The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-04-04
FoR TIE CENTRAL PREsBYTER1AS.
WHO SHALL VOTE FOR A PASTOR

The Book of Church Order now before the
Presbyteries presents an inconsistency in re
gard to the election of officers which surely
needs to be corrected before it becomes q
part of the fundamental law of the Church,
In chap. VI, sec. /, paragraph 2, page 16.
We find the following statement:
"Since all the. power which Christ has
committed to the Church and rested in his
people is exercised by them in the choice of
their officers, and since the government Of
the Church is representative, the right of the
election of their officers by Gods people,
either Immediately by their own suffrages, or
mediately through Church.Courts composed
of their chosen representatives, is indefeasl-
Bile. Nor can any man be placed over q
Churchin any Office, without the election, or
at least sac consent, 'of the Church there
unto"
The first sentence in this paragraph asserts
the indefeasible right of Gods people to
elect their officers, but it does not make that
right exclusive. Had the qualifying clause,
"Or at least the consent been omitted in
the second sentence, it would have rendered
the whole paragraph complete, in affirming
that none but Gods people are entitled to
vote in the election of officers. Why that
clause was inserted, it does not clearly ap
pear, unless it was intended to open the way
for paragraph 4, sec. 8, same chapter, page
II, which is as follows
"All communicating members of the
Church in good and regular standing, but no
others, are entitled to vote in the election OF
ruling elders and deacons. In the election
of pastor, besides these, such adult persons
as are regular in their attendance on the
common ordinances, and who regularly con
tribute to the support of the pastor in thal
congregation, may also participate; and when
majority of the electors cast their votes fol
any candidate, he shall be considered elected.
Now will this provision always secure the
choice of pastor with the consent of tht
Church.? So far from it, the unbelieVing
electors may combine with the less direct
communicates in imposing upon a majority
of the church against their consent, and these
perhaps the most pious, man whom they
can not highly esteem in love for his works
sake. "Can dogma which thus sacrifices
the spiritual edifcation and comfort of Gods
people, as well as the salvation Of souls, tt
the whims or the prejudices of unbelievers
be apart of that system ofgovernment" which
Christ has ordained, and to which He com
mands that nothing be added, and that from
"it" naught be taken away? Chap. II. sec
1, paragraph 8. What is the difference, il
the principle, between according to people O
the world the right to participate in the gov
ernment of the Church, because they contrib
ute to the support of pastor, and accord
ing the same right to the State because sh
supports the clergy? If Christ has com
manded his people to keep themselves sun
spotted from the world" surely the govern
ment of the church should be secured agains
the corrupting influence of the world.
Bat the gravest feature in this rule, as
part of the fundamental law of the church
and so binding upon all its members, is it
infringement of the rights of conscience
Many of the officers and private members c
the church are sincere and intelligent in tn
conviction that it is unscriptural to invest ur
believers with the right to vote in the elet
ton of pastors, and it would be burdenin
their consciences, to make such rule bin(
ing upon all our congregations.
1t is to be earnestly hoped that the Ne
Book, which freely admit to be superior
several particulars to the old, will, before i
adoption, be cleared of all unesSential requ
sitions which may prove to be a grievance
any considerable portion of the Church.
8 P. F.
r We OUGHT as much to pray for blesSiu