The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-28
STANDING RULES OF THE PRES
BYTERY OF MONTGOMERY.

Inc OtdleU OleIk StuuS Us uSdtly plOPdIcN
little affair, containing in print the Standing
Rules" of that active and progressive Presby-
terry Within the space of fifteen pages, 24mo,
we find detailed plan for their PreSbyterial
operations which has been examined with
much interest. After looking carefully through
it the reader will be ready TO say, This means
work these brethren have studied PreSbyte-
rian Church government to a purpose, and
here they mean to show how it can be carried
out, and what it is worth. " We venture to ex-
press the opinion freely, that the scheme Of
operations here presented is drawn with much
wisdom, and if carried out kindly and firmly,
in the course of few years its good eff
teets Will be felt throughout the whole Pres
bytery. If some benevolent person would
spend a few dollars in sending a copy to every
minister in the Synod, it might lead to very
valuable results. Admirably beautiful is our
true, scriptural Presbyterian Church govern
ment; We seek nothing better. But how far
it is carried out, is quite another question:
We appeal to our brethren to say whether
there is not in many of our Presbyteries a la
mentable want of system. No mere form,
indeed, can give life to a corpse. But the
living spirit in this world needs living or
ganism Good rules are certainly indispens'l-
Die helps TO the efficient action OF any body of
men whatever. To understand the full value
of this little manual, it should be read e'0d
studied. But some idea may be obtained by e
brief outline
1t embraces eight distinct sections:
L. OF Church Sessions. the duties
of this Court are cOncisey stated, among
which is a written report on the state of reh
giOn required to be made to the PreSbytery at
every stated meeting, aud embracing answers
TO the following questions, which the Stated
Clerk furnishes in printed forms to be filed up
by each church session.
L. What religious services have been held
In your church since the last stated meeting,
and what has been the average attendance?
?. Have you regular prayer meeting-by
whom cOnducted-hOw often, aud what is the
average attendance?
5. Are you using all diligence to secure the
observance of family worship In your cOngre-
CATION, and do the heads OF families generally
perform their duty in this respect?
4. Have you Bible Classes, and Sunday
Schools for both white and eolored children,
and by whom conducted?
5. Do the elders hold religious service in
the church in the Minister absence? Ii not
state the reason?
6. Have the Ministers and Elders been faith
full in visiting families, aud Catechizing chill
dren? What is the whole number Of such
visits?
7. Do the DeaeOns hold regular meetings for
business Do they provide for the wants of
the poor, aud the education of their children?
S. What salary do you promise your Minis
ter2 Has it been punctually paid? Is 1t sui
6eient for his support?
9. Have you appointed Delegate to each
PreSbytery and Synod, and held him to ac-
count for attendance?
10. Have you paid the expenses of your
Minister and Elders attending the Courts of
the Church? If not, state the reason?
III. If vacant, what efforts have been made
20 procure Pastor or supply, and what can
your Church pay him?
II. If possessed of the services Of Licen-
tate, or of Minister who is not your Pastor,
state the reason why the Pastoral relation is
not sought to be formed?
Is. If your Church has failed to contribute
to the aid of any one of the Committees of
the Assembly, what is the reason?
IA. Is there a weekly Oblation in your
Church? If not, state the reason?
Is. What other items of interest can you add,
concerning the state Of religion, revivals,
growth in grace, ETC., etc.
, OF ommittees-Here all the usual
Standing Committees are provided for, and
their duties enumerated Special oversight
is taken for ministerial support, as may be
seen from what we here extract:
SECTION H.-OF COMMITTEES.
Whenever it shall appear that a eongrega-
ton has failed to pay the salary of its Pastor,
and no good cause has been given to the Pres,
bytery for such failure, a committee shall be
appointed to visit such congregation, endeavor
to remove these causes, IT possible, and report
tn PreSbytery at Its next stated meeting.
Whenever 1t shall appear, after the visit of
such committee, that such congregation still
fails to pay the Pastors salary, rendering to
the PreSbyteTy no good reason for the failure,
the PreSbytery shall call upon that eOngrega-
ton 10 present gOOu TedSOhS why INC contract
in the call should not be ratified or annulled.
A Committee on Ministerial Support shall
be appointed at every stated meeting of the
Presbytery, who shall bring to the PreSbytery
any failure on the part Of the Churhes to
meet their peeuniary obligations to their Pas
tors, and make general report on the subject
of ministerial support, which being adopted
BY the PreSbytery shall be transmitted to the
General Assembly, or the Synod, as the case
may be.
After more than thirty years Of careful OBJ
s.r,,,+;or, We confidently affirm that the fail