The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-11-20
Religious Influence of Judicatories.

We have often felt that our church courts at
their stated meetings are not attended with that
spiritual good that we might expect Brethren
who meet only once In SIX or twelve months, often
separate, faded rather than refreshed and dis
heartened rather than encouraged The church
or community in which our meetings are held is
sometimes stimulated to feasting and vain display,
instead of being fed with gospel mama, and edited
in Christian graces Revivals of religion produced
in connection with the sessions of our Presbyteries
Synods, and General Assemblies, are comparative
ly rare Why is this? When farmers, or me
chancs, or politicians, assemble in large numbers
they are usually stimulated in their departments of
labor, by personal contact They go home with
new ideas and suggestions to be tested, and the
cause they represent is materially advanced a
Why should not this be always the case with our
judicatories2 Why should not our ministers and
elders habitually kindle in each other, by their
regular meetings, fresh thoughts and energy, and
promote visibly the interests of our Redeemer s
kingdom? Why do our church courts often lack
spiritual power?
lst Is it not sometimes due to rant of sufficient
time? 1t taxes time to make an impression tor
good. 1t req res time to present truth, to repeat
salutary lessons, and to use all the means OF grace.
Ii session is crowded into parts OF two or three
days, which are so occupied with routine business
that there is no opportunity for Christian inter
course brothery communion, united prayer, and
gospel preaching, what reasonable hope can there
be Of spiritual improvement?
ID. Is not lack Of religious conversation another
cause for our judicatories being deficient in spirit
ual infuence2 Ii brethren in their intercourse
with the families in which they sojOurn would talk
wisely of Divine things, would not their speech
be seasoned with salt, and minister grace unto the
hearersY We have known servants OF God, dur
ing brief stay in household, to win souls by a
few timely wOsls Father. Penck and brother
Nelson Mebane, formerly Of our Synod, but now in
The General Assembly above we're noted for
such successful household efforts. If our elders
and ministers at such times would confer more with
each other respecting their hopes and fears, their
difficulties and duties, their methods OF study and
modes of pious labor, would they not be mutually
| instructed and better fitted for their Individual
work
Sd. May not restraint of prayer be another rea-
son why our church courts are not more fruitful 10
saving benefits? Sometimes the pastor and peo-
pie with whom judicatory meets may not expect
and earnestly entreat the Lord for spiritual bless
ing. A Presbytery or Synod may assemble with
out seeting apart portion of each day for devOut
united prayer for the Divine benediction to rest
upon its deliberations and worship. Even when
devotional exercises are prescribed for every day,
how often is it the case that a minority of mem
bers is present Y ct the law Of God kingdom OF
grace is, ASK and ye shall receive, seek and ye
shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
These inspired words are as true now as in the
past, "ye have not because ye ask not"
4th. May not lack Of gospel preaching constitute
fourth reason why the meetings of our judica-
tories yield SO little fruit unto goodness? The
Divine direction to the gospel herald is preach
the WORD" and it hath pleased God by the fool
ishuess OF preaching to save them that believe.
If we desire the showers of heavenly grace, we
must not substitute proracted discussions about
human opinions, secular interests, routine business
or church machinery, for simple and multiplied
presentations of that word of God which saves the
soul From the day Of Pentecost down to the pre-
sent, the most powerful religious awakenings have
occurred, when devout believers took time to wait
on the Lord and to aid men by pious speech,
prayer, and preaching Carolina RresLy
teri1u