The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-06
"THE RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPER" I"


Interior an article having the above heading,
with an endorsement of its general contents.
Our esteemed neighbor, the Central Presby-
tersan, in it's issue of November 9th, copies
the same article, calls attention to the fact
that this journal subscribed to its sentiments,
and, seeming not altogether satisfied either
with the Interior or ourselves in the premises,
asks it and us to give the Central the benefit
of our judgment upon the following question:
SIS it consistent with the ordination VOWS of
a minister of the gospel that he should edit
religious newspaper" For our own part we
are free to reply, that it is no more incon-
sistent with ministerial ordination vows to
edit a religious newspaper, than it i5 to COM
pile or write religious books, or furnish the
public with any other form of religious liter
ature; but with important limitations, as We
shall show in as brief discussion as is pos
sble. Now, what are those vows? That
portion of them which Immediately concerns
the question we are expected to answer, We
will quote. The candidate for ordination
promises "subjcction to his brethren in the
Lore" "-promises "to be jealous and faithful
in maintaining the truths of the gospel, and
the purity and peace of the Church" and
"to walk with exemplary piety before the
flock over which God shall make him over
seer" The editor may certainly contend
for gospel truth and church purity and peace:
may, indeed, in some respects, do this more
efficiently from the editorial chair than from
the pulpit itself. But do not his vows imply
his taking the pastoral charge of congre-
CATION: "the flock over which God shall
make him the overseer?" We think so.-
The only exception to this arises in those
cases where his "brethren in the Lord d'-ec
Realistically assembled, Of course-shall re
quire him to become an evangelist" the one
alternative variety of the sacred Office known
to our form of government or to discharge
any other service which has for its object the
edifying of the body of Christ, as is the case
with theological professor or other officer
of church court under whose direction the
minister is placed: such officers being regard
ed as essential to its completeness, whether
for conservation or for progress. The sim
pie question then is, shall minister regard
himself as under his ordination promises
when he undertakes the business of editing
a religious newspaper? Well, in the first
place, it must be denominational religious
newspaper. But, suppoSing it is this, how
far is he discharging his ministerial functions
when he confines himself to the conduct. of
such paper, not having been appointed
thereto by any competent ecclesiastical au.
thority? What then is he? A pastor =?
This will hardly be contended by any one
who is intent upon using language in it's
obvious import. An officer of church court
whose authoritatively prescribed duties are
to be regarded as essential to the welfare of
the whole body? This cannot be safely ar
gued. Then, perhaps, he is an evangelist
But, to say nothing more, an evangelist is
not self-appointed; his election is presby-
terial act. May not one, however, who is in
circumstances to enable him to do SO, forego
the emoluments whether of a pastor or an
evangelist, and, of his own free purpose, 60
where he can, and how he can, to dispense
the word of life on his individual RESPONSE
bility and is this not the posture an editor
assumes? We are of the conviction that an
ordained minister must, on the contrary, al
ways hold himself subject to the immediate
and prompt control of his Presbytery, and
engage in no ministerial act or work for the
due and wise prosecution of which he is not
directly amenable to that court: otherwise
Independency, not PreSbyterianism, is the
asserted government.
The kind of editor in question cap, there
fore, find no ground to stand upon, unless
| (1) it be shown that his editing is subservent
to his regular ministerial and pastoral work,
which he is in condition to prosecute with
faithfulness whilst extending his usefulness
through the medium of the religious press
just as (as we have already stated he may
compose tracts or edit books by taking such
time as can be conscientiously spared from