Union, Congregational

Union, Congregational.

Conder says of such unions, "The recent formation of the Congregational and Baptist unions has given rise to the notion that there exists among the Nonconformists of the present day a disposition to abandon the principles of strict Independency, and to adopt a new species of machinery or organization more nearly approaching to Presbyterianism. For this idea there is no foundation. These unions differ in no other respect than in their more extended or comprehensive character from the county unions and associations of churches which have always existed in both denominations for similar objects. They have no relation to a scheme of Church government; their object is not to set up a Church or to create a jurisdiction, but simply to facilitate a general co-operation for common and public objects of a religious nature." SEE INDEPENDENTS.