posing it, with an additional church chosen jointly by the parties if it be thought expedient. The consociation is a mutual council, being constituted prior to the existence of parties, and of course without reference to them. An Ex-parte council is a council called by one of the parties, the other not concurring. This latter is little known in Connecticut.

The occasions on which councils are called are such as these the gathering of churches; the ordination, dismission, or deposition, of ministers; troublesome cases of discipline, dissentions, or other difficulties in a church, which the church itself is unable, or indisposed, to settle; and in general, all those occasions which require the advice, or concurrent action, of more churches than one.

The powers of councils. They have properly no juridical, but only advisory powers. Nevertheless, the moral reasons for abiding by their advice are such that it is seldom rejected. Embodying, as they do, the wisdom of assembled churches, without the odium of power, which men are naturally jealous of, their decis ions are endued with the better efficacy of truth, opinion, and persuasion.

Respecting the powers of our Connecticut Consociations, however, there is some difference of opinion; some claiming for them juridical authority. The Saybrook Platform, which is the original constitution of

these bodies, is susceptible of different constructions; though the most obvious is, perhaps, in favor of their being juridical. But however this may be, such powers are at least inconsistent with a fundamental principle of Congregationalism,-the self-government of the churches; and our general practice agrees with this view of the subject.

ASSOCIATIONS.

These are composed of ministers alone. They meet statedly for mutual counsel, sympathy, and prayer. They consult together respecting their personal difficulties and duties as pastors, and respecting the interests of their churches; and make it a part of their business to devise, recommend, and execute useful plans. They also have public religious services.

These bodies exercise no ecclesiastical authority. except to license candidates for the ministry.

The minor associations are composed of the ministers of a county, or smaller district. The General, or State Associations are composed of delegates from these.

TRANSFER OF MINISTERS FROM ONE CHURCH TO ANOTHER.

It is a question proper to be introduced here, Whether one church may lawfully call the pastor of another church? Doubtless it may, in certain cases. If it be

clear that he will be more useful in the new sphere, the removal is allowable. For it is every man's duty to make the most of his talents in Christ's service; and the churches should be willing that he should. The minister of Christ is Christ's property, and not the property of a particular society. If it be not so, then, without the society's pleasure, he may not leave them for any sphere, however useful,-not for the presidency of a university, an important secretaryship, or a foreign mission. If it be right to remove a pastor in these cases, on the ground of his greater usefulness, it is right in the case before us, the principle being the

same.

But in the manner in which this thing is done, often, it is doubtless wrong. Before a pastor be called away from his flock, it should be well considered how much good he is doing where he is, how much evil will result to the people bereaved, how many ties will be sundered, how many purposes be broken off,-and then, if in view of all you can proceed,—if neither covetousness nor robbery enters into the transaction, but simply a just regard to the cause of Christ,-the matter is lawful and the duty clear.

CHAPTER XII.

RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE WITH OTHER DENOMINATIONS.

RELATIONS WITH PRESBYTERIANS.

BETWEEN US and the Presbyterians there has existed a very intimate connection from early times. Near the close of the seventeeth century a formal agreement was entered into by the two denominations in England, with the understanding apparently, from the title and terms of the compact,*-that they were thenceforward to regard themselves as one denomination. The union was promptly consented to by the churches in New England; and indeed it almost originated with them, one of their ministers, Dr. Increase Mather of Boston, then in England, being "singularly instrumental in effecting that union."

This happy union has been farther recognized and cemented by several acts of agreement mutually entered into, some forty years since, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and the several New England State Associations. By these acts the perfect

* "Heads of Agreement assented to by the United Ministers, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational."