Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-03-22
From the Christian Waterman.
ON CLERICAL TITLES.

Mr.. ED1ToR.-Having endeavored to
draw the attention Of the disciples of our
Lord Jesus, to the formation Of Christian
character--the institution of his church,
and the spirituality ofdivine Worship as
taught and required by himself; the way
is open to show the alarming disparity
between the pure original, and its Subse-
quent corruptions, which have furnished
the glory of the primitive age, and gone
far to prevent the gospel of Christ
The avidity with which the ministers
ofthe gospel receive (if not seek) honor
one Of another, by ecclesiastical titles, of
itself indicates that less attention has been
paid to our Lords instructions upon that
point, than is perfectly consistent with due
reference to those thrilling charges and
reproofs which are recorded in the twenty
third chapter of Matthew's gospel
Eveu the Apostles, says popular writer,
though the most eminent persons who
ever appeared on earth, were commanded
not to accept the title of Doctor, or Master,
because they had one Master, even Christ
himself, and they were all brethren, with
out any pre-emlnence or authority over
each other: this is twice repeated, perhaps
to show hoao prone men are to getlt'-
The astonishing degree to which these
evils have proceeded, exhorbitant
claims and high sounding titles of ecclcsi-
astics, especially in the church of Rome
and servile submission of the people, are
well known; but the same leaven still
wor ks; and many things are found,
among different bodies Of protestant Chris
tians, which by no means comport with
the simplicity and humility of the gospel.
| Similar testimony against the practice
is given by many of the most celebrated
preachers and writer's; among whom we
name Andrew Fuller, who in letter to
Mclean of Edinburgh, says Few men
can have greater dislike to titles than
have among ministers. My brother Ry
land, without his own consent, had D
d. next to forced upon him. For m,
part, | think with you, that it is contrary
to our Lords prohibition, Be ye not call
ed Rabbi. 1t is proper, also, to state tha
the University of Rhode Island, and atte1
that of Yale, conferred upon Fuller the
title Of D. D. both Of which he modestlJ
f rejected. The early Reformers were de
cidedIy opposed to theological degrees
Garlostadt refused to submit to the title o
Doctor, and chose rather the Designation
of brother Andrew. Zuiuglius could no
hear the title without horror Crynacus
Sebastian, Munster and yconius, M neve
assumed it the last indeed, when urge
+ to accept the degree, as required by
/ law Of the University, offered rather t
) resign bis professorship than to submi, I
= it. Melancthon, and Oporinus also bot
Z refused to adopt il. All these learne
r meu thought such titles inconsistent wit
our Lords Injunction, Mat. xviii. !
e Il appears that there had been stri
; among the. disciples 81 Jesus, which
# them should be accounted the greatest
! Doubtless his reply and the beautiful &
, ure he adopted to illustrate il. furnished
IL lesson which hey never forgot. O Ga
II il bad been better Iearot and always sdl,
ID appreciated By ill whc claim 20 he =
= ambassadors and their snecessrs:
ls1t ~ 81