The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-12-19
COMMUNICATIONS.
"The State of the Church"
THE OFFICE OF EVANGELIST AND RULING
ELDER.
NO. L.
For the Central Presbyterian

Messrs. Editors, The Report the Com
mittec on ''the State of the Church. adopt
ed unanimously by the Synod of Virginia
at its last meeting, has been extensively cir
culated throughout the State, and its en-
dorsement by that venerable body entities
its statement, to the gravest consideration.
The whole subject is one of. great impor-
lance, embracing as it does, the prosperity
and growth of the church, and therefore
challenges the utmost freedom of discussion.
With your permission, Messrs. Editors, de-
sire to offer friendly criticism upon some
views expressed in it; and also. in cpnuecr
ton with what is said in the Report upon
the Office Of Ruling Elder, to notice briefly
the sermon therein referred to, preached
/ by Rev. James B. Ramsey of Lexington
Presbytery, which has attracted more than
ordinary attention, having received the APP
proval both of that Presbytery and of the
Synod. The same general spirit pervades
both of these documents-an earnest and
solemn inquiry as to the best means of pro-
noting the prosperity of our beloved Zion,
and securing the salvation of souls. No
inquiry could be more important, nor could
the sanctifed, talent of the church be better
employed than in pursuing such an inquiry.
But, with all Difference, it seems to me that
the weight of argument in both documents
| is lessened by the fact that their views are
pressed too far; and an Importance is at
tached to the mere otfce Of Evangelist in the
one, and of Ruling Elder in the other, not
warranted by the Scriptures. and not claim
ed for them in our "Form of Government"
Our church has hitherto been preserved in
great measure from relying upon mere out
ward organisation for her success, and yet
here we have an earnest argument to show
that the church can only expect to prosper
when this organization is complete. 81 mag
Nifty mine Office" said the great Apostle of
the Gentles, and following this example,
our pastors and other ministers of the Cos
pei may well lay claim to "double honor"
But these good brethren, themselves minis
tiers of the Gospel, seem wiling to forget
that they are invested with that holy office
in pleading for the exaltation of others.
Neither can it have escaped the observation
of careful reader of the Report and of
the sermon, that while the former Claims the
most extraordinary results in the way of
progress to the church from the institution
of the office of Evangelist as a regular or
permanent one, the latter claims with equal
confidence that similar results will follow
upon giving the Office of ruling elder its
proper position.
Let us see what our book says in relation
to these Offices. And first as to that of
Evangelist, it is nowhere stated to be per-
manem. On the contrary in form of Co
yernment" chapter End we read: "The or
binary and permanent officers in the church
are Bishops or Pastors; ana the representa-
tives of the people usually styled Ruling
Elders and Dcacons." Compare with this
the jme dirino claim asserted for it in the
Report-Page Is: "The church can never
be made to do her work, or fill the measure,
of either her duty or her glory until the
adoption of this system Of a regular and per-
utanent corps of out-working officers"
Again on page l9-"Let each Presbytery
establish a regular body of aggressive
agents from among its own members, and
require it to be filled as regularly as the pas
'o1ul ofice." would seriously ask where in
our "Form of Government" or in the Scrip
ures, is the warrant for this Is it so, that
n reference to this, as to the office of ruling
elder the question must be asked-report
page 21-''Yet who that holds the office, or
Who, save here and there some critical stu
lent of the Word of God and the standards
If the church, recognizes it as such an of
ice?" Fer one, am free to express the
opinion that no such misconception of either
fiice exists in the church as is insisted on
" the author Of the Report and of the SER
non.
But this undue exaltaton to the office of
Evangelist is not the only objection | would
make to the Report. The statistics are on