Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-10-01
ORDINATION OF ANTOINETTE L. BROWN.

The Tribune contains an account of the Ordiha-
ton of Miss Brown, over the church of South But
Ter New York. After singing one Of the Deacons
of the Church said:
This church do not believe ir the necessity of or
dination as qualification to preach the gospel but
that whatever individual has the capacity and is
willing to take upon himself the duty is at liberty
to become the pastor of any people to whom his
services are acceptable. Why then have an ordina-
ton? The church needs to be instructed, and it is
well, for pastors and for people, to be reminded of
their duties to each other therefore we have iny-
ted few friends TO be with us, and to recognize
with us the relationship between ourselves and pas
tor. Our friend Gerrit Smith, will now address
US.
Mr.. Smith then rose and said / do not believe
in ecclesiastical ordinations in any set of the
term do not believe in any one individual being
set apart to exclusively preach the gospel. The
I question then arises, why are you hcre2 did
decline coming, and stated my reasons, but they
4 were overruled, and agreeing with my brother
who has just spoken ] am happy to be with you
ON this deeply interesting occasion. Now, having
stated what do not believe, will state what do
believe. do believe in the pastorship; believe
! every church should have ut least one pastor. ]
believe, as the brother has stated the right to
preach the gospel grows solely out of the ability to
b preach the gospel. | believe the people are en-
titled to no voice whether or not one of their num-
2 ber shall be preacher but they are entitled to
declare who shall be their pastor Martin Luther
$ expressed the same, whom be said, THE priest
(meanng the preacher) is not made, he is born. -
/, My whole creed on this point can be summed up
in a few words of Paul, II believe and therefore
! | have spoken" Would that this creed of Paul
might be the creed of the whole church, and of the
I world The preacher is not elected but the pastor
is elected. II you agree with me ON this point
there is no difficulty with you in my being here
! congratulate you upon your selection of pastor
| You have chosen one who is wise and strong, and
trpa1 and faithful and aud full nf
l say this because i know it. You have chosen
one who will, | believe, continue to meet your
; highest approval. | am not of those who believe
} woman made of finer clay than man, at tue same
time cannot but express my great pleasure that
you have dared be true to your convictions, and
4 select one so emnently qualified for her position
that you have dared brave that low, depraved pub
lie sentiment that puts an embargo upon Woman
,l-bc she never so hgh-soued. The day is coming
and is not that happy future ?-when merit and
s capability will be the ground of choice Will it
c not be II day of common sense, when powers and
ability will be the tests for any statOn2 When If
we select a wood-chopper, the brawny arm and
I sturdy irame-be il man or woman-will be taken;
= when if we select Pastor, capability and inclna-
ton will decide our choice; and recolect, religion
s never comes in collision with common sense. j
s would have Christians recognize the fact that
4 the Christians Of a place are the Church OF
{ Of place. South Butler is n very good place
. much better than most places-yet | am told they
Q This is not Gods wisdom. When Paul addressed
= the Church at Rome, the Christians at Rome were
r the Church at Rome. The Church Of q place il
, Gods Church; Christians compose that Church
, man does not make the Church-has not made the
I, Church at South Butler. Think you Jesus Chris
: knows more than one Church here? Having recog
nized the Church what ncxtg Let the Church moi
9 forsake the assembling of themselves together
@ Individually our souls must suffer if neglect so
cia prayer if we neglect to cultivate each other
r graces by social worship and religious conference
Next A Church must choose its offoers-must Sc
y ect its pastor. The Church is democratic body
C purely SO, and so you give the pastorshp to whom
g soeyer you will. But make room for brother Lee
know brother Lee--know that he will give you
sermon for the occasion, and hope You will cal
q Tor II for the Press. And you about to set a
;, part one OF your number to be your pastor. B'
reasonable, be just, be patient with rpastor; ex
4 act no more of her than is her duty to PERFORM
u Hold up her hands; make her path easy for her..
y Let there be no lack Of pecunary means. 1t viii
!, be greater injury to yourselves than her if yor
oblige her to have anxious thought about her liv
/ ing. Above all, pray for her; and may you b,
blessed in her and she in YOU and all be blessed il
lr God"
! Luther Lee, Of Syracuse followed in sermon
+. which is to be published Prayer, An addres /,
the pastor and the benediction closed the