The New York herald., 1871-03-20

thans, XII, 2s, and then said:-In cnumerating the
various gifts appointed aud established TOR tho per-
petuity ana extension OF the Kingdom OF Christ
and for the perfecting OF It's individual members,
the Apostle mentions. among others,
GOVERNMENT.
A government Is simply the method and rules by
which the affairs OF a household. business con-
cern a nation or q church are conducted. the end
and ann being the welfare OF the parties concerned.
shall limit the word to-day to the Christian Church.
and still further mostly to that branch OF 1t called
the Presby tcran. And al the outset deem 1t best
TO present IN as few words as possible sketch OF
the history OF PresDycriansm. Let 1t be distinctly
understood beforehand tnat have no desire or In.
tenton TO cast reflections or abuse upon any other
denomination PresDyterians believe thar
THE REPRESENTATION SYSTEM
OF Church government has its germ the Old Testa
mont from the TACT that the people OF Israel had
wise and able men set over tnem who were styled
Elders. In cases OF alleged erroneous Judgment ap
peals could be carried up the great ynagsgue at
Jerusalem. The early Christians, being native Jews.
naturally adopted Inc system OF representation In
the formation of their churches, the idea OF elders
and the various oncers running through all their
history.
Tne government of this country is precisely siini-
lar various onlcers are chosen to represent the
psople aud execute our laws. And II Is SAID that
Thomas Jefferson took his idea oi governments from
tnis system OF
Such thing Is certainly possible, and has been
stated as historical fact. Reference was made 10
the early disciples who We're scattered abroad hay-
ing on one occasion submitted an important ques-
ton to synod OF apostles and elders at Jerusalem,
eating The organized unity OF the Church. Passing
from the New testament 10 the unnspred history
of Christianity IL is found that this system prevailed
for more than one hundred years alter the apostolic
age and was broken down finally by the clergy OF
large towns claiming special prominence and au-
thonty. AT the time or the Reformation in the
SlNteentn century an opinion prevailed
among the leaders IN TINS great movement IN ia.
OF Presbyterian or representative lorm OF gov
ernment which was adopted by the reformed
churches on the Continent of Europe and IN Scot
and. The most thrilling part of our history lies In
the past three centuries the struggles with oil
manner of foes, both civil and ecclesiastical, re-
! quiring volumes to record them and eloquent
| tongues to portray rhein.
Tue reverend speaker tnen referred TO The perse-
cuon and conflicts OF the Purltans ana The shifting
| fortunes OF Presbi biterianism throughout 6reat
Britain, and then gave outline OF the present
| dition OF the Presbyterian Church IN the United
| States. From the general summary OF the Presby.
tcran Church, North, we find tnat there are upward
oI $500 churches and more than 400 ministers.
! Tue whole number OF COMMITMENTS is 4l6, Ooo, and
the sabbath school members, 10000. The whole
amount or money contributed during the past year
| Was Sa.5ooooo. This amount VIII undoubtedly be
increased during tue present wear by The sum OF
| S5ooo,ooo a memorial Offering to commemorate
UNION OF THE Two BRANCHES,
! the Old and the New schools He laid particular
stress upon the statement that God alone Is Lord OF
ihe conscience, and that no relig ons constitution
oe necessary for protection and security, and also
upon the statement that the Holy Scriptures the
only rules Of faith and conduct. These. said. and
other principles are like the ribs or snip, without
which the remainder OF the structure could
not be built. The first judicatory oil the
Church IS the Session or bench OF tie elders
/ men supposed 10 be wise and influential
/ chosen by the people 10 administer their aiairs.
! The next higher body IL the presbytery, composed
OF ministers ana one elder from the church within
! given district. The Preshytery OF New York CON-
! prises ali the ministers and churches on Manhattan
! Island. The next higher body Is the Synod, made
mp OF the ministers and representative elders within
= wider territory. The highest body OF all IL the
| General Assembly composed OF delegates from the
various Presbyieries throughout the country, whose
special work to enact measures for the good OF
THE CHURCH AT LARGE.
This Is the last court OF appeal and Its decisions
are flLai. This system OF church government he
then compared with others, more especially Con
gregattonal, which leaves each separate church 10
conduct Its own concerns. and recognizes au-
hority from Others except snch as is advisory Ia its
character. This latter system can recommends: the
| 1Ormer can enact aud decree.
In conclusion the reverend gentleman affirmed
that the form of government was, after ALL only the
mousse built up around the individual Christians, AMI
that life aud character are more essential than all
external structures, anu however much we may
! prefer own methods OF procedure we are Il
We ina hiui. irrespective oI the ecclesiastical bos
he wears the nationality 10 which no belongs or th(
! language he speaks.