The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-22
For the Central Presbyterian.
Elders and Deacons.
LEXINGTON, VA, Feb. 24th. 1873

NeSSrS. EditorS,-In your issue of the
10Th of February, you have a short para
graph announcing the election of two
elders and four deacons in the Presby-
terrain church of Lexington, Va. The
congregational meeting at which this was
done was held January 23d. The breth-
rem elect having signifed their willing
ness to accept, the session convened Sab
bath, the 9Th of February, in the church,
for the purpose of ordaining them.
The ordination sermon was preached
by the pastor, Rev DR.. Mutually, his text
being Phil. /: l, "Paul and Timotheus
the servants Of Jesus Christ, to all the
saints in Christ Jesus which are at Phil
lPpl with the bishops and deacons."
The discourse was a presentation and
discussion of the nature and warrant of
ruling elders, and the nature and warrant
of the Office of deacon, introduced with
the statement that the Session of the
church was there convened for the ex-
press purpose, in accordance with pre-
vlous announcement, of solemnly ratify-
ing the action Of the recent church meet
ing by ordaining and installing severally
as elders and deacons, those who had
been chosen, in accordance with the
teaching of Gods word, as set forth in
the Book of Church Order of the Presby-
terrain Church in the United States. I
collate as follows:
The epistle to the Philippians was writ
ten, according to the best authority, A. D.
60, when the church addressed had had
ample time to perfect its organization.
The text teaches that the officers of an
apostolic church were bishops and dea-
cons.
Consider l. The nature Of the Office
held by those whom the apostle calls
bishops. In scriptural phraseology bishop
and elder are strictly synonymous. 1t is
to be hoped that the revised version Of
1881 has settled this question forever.
g. Each church had a plurality of
elders. Heb. xiii: II; James V: IA;
Titus /; 5; Acts xix %.
3. Some elders of the primitive church
were elders because they were preachers,
and some were elders because they were
only called to rule Tim. v: II.
4. The power committed to elders is
two fold, several and joint. Acts of gov
eminent in the Church Of Christ are com
petent only to court comprised of sew
eral elders Under the above heads the
nature and warrant Of the eldership were
discussed
AS to the diaconate, it appears from
the book Of Acts, that in the very begin
ming of the Christian Church the apostles
were the only ecclesiastical officers, and
that if they did not attend to all the con-
Germs of the Church personally, they did
this by their own agents in such a way
as to be personally responsible to the con-
gregation for the care and administra-
ton of all its concerns. They were not
only inspired apostles, but also preachers,
elders, and deacons. (The preacher pre-
sented here his view Of the institution of
the dlaconate by commentary on Acts
9th chapter.) Bishops and deacons com
prehend three distinct classes Those who
rule because they preach, those who only
rule, and those who are charged with the
care Of the poor the doctrine that the
higher Office virtually comprehends the
lower, being distinctly set forth. The
deacons duty is one Of thought and iudg-
ment. The Saviour camt not to be min
istered unto but to minister. The dea-
cons duty is identical with that of car
ing TOR the poor saints, the representa-
lives Of Christ's earthly poverty, and 50
the tests Of His peoples love to Him.
The agency of the deacon is not to be
confined to utter pauperism, no, he should
seek all in the church that temporarily
need helping hand.
Here followed a resume Of the essen
tialg Of Our gvstaro. Pho OL,rcL .;