The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-09-01


leavened bread, cbnlice, cup Of tank
ard, and nany other things of equa r
value.
THERE'S no law, rule, or prece.
dent for the aaanaer of eating the
Lord supperi no hint as to the
quantity Of bread and wine to be
used by each participant nothing
said about whoshall partake first, or
how it shall be conveyed from one
to another. These are all discre-
tionary matters. and left to the pru.
dence and good sense of the Chris
tian communicate other words,
to the law of expediency. gTE
Touching these and very many
other such matters and things, moth
ing is enacted, prescribed, or decid-
ed by apostolic authority, but all
the things to be done are enjoined
in very clear and broad precepts, or
in very striking and clear apostolic
precedents. General laws and pre-.
cepts, embracing the whole range of
religious and moral action, are often
found in the sayings Of the Lord and
of his ministers of the New Institu,
ton, from which also our duties and
obligations may be clearly ascertain
ed. That marriage is honorable in
alr' is clearly taught; but who ever
read q verse on the manner in which
this social institution is to be per
formed? No age is fixed at which
the covenant shall be made or rati-
fed-no time of life prescribed for
its mmation-nothing said
about who shall perform the service,
the formula, the witnesses, the rec
ord, etc. And, still more singular,
there is no table, oralaw, or statute
in all the New Covenant saying who
may or who may not, enter into that
relation on any principle of consan-
guinity or affinity.
The communion of saints, of all
Christian charlottesville cooperation
of churches as the holy nation, a
kingdom of priests, as a peculiar
people, in all common interests and
benefts-an efficient gospel minis
try, supported Justly and honorably
by the whole community-are mat
ters clearly and fully taught by both
apostolic precept and authority; but
the forms, the ways and means by
which these ends shall be attained,
are left to the law of expediency.
But here arises a practical and all
important question, viz: Who shall
ascertain and a0bo shall interpret this
laa0 Of e9pediency We all agree
that expedients are to be chosen
with regard to times, seasons, and
other circumstances Changes in
these must always change expe-
dients. The mariners compass, the
art of printing, new modes of traV-
cling, banks and their commercial
operations, new forms of govern
ment, ETC., have changed the order
of society and all human expedients.
Now the law of expediency is the
law of adopting the best present
means of attaining any given end.
But this is matter which the wis
dom and good sense of individuals
and communities must decide. This
is not. this cannot be, a matter of
standing revelation. Now if the
church was always unanimous in
opinion as in faith-if all it's accu-
mulated wisdom gave one uniform
decision on all such questions then
the whole church is by one voice to
ascertain the law of expedienoy on
any given point. But this is not the
case. No class of men, apostles,
teachers, privates, ever did agree on
questions of expediency. Paul and
Barnabas dissented and differed,
aVithoast any breach Of communion, on
a question of this sort. Hence
arises the necessity of the spirit of
concession, subordination, bearing,
forbearing, submitting to one anoth-
err. When there are two views or
opinions on any question of expe.
diency entertained by two parties.
one of them must yield, or there are
two distinct systems OF operation.
and ultimately two distinct parties.
According to the law of expedienry.
then, the minors in age, experience,
or numbers, must give place to the
majors in age, experience, or num-
bers. But as numbers are supposed
to represent the ratios of age, wis
dom and knowledge, it is expedient
that a clearly ascertained majority
of those whose province it is to de-
eide any matter shall interpret the
law of expedieney; or. in other
the minority shall peacefully
md cordially acquiesce in the decis-
ons of the majority. Since the age
If social compacts began till now,
10 other principle Of cooperation,
10 other law of expediency, can Sc
ure the interest, the union, harmo.
" and strength of any people, but