The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-04-29
For the Central Presbyterian.
Vacant Chuches-What Can Be
Done for Them?

Done for Them?
Is the plan suggested in my last COM
munication anti-Presby terian? is a ques-
ton that he's been raised. 1t has been
charged with being an imitation of the
Methodist presiding eldership. But on
the contrary we contend that it is in per-
feet accord with the genius of our sys-
TEN. A similar plan, to meet similar
state of things, was incorporated in the
first Book of Discipline framed and
adopted by the Scotch Church. There
were only twelve ministers to take charge
of the whole Scotch Church at the be-
ginning of its reformation. Seven of
these were assigned to the larger towns,
and FIVE appointed superintendent of the
rural districts Hetherington says of
these, "Their duty was to travel from
place to place throughout these districts
for the purpose of preaching, planting
churches, and inspecting the conduct OF
country ministers evidently ruling ell
ders) where there were any, and of an
other temporary class of men termed ex-
horters and readers. This latter class
consisted of the most pious persons that
could be found, who having received a
common education, were able to read to
their more ignorant neighbors, though
not qualified for the ministry. When
the readers were found to have dis
charged their duty well, and to have in
creased in their knowledge, they were
encouraged to add few plain exhorta-
tions to the reading of the Scriptures,
and then they were termed exhorters.
If they still continued to improve they
might finally be admitted to the minis
try. To search out, employ, and watch
over the conduct of such men, giving
them instruction from time to time, was
the chief duty of the superintendent"
This Office was created, not as perma-
nent one, but as a temporary provision
for pressing need. But as it was en-
bodied in the Book of Discipline, which
the same author says contains the de-
liberate opinions of the Scotch reformers
respecting what they regarded as the
fundamental principles OF the Church, >"
it was not then regarded as in any sense
inconsistent with Presbyterianism.
Our own Book gives the same super
visory power to Presbytery, and it can
not be questioned that Presbytery can
delegate it to one or more OF It's mem
bers. This, in fact, is actually done in
the case of every appointment of com
mission to visit churches to ordaln and
install ministers, to organize, divide, and
dissolve churches, and IS a necessary part
of that power possessed and exercised in
taking order for the spiritual welfare
of the churches and congregations under
its Jurisdiction.
This plan was not original with the
Scotch Church. but was manifestly in
tended to follow the Apostles in planting
churches at first. After preaching
and gathering converts, they ordained
elders, and lett the church to be supplied
by them with all the means of grace.
Timothy and Titus were superintendents
in precisely the same sense as the Scotch.
"For this purpose, says Paul to Titus,
"I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest
set in order the things that are wanting
and ordain elders In every church, as
had appointed thee" We have no rea-
son to doubt that these were preaching,
as we'll as ruling elders, and that they
were selected and appointed to the con
duct of worship, just as the Scotch Sc
lected and appointed those who we're
best fitted for the work.
The effect of this plan in the Scotch
church was to bring into the ministry, IN
the course Of five years, two hundred
and fifty preachers, the value Of whose
ministrations are testified by the whole
succeeding history Of that Church down
to the present day. No other Church
was so thoroughly reformed. No people
have been more perfectly taught in the
Scriptures or trained to better religious
habits. So that there is nothing to be
feared from the adoption Of similar
plan to meet similar pressing need in
our own Church. There are too, many
considerations urging upon us the adop
ton OF this or some similar plan.
lst. The records of the Church. al
ready referred to in the first article, re
veal the fact that many Of our churche
are dying out for want Of some means o
sustaining worship in them. The actua