Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-11-03
REPORT.

what Is the duty OF q Church Session,
in the case Of a member OF the Church
under its charge, who fails in
whole or In part, to pay his just and
equitable proportion OF his Pastors
salary" do now make the following
report:
ist. Il is dictate OF natural JUS
tioe. that ministers Of the Gospel should
receive a reasonable compensation for
their services, from those 10 whom
they minister in holy things. Men.
almost universally, provide food and
a safe home for the horse. that carries
them on their journey over mountains
and plains; for the dog. that guards
their dwelling. house and field; Tor the
OF, that patiently draws their pillow or
cart; forlihe servant. who intelligently
cultiyates their farm, or serves in their
household. Men. guided by the die
tates Of natural justice alone. look up
on NIL this as their certain duty and act
accordingly.
2. In the Church Of God, under the
Patriarchal dispensation, the right OF
the priests Of God TO compensation
for their services. is recognized by
Abraham, and illustrated and enforc-
ed by his exomple:
3. When Moses. by divine command
and inspiration Of the Holy Ghost,
gave to the Church an organized form,
and regular written laws for its govern
ment. he, by that command and inspi-
ration, established il MS fixed princi'
pie, that those who perform service in
sacred things, should be amply sup
ported by those for whose benefit they
labored.
8. Our Lord and Saviour, the
Mighty God, the Sinless Man. whc
blessed and enriched the Church By
the introduction Of the Christian dis
pensation, who is exhalted to be heac
over all things for this Church. EN-
phatically calls preaching the word o
God. a work; and declared that those
engaged in this work are worthy o
their meat. MAT. X. And the Hol,
Spirit. by the hand OF Paul. has writ
ten 10 thu churches, THAT il might b.
eternally recorded. and had in everlas
ting remembrance, and has used tn
following unmistakeable language. tina
he who runneth may read and under
stand his duty: (1ICor. tx.
9th. Paul. when he was in Corinth
received contributions towards his sup
port, from the churches he had plant
ed in Macedonia.-he and they illus
trating, by their own acts, and !
their own persons. the true teachin
Of the Scriptures fon this highly i'm
portant subject.
Thus the dictates Of natural justic,
the example Of Patriarchs; the swfl
command and judgment Of the tire
mendous God, given through Nose
and Malichi; the sure declaration {
Jesus our Lord and Saviour. who
full Of grace and truth; the heayenl
teachings OF the Holy Ghost. as wri
ten by the inspired Paul; the exampl
OF Paul himself, and the churchs
planted by him; the practice OF II
people Of God throughout all ages
the Church, when most devoted an
spiritually minded. -all-all. blend
harmony to demonstrate beyon
cayil, that ministers Of the Gospelha,
a firm, divine right, TO a sufficient SUI
port. whilst laboring in word and do
irine; and that a corresponding dut,
alike firm and divine, to provide sue
support. rests unalleviated weightupS
those who enjoy their ministry; and {
each member Of any particular churc
to contribute his just proportion
this support according to his abilit
Therefore. IL the advantages d
rived from providing aproper suppo
for the pastors Of churches be so nj
merous and 50 great. neglect Of III
duty must prove the fruitful soil. fro
which will spring corresponding evi
equally great and numerous. And
NE conclude that the right OF the mi
istry of reconciliation, to reasonab
and sufficient support from those
whom they proclaim the terms Of III
reconciliation, is based on the fir
foundation Of Gods word; and, IN
the duty ofeach member Of the chur,
TO whom they make this proclaim
ton. to contribute to this support a
eording to his ability, rests on the sar
foundation; and when any such mer
Der fails TO contribute, he jeopardiz
ihe eternal interests OF himself al
family; be obstructs The happiness al
usefulness Of his pastor; he. retar