by their enemies in derision, as Puritans, Quakers, Shakers, Methodists, etc., yet in the imperfect state of the world, as all cannot see things alike, there can be no great harm in the use of different denominational names. If the world shall have a millenium, or a much better condition than what has yet been, there may then be different denominations, but less importance will be attached to their names than now. Like brothers aad sisters in a well regulated family, although known by different names, they will live with great strength and purity, and the name of the Father and Son will be "high over all."
The Congregationalists are older, as a people, than most of the other sects. In the last part of the sixteenth century, or about three hundred years ago, there were religionists, called Brownists, being followers of Robert Brown. This man was educated at Cambridge, in England, lived in Norwich, and protested against the ceremonies of the established church. Much from these people came those called Independents. And from these came those called Puritans. And from these last came the Congregationalists. A distinguished Puritan minister was Rev. John Robinson, born in Great Britain, in 1575, educated at Cambridge, and in 1602 became pastor of a congregation in Norfolk in the north of England. Not enjoying their rights unmolested, in 1608 they moved to Leyden, in Holland, and rom that place a portion emigrated to New England and commenced settlements in 1620. Mr. Robinson remained, but intended to come over. This was prevented by his sudden death in 1625. He was a learned, able and pious man, of quick wit, great penetration, and great candor. The early settlers of Plymouth and vicinity were known as Puritans, but in process of time their descendants took the name Congregationalists.
One of the cardinal principles of this denomination is the independence of the churches, in that each church is a complete body in itself, having sufficient power to act and perform everything relating to religious government, and the regulation of its affairs, and is in no respect subject or accountable to other churches, or anything in the form of Synods, Presbyteries, Bishops, and the like. Each church has the power to choose its own ministers, and to dismiss them when it sees fit. Yet in these the advice of Councils are to assist. But as a rule, Councils, especially in difficulties, are advisory bodies. In the respects herein named, the Baptists, Free Will Baptists, and some others, have the same views of church government and church independence as the Congregationalists. In doctrine the Congregationalists are Trinitarians. They were formerly Calvinists, latterly not so much so. Baptism was, until lately, by sprinkling; latterly immersion is allowed to be a proper mode, in case that is chosen.
It is worthy of being here remarked, that the persecutions carried on against the Puritans in England in the reigns of Elizabeth and the Princes of the unfortunate House of Stuart, seemed to lay the foundation of what is now our vast Republic in this western world. Hither, into a wilderness, they came, established a free religion, and free political and educational institutions. Perhaps it is not too much to say, that our free government grew out of their independence of church government. In President Jefferson's time there was a church, Congregational in form, near him, in Virginia, and he said it was, as to its government, in almost exact accord with a republican government.
In New Hampshire, the Congregationalists are the oldest, and have all along been the largest Christian denomination in the State. The two towns first settled in what is now the State, were Portsmouth and Dover, in 1623. But Congregationalists were not coeval with these settlements, as those who then came did not come for liberty of conscience, nor for religious purposes, but to gain a livelihood by fishing, and perhaps a few other branches of business. They were not, however, unmindful of moral instruction and religious obligations. At Dover they built a meeting-house, which was the first erected in the State. The settlement was at Dover Neck, four or five miles from the compact part of the city, as it now is. It was afterwards surrounded
