The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-09-15
COL. DEM. --- V0L.XXXV. NO. 80.

against the men amongst themselves
whe would speak perverso things. If
there Is any text Of Scripture which
confors upon some Bishops, or Elders,
different or greater powers than upon
other, | confess it has escaped my no.
tice.
That the Bishops or Elders of one 10.
cal congregation had any authority, by |
virtue of that Office, outside Of that |
Church, H. In my judgment, wholly |
untaught. The contrary, it seems to
me, is plinly implied in Paul's address
to the Elders or Bishops at Ephesus, as
well as by their general duties and quail
iications They were the officers Of
that one Church and they were direct.
ed !" to take heed to all the tack over
which the Holy Spirit had made them
ovorseers." No duties are assigned
them in reference to other fOcks. In
no instance have we any account of the
Bishops Of one congregation, exercising
authority over another congregation.
also said: "For Diocesan Bishops
had not then been invented" This is
Il negative proposition. Tho utter alb.
sense Of any scriptural evidence of the
existence Of this class of officer, is suili-
cient authority for this statement.
Should Mr.. f, or any one else, attempt
to adduce any scriptural evidence that
such class of officers did cciSt in the
apostolic age, l will endeavor to exam-
inc their evidence with candor and fair
ness.
The concluding sentence quoted by
Mr.. +, is as follows: "Tho ccntraliza-
ton and consolidation of ecclesiastical
power into vast Hierarchy, and the
constitution of grades of ecclesiastical
offices, corresponding to the grades of
civil offices in the Roman Empire, was
| the work ofaftcr ages and scGs neUer az.
MOrized either By christ on his apostles" "
That this was the work Of after ages, is
evident from the fact that we find no allu-
sion to such q work in the apostolic age.
If any authority existed for such work
it is easy for those who so affirm to pro-
duce it. Until they have done so feel
authorized to deny its existence.
Mr.. +. asks that, "vcrbiage aside" 1
will ad duce the authority 10 show "that
orders in the ministry were neUer au-
thorized either by Christ or his apos-
ties" This is negative proposition.
The only evidence needed to sustain it
is the absence of any evidence to show
that "orders in the ministry" ,cert
authorized by Christ or his apostles
Until it can be adduced feel authorized
to deny its existence. Mr.. +. is fully
aware of the relatives duties of those il
the affirmative and those in the mega
tive of any proposition. Let those wht
4 affirm that Christ or his apostles dit
+ authorize "orders in the ministry" ad
s duco their scriptural evidence. 1t shal
i receive due attention.
u This phraso-"orders III tho minis
!. try, II do not find in the New Testa
l ment, nor, indeed anything correspond
u ing to it. There were, no doubt, in oacl
i local congregation of christians officer
4 called Deacons, who had charge of tn
. financial and secular affairs of til
) Church, and other officers, called Elder
l or Bishops, who had charge of the Spii
J" itual affairs of the congregation.
addition to this there were other officer
:, called Evangelists, who were sent ou
by the Churches to preach the gospel
- the world, and constitute and set !
i order new Churches But though tho,
y were separate and distinct offices, the
y do not answer to the phrase "orders
J the ministry" in the sense attached
these words by those who are accuston
. cd to use them.
d In conclusion, permit me to say t
Y Mr.. f. that if my "authority" is nc
:. conclusive and satisfactory; if in an
:. respect / am in error touching thes
Il important matters, | shall be gratefl
4 to him if he will set mo right, and teac
4 me the way of the Lord more perfectly
4 | hope always to maintain dOcile an
>. teachable disposition and to be read
>. always TO exchange an error for a trutl
! Such an exchange is always Il good ba
;. gain. +. T.. ORVIs.
@ BENTON, Pa, Aug. 1871.
/. p. 81 know of no scriptural autho
ity for the title "Rev.' attached to til
f. name of human beings. The wor
If "Rererend" is used but once in IL
l. Bible, and il is in that instance apple
IS to the Deity. "IIoly and Reverend
e His name" Psalms, 3: 0. 1t seems
!, me that to attach this word to the nan
Ii of any man, however good, is as reall
|; profanity as any other violation of II
,e second commandment. Hence it is
er matter of conscience with me not to a
IN ply this title to others, however high
;" | may esteem them, and to discount
m nance its use in reference to myself.
he have, therefore, torequest that it be n
ID used in connection with my name.
to L. f. o.
to Japanese Oddities.
One Great peculiarity ia thpir MAJ