It is claimed by Congregationalists that their system of government is in complete accord with that of the apostolic age, and conformed to the genius and spirit of Chris tianity; but they do not trace it in direct historical line further back than the period of the Protestant reformation. Their theory is that Congregationalism is a return to the primitive order which had been rejected for the ecclesiasticism of Rome or of great national churches. John Robinson is generally regarded as the father of the system as revived in modern times, though doubtless he was only one of many founders. He was prominent among those who sought refuge in Holland from the persecutions bf the church of England. Settling first in Amsterdam in 1609, he and his little flock after wuds removed to Leyden, where, with constant longings for their native land,. they tasted the sweets of religious liberty. Seeing no prospect that the persecu tion in England would cease in their time, and finding their situation not altogether pleasant among a people whose language and habits were different from their own, a large portion of the little company concluded to seek a permanent home in the wilder ness of America. Having come to this resolution, they organized themselves as a church, and, with the blessing of their pastor, who expected to follow them at a later date, embarked on the lfayfrncer at Delft Haven in 1620. The little colony landed in Plymouth, on the coast of Massachusetts, where they laid the foundations of a church and state joined together after the pattern of the Jewish theocracy, and it was not until after the colonies became independent of England that the ties which bound the two were wholly severed. Robinson died before he could join the colony. The Plymouth church, formed in Holland, was the first in New England. The first church ever organized in New England was gathered at Salem, Mass., Aug. 6, 1629. The colonies of MassachusettsBay, Connecticut, and New Haven were mainly composed, not of "Inde pendents" like the Plymouth settlers, but of "Non-conformists," who did not at first contemplate a severance of their connection with the church of England, but sought chiefly the reform of that church in certain practices by them deemed idolatrous and popish. But the free air of the new world created in them a thirst for wider liberty, and the religious life of New England externally considered was soon molded to form of Congregationalism. The idea of complete religious liberty, as now understood, was then hardly known in the world, certainly not accepted by any large party, and Congregationalism, wielding the civil authority, assumed for itself rights which it refused to dissenters. Thence the history of the colonial period of New England is not free from the stain of persecutions which no one at this day seeks to justify. Episcopalians, Baptists, Quakers, and others, felt the strong hand of civil and social proscription. • The spirit of freedom, however, was even then working in the minds and hearts of many thoughtful men, and slowly preparing the way for the complete liberty of religious belief and worship which is now the glory of the republic. The whole spirit and tend ency of Congregationalism is universally admitted to be at war with persecution in all its forms.
Congregationalists hold to no order in the ministry higher than that of the pastor of a local church. Religious fellowship among them finds expression in conferences formed of a number of churches in a given neighborhood, and meeting at stated times for worship, mutual edification, and the promotion of missionary and benevolent work; in state associations or conferences composed of ministers and laymen delegated by the smaller conferences, and locating annually; and, finally, of late, in a national council, meeting once in three years—an addition to the system favored by many, but gravely distrusted by some. None of these bodies have the least ecclesiastical authority or
power. In the Congregational system, the society or parish, composed of the pew holders and worshipers, whether members of the church or not, acts concurrently with the church in the settlement and dismissal of a pastor, and elects the trustees in whom the law vests the management of the church property.
The forms of worship in Congregational churches are usually simple, •varying„ however, according to the taste of the pastor or the • preferences of the congregations. There is general similarity, but no binding rule as to the parts or the order of service.. Of late years the practice of responsive reading of selections from the Psalms, and of ' reciting in unison the Lord's prayer, is gaining favor. The ordinances observed are baptism and the Lord's supper. Infant baptism is generally practiced, but not strictly enforced. Persons baptized in infancy are admitted to the church like others with a public confession of Christ. The officiating minister, before the administration of the. Lord's supper, usually invites other than members of the local church to partake,. expressing such invitation not in any prescribed form, but in terms more or less strict according to his own views or those of the church. In most instances the invitation is confined to members of evangelical churches, or churches of Christ in good and regular standing; in others it is so broad as to include all who love and follow Christ, whether members of a church or not. Differences like this illustrate the freedom and elasticity of Congregationalism.
Cell within the last 30 years Congregationalism was mainly confined to New England, making no effort for its own extension in the region beyond, and freely giving its force to the building up of other denominations; but it has recently made large advances in the states of the north-west, in those of the Pacific coast, and even in the middle and southern states. The number of state organizations is 31; of churches 3,620, with a total membership of 382,920; of ministers, 3,585. Benevolent contribu tions of the churches in 1879, so far as reported, $1,098,691.43; home expenditures, $2,694,228.81. The national co-operative societies of the Congregationalists aro. the American board of commissioners for foreign missions. the American home missionary society, the American missionary association, American Congregational union, Con gregational publishing society, American college and educational society, the western. education society, and the American Congregational association. Number of ordained missionaries in foreign fields, 119. There are seven theological seminaries under Congre gational control, with an aggregate of 298 students. The Congregational churches have always been noted for their high standard of ministerial education; and, during the present century, for their earnestness and liberality in the work of missions among the heathen.