The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-10-06

municants at the Lords table DR.. Owen
who strenuously maintained the distinction
between the elder and the deacon, says: Ii
belongs to deacons not only to take care Of
the poor, but to manage all other affairs Of
the church of the same kind, such as pro
viding for the place of church assemblies
of the elements for the sacraments; of col
lectng, keeping, and dispensing of stocks Of
the church for maintenance of its officers,
and for incidences. The work of the dea.
con lies in the providing and disposal OF
earthly things, in serving of the tables OF
the church, and those private of the poor.
So likewise DR.. Ridgeley, who recognises
the distinction between the elder and the
deacon: The deacon's work is described
as serving tables that is, the Lords table,
by providing what is necessary for the Lord 8
Supper, and assisting in the distribution of
the elements, etc. DR.. Guyse, in his learn
ed exposition of the New Testament, includes
in the table service, the Lords table, the
tables of the apostles, and of the poor men,
bers of the church. DR.. Dwight, who also
distinguishes between the ruling elder and
the deacon, observes, 1T is the proper busl.
ness of the deacon to distribute the sacra-
mental elements to the communicates. This
they have done in all ages of the Church.
DR.. James P. Wilson learned Presbyterian
divine, in his work on Church Government,
says: The presiding presbyter lin the prim-
tive Church. administered the eucharist,
and the deacons carried it to the people.
CDR. Miller, (of Princeton quoting the
testimony Of Justin Martyr, relative to the
distribution of the sacramental elements by
the deacons, remarks This is still one of
the functions of the deacons in the Presby-
terian Church. Other testimonies could be
adduced, but these are sufficient to show that
we are the advocates of no new dOctrine.-
The cry of Novelty, Innovation has often
been raised against what was subsequently
proved to be time. honored truth, or time
honored usage in the house of God; and
me-honored, because God honored."
Such is DR.. Miller's reply to the question,
Whether deacons should distribute the ele-
ments from the hands of the preacher at the
Lords table? The reply is conclusive so far
as ancient custom is concerned; and the
propriety of the custom cannot be success
fully called into question. The chief value
to be attached to it is, as he intimates, that,
by removing ALL side issues, it may help to
bring out more clearly the real work of the
eldership-the oversight of the flock of God.
And, for that reason, we would gladly re-
turn to the old paths. Take out of the way
the stable service" in all it's cognate de-
partments, and let our elders see more clear
ly that to them is committed by the Lord
Jesus the weighty charge of caring for the
persons of his Church. Let this Senate of
associate pastors give themselves to visiting,
counselling, and admonshing the people from
house to house, while the preacher is allowed
to devote himself "to the ministry of the
word and to prayer In this way shall the
full strength of our apostolic Presbyterian
ism be developed, and our Church become a
joy and praise in all the land.
The other question is, May the service of
deacons be extended beyond the bounds Of
the particular congregation? And to this
we reply in the words of DR.. Thornwell, al
ready cited in part, at the head of this article:
"Our Book does not confne deacons to
particular congregations. There should be
competent number of them in each partic
ular church; but we insist upon it, that Pres
byteries, Synods, and the General Assembly,
should also have their deacons to attend to
their pecuniary matters. Those ordained al
Jerusalem were not confined to specific
congregation, but acted for the whole College
of Apostles. By intrustipg all pecuniary
matters into the hands of men ordained under
solemn sanctions for the purpose, our spirit
ual courts would soon cease to be what they
are to an alarming extent at present--mert
corporations for secular business.
Boards combine what God has separated, the
purse and the kegs"
So speaks ga master in Israel, second t.
none in his intuitive comprehension Of oul
divinely ordained system of church polity
The evil of which he complains is painfully
apparent to every one who attends our high
er church courts, and witnesses the tiresom
discussions upon pecuniary questions, result
ing, for the most part, in measures devoid o
fruit. Many excellent ministers and rulin
elders seem not to possess any special git
for the management of such matters. 1t be
hooves US to ponder we'll suggestion fror
such source. The experiment might b
made with ease and safety. Let the Assem-
bly, elect bench of deacons to do the wor
now in the hands of its trustees, and lie
these deacons of the General Assembly b
Incorporated as trustees to represent it i
the civil courts. And then let it constitut
these deacons into general committee {
fuance, to devise ways AID means for cor
Quoting all schemes of church work. Th
advantage is obvious of such body in dea
ing with complicated monetary questions
wherein it is 80 important to have time
consider we'll what is to be done, over an Al
sembly made up of new men every year.
The conclusions reached by such body {
men, "full of the Holy Ghost and of vii
dom" bound by solemn VOWS to do this pal
of the work faithfully, would have all tn
: weight which our necessities would require
They would be the Church's hand carryin
into effect what she has in her highest coul
Gil devised. The Church seems to have r.
iected the idea of ecclesiastical taxation, tt