The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-27
For the Central Presbyterian.
An Elevated Church Member. -

An Elevated Church Member"
BY J. NJ. P. OTIS, D. D., OF PHILADELPHIA
In an obituary notice that fell under
my eye few days ago it was said con-
corning the deceased, that he had been
for more than fifty years can elevated
church member" This expression is un-
usual andpuite odd. What does it mean
Is it only an awkward way of saying that
the person referred to was a prominent
church member? 1 am rather inclined
to think that it means to point out some
popularity in life that gave him promi
hence in some certain superiority in his
church membership. The prominent
member is not always prominent for those
points in character that elevate member
ship in the Church of Christ. Sometimes
man is pointed out as prominent mem
Der In his church, not because he is the
most faithful and devout member. but
because he is the richest man of the con-
gregatlon, or because he is in public life
as the leading politician in his district. or
because he is famous lawyer, or great
merchant, or large manufacturer, or be-
cause in some other way he fills high
and large place in the eye of the world.
These are not the points that elevate
church membership, though they dosome-
times elevate the church member in the
congregation and community. suppose
that an elevated church member" is one
whose standard of piety and fidelity, and
consequently his usefulness in the church,
is lifted up above the average level of the
common run of church members. I sup
pose that the elevated church member
is one who is always in his pew on the
Sabbath-days, always in his place at the
week day meetings, always prompt in the
payment of his pew-rents and other
church dues, always ready and liberal in
his contributions to every good cause, al
ways prompt and faithful in the Sabbath
School work, always honest and upright
in his business transactions, always true
and affectionate in his relations in the
family circle, always kind and just as a
neighbor, and that he is always faithful
friend and an earnest helper to his pastor
in all departments of church work and
worship; that he is one who is never too
proud to speak cordially and brotherly to
the poor man who sits in the gallery, who
never considers the children of the church
as too insignificant for his notice and
sympathy, who is never censorious in his
judgment of his brother members, and
who never fails to pray daily for the
Lords blessings on his pastors labors.
Such life would constitute any one ian
elevated church member" Such mem
Der is always a source of perpetual Joy,
comfort, and encouragement to his pastor.
Such a one stands, like burning and
shining light, on an elevation above the
average level of church members. If all
church members were thus elevated what
an increase of life and power would there
be in the Church? How irresistible
would the Church be in advancing the
cause of Christ in the world? II the
whole Church were thus elevated in its
entire membership, then it would come
forth from the wilderness, leaning upon
the arm of its Lord, clear as the sun, fair
as the moon, mighty as an army with
banners, and ride forth prosperously, con-
querlng and to conquer, and soon the
kingdoms of the world would become the
kingdom of our Lord and the dominion
of his glory and holiness.
There is just now being spent in Phil
adelphla an immense sum Of money, mil
lions Of dollars, to construct an elevated
railroad into the very heart of the city /;
and it is believed that this elevated road.
when completed, will be worth to the
company constructing it, and to the com.
mercial interests of the city, immensely
more than its prodigious cost. It's pecu-
liar value will consist in it's increased ia
cilities for travel aud transportation, be-
cause it will be so elevated that its rapid
transit will not be INSTRUCTED and him
dered by the ordinary travel and trade
of the city. If all our churches were
thus elevated in their membership SO
that in their work they would be lifted
above. the distractions and hinderances
of the trade and trammels of the world,
what an increase of power would thereby
be impaired to them in every good word
and work. Oh, that all our churches had