The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-02-03
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
DISCIPLINE OF OUR CHURCHES.
THE NECESSITY FOR GREAT FIDELITY IN 1T
ADMINISTRATION.

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.WLsneYer from igaorsncs and irsensibiity
to this trust, or from cowardly fear of the
world, or from the apprehension of loss Of
numbers or popularity, or any other such
cause, any church session or congregation is
unfaithful to this trust, we may reckon as
suredly on Gods displeasure, the withdrawal
of his Spirit, the decline of vital godliness
and a gradual lapse into heresy and apoStacy.
Such unfaithfulness is most strongly censured
in the addresses to the seven churches of Asia
Minor in the book of Revelation. No church
can long abide true to its head, and to its
vocation, that fails to recognize and condemn
the evil, worldlinesS and sin which may be
within its own communion. The people of
God cannot countenance evil in their midst,
and suffer the covenant of God and the seals
thereof to be profaned, without exposure to
the wrath Of God.
There is too, well known and sad power
of propagation in all forms of sin. Among
a race such as ours, fallen and depraved
sin spreads with wonderful rapidity, when
unresisted and unrebuked. And even in the
church itself, few worldly minded members,
with the presumption and plausibility that
the devil readily supplies, will soon corrupt
a whole congregation, and destroy its peace
and its power. This is true in the history
of the Church to such degree, that there
can be but one explanation of it, the deSer-
ton and displeasure of God for alloaving
san and error an his Church unrebukea. To
what extent the spiritual GOODNESS, worldli-
ness and barrenne8s of some of our churches
is due to this cause, it may at least be well
enough prayerfully to inquire.
The keys of Christs visible kingdom are
committed to men called and appointed of
God to this trust, that the doors thereof may
be opened to all penitent souls, and shut
against all the impenitent The power of
spiritual oversight is entrusted to the rulers
in Gods house, that they may assiduously
guard, protect and defend his fold from the
inroads of its enemies, evil men and sedu-
GERS; and that they may nourish all the true
disciples of Jesus. They must preserve the
distinction God has made between the Church
and the world. They must resist all who
from ignorance or presumption would invade
its precincts and defile its ordinances they
must admonish, rebuke and if needs be, ex-
clude from its ordinances, those who by god
less and worldly living, persistently dishonor
the Church and repudiate its authority.
Church censures are necessary too {" for
reclaiming and gaining offending brethren,
and for lettering others from like offences" :"
as we'll as for purging out the leaven of the
positively wicked. Brethren, who by tempta-
tiOn or want of knowledge, fall into sin, are
thus faithfully warned, admonished and often
reclaimed. 1t is divinely provided and
mostimpOrtant means of grace, that cannot be
dispensed with in the church without serious
ly detracting from its edifyiDg power. Those
too, who are tempted to sin, are deferred by
the known and avowed purpose of the Church
to censure inconsistent living. No one can
doubt the power of spiritual oversight and
discipline, in preserving the purity of the
Church, where it is wisely and faithfully ex-
ercised. 1t is the formal and official testi-
mony of the Church against sin and error,
it is the witness that it bears for personal
holiness and for the honor Of Christ. No
single voice, however clear and loud it may
sound from the pulpit, can have the weight
or influence of the whole Church, or rather
the pulpit cannot have its appropriate and
legitimate power, without this its concomi.
tant and support.
No congregation that is remiss in admin
istering the spiritual authority of the Church
and thus in sustaining the pulpit and en-
force its admonitions and rebukes, will fai
to realize woeful relaxing of the bands o.
Church power, and lamentable falling away
among professed Christians. Weak and
worldly minded Christians, and much more
the hypocrites and self deceived, that fine
their way into the Church, will try the reinI
of Church authority; and unless the Church
has respect enough for itself and for its di
vine Head, to stand steadfast in the mainte
nance of its own purity and the honol
of Christ, it may anticipate that the ark anc
covenant of God will be jeoperdized.
OF course, no laws can be wisely and faith
fully administered without understanding
their nature, and the ends for which the.
are enacted. To misunderstood and misap
ply lawful authority, is to dishonor tn
author of such law, and to bring into dis
repute the law itself. However commenda
BILE therefore the design, We could not expec
! good results to the Church, unless the law
of Christ were administered with the prope
spirit and for the proper ends. SpiriGua
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