"The error is not so much in the term used as in the explanations, opinions, and practice connected with its use. We have seen it fully carried out in practice. The doctrine is this. Each little band of brethren scattered abroad is the church, and are the highest tribunal on earth. There is no appeal from their decisions; they have power to try and exclude a minister of the Gospel, and all councils or conferences composed of ministers and brethren are unscriptural, arbitrary and anti-Christian. But the error lies at the starting-point--in the very foundation. Those little bands of brethren are only parts of the great family on earth. They can attend to their own internal affairs; their work is small, and in a very limited circle. From such little decisions we ask no appeal. They can extend fellowship to whom they please, and withdraw from the disorderly; but they cannot act for other branches of Zion who live fifty or a thousand miles from them. They can hear, encourage, or abandon such ministers as they choose, so far as their ministry with them is concerned; but it would be folly for them to attempt to make or destroy ministers for others. Now ministers are not the property of one little branch of the church; they belong to the whole--are accountable to the whole. Any branch of the church has a right to present a trial or grief against a minister. But the question will arise, Who shall decide on a trial thus presented by a church against a minister? Surely not the church who present the trial, for they are the accusing party. He is a public man, all the churches are interested in his prosperity and in his impeachment. The common error says, the accusing party must accuse and condemn, for it is the highest tribunal on earth. But common sense and common justice say, Let a council of ministers and brethren from other churches be called to investigate and decide this matter. Let the man have a hearing before a council, equal in numbers and authority to that which received or ordained him, and by which he was inducted into his holy work in the church. We care not whether this assemblage of ministers and church members is called a council or a conference; if it possesses the talent, the wisdom and light of the body, if a board is formed whose just, fair, and impartial decisions shall receive the sanction, respect, and confidence of all the churches for whom they act.