[f. prec. + -ISM.]
1. A system of ecclesiastical polity that regards all legislative, disciplinary, and judicial functions as vested in the individual Church or local Congregation of believers. [See CONGREGATION 6 b.]
Also called Independency from the fact that the legislative and judicial sufficiency of the Congregation does not allow interference with the affairs of the body by any external authority, episcopal or presbyterial. The Congregational churches, however, hold and practise the duties of fellowship and cooperation by means of councils, conferences, and associations.
1716. I. Mather, Disq. conc. Eccl. Councils, 6. Mr. [Wm.] Bradshaw, an eminent Nonconformist Minister … was the Author of that Judicious Script [English Puritanism, 1605]. It is perfect Congregationalism.
1767. Chauncy, Lett. (1768), 26. Zealous endeavours to make converts from Presbyterianism and Congregationalism to Episcopacy.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., iv. 173. Congregationalism … sprung, as a reaction, from arrogant prelacy, and the despotism of national churches.
1861. Bancroft, Hist. U.S., I. ix. 359. Thus was constituted the body which, crossing the Charles River, became known as the First church of Boston. It embodied the three great principles of Congregationalism.
2. The congregational practice within the pale of a church territorially organized; attachment to a particular congregation, as distinct from the church of one’s own parish or district.
1882. Sat. Rev., 1 March, 295/2. The elbow-room which congregationalism gives to healthy diversity of worship is not to be over-rated.
