The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-12
Presbyterian Polity.

Presbyterian Po1ity.
The following, from the Canada Presbyterian
Record, is an excellent compact exhibition of
our system.
1t is claimed by Presby terians that
their form of church government is
founded upon Gods word and agreeable
thereto" While distinguished from
other forms by certain well-defned tea-
lures, it is by no means rigid stereo-
typed code of laws binding upon all the
branches of the family. The system pos
sesses sufficient elasticity to adapt itself
to differing circumstances, and while
carefully observant of certain fixed prin-
ciples, it affords considerable scope for
variety of opinion in matters of detail
Its leading principles are such as these:
% The Lord Jesus Christ is the only
Head and King of the Church. (2) The
ministers of the Church are all of one
order and equal in authority. 81 The
ruling elder is distinct officer in the
church. (4) The people have the right
of choosing their own ministers and of
fce-bearers. (5) The act of ordination
is vested in the Presbytery as distin-
guished from the like power exercised
by a single individual in prelatic church
es. (6) The congregations of the church
are not isolated from each other, but
form one body, and possess common
government.
The government of the church is by
Presbyteries or elders. The word EpiS-
copoS and PreSbatteroS are used inter
changeably in the New Testament for
bishop or overseer, Presbyter and elder;
compare Acts Xxx: II; with Acts Xxx: %;
Titus i: with Titusi 7; Acts vi: with
l Timothy VIA. The theory, therefore,
is, that every bishop is Presbyter and
every Presbytera bishop, and every elder
a Presbyter and bishop. According to
some of the Oldest and best authorities it
is wrong to speak of CLERGY" and clay
elders" Technically no such distinction
ought to be admitted. But as differ
ence does practically exist, it has become
customary to speak of teaching elders,
or ministers, and ruling elders" To
the former pertains exclusively the right
of preaching and administering the
sacraments. 1t is not claimed that there
is any distinct scriptural authority for
the distinction betwixt the teaching and
ruling elder. Originally the function
of teaching and ruling seem to have be-
longed to all Presbyters. But, as there
would be different degrees of aptitude
and fitness, all did not exercise their in
herent rights; and although distinction
began to be insisted upon in the fourth
and fifth centuries, it was again and
again condemned as unscriptural and as
an innovation on the primitive apostolic
order.
Tile Session is the lowest court of the
church. 1t is composed of the minister
and as many ruling elders as may be
Judged necessary for the spiritual over
sight of the congregation. The pastor of
the church is er-oficiO Moderator of the
session. In case Of a vacancy, the Pres.
bytery appoints one Of its members to sit
as interim Moderator, and no meeting
of session is legally held without having
a minister present as Moderator. In the
United States, however, in exceptional
cases, as in vacancy or in the absence
of the pastor, when another minister can
not conveniently attend, ruling elder
may preside. The session regulates the
order of worship, attends to the visitation
of the sick, and exercises discipline upon
the members of the congregation. But
it has no power to institute proceedings
against the minister. Any such com
plant must be brought before the Pres
bytery. The session may bring any mat
ter before the Presbytery by reference
or petition, or through the Presbytery to
the Synod and the General Assembly.
Where there are two ministers either of
them may preside. An assistant minis
ter has no seat in the session except by
courtesy. The honorary title of pastor
emeritus, though not used in Scotland,
obtains in the Presbyterian Church Of
England and of the United States, and
also in the Presbyterian Church of
Canada. The rule in the United States
is, that though he cannot claim seat
in the session, nor exercise an official
jurisdiction in the church, as any other
member Of the Presbytery, he may be
invited to preside on particular oc-
casion."
Tile Pre86yte7y is the next highest
court. 1t is in some respects the most
important court in the church Though
not legislative body, no important
change in the constitution of the church
may be made without its consent. II
gives effect to the laws of the church,
and it is by the Presbytery that the
work of the church is superintended and
carried on. 1t exercises a strict surveil-