The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-15
NON-COMMUNINa MEMBERS.
DISMISSION BY CERTIFICATE.
TTo BE CONCLUDED I

|
Having in the first article considered the
truth that God gave the infants of his peO-
pie a recognized place in the visible Church;
that he has neither expelled them from that
place, nor authorized any one else to do so,
let US now proceed to the next point. All
viii admit it reasonable that as long as these
baptized nOn-cOmmunicants are minors, they
should be recognized in the above named re-
lation to the Church. Butt
2. The second proposition is, that God
has not Emited the term Of their minority to
any tired number of gears, and that no being
less than God can do so. There is no asesr-
taNa5ls age for this minority to cease, so
far as We are able to decide. We search
the Scriptures, and fud that God has not
marked any definite term of gears, at the
expiration of which, minority cases. This
is evident enough. The question now arises
Did God at any time or ii any manner give
the authority to do it to any one else? No!
We have no record to teach such thing
Therefore it remains, that if God has not
marked that term of years, nor given author
ity to any one else to do so, it has not been
and cannot be done at all. If any one pre-
sumes to fix such limit, we at once set him
aside by asking for his divine authority
He cannot give 1t, for there Is none. There
fore his limitation is worth naught 1t is
only human notion, and not teaching
from God. Yet We talk of minors in the
Church. And sometimes the parable is run
between these and minors in tie State, FIRST
as to limitation, and then as to possession of
full membership in the Church, or citizen
ship in the State. But this parallel, though
good as far as we can carry it out, fails to
help us really. For the termination of
minority in the Church and in the State,
occurs upon very different principles. Iu
explanation, 1 advance another proposition.
3. The limit of minority in the Church,
is not fixed by any flight of years, bet By
the confession Of Jesus Christ This is per-
fectly consistent with all of the teachings Of
the Bible; and it is admitted as true by the
actual practice of the Church. The express
teaching of the Bible is that he who has
faith to discern the Lords body is entitled
to full privileges in the Lords Church. If
judgment stand against any as unworthy, it
is not because they have passed certain
term of years, but because they do not ''be-
heve in the name of the only begotten Son
Of God. This Is the real condemnation.
See John iii: Is. This condemnation may
remain on the man until he has reached a
late period of life. But it is taken away
lust as soon as he receives Christ by faith.
And until this time and act, he remains
minor in the Church. If this is not true,
wly Is he not baptized agaiRg He was Dap
tized in infancy according to covenant law.
The significance of that baptism has not
ceased at this late period of life when he
cOnfesses Christ, and therefore the Church,
rightly, decides that he is not to be again bap-
tized. Yet she ought to baptize him again,
if she does not hold this as true.
Profession of faith in Christ, therefore,
terminates minority in the Church, aud not
any special age or term Of years. Then as
matter of course:-
4. When the baptized non -cOmmunicant
goes from one congregation to another, his
testimonials ought to 90 with or follow him.
He is not in covenant relation in any one
congregation only. This relation is to the
whole visible Church of God. This man is
entitled to the care, discipline and prayers
Of Gods people wherever he may dwell
among them. Therefore when he move;
from one part of the Church to another
those among whom he casts his lot should
be certified of his coming and of his cove
nant relations, that there also he may have
the benefit Of the special care, discipline anC
prayers of the Church.
Let it be here noted that the word "dis
eiphne" does not always necessitate harsl
measures. AS we cannot tell how late il
life this man may profess Christ, so we can
not during his life cut him off from sucl
church relations as he has. God has not don
this We cannot. But this man is disci
plined every time that he is warned, exbOrte
or rebuked in the public or private use @
the means Of grace. And at the last nc
ment, this discipline may be blessed Of Go
to his eternal good 1t has been said-"Th
man might be of such character that
would scOrn and 8cOf should you offer hi
q cert 6cate of dismissal" Well, be it 8
Yet this does not relisve the Church Of h,
day to him, nor Of her responsibility to loo