The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1869-11-04
For the Lancaster Ledger.
To the Associate Reformed
Church.


right to release minister in good
standing from his pastoral charge
against his consent, and that of ma
jjority of the congregation, to rein
state into full membership minority
party who had withdrawn, and to re-
ccive from them q commissioner as
the representative of the congrcga-
tion ? Whenever this occurs within
the bounds of any Presbytcry, ought
not this important matter to be laid
before Synod for adjudication? In
the Confession of Faith, no provision
is made to remove preacher to grat-
fry SdIsanpctcG mcmbcrst Agr""ably
to church government he is modcra-
tor, assisted, encouraged and main
tanned i'll all the different parts of his
Office by all the Elders and members
thereof. When congregation be-
comes organized, and a minister is
ordained over it by Prcsbytcry, it
commences an independent organic
existence among other churches
under their jurisdiction. This or
ganization becomes n church with
inalicrlablc rights, which cannot be
destroyed as long rs the discipline is
property exercised, and the govern
mcnt rightly maintained. As we'll
might the civil law annul the mar
riage contract rs for Prcshytery to
vacatc a congregation without the
consent of the pastor and people,
But it is argued by an exponent of
prcShytcry, that n minister ought not
TO bc ordained over a congregation
in opposition to a respectable minor
ity, they may exercise the same right
To release him from them, after or
dination has taken place, when this
unfortunate state of things might
occur. But to act upon such prin-
ciplcs would overthrow the govern
mcnt, and "othrrwiSc cndangcr the
peace and comturt-of the church,"
Before marriage takes place both par
ties mutually give their CONSENT
And before ordination, il iS very de-
-irablc that.cvery member cordially
receive the minister of Christ as
theirs. But after the solemn prom
Uses before Go! and man have been
mutually made, after they are joined
together, let no man put them asun-
der. In the union Of husband and
wife they are united together rs long
as they live. In the union of pastor
and people until they arc constitu-
ti"nally divorced. When the ordi-
nation of a minister by PrcSbytcry
takes place, 'thc presiding minister
shall demand of the people concern
ing their Willingness to receive and
acknowledge him as the minister Of
Christ" to obey and submit unto
him as having rule over them in the
Lord, and to maintain, encourage
and assist him in all the different
parts of his Office. Which being mu-
tually promised by the people, he
shall he Solcmnly set apart to the
Office and work Of the ministry
The pastor and people arc united to-
gcthcr by natural consent rs it were
by an oath. They mutually prom
iSc to encourage and assist each other
IN their various situations and re-
spcctivc capacities for the salvation
OF man, and the glory of God. When
the pastor or people fail in the dis
charge of their impcritivc obliga-
tions, they shall be disciplined accor-
ding to the government of the church,
as land down in the constitution
Prcsbytery cannot resort to any
other method for correction of errors
or for redress Of grievances. In the
government Of the church every Off
Ger and private shall discharge their
whole duty. There can be no sccu-
rity -. the mainsainance of good or
der in the church without discipline.
They who exercise it shall be sus-
tanned by the judicatories to which
they belong. When part of con-
gregation becomes disaffccted to-
wards their pastor, or towards other
members, and. withdraw from it, by
this selfish act, they destroy the
membership in the congregation, and
have no right to DC heard by Pres
bytcry, for redress or grievances,
while they arc not members. For
Presbytcry has no authority over
any matter of any person who docs
not belong to some congregation un-
der their jurisdiction. When TWEEN.
ty-fve ar fifty members withdraw
from n .nporaUatinn tboy With aroo,