The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
A SERMON BY GEORGE a. BAXTER, D. D.
PREACHED BEFORE THE SYNOD OF VIRGINIA, AT
STAUNToN, OCT. %, 1928.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY AND CHURCH.


RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY AND CHURCH.
That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to be
have thysef in the house of God, which is the ehurc
of the living God, the pillar and ground OF the truth
l TIMOTHY iii: Is.
The Church of God is undoubtedly tn
most important institution in the world. l
connects itself, in a multiplicity of ways
with all the important interests of man.
Were community sunk in the lowest state
of misery; distracted and degraded by every
species of vice; the introduction of the pure
gospel among them would Immediately rem
ovate their condition; they would rise into
a state of order and happiness. On the
other hand, should the most moral and hap
py people apostatiEe from the faith of the
gospel, and fall into gross error, that error
would lead to vice, and their best institutions
would decline. The truth of these observa.
tions is attested by the whole history of hui
man affairs; and yet religion produces these
results, not as its principal object, but in an
indirect and collateral manner. The great
object of religion is to train man for heaven ;
to prepare him for state of happiness in
worlds beyond the grave. But in prepar-
ing him for more perfect happiness above, it
necessarily prepares him for happiness in
the present state. 1t is hence matter Of
the highest Importance to mankind, that the
affairs of religion should be wisely conducted
Indeed, among the many wonderful things
connected with the gospel, have often
thought it not the least of its wonders, that
we should have had this treasure in clay-ves-
sells at all; that system so evidently from
heaven, and so connected with all the i'm
portant destinies of the world, should have
been intrusted, in any degree, to the man
agement of imperfect man. But it has
pleased Almighty God to honor his church
and people with co-eficiency in these mat
ters. His people are appointed to be fellow
workers with him, in bringing about the i'm
portant purposes of the gospel: and this
makes it a matter of unspeakable impor
tance, that every one who SuStains an Office,
or even a private station, in the church,
should know how "to behave himself in che
house of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and ground of the
truth"
The text, and the occasion on which we
are assembled, will lead US,
L To consider how we ought to behave,
as it respects the preaching of the gospel.
IL To make some general observations
respecting the management of the church.
First; As 1t respects the preaching of the
gospel While the church is considered as
the pillar and ground of tue truth, preach
ing must, beyond all question, be regarded
as its most important duty. When 1 give
this preference, it will not be understood that
mean to speak lightly of Bible societies,
or Sunday Schools, or any of those recent
institutions, intended for spreading the
of divine truth. These are
among the glorious works of the church;
but the preaching of the gospel by the living
voice, is essential to the life and existence
of them all, and of the church itself; it has,
in all ages, been the principal instrument
in the hand of God, by which the church
has been sustained and advanced. Without
the other institutions mentioned, the church
has long existed; and, to some extent, it
has prospered But go into region where
there is no preaching, and there you will find
the church languishing or dead; you will
find no Bible society, or Sabbath School !;
but one general scene of spiritual desolation.
There is such fulness of precept and di-
rection in the word of God, s.to preaching,
that it would seem at first view no difficult
matter to ascertain our duty in this respect,
But when we consider the Importance of the
business, in itself, and the consequences
growing out of it-when we consider that
minister must rightly divide the word of
truth, giving to every one his portion in due
season; and that to every hearer he will be
a saviour of life, or of death-we may we'll
exclaim with the apostle, "WhO is sufficient
for these things?"
There are many ways in which apreacher
NAV fail in the execution of his trust
From inattention, he may be unacquainted
with the wants of his people, and of course
unable to supply them. The love of ease
may prevent the efforts needful to enrich
himself and his people with knowledge
But there is another principle, which I think
lies at the root of ministerial unfaithfulness /;
which slides very insenSibly into the human
heart; and which has produced unspeakable
mischief in the church: I mean disposition
to accommodate the truths of the gospel to
the prevailing sentiments of the world; or
to form compromise, between the doctrine
of the cross and the feelings of the natural
heart. Every pious minister, when attempt
ing to preach the gospel, knows that he is
about to deliver message, most ungrateful
to the ears of unregenerate men. Indeed
there has never been any set of principles,
or any system of truth on earth, which the
world hates so much, as it hates the pure
gospel of Christ. This view at first may ap-
pear strange; it is, in itself, a matter of Gu
riou8 speculation but it is undoubtedly true
The law of God reveals the condemnation
&C 4ha amman. tho nosnel revaals his redemn