The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-03

but ne is TO be teacher, also. Where
Only God knows So he must be pre-
pared for acceptance anywhere. When
he is sufficiently proven, he will be or
dained. After hcensure, the church may
not be prepared for his ordination (gen-
erally) because she has had no expert
ence of his gifts for teaching. Now, lust
here, 81. W. says, "No Presbyterian
can deny that call to the ruling elder
ship should be as surely divine as a call
to the teaching eldership." Granted. But
a Presbyterian may and does deny that
the manner and means of establishing the
call and aScertairirag fitness, must be the
same. Much doubt is expressed as to
the faithfulness of the church to her duty
in the matter of Ruling Elders. Where
are the particular churches which have
been so sinfully remiss in duty? Pres
bytery should "sit upon them at once
But is the insinuation true? l deny it,
(and demand the special proof as to the
general rule and practice. Does not the
church take time to consider? Is not
the matter thought upon, and prayed
over with deliberation and reverence?
Ruling Elders are needed in church.
The members,are called to consider this
need. Thought and prayer search through
all the membership for faithful men"
Men known long, as to their persons, pro-
tession and gifts, are chosen and called
Is the church wrong in ordaining these
when they obey her call? Then the
apostles and church at Jerusalem were
wrong in electing by lot Cor BALLOT Mat
thias and setting him apart to fill the
vacant place of Judas Iscariot. He did
not first put in claim as one called, but
was chosen without an intimation on his
part of having call. So now. The
church says she has the evidence of Gods
call, in thus acting. But this, 81. W."
denies; and charges the church as say
ing Let us first ordain you, and then
prepare" He demands the same pro-
baton for Ruling as for Teaching Elders,
as if there were no difference in their
duties. A study of chap. 4 of our Form
of Government should settle this point.
The whole Church sees the difference.
Therefore we have chapter 4. 1t is not
true that the church seeks " first ordi1aG-
ton and then preparation" in her Ruling
Elders. Preparation has been going on
ever since the Holy Spirit brought this
candidate elect" to Christ, and during
all the time that He has been teaching
him to grow in grace and in the knowl
edge of our Lord and Saviour" And so
the rulers are chosen by the people who
have known and seen this course of pre-
TIT I'm n, If the grave charge be true,
ma IT5 VHe v@@t majority of our Ruling
Elders DO not hesitate to ignore many. #
not most of the den-onJs e o,lr PooI- -
Church Order upon them as spiritual
rulers and overseers of the church Of
God" this is violation of ordination vows
and discipline is the only remedy So it
is in the case of Teaching Elders. Pro-
baton" before ordination will not secure
the church in one case more than In an
other. | have not made this charge If
it be true, that is, in great part because
the church has not demanded authorita-
taUeEy the discharge of duty by the Rul-
ing Elders, as by the Teaching Elders.
If 1t be true, the fault may be more with
the church than with the Ruling Elder
After ordination, is he recognized and
treated as one from whom the duties pre-
scribed, are really expected? Is not the
church too well satisfied if the Teaching
Elder will discharge his own duties, and
the duties of Ruling Elders also? The
Teaching Elder is "held up" tc all of his
duties, at least. Let the same demand
be made upon the ordained Ruling Elder
as to his duties Gods way of calling
each, is wisest and best. He sends the
candidate for Teaching Eldership to
knock at the door of the Church He
sends the church to seek and find its
Ruling Elders. This, our Book recog-
nizes as God way. Our action responds
properly. For while we are glad to hail
the man whom God sends to US for the
Teaching EIdership, we would shrink
from one who would come saying: 81
feel called to be your Ruling Elder elect
me-"
To say that our Ruling Elder is found
without proper provision without
adequate ideas Of the demands of Of
fice"-without recognition of the fact
that he is not qualified for Office" with
"no preparation asked or required for
ordination that our way opens to the
result Of being "cursed with worldly
minded rulers to say-well, a great
dealI 81. w. is "hard on" the church,
and harder on the Ruling Elders. Sure
ly it must be time for these rulers to be-
stir themselves if they are open to such
criticism. But / am sorely puzzled to
see how probation is going to better the
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