The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-07-25
Rev J. Leighton Wilson, our beloved Secre-
cary of Foreign Missions, is now at the Hot
Springs, and improving steadily in health.
Foe THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Leaders in the Church.

Leaders IN the Church.
There has often been a. senseless clamor raised
against those who have been called "the titled and
salaried dignitaries" of the Church. We are free
to confess that some of our church dgnitaries have
more titles than they need, and more than they
know what to do WITH and that occasionally an In
decorous anxiety is manifested by some very young
clergymen to wear these very burdensome appen-
dages but so far as We know, very few of our min
listers are burdened by the amount of salary which
they receive. The application Of this phrase how
ever to some Of our ministers, is not intended to
carry an objection to either the titles which they
bear or the salary which they receive, but is used
in some Sort as the regulators of the State debt
use the term "boated bond-holder," merely to ex-
cite prejudice. What is aimed at is the position
which some of the dignitsries either assume oil
have thrust upon them, of leading in, and control
ling the affairs of the Church. 1t is said there are
"rings in the Church seeking to control its affairs
by some of the same arts and devices employed il
commercial circles and political associations" and
it is broadly limited that most of our Church news
papers belong to these circles or at least that they
encourage, sustain and defend them. Here is al
extract from recently published article in one o.
our papers, which does not touch the Central al
least
"Neary everybody knows how difficult and al
most impossible it is to get hearing through the
Church papers as they are called, on important
questions affecting the interests of the whole
Church, if the expression of your own views vii
tend to embarrass certain prominent individuals II
the execution of their pet schemes. x < Ii
fact it is often dangerous to utter syllable OF dis
sent from the views of the privileged class, as you
may be held up to ridicule and scorn for your to
merity, in assailing the wisdom of the Church
though you only designed to expose the foolishnes
of Church demagogues and humbugs."
Such charges as the above ought to have a very
broad basis of facts to rest upon.
1t is obvious to remark that it is indispensable
that we should have leaders in the Church and es
pecially in our Church courts. The Synod or thu
Assembly would make but little progress were
there no men in the body who we're recognized az
holding just this very position Of leadership, anC
notwithstanding both the ability and skill of these
men, the business of these bodies is often thrown
into confusion. A question of parliamentary law
simple in ITSELF when forced through the intrica
cies of discussion, may confuse the whole body
An experienced ecclesiaxl. will settle the question
by authority, sasasyaa of sense feels glad tt
may be referred. "This bvcr is the least impOr
tant function of leader. When grave questions
are before the Church for adjudication we naturally
turn for advice and counsel to those whose age, ex
perience and wisdom fit them to be marked out al
counsellors and their judgment naturally and Justly
has great weight in shaping and moulding the ac
ton cf the Church. Is it to be attributed to these
men as fault that they possess the qualifications
for leadership, or that they respond when called
upon by the Church to give her the benefit of theil
matured experience or acquired wisdom? Ought
modesty prevent man from taking position
where he will shew himself the superior Of his fe
lows? If any man unfit to lead holds the place Of
leadership it is the fault of US who allow ourselves
to be led by him, for nothing is easier than to re.
buke the self .conceit of those who would assume
place for which they are unfit
The second remark to be made is that combina-
iect by lawful means, does not argue any danger to
the rights or interests of other men in the Church.
If our Seminary professors and others shall consult
together and agree upon plan for reform in Sem.
mary education, which they propose and urge upon
the Church, can it be said that they have formed
a ring which endangers the purity of the church ?
In the nature of the case it can never be that the
leaders shall form the majority SO that they can
force their projects upon the Church. but they must
succeed by deserving success and by making recon.
mendations which shall be approved. So far as
our experience goes, the charge against the papers
of our Church is wholly without foundation. They
are ready to allow full and free discussion of any
topic of interest when the discussion is decently
conducted; and what is more, the editors of these
papers, at least those who deserve the name, are
ready to state and to defend their own convictions
There may be few editors in our Church who
never entertain any opinion except that held by
the majority of people, and who never dare to avow
any conviction until it is known to be popular, but
these are rare exceptions. As general rule these
leaders Of public sentiment in the Church are both
honest and fearless and are ready to advocate what
they believe to be right, even at the expense of
popularity. As the editor of the Central is some
thousands of miles away from his Office, we NAV
venture to cite him as an illustration of the truth
of the statement. If there is a man in our Church
who has strong convictions, who can give good rea
sons for entertaining them, who knows how to de.
fend them, and who is not afraid of the RESPONSE.
bility of being leader, we think we have the man
in the editor of our paper. If he were only the
registrar of the opinions of other people, we might
commend his diligence as a news gatherer, but we
would not trust his judgment as leader. And we
believe that we have body of editors in our
Church, well fitted for the responsible place to
which they have been called and who are indeed
faithful watchmen on the walls of Zion. Have
they deserved the abuse which is implied in saying
that they maintain and defend rings in the Church?
Some one Of these leaders may have given offense
By his manly effort to defend the truth, or to un-
cloak fraud, and it may be that the body is attack
ed in order that one man may be struck.
We submit that it is unfair to involve whole
body in censure, which is intended for only one
who is supposed to be guilty. PRESENTER.
BellewOOd Seminary and Kentucky Presbyterian
Normal School will open Monday, September Sd,
II . ~