New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-10-18
ROCHESTER
President Wsyland's Sermon on the Apostolic
Ministry"

To ne Editor Of The y. T. Tri6pns
SIR Though always keeping clear of the contention of
Speculative Theology am that The Tribune cannot
zee with Indifference any movement tending to elevate hui
many and to increase the moral power of Christian de-
nomination. by bringing them back to the principles of their
Founders and TO the procepts of their Master DIR Way
lands Sermon is the commencement of such movement
The condition which calls for may be made clear in few
words.
II has for many years been plain that the Baptist denoml
nation were following the tendency m strongly pre-
vailng in other dencminatons) to erect Clerical
Arstocrncy. The spirit of such tendency is(pirfraH
the following The clergy claim and the lay yield the
duties and offices actively connected with religion The
clergy restrict themselves the performance of religious
rites and the contement Of spiritual privileges On private
Christians devoes only the raising Of funds TO support
the Church and its operations In return the lay re
heyed from all further religious obligations and partake
in the merit of the clerical services and devotions This
seems the spirit varying indeed ndegree bu. not in
naiure) of the tendency to which we have alluded.
Among the baIts At mas been restricted @ike by the
pendence Of the lay Yet the evidence of its existence
not wanting. Conventions assuming to represent the
Denomination consist almost solely OF Ministers Minis
tiers are the officers Of its religious and benevolent aSsoc
atoms. Religious newspapeTs and the religious press
nxsrsay controlled by Ministers Ministers tho
head OF their colleges and high educational
Tie administration OF religious and church ordinances
and the public proclaiinng of religious truth,
6ned either by rule not less inexbe custom. TO the
Ministry practice, which whatever the views of other
New Testament The Missionaries sent to foreign lands
are Ministers with here and there exception
hardly to be counted
In all these the participation of Laymen has been con
6ned 10 raising the means of support They have with
drawn from the offices desiSnedt 20 adv religion They
rarely labor with self denial write speak promote
Ia ipierests Social religious and devotional meetngs
formerly conducted and sustained by Lamen nov in
many cases ofete or abandoned.
Atthe same time the Clerical ArsOcracy has been re
scted and rendered exclusive ia iis numbers There is
indeed law no organization by which this result could
be Erected but Il has been done by the prevailing views
Of Theological education Greatly decreased Importance
has been attached to the idea OF inward call spiritual
inspiration which acting above and independently of hu.
man ordinance designaes with unerrng certainty those
diyinely set apart for this office and opinion acting with
prescription POWER has ordained that man should be
r.coCpyed as reg uarly educated and III the ministry
e,e.rt afor period Of six eight nine prepa
ration; and that all thus trained should be regarded al
most r,spCciive Of the inward call II is obvious that
such rule must admit many whose only qualf cation IS
,uch course of training, and exclude many who by
age or poverty other circumstances hOpelesy shut
ont from such expenditure Of time yet maniiesty in
wardly and diyneiy called
The result of all this is Whist might be expected The
sity feeling responsible only for the discharge o their
mari Of the contract and uncocerned for the spiritual
;en Of the Church have grown worldly aud laid aside
the idea of self denial for the cause Of religion The
Clergy introduced to their office by education rather than
relation rather than by love Of spiritual results hsye per
formed the outward routine OF their work with pefanctoy
Tstlcssness Ard Of those who seek the Ministry
slsyce norton are pelled the valuable frequently
annan,d bv the preparation demanded while those who
eeier ar< hV protiaccd nSinng separated Om popular
smpaihy and untitled ior advancing religion among the
masses Of men.
reEgicr lie Clergy are diminished in number sni ire
ou,rtlV wanting in adaptation, and give 20 their spiritual
,uties formed and inefficient service The denomination
has felt the III OF all his in the want Of spirituality in us
m,mbers in the decreasing number Of accessous an
In their waning influence, and ia the general diminish i
efficacy of lbs whole organisation. Revy ais OF religion
those sptcial marii, SNtUois Of Divine power which
were once tie great Of is strength com
psrntVelv few and incCnsidrrabo number
ministers ssCiug. raiiroy 90 he growh OF p1pUla
ZION Nv the demand Tor their SbofS and the usn0o- OF
those entering the ministry Is rapidly diminishing lbso
me sermon Of Pr Nsylard j. an atiempl 70 bring
b,ek the denomination the ancient usage al aih sad
praetice in following which they formerly STAINED
hieh decr,e OF spiritual prosperity and numerical mP'r
lance lis based he words OF Christ Go ye into al
~tle world and preach the 'spd t. ever! creature
The course Of thought is simll. thus
Isl Mhat Is the (csaif Il q the good news If 81, a.
ton. off red e. men s. 40 Otherwise wcrc iost
I'd What l. Drsgcffng the G,sISi 10 = inviting ID
IN avail themselves OF the oder oi salvation ami ieacn
them ~ obey she commands OF Christ
Sa Vac Is 20 Vrea,h the Gospel Lrory o.. Every
Christian in popOrti 70 the at wach God MS z's,
him ard esrcc6ly those who are sgnaied by inv nj
.snnc and sdertd nv ouw ard qualification. cr this oaice
IheTe Is in the Churvh Of Chrt ministerial casc. m
~clsss elcvsed in rsnA above iher bihren on whom
"5evolycs the dChart of the more dnided ormorc IA
.oyrhe rortious OF Christian labor while the rest OF tae
Sis,ts are 10 DO nothing but raise the funds Tor tof
.surrert Tie minister G0s the same wogS ia. Is - ~
al, Lv every other member A Christian Caaccl i
c.n,trnv Of believers each one united % Cars. AMI
per, AIDED by bis spirit and efs' e'e do'"a"s ever! a