church discipline by means of admonition and rebuke, and an entire withdrawal of fellow- ship. This is done by the votes of the brethren, after patient waiting and a full hearing of facts. Its design, so far as the offender is concerned, is to bear testimony against his fault, and to express to him the conviction of the church of his danger if he fails to acknowledge and for- sake his sin. So far as the church is concerned, an act of excommunication frees its members from responsibility for him whom they disown. Excommunication is attended with no civil dis- abilities, and one who has been cut off may be restored to fellowship upon confession and repentance. The liturgy of Congregational churches is as simple as their organization. The ordinary public service of the Sabbath provides for extemporaneous prayers, the sing- ing of psalms and hymns, the reading of Scrip- tare, and delivery of a sermon, written or un- written. The order is modified when desirable, and the exercises close with the benediction. No audible responses are made as prayer is offered, but in theory it is accepted as the de- vout desire of each worshipper, while in song all may pour forth their hearts before God in vocal utterance. The custom in respect to posture during prayer and singing varies in different congregations. The most usual is to sit during prayer and stand during singing. A form is used in the reception of members, in which usually their assent is asked to the cov- enant of the church and to the confession of faith adopted as the common expression of their views of Christian doctrine. Some Congrega-