The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-23

the four churches have minister anu ca
him to be their pastor, as the book, and tn
Presbytery, and the history of the church
and the "genius of Presbyterianism" what
ever that may be) all commend and require
then the combination is entitled to but on
representative. But if they simply employed
their minister as stated supply, why the.
are entitled to four! We urge and encour
age and stimulate to the formation of tht
pastoral tie, only to abridge their represen
tation. In other words, if churches do theil
duty q. e., call PASTOR we punish them
But if they refuse to do their duty (se. per
sist in maintaining the stated supply system,
they are rewarded In other words, the
churches that obey the behests of Presbytery
lose their voice on it's Aoor, and those that
disobey, maintain their place, and acquire
relatively greater jpduence. Is this just
No wonder that " supplyism" has SO general
and firm footing.
A remedy for thil Injustice is found ip
striking out Sec n e6sp. < K
Ooe valuable result Of this would be that
Presbyteries would be careful about the or
ganization of new churches in their bounds.
Every church having equal voice, there would
be longer consideration of this important
matter. "Is it advisable to organize this
church, at this place, and at this time? LIS
there field for it, and any reasonable hope
of its ultimately standing alone and having
the whole service of whole man." Such
questions would arise and be discussed, and
there would be a more wise, if less rapid,
planting of churches, and surer develop
ment and growth.
The truth is, it ought to be the endeavor
of every church to have the whole time OF
pastor, in which Presbytery should encour-
age them. l am indebted to useful and
widely known Baptist brother for strong
sentiment, in striking phrase. 81 am op
posed" said he " to this ecclesiastical polyg
amy, to marrying one preacher to so many
churches. The minister supplying three
or four or half-a-dozen feeble churches is
really an evangelist or domestic missionary,
and might be 80 termed, each church as an
out post having right to vote in Presby-
terry. There is no injustice in this. 1t is
nothing but right. Just as in conducting a
campaign, an officer of equal rank with those
of large command is placed to guard some
point, at some fort or outpost, strickly speak
ing with an inferior force relatively, yet from
the circumstances of the case having neces-
sarily an important post, and is consulted
with those of his grade in the movements of
the army; SO the feebler churches of Pres
bytery, from their situation, or certain cir
cumstances other than numbers or pecuniary
strength being regarded as organized points
to be fostered, are Justly entitled TO equal
rank and control with others.
am sorry to say, that, judging from my
own observation and experience, there is but
little danger that the eldership will out-num-
Der the ministry at any of our ecclesiastical
meetings. There need be no fear that the
elders will "run" the church according to
their own notions and adversely to the min.
istry. There is really more sound conser-
vativism in the eldership anyway, and radi-
cal changes and startling suggestions usually
come from the teaching elders. We may
safely trust our ruling elders. But the sad
fact is, that they do not attend our ecclesi-
astical courts to the extent of their present
right, and the extension of the right will not
food our PresbyterieS by any means. Still
there are some churches, yes, churches, for
so the book, and the Minutes of Presbytery,
Synod, and General Assembly, all term them,
that feel themselves aggrieved, or rather de-
barred, by the operation of this rule. And
it is the glory of justice to secure the right
of the humblest.
Let our Presbyteries then at their coming
sessions, if they find in their jurisdiction any
proof of these positions, overture the next
Assembly to take the proper steps to have
the law abrogated.