The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-16
SHALL WE HAVE A CLASS OF THESE, DISTINCT
FROM MINISTER'S OF THE GOSPEL!
CONCLUDED.


But the objections mentioned in our last ar
ticle are not the only nor the strongest ground
of our opposition to the plan of the last As
sembly upon the subject of ExhOrters. 1t is
evidently supported by an erroneous concep-
ton of the meaning of the word erhOrt as used
in Scripture. The meaning attached to the
word by those who favor this plan of the As
emily, we take to be, the melting men By earn-
est appeal and argument to the performance Of
the duties of religion, 6Wt not as confined to
any particular class of persons. By exam
ming the Scriptural usage of the term how
ever, we find that exhOrtation wherever de,
Evered authOritatively to public religious
assemblage, it is by the preacher Of the
Gospel in the full exercise of his authority,
and is therefore function Of this office.
1t is said of John the Baptist that ''many
other things in his exhortation preached he
unto the people" Luke iii; Is. Peter in
his sermon on the day of Pentecost, with
many words did testify and erhOrt, saying,
save yourselves from this untOward genera
tion." Acts ii; 40 Barnabas when sent
by the Church at Jerusalem to Antioch, and
had seen the grace of God, "erhOrted them
all that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord" Acts XII: % Paul
and Barnabas when they passed through
IcOnium, Lystra and Antioch, confirmed the
souls of the disciples, ''erdOrtiHg them to con-
tinue in the faith" Acts xiv: p. Judas
and Silas, "being prophets, erhOrted the
brethren with many words and confirmed
them" Acts XIV: %. Paul, when he "had
given the Macedonians mueb eThOrtatioR
came into Greece" Acts Xxx: 2. The
rulers of the Synagogue at Antioch address
ing Paul and his company said, ye men and
brethren, ''if ye have any word of erhorta-
ton for the people, say on" to whom Paul
responded. Other instances might be noted
of the Apostles exhorting the churches to
whom their epistles are addressed. And the
duty of exhortation we have enjoined, but
enjoined in every instance in which there is
the slightest evidence to believe it is public
ly DONE upon those who preach the Gospel !;
and enjOined as a part Of their preaching
Paul says to Timothy in closing his first
Epistle to him, ''These things teach and er
hOrt;" vi: ?. In his second Epistle he
charges hin, Preach the word, be instant
in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
erhOrt with all long suffering and doctrine. -
iy: 2. Ia the Epstle to Titus, the Apostle
says, "A bishop must be hlameless, &c,
holding fast the faithful word as ne hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doc
trine both 70 erbOrt and to convince the gain
sayers.. i: 9. In the second chapter he
euioius Titus in these words, "These things
speak and exhort, and rebuke with all aU-
.thOrity." ii; Is.
From this usage of the word, which EN-.
braces, if we mistake not, every passage
which materially affects the point under con-
sideration, we deduce this conclusion, that
the exhortatiOn of public assemblages on the
subject of religion, is function of the min
lister of the Gospel There is certainly not
the smallest support given to the intrOduc-
ton Of a class of exhorters, distinct from
ministers of the Gospel. On the contrary,
the whole usage of the term teaches that
exhOrtation is part of the duty of him who
labors in word and doctrine, and belongs to
him alone. Hence we consider any such
measure as this entirely devoid of Scriptural
warrant; and moreover, as making of minor
Importance part of the ministers labor to
which the New Testament gives no counte-
nance. And for the Assembly to authOrise
Presbyteries to license exborters, and yet
prohibit such persons from assuming any
function of the ministry, is to the mind Of
the writer, a contradiction and an impOssi
biGty.
And besides, this combining of exhorting
with teaching, which the Apostle is so care
full to do, Tit. i; 81 commends itself to ouI
minds as not only wise, but essential.
The exhorter must of course be presumed
to understand the nature of these duties tC
which he exhorts, the truths by which they
are supported, and be able not only to ex
hort but to convince any who may gainsay
them. 1t would certainly do little credit t,
the Presbyterian Church to require anythiu!
else of those whom it sends forth as exhort
ers; nor could we hope that here rounc
of hortatory harangues without subtrao
ton of earnest truth would avail much 70
the Church or Christianity. Instruction