The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-26
For the Central Presbyterian.
Eldership Ordination.

Eldership Ordination.
The delegated power to rule committed
by the Presbyterian Church to an elder,
is guarded in its committal by two CON
stitutional Observation-Disclosures and ordi-
nation. Election to office naturally Sc
cures ordination, but ordination is neces-
sary to obtain power to rule. The Pres
byterian Church is jealous of its right to
elect It's own rulers and its own teachers,
for this is, so far, Presby Note
how securely this power of election of
elders is lodged in the hands of the indi-
vidual church; and that the Church at
large claims no power here. The candi-
date for the teaching eldership comes be-
fore Presbytery, or the Church at large,
passes successfully his examination and
trials, and selected to the eldership
No. Is ordained? No. The Church at
large says to its candidate-go to our
churches; place yourself under trial with
this or the other one, for with them, with
the people, rests the power to call you
by their election to the eldership; we will
recommend you, and if they elect you as
ruler-as a pastor-we promise to lay
our hands upon you in ordination. This
Is fresoytemanism: election by the indl-
Vidual church or congregation, and ordi-
nation by Presbytery- Church at
large. In Congregationalism the indi-
vidual congregation both elect and in eff
feet ordain their elders or office bearers
The Church at large is not known as of
authority. AS Presbyterians we hold
that Congregationalism is an error in
Church order, and therefore to be shun-
ned. Have we Stunned it? Yes; we
have shut it completely out of our Church
government in the election and ordina-
ton of our Teaching Elders. This is a
matter of congratulation, but do not let
as pause here; let us press the inquiry
into our Ruling Eldership. Is the ordi-
nation of our Ruling Elders based upon
Pres yterianism or Congregationalism :?
Brethren judge for yourselves. You have
our Book of Church Order before you.
What are its provisions in this matter?
The Session of the church, which is the
individual church representatiYely, calls
an election for Ruling Elder; the con
gregation meet and elect their candidate,
and Session, acting for the congregation
representatively, ordains the candidate
elect to the Ruling Eldership-to the
work of a ruler in all of our Church
courts. Presbytery- Church at large
has no voice, no authority in the trial, in
the election, or ordination of the Ruling
Elder. Is not this pure Congregational
ism? 1t cannot be doubted And yet,
this ordination of Congregationalism, this
Ruling Elder is sent by his congregation
to sit In a Presbyterian court OF the
Church at large, and not only to sit there
as ruler, but to sit as the equal of our
own Presbyterian rulers, the Teaching
Elders, and to pass judicial sentence upon
erring Presbyterians, and to legislate for
the Presbyterian Church at large Yes,
he is there to make laws for others-for
Presbyterians, but not there to obey Pres
byterial law. Why should the represen-
tative of Congregationalism submit him
self to the deliverances Of Presbytery?
Can we reasonably expect IT'D Presby-
terry has had nothing to do with his ordi-
nation. Presbytery did not elect him
Ruling Elder; he, it is true, sits in Pres
bytery as Judge to discipline the Teach
ing Elder, but Presbytery can lay no
authoritative hand Of discipline upon him
lie is the creature-the oufgrowth OF
Congregationalism. Is it not strange that
ne dares to pass judicial sentences and
legislate as ruler in Presbyterian
court. ] do not wonder that he does not
feel on an equality as ruler with the
Teaching Elder Though our Book says
he is), for the Teaching Elder is the out
growth-the creature OF Presbyterianism
and the Ruling Elder is the outgrowth
Of Congregatonalism and Presbyterian
ism says, our Church courts are authori
tative in their deliverances and must be
obeyed az courts Of our Lord Jesus Christ,
while Congregationalism, on the contrary
says, your Presbyterial courts are but
meetings for consultation and advice, and