The highest ecclesiastical bodies by which the Congregational churches in the United States are, in a sense, united or associated, are, the General Associations of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and New-York; the General Convention of Vermont, the General Consociation of Rhode Island, and the General Conference of Maine. These bodies meet annually, and they maintain the "bond of fellowship" by sending delegates to each other. It must not be understood that all the evangelical Congregational churches in the states just named are associated," that is, connected with the inferior associations, and through them with the "general association," "general convention,"

9. The reader has already learned that | munion in America has done more for rethe American Congregational churches ligion and morals among its own people, disavow the name Independent. From the more for the advancement of learning and beginning they have held and practised the general education, or more for the diffusion communion of churches. Continually, and of the Gospel at home and abroad. None by various acts of affection and intercourse, has been more characterized by that large they recognise each other as churches of and manly spirit which values the common Christ, as bound to render to each other, Christianity of all who "hold the Head," on all proper occasions, an account of their more than the peculiar forms and institudoings. They receive each other's mem- tions of its own sect. bers to occasional communion in ordinances. Members of one church, removing their residence to another church, take from the one a letter of dismission and recommendation, and without that are not received to membership in the other. The principle that, in matters which concern not one church alone, but all the churches of the vicinity, no one church ought to act alone, is continually regarded in practice. The ordination or installation of a pastor, and in like manner his dismission from his office even by the mutual consent of him and his flock, never takes place without the intervention of a council of pastors and delegates from neighbouring churches. When any act of a church is grevious to a portion of its members-when any contention or difficulty has arisen within a church which cannot otherwise be adjustedwhen a member excommunicated deems himself unjustly treated, a council of the neighbouring churches is called to examine the case, and to give advice; and the advice thus given is rarely, if ever, disregard-ly numerous to render the organization of ed. If a church is deemed guilty of any gross dereliction of the faith, or of Christian discipline, any neighbouring church may expostulate with it as one brother ex- The Congregationalists in New-England postulates with another, and when expos- have eight colleges, five theological semitulation proves insufficient, a council of naries and faculties, and about 300 stuthe neighbouring churches is called to ex-dents in theology. In the other states amine the matter; and from the church where they exist, they give their aid to the which obstinately refuses to listen to the Presbyterian literary and theological inadvice given by such a council, the neigh-stitutions. bouring churches withdraw their commu

nion.

In Connecticut the communion of the churches has been practised for about 130 years in "consociations," or voluntary confederations of from six to twenty contiguous churches, binding themselves to call upon each other in all cases of difficulty which require a council. Elsewhere councils of churches, though ordinarily selected from the immediate vicinity, are selected at the discretion of the church by which the council is convened.

Under this ecclesiastical system the churches of New-England have, it is believed by many, enjoyed for more than two centuries a more continued purity of doctrine, and fidelity of discipline, and a more constant prosperity of spiritual religion, than has been enjoyed by any equal body of churches, for so long a time, since the days of the Apostles. No religious com

66

general consociation," or "general conference" of the state in which they are situated. But the number not thus united with their sister churches is not great. The Congregational churches in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and the Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa are not yet sufficient

general associations convenient, or else other causes have prevented this measure from being adopted.

CHAPTER IV.

THE REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCHES.

NEXT to the Episcopalians and the Congregationalists, the Baptists are the oldest of the various branches of the Christian Church in the United States. And if we were to include under this name all who hold that immersion is the true and only Scriptural mode of baptism, without reference to the orthodoxy of their faith, we should probably find that they are also the largest denomination in this country. But if we separate from them a portion at least of those minor bodies which, though agreeing with them on that point, differ from them on important, and, in some cases, fundamental doctrines, we shall find that they are not equal in number to the Methodists.

In their church government the Baptists the way of salvation; justification; the of all denominations are Independents, freeness of salvation; grace in regenerathat is, each church is wholly independent, tion; God's purpose of grace; perseveas respects its interior government, even rance of saints; harmony of the law and of those other churches with which it may Gospel; a Gospel church; Baptism and be associated in ecclesiastical union. Each the Lord's Supper; the Christian Sabbath; separate church possesses and exercises civil government; the righteous and the the right of licensing or granting permis- wicked; the world to come. sion to preach the Gospel, and of ordaining On all these subjects, excepting Baptism, elders or presbyters clothed with all the these articles express the doctrines held functions of the ministerial office. This by the Calvinistic churches of all denomiis the old ground at first maintained by the nations. The Bible is pronounced to have Independents. The Congregationalists, been "written by men divinely inspired"— spoken of in the last chapter, seem to be" has God for its Author, salvation for its Independents in theory, but in spirit and end, and truth, without any mixture of erpractice they are very nearly Presbyteri- ror, for its matter"-" is the true centre of ans, and have often been called Congrega- Christian union, and the supreme standard tional Presbyterians. by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried." The "true God," it is affirmed, is "revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption." "The salvation of sinners" is taught to be "wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honoured the law by his personal obedience, and made atonement for our sins by his death; being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour." "Justification," it is affirmed, "consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life," and "is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely of His (Christ's) own redemption and righteousness."

Delegates from different Baptist churches hold public meetings for purposes of mutual counsel and improvement, but not for the general government of the whole body, all right of interference in the concerns of individual churches being disclaimed by these ecclesiastical assemblies. A very large majority of our evangelical Baptist churches are associated by their pastors in District Associations and State Conventions, which meet every year for promoting missions, education, and other benevolent objects. A general convention, called the Baptist General Convention of the United States, meets likewise every three years, the last always appointing the place of meeting for the next after. The General Convention is restricted by its constitution to the promotion of foreign missions. It held its first meeting in 1814. But within the last ten years a Home Missionary Society, a General Tract Society, a Bible Society, and several societies for the education of poor and pious youths having talents adapted for the ministry, have sprung up in the Baptist body, and On the FREENESS OF SALVATION it is taught already exert a wide and happy influence."that the blessings of salvation are made The Baptists, like the Congregational-free to all by the Gospel; that it is the imists, make it a fundamental principle to mediate duty of all to accept them by a adopt the Bible as their only confession of cordial and obedient faith; and that nothing faith. Yet most, if not all, of the evan- prevents the salvation of the greatest singelical churches that bear the name, find ner on earth, except his own voluntary reit convenient in practice to have a creed fusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ; or summary of doctrine, and these creeds, which refusal will subject him to an agalthough they may vary in expression, all gravated condemnation." "Regeneration agree in the main, and, with few excep- consists in giving a holy disposition to the tions, among the Regular and Associated mind, and is effected in a manner above Baptists are decidedly Calvinistic. our comprehension by the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and its proper evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God."

A few years ago, the Baptist Convention of the State of New-Hampshire adopted a Declaration of Faith, consisting of sixteen articles, and a form of church covenant, which they recommended to the Baptist churches of that state, and which are supposed to express, with little variation, the general sentiments of the whole body of orthodox Baptists in the United States. The subjects of these articles are: The Scriptures; the true God; the fall of man;

On the subject of God's PURPOSE OF GRACE it is stated, "That election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners"

"consistent with the free agency of man"-" comprehends all the means in connexion with the end"-" is a most

gracious display of God's sovereign good-¡ ness" "utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God"-" encourages the use of means in the highest degree"-" is ascertained in its effects in all who believe"-"is the foundation of Christian assurance”. - and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence."

On the subject of the PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS, it is affirmed, "That such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

According to this Confession of Faith, "a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only proper officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus." And" Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its purifying power," and "is a prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation."

The "CHRISTIAN SABBATH is the first day of the week," and "is to be kept sacred to religious purposes;" "civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honoured and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and Prince of the kings of the earth."

And finally, on the subject of the WORLD TO COME, it is taught, "That the end of this world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness."

The covenant which follows this declaration of faith expresses in a few brief articles the determination of those who enter it: “to walk in brotherly love ;" "to exercise a mutual care, as members one of another, to promote the growth of the

whole body in Christian knowledge, holiness, and comfort;" "to uphold the public worship of God, and the ordinances of his house;" "not to omit closet and family religion," nor the "training up of children and those under their care;" to "walk circumspectly in the world," and be as the "light of the world, and the salt of the earth;" and, finally, to “exhort" and "admonish one another."

Such, in substance, is the "Declaration of Faith and Covenant," adopted, as I have said, by the Baptist Convention of NewHampshire a few years ago, and no doubt substantially exhibiting the doctrines held by the great body of the Regular and Associated Baptists throughout the United States. It will be perceived that it is moderately Calvinistic, and, indeed, to one or other shade of Calvinism all the Regular Baptists in America adhere. Part of their body, particularly in the Southern and Southwestern States, are regarded as Calvinists of the highest school. Their doctrinal views probably coincide with those of Dr. Gill more than those of any other writer. But a far greater number of their ministers follow in the main the views of Andrew Fuller; views which, take them all in all, form one of the best systems of theology to be found in the English language.

The Baptist churches have increased in the United States with great rapidity, particularly within the last fifty or sixty years. For although they commenced their existence in the days of Roger Williams,* formerly mentioned,† who, having changed his sentiments on the subject of Baptism a few years after his arrival in Massachusetts Bay, was the first Baptist preacher, and founded the first Baptist church in America, at Providence, in 1639; it was long before this denomination made much progress beyond Rhode Island. This arose, it would appear, from their being violently opposed in most of the other colonies, both in the North and in the South. In Massachusetts they were at first "fined," "whipped," and "imprisoned." And though they afterward obtained liberty of worship there, they had but eighteen churches at the commencement of the Revolutionary war. In Virginia, where they also met with much opposition and bitter persecution, they had scarcely, at that epoch, obtained any footing at all. In fact, with the exception of Rhode Island, Pennsylvania,

*The reader must not infer, from what is stated above, that Roger Williams is to be considered as the author or founder of the Baptist Churches in America. His influence was mainly confined to Rhode Island. The greater part of the Baptist churches with us owe their origin to the labours of Baptist ministers who came such directly from England. + Book ii., chap. iv.

It happened often in that colony that their preachAnd often they were to be seen addressing from the ers were cast into prison for preaching the Gospel. jail windows the people assembled outside!

and Delaware, they almost no where en- tioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews (chap.. joyed perfect freedom from molestation vi., ver. 1, 2). These, in 1841, had sixteen until the country had achieved its inde-churches, ten ministers, and 2017 mempendence by a struggle in which the Bap-bers. But the shades of difference in doctists, to say the least, in proportion to their trine are not of much consequence, so far numbers, took as prominent a part as any as regards the vital interests of the truth. other religious body in the land. Above 3,500,000 of souls, being between But slow as was their progress before the a fifth and a sixth of the entire population Revolution, it has been much otherwise of the United States, and embracing a resince. This will be seen from the follow-spectable share of the wealth, talent, learning statement taken from the very com-ing, and influence of the country, are supplete" View of the Baptist Interest in the United States," prepared by the Rev. Rufus Babcock, D.D., of Poughkeepsie, NewYork, and published in the American Quarterly Register, in the years 1840 and 1841. The number of Baptist ministers, churches, and members, at five different epochs, are stated there as follows:

Ministers.

Churches.

In 1784

471

424

1790-92. 891

1150

1810-12. 2164

1605

1832

5320

3618

7766

5204

1840

Members.

35,101 65,345 172,972 384,920 570,758

posed to be connected with the Regular Baptists. A large and important part of their churches lies in the Southern States, and includes many slaves and slave-owners. With the exception of the Methodists, they form by far the most numerous and influential body of Christians in that section of the country.

A strong prejudice against learning in the ministry unhappily prevailed at one. time in this body, particularly in the Southern States, and this we might ascribe to sev eral causes. In the religious denomination, Dr. Babcock estimates the superannua- which in Virginia, and the other Southern ted ministers and others who, from vari-colonies, they considered their greatest enous causes, are not actively engaged in the ministry, at about a seventh of the number in the above table. Deducting these, and another seventh for the licentiates, who also are included, we shall have 3717 ordained ministers actually employed in 1840; which is, upon an average, less than one minister for two churches. Including the licentiates, who almost all preach more or less regularly, and many of them in vacant churches, the number of preachers for that year was

4460.

In the "Almanac and Baptist Register" for 1844, the number of the Regular Baptist churches in 1843 is stated to have been 8482, the ordained and licensed ministers 5650, and the communicants or members 637,477. It is believed, however, that had the returns been complete, the last-mentioned number would have been at least 700,000. According to Dr. Babcock's mode of estimating them, the ordained and active ministers were, in that year, 4036.

emy, learning was too often associated with want of piety, and sometimes with open irreligion. The effects of this preju dice have been very injurious, and are felt to this day in the Baptist churches throughout the Southern and Southwestern, and to a considerable extent even in the Middle States. But a brighter day has dawned. Great efforts have been made by zealous and devoted men among them to establish colleges and theological seminaries, with what success we have stated elsewhere. I know not how many young men are preparing for the ministry in theological and other institutions, but ten years ago they were estimated at 300 in New-England, and about twice that number in other parts of the United States.

We have already spoken of the efforts of the Baptists in the Bible, Tract, Sundayschool, and Home Missionary causes, and shall have yet to speak of what they are doing in the department of Foreign Missions.

Dr. Babcock makes a curious estimate We shall conclude by remarking that, of the probable proportion of the inhabi- although not a third, perhaps, of the ministants in each state, supposed to be direct-ters of this denomination of Christians ly under the influence of Baptist preach- have been educated at colleges and theoing. Without going unnecessarily into logical seminaries, it comprehends, neverhis details, we find, as the result of his re-theless, a body of men who, in point of searches, that in 1840 these amounted to a fifth of the population in Massachusetts, and to a fourth in Virginia, being the two provinces in which the Baptists were most persecuted; whereas in Rhode Island, which was their asylum, the proportion rises to two fifths, or nearly a half.

talent, learning, and eloquence, as well as devoted piety, have no superiors in the country. And even among those who can make no pretensions to profound learning, not a few are men of respectable general attainments, and much efficiency in their Master's work.

In this enumeration Dr. Babcock in- Notices will be given of the smaller Bapcludes some of the smaller Baptist sects, tist denominations in their proper place, such as those of the Six Principles, who and they will afterward be grouped tohold as their creed the six principles men-gether, when we come to arrange in fam