The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-06

His own and His own received Him not.
In l Timothy, from the 5th to the 7th
chapters we find great stress is laid on the
duties of the Elders.
In the Epistle of Paul to Titus, from
the 1st to the 9Th verses, we find: Paul,
a servant Of God and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to the faith of Gods
elect and the acknowledging the truth,
which is after Goodness,
"And hope of eternal life, which God,
that cannot lie, promised before the
world began"
"But hath, in due times, manifested
His Word through preaching which is
committed unto me according to the
commandment of God our Saviour"
"To Titus, mine own son, after the
common faith, grace, mercy and peace
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ our Saviour:
For this cause left 1 thee in Crete
that thou shouldst set in order the things
that are wanting and ordain elders in
every city as L had appointed thee. -
And then follows the Specifications or
nroper qualifications of these elders to be
thus ordained
In Peter v: l: "The elders which
are among you l exhort, who am also an
elder and witness of the suferings of
Christ, and also partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed" In Romans xii
6-8, inclusive, we have the following
Having then gifts differing according
to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to
the proportion of faith
Cor ministry, let us wait on our min
istering; or he that teacheth on teaching.
Cor he that exhorteth, on exhortation
he that giveth, let him do it with sim
plicity; he that ruleth, with diligence
he that showeth mercy, with cheerful
ness.
Again, in I Corinthians xii: %, we
have: "And God hath set some in
the Church First, apostles; secondly,
prophets; thirdly, teachers. After that,
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues. .
Here there is reference to the various
Offices established by God in the Church,
the most important of which are the
Apostles, next the Prophets, and last the
teachers, which, of course, are the same
and are understood as elders
Now, it is shown in the seventh and
eighth verses of the twelfth chapter of
first Corinthians that one may receive
from God the manifestation of His Spirit
sufficient to fit them to be teachers of
their fellows, although they may not be
ordained ministers of the Gospel, as
follows: But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal. For to one is given by the
Spirit the word Of wisdom; to another
he word Of knowledge by the same
Spirit"
| could quote numerous other authori-
ties if [ thought it were necessary.
Enough has been shown to maintain as
sound Scripture the assertion that elders
are contemplated by God as part of the
Church government.
L have by no means got to the end of
my argument, but the Moderator informs
me that my time is about up and [ will
detain you but moment longer in con-
clusion.
A body of ruling elders, sympathizing
with the pastor in his work and with the
people in spiritual interest, would do a
vast amount of good and be help and
comfort to all. The Lieutenant Gov
ernor of Virginia, himself an elder, has
said that such body of men may be of
great influence in the world. Indeed,
they may be and ought to be, and when
the ruling elders of the great Presbyte-
Ran Church are everywhere awakened
to their high powers and duties and shall
receive the recognition and support OF
the members of the Churches in CARRYING
out its duties, then may we expect to see
our Church rise and shine in the law and
power of God.