Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-30
AelIgious department.
NEOS EPISCOP0S, Editor.
INOVIRER no. Q AND PRESBYTER."

INQUIRER NO. 2, AND "PRESBYTER"
THERE is so little that is Objectionable in
the first Of these articles, that we hardly
think it worth while TO advert to it. There
are indeed few things in it that are very
decidedly so, and some of them rather whim-
sical; as, for instance, the repetition of the
assertion that the absence Of succession
necessarily drives on to nfidelity and that
the ministry is risiblc, while the church is
inriSt6le, sc. But leaving out few such
notions as these, we don't know but the es-
say may be considered on the whole, as quite
orthodox; though, at times, rather toggy.
We therefore will await for some further de-
monstration, and in the meantime say few
things for the benefit of our respectful cor
respondent, "PREsBYrER."
First, then, we return him our thanks for
his assurance ola proper appreciation OF the
motive which prompted us to a discussion Of
the subject. This is more credit than edi-
tors Qlpoys get for honesty Of purpose, and
ought, therefore, to be noted. We are also
much gratiied that he proposes to bring the
matter wholly to the test Of the scriptures"
and abide the issue; for we especially rely
upon these in determining the matters of
doubtful disputation," pertaining to doc.
trlne discipline and general practice. We
therefore hope he will abide BY this commit
tai, us it may save much trouble if the dis.
cussion is continued.
These things promised, we proceed to say
that we are at a complete loss to imagine
how he supposes us to hold the position that
every man, woman and child who saw our
Lord and heard his voice, and even that
could work miracle. was an Apostle. By
what rule Of Interpretation could he come to
such a conclusion Certainly we did not so
write, and all his argument on this point
does not, in our judgment, twist our remarks
into 4 resemblance to such sentiment. We
have seen no one else who thinks so, and
therefore hope that in this particular, "PREs
BYTER" will have no successors" as he
seems to have no contemporaries. What we
said was simply, that 10 be an Apostle, one
4nust have these qualifications not that every
,one who had them uas an Apostle. Why
TO be an Episcopalian min: ster, we suppose
one must be confirmed by the Bishop, but
every one confirmed by the Bishop is not Il
preacher. 10 be a deacon in Baptist
church implies previous immersion in wa
ter Of this officer, but many thousands have
been immersed that were never deacous,
But does "PREspYrEE. or any Of his
fraternity seriously dispute that these things,
i. e. having had personal acquaintance with
Christ in some way, and the possession of
these letters patent from heaven, the power
of performing supernatural works, were me-
.cessary TO the recognition Of man as an
Apostle. Then do zee confess to a piece Of
information not before in our possession,
that any Protestant, living or dead , (except
a few temporarily misguided persons like
those mentioned i'll our article that called
=" PRESENTER" and "ISourRER" to the res.
cue,) did hold such 4 position. We knew
that they contended for a chain of connection
between their own church and that at Jeru.
salem, but we did not know that any Pro-
testant sect claimed to be in possession Of
Apostles. Strange, that they don't call them
so. Apostle certainly is quite as dgni6ed
as bishop"
But as it seems that" PREsBYTER," at last,
denies the necessity of any extraordinary
qualifications for the apostleshp, we perhaps
cannot do him better piece of service than
to present for his consideration few passa-
ges from ",he Book" for which he profess
es, and we have no doubt sincerely, so much
reverence.
When by the betrayal of his Master, Judas
fell from his position, it was necessary that
some one should occupy his place, and we
find that the Church at Jerusalem proceeded
TO the installation of another soon after our
Lords ascension. What then said Peter on
this occasion p" Of these men uhich hare
companied wih us, all the time that the Lord
Jesus went in and out among US, beginning
with the baptism Of John urto that same
day that He was taken up from us, must one
be ordained 10 be uiLneSs wuh US Of his
resurrection" And they gave forth their
lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he
was numbered with the eleven Apostles. y
Acts, ch. Now, there is some disagree.
ment among theologians, as to whether this
act of appointing Matthias to the apostle
ship was in accordance with the divine will,
and there are, in our judgment, just grounds
for doubt on the subject. But leaving this
out of the question, the transaction goes to
show that in the opinion of the Apostles
themselves, it was an indispensable qualiG-
cation for the Office of the Apostleship, that
the appointee should have had personal ac-
quaintance with Christ.
Take another example, the fullest and
L. fo,,J tbo No,u