The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-29

which is one of the most striking peculiar;
ties of the Free Church's polity. Viewed
apart from the theory of the inclusion of the
lesser Office by the higher, which is not eS
sential to such an arrangement, there is moth
ing unconstitutional in the deacons' court
For if elders may er G6fcio, take charge Of
church funds, and if they may cooperate
with committees and with trustees made ur
of unordained men, there can be no valid
objection to their cooperating in the manage
ment of finances with the deacons Tested
by it's fruits, the Free Churchssystem of the
deaeon's court would seem to have proved
itself superior to all the various plans adopt
ed by churches in Scotland, ireland, or
America; while at the same time it does not
precisely meet the whole doctrine of the New
Testament, we think, which fairly implies a
separation of the management of finance and
the spiritual oversight of persons.
1. The members of the deacons court,
according to Forbes are the pastor, (or pas
tors, if there be more than one,) the session,
and the deacons. All sit as deacons, and
have the same rights.
2. Officials. These consist of churchman
or moderator, clerk, and two treasurers.Z
In the absence Of the minister, any member,
whether elder or deacon, may be elected
chairman for the occasion. In all cases the
presiding officer has only the casting vote in
case of a tie. The clerk keeps the roll and
accurate minutes of all proceedings. He
may receive salary, if agreed upon. The
treasurers are elected by the court; one to
be the general or congregational treasurer,
who is to receive and disburse, under instruc-
tions, all moneys save those raised for the
sustentation, education, and missionary
funds; the other, or associational treasurer,
to receive and transmit to the Assembly's
treasurer such moneys as may be intended
for the purposes above specified, at the bid
ding of the court.
3. Meetings. The deacons court may as
Semble upon citation from the pulpit, or upon
regular notice to each member. But it is
advised that they have regular time e. g.,
once month. Three members constitute
quorum. Minutes state that each meeting
is opened and closed with prayer.
4. Jurisdiction. This court has the charge
and management of the whole property be-
longing to the congregation, including church,
sion-house, manse, school buildings, ETC.,
and of all its financial affairs, including, of
course, the appropriation of seats, with the
determination of all questions relating there
to; and it is the duty of said court to trans
NIT to the general treasurer of the Assembly
the sums contributed to the Sustentation
Fund, and to distribute the remaining funds
to the supplementing of the minister's salary,
to subordinate officers, and the defraying of
all necessary charges connected with the pro-
perty; to take up special collections for the
poor, and to receive the deacon's reports
touching them, and to instruct the deacons
concerning the disposal thereof. The busi-
ness, therefore, consists of the administration
of the funds and property and financial af-
fairs of the congregation. (Assemb. of Free
Church, 1847, XIV The members of this
court are to be incorporated as trustees for
holding the property before the civil author
tiles, for the congregation as connected with
the Free Church. Provision is made for the
disposal of the property in case of disrup-
ton. To the deacons courts belongs the
right of giving or Withholding the use of the
church or other buildings for meetings not
of strictly religious nature. In all other
cases, and especially when divine service is
to be performed, thsschurch is solely at the
disposal of the minister. We should proba-
bly, say the session. 1t assigns to each dea-
con certain district, requiring him to keep
an accurate list Of all adherents therein, and
to see that the collectors punctually gather
in all the church funds.
The accounts are to be audited annually,
and, being attested by the moderator, are,
along with the minutes of the court, sent up
to the Presbytery to be reviewed and attest
ed. And soon thereafter the deacons' court
is required to lay before the congregation an
abstract of the work accomplished by them,
for their information.
The deacons court and session are to be
regarded as coordinate courts, having sep.
arate and independent Jurisdictions. There
is therefore, no appeal.from one to the other
nor can the proceedings of the one be review.
ed, altered, or revised by the other, while
each remains in its OVID province. By care
fully attending to the jurisdiction of each, all
collision will be avoided"
can appeal from decision Of the dea.
cons court is not usually sustained; for il
has been declared by the Assembly inexpe
dent to sustain complaints or appeals against
its ordinary administration in secular or Fl
nancial affairs. (Assemb, lS47, XIV A
member, however, may dissent from any find
ing of the court, and place his reasons in the
record Gf given at the time for so doing
but he cannot usually complain to higher
court. 1t is to be observed, that all the pro
ceedings of this court are subject to the re-
view of the Presbytery, and are regularly
brought under its notice by the annual ex
animation of it's record and accounts; SC
that by this means any step taken or resolu
tion adopted of censurablc nature, or il
violation of the laws of the Church, can b.
checked, and means taken for having it al
tered or reversed"