The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-03
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
CHURCH-DIsCIPLINE.

An early experience in the exercise of discipline
in the Church. caused the writer to turn his atten
ton to the study of its theory. He was fearful
that the Session of the Church of which he was
pastor might either fail in doing their duty to God
and the souls concerned, or that they might 20
too far, and lay themselves liable to the charge of
requiring more than God requires He felt the
need of clear theory which would lay bare the
fundamental principles of discipline and accurately
define the boundaries of its exercise he supposed
that such theory could easily be found in one or
other of the many theological works with which
the Christian world is supplied; but, although
several years have passed, and although he has
enjoyed opportunities for reading and converse,
still no theory has been found which is commensu
rate with the field. The following thoughts which
have given much satisfaction to his own mind, are
the result of the study of the word of God and the
wants of the Church, and they are presented to
the public because, in his opinion they lie in the
direction in which alone the solution of the pro
blem is to be found.
At the outstart of our task. few things are to
be promised which every Presbyterian will readily
grant.
lst. The visible Church consists of those who
make credible profession of their faith in Christ,
and who receive the Sacramento, as they believe
God to have ordained them, together with their
children, who are baptized in infancy and admitted
to the communion on the profession Of their faith
2nd. This visible Church has been placed in this
world by the Saviour, as the light of the world and
the great witness for Him.
3rd. The Saviour las laid down rules for the
government and discipline of this Church, which
rules are to be enforced by the courts Of His church.
viz: Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods and Assem-
blies.
These things being promised we observe first Of
all, that the question-What are the boundary
lines of Church discipline can only be answered
by first answering the question-What is the rule
by which the individual Christian is to regulate hit
conduct? Because, the duty of the individual be-
ing known, it will be comparatively easy to answer
the question-What must we require of him whose
Church court may always require what God re
quires but whether the line of personal duty b.
the same as that upon which the session must act
or only parallel to it, it must of necessity indicate
the course which their action is to take. Wha
then is the rule upon which the individual Chris
tan is to act? Startling difficulties present them
selves at this point. Every thinking man has OBJ
served that the lines which separate things Lawful
from things unlawful are invisible. Certain thing
indeed are plainly sinful, e. g., murder, theft, false
hood All admit this. Certain things are a
plainly virtuous, g, honesty, industry, flial ODE
dience. In many cases however the moral charac
ter Of an action or course is not easily determined
E. g., food and drink are needed by all; yet exces
sive eating becomes guttony and excessive drink
ing becomes drunkenness but who can draw tn
dividing line. Take another example We mus
dress neatly and comfortably and yet it is easy Il
run into sinful extravaganza in the matter of dress
but where is the dividing line? By such an in
visible line avarice is separated from economy, rec
reation from idleness, prudence from cowardice
&c. &C.
We have now seen how virtue and vice are, il
many cases, separated by invisible lines and ye
safety in such matters ought to be secured.
man 8 salvation may turn upon the question wheth
er he is glutton, drunkard, miser, or an idler
Since therefore the individual Christian has 81
many of these unseen boundaries placed in his way
separating things lawful from things unlawful
what is to be his guiding principle? How can b,
be safe from danger when he knows not where i
lies? Inspiration alone gives sufficient answer Il
the question Paul says, l Thess. v: %, "Ab
stain from all appearance of evil'' (every form o
evil. some translate it, but the sense is the same
This is the only safe rule by which we can b.
guided. If danger lies ahead, let US stop in time
If things appear to be evil let them alone. True
it will be said that even the appearances of evil d.
not present themselves equally soon to ell people
This is conceded, but the difference will not be 81
very great, for If any man wishes to do the vii
of God he shall know of the doctrine The re
generate man turns into the path of duty will
wonderful ease and naturalness
Our point of observation is now distinctly fixed
in our next We shall view the field of discipline
itself. ALFRED JONES
L II