The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-27
FoR TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
UNDEvEIOPED POWER of the CHURCH

That the Church of Christ is the divinely
constituted instrument by which the world is
to be brought from darkness to light, from
ignorance to knowledge of the truth, is the
plain teaching of revelation. That the
Church is fully equal to the work to be done
the task to be accomplished, must be ad-
mitted, or we practically assert that its Di
vine Head has made a mistake. There is,
there can be no lack of power and resources
at the command of the church, but there
may be, and there is q woful failure on the
part of the Church, to make the fullest use
of all those instrumentalities which consti.
tute its power.
We have only to look around US at any of
our churches to be convinced of this. The
pastor, perhaps aided by two or three out of
9 hundred members, is expected to do the
whole work of his church. The great ma
jOrity of the members seldom think of doing
anything more than to pay their subscrip-
tons and 90 TO church, snd may be to pray
or meeting, and nobody expects them to do
any more. Is it to be wondered at that our
churches do not accomplish more, while they
are utilizing merely fraction of their avail
able poWerl Until every member learns to
do his or her duty, the full power of the
church cannot be realized. The important
question then is, how can this now dormant
power be- developed and utilized! How can
the members of our churches be brought to
do their dutyg First, and principally, by
making each one to knOw his duty. For
she that knoweth his duty and dOeth it not,
shall be beaten with many stripes" is the
solemn warning of our Omnipotent and Om-
niscient King. How are they to be taught
their duty? The method of instruction
pointed out by divine inspiration is Z" Line
upon line; line upon line; precept upon
prsCspt; precept upon prscept; here lit
tie and there little"
Persistent, systematic instruction is the
only means by which most persons can be
taught anything. Christian duties can be
properly learned in no other way. That ig-
nOrance of duty is widespread in our church
90 may be easily discovered. Go to 100 of
the average members of any church, and in
uuire of each one s0hat tOOrk he or she is do
ing in il, and what work there is for him or
her to do. The answers will show that
nearly every one thinks there is really little
or nothing to be done, at least by him. Each
one may have 8 vague idea that somebody
has great work to do, but there is nothing
in particular for ham to do, and he does that.
We sll need to be taught more than We
have been what is our duty, and until the
Church provides for such persistent and sys-
tematic instruction as will reach and inAu-
enCe every member, the true power of the
church will not be felt or known. Learned
lectures on theology, or tender and sympa-
thetic exhortation from the pulpit, or in the
prayer meeting, will not supply this want.
The personal influence of the pastor, officers,
and experienced Christians, if brought fully
to bear upon every member, would do much,
very much, both by precept and example,
If every member could be made to realize
that he had some special work to do in the
church, and for the church, and that he
would not be suffered to neglect that duty
without a gentle warning, and an affection
ate exhortatiOn from some kind and loving
brother, it would stimulate and encourage
him to 60 forward. There is no one who
would not be the better for feeling the inAl
ence of some Christian friend over him. Oh
thepOwer of persOnalinAuence; if our church
es would only realize it and use it, wha
rapid strides would be made in breaking
down the stronghold of the evil one
r. B. w.