The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-27

ministerial tD0rk. Can these be secured
Supposing the first secured, it appears
to us that we must depend for the second
on the removal of all pretexts and obSta'
cles against concentration of heart anC
labor; on the demands of mere enligh-
tened Christian opinion in the church
on the more firm oversight of Presbyte-
ries over theirowsl members; and chiefly
on the Christian conscience and fidelity
of ministers thWi elves,
But touching gEho first, adequate main
tenance) it seems to us, that experience,
if it can prove anything, has proved that
this result cannot come from our present
practice. For the sad fact is, that most
of our pastors are, and always have been
in trouble about this matter; and that
the provisions actually made for them are,
in most cases, VIGOROUSLY neither ade-
quate nor trustworthy. And this, after
the most strenuous appeals and injunc-
tions, in every form from Assemblies,
Synods, Presbyteries, and pastors. The
records of cur own Synod especially,
will show that this evil has been for years
special subject of legislation, and yet
it is not abated, but rather increased.
CAUSES OF OUR DIFFICULTY.
The true causes of this standing diff
Guilty appear to be first, and radically,
the natural unbelief, carnality, and dead
ness of mans heart towards spiritual
things. We see men generally neglect
full or forgetful of the pecuniary value of
instruction in the things of God, precise
ly because they are Indifferent to those
things themselves. And as long as men
are born sinners, this difficulty of support
will assuredly continue. The secondary
causes are, neglect of official functions by
elders and deacons, the partial seculari-
zation of pastors from this very difficulty,
and consequent neglect of pastoral func-
tions by them, $50 that this plague of our
Zion potently operates to propagate its
own mischiefs,) and probably still more
than either of these, the feeling of the
laity, that, as they are not enjoying and
and do not reallyneed the whole time and
energy of their preachers, so they are
not Justly held to pay for more than a
fragment.
THE REMEDY.
From this view of the causes, it is per-
fectly evident that there is vis inerttae,
permanent and general, in unsanctiGed,
and partially sanctifed human nature,
by which we must expect ministerial sup
port to be partially obstructed, as long as
it is left to th1 AIste -a''oaae''t'nns of
the very bodies 6ch this inertia in
heres. Whence it appears obvious that
this function, like that disciplinary one
of general review and control, is pre-
cisely one of those which requires the In
vigorating force and will of the ruling
power of the united church; because
that general ruling power is supposed to
represent the highest wisdom, zeal, and
spirituality of the whole. | confess that
l cannot evade the conviction, that our
practice of leaving the question of each
minister's support to his own charge and
himself, is not, and never was, either sem
sible or practicable; that from its nature
it has been, and must be hereafter, mad
equate to the end, and ought to be def
nitely abandoned.
We also believe that it is inconsistent
with the true spirit of our time-honored
constitution. This gives the Presbytery
discretionary control over the compact
between the pastor and his people; so
that while, on the one hand, no pastor
can be intruded on people without their
free choice, and no minister can be forced
to any field against his will, neither can
pastoral compact take place without
the approval of the Presbytery, and this
court remains the umpire aud guardian
of both parties to the bond. But our
usage practically leaves the pastor and
his proposed charge to settle terms as
they choose, or can. Our system scrip
turally teaches, that God gives ministers
to his church as a whole; and that the
grand duty of which they are public or
gan, that of evangelizing the world, is
enioined on the whole church. But our
usage treats the pastor as though God had
given him to his particular charge alone,
and thus, it alone were responsible for his
support. The Scriptures teach both the
spiritual and organic unity of the church /;
by which all the parts sympathize togeth-
er; and they command, q Cor. viii; 13,
IA not "that other men be eased and we
burdened; but by an equality, that now
at this time, our abundance may be sup
ply for their want, that their abundance
also may be supply for our want, that
there may be equality. They command
us (Phil. ii; ~ ''tO look not every man
on his own things; but every man also on
the things of Others" They say: (Gal.
vi: ?, "Bear ye one another's burdens,