The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-09

even contemplated. And it is equally clear
that it should be fully recognised and de-
fined, if it is to become part of our system
of practical working This class of labor
ers in the Church discharge public duties and
are thus distinct from private members, and
yet they are not as class, either presbyters
or deacOns. If we are justified in such a
measure, most assuredly the legitimate and
regular method is to recognise and define the
Office in our system of government. For
even if it we're in itself authorised, this mode
of introducing it is irregular, and dangerous
as precedent.
But it infringe8 the Constitution in more
positive form. These persons, it will be re-
membered, are members of particular
churches, and are under the jurisdiction of
their own sessions. Hence their legitimate
and constitutional system of Christian labor
is their own congregation. Whatever capa-
city of usefulness they possess, other than
that of preaching the Gospel, it is the privi-
lege of their own churches to bring into ex-
ercise and enjoy. And the Presbytery has
not the right thus to interfere with the ses-
sions in the duty devolved upon them of pro-
viding for the spiritual interests of their
respective congregations. 1t is the privilege
and duty of each session and congregation to
use its own gifts and graces for its own edi-
ication, unless such gifts can be used for the
benefit of the whole Church in some Office,
defined and recognised in the Constitu-
ton. The Presbytery evidently has not the
right to transfer the private members of par
ticular churches to fields of labor, other than
as is provided for in the Form of Govern
ment.
Besides, the jurisdiction under which pri-
vate Christians act, and by which they are
guarded and the Church protected, is that ex-
ercised by the session. And it is point
we have long sought to have our private
members under the jurisdiction of the session
in whose limits they live. Now it is in direct
conflict with this, and in fact positive in
fraction of the rights of the session, for
Presbyteries to send private members of the
Church, as is proposed to be done in this
case, beyond the jurisdiction of their own
sessions, and to the supervision of no other;
and that in the exercise of untried gifts,
which our whole history teaches us should
be vigilantly guarded. The Presbytery has
no immediate jurisdiction over private mem
bers of the Church. So particularly is this
guarded, that the Presbytery cannot proceed
against even icentiate; and farther pro
cess is conducted by the session.
Now the designating these persons as ex-
horters, and sending them forth as such to
the Church, is manifestly an exercise of the
power of jurisdiction, and that over the head
of the session, to which all jurisdiction in
the premises rightfully belongs. And it
might at any time produce most unhappy
conflict of authority. This is manifest by
supposing that the session to which one of
these persons belonged should object to his
acting in such capacity. The objection
might be based upon the belief of his session
that he was not qualified for such position,
or it might be instituted to arrest what they
deemed an unwarrantable and unwise act of
the Presbytery. In either case, the Presby-
terry would be put to stand. And certain
ly, if such an appointment were made within
the church to whose session the writer be-
longs, such an issue wonld be made. The
cOnstitutionally defined limits within which
each court shall act must be preserved, or
we are constantly liable to unhappy conflicts
in exercise of the power entrusted to the
Church.
Another evil of such measure naturally
suggests itself here. As the Form of Gov
ernment did not anticipate such class of
laborers in the Church, it will certainly be
an element of discord in the harmonious op-
Grafton of the whole. The churches to
which these exhorters may be sent, will not
distinguish between them and the ordained
preacher; they might prefer tried exhor-
ter to conduct their public worship, to an un'
tried minister. And this danger is increased
the better the selection which the Presbytery
makes. And some of these men who might
otherwise go through course of education
and enter the ministry, may be satisfied with
such position. And presently there will
come from some of these churches applica-
tions for the ordination of such men to the
full work of the ministry, because their la
bors have been blessed. And such pres
sure might result finally in serious and
troublesome conflict, as it did with the Cum
berland Presbytery. The force of this ac-
tion is not spent in the remedy here adopted
by the Assembly; it comes with a sensible
impetus against the whole system of minis
terial education which we have adopted
If men with no specific qualifications such
as are demanded in our standards, may trav-
el over our boundaries delivering public ex-
hortations on the subject of religion to any
and all classes of people, then may the ques-
ton be asked truly, why demand such a
protracted course of study for our ministers.
The dangers to be apprehended from exhort
ers inexperienced and unsolicited (theologi-
cally, are certainly not any less than those
to be feared from a partially educated min