Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-02

The institute reassembled at 2:3O O'Clock
D. m. and after the usual opening eXer-
cises Chairman Reese introduced Rev.
DR.. Macarthur of the Calvary Baptist
church, New York city, hose subject
was The Organization of the Church.
REV. DIR MACARTHUR'S ADDRESS.
1t is impossible tor us to overestimate
the value of organization, yet like all our
active faculties this capablitv Is capable |
of much enlargement. y man III the
head of IA church Is like the head OF mer- |
camille establishment or the leader OF Il |
political party. The minister must he
business man and we ought to DO our
very best
In the first place let me speak of the
election of trustees The church holds
property and has secular interests. There
has been too much money squandered by
our churches and there are many
churches in New York State that have
never been legally organized. | know OF
more than one church dilhGul-
" growing out ., of ion an If 'r frH.1aer
The pastor should know according TO what
law his church is organized and insist that
! that law shall be Obeyed to the letter
| Whatever is connected with a church Is
| proper for the pastor to look alter. lie
need not do it all but he should see that 1t
/ is done 1t is an easy thing for pastor to
antagonze his board of trustees, ana II Is
as bad as 1t is easy. 1t is wise for him To
treat them just rightly. He should use
| only moral suaSion.
In the second place will speak of the
election of deacons This would naturally
come first, but assume that the church
has already been organized. Men who are
to be deacons should be of spOtless charac
ter and II good reputation with those VINO
are without. think the tendency To elect
deacons of younger years Is good. never
halinNpl in holding TWO 0IllttS.
The wisdom of the pastor can he seen ny
, his finding work for every member OF ms
church. Other things being equal dea-
con may he elected Tor life, hut Il deacon
, who does not dedCOuiZe has ceased To he II
, deacon, and think III times 1t Is wise To
elect deacons for IA limited time.
As to the number OF deaCOnS there Will
bc at least two, but would have dea
con for every hundred members, or trac
q ton thereof | know not how II may be
| in the smaller places, hut IN the ltrS'
: cities il is almost impossible to get any
e work out of the deacons. | would like t.
make Il deacon "A sub-pastor, and MAKE
= him responsible for the care ana over
n sight of II certain number OF memhels.
In the third place | Will speak OF th'
advisory committee, whose province Is Il
give advice. | would have deacons, eN
officers, members of that board and ais
younger members of the church VINO ar
- in preparation for deaCOns. All VINO ar
troduced by this board. All the elements Il
the church should be wisely represented
The rich. the poor, the young, If you have
cranky clique put them in If one OF yo
he has IA conservative man who is inclined I
tie criticise, put HIM in. In cases of dlsclp!n
ga such a committee is very essential. I'M
- work has got to be done somewhere ana
" have known cases that would nav
=. split IA church to fragments
s. brought before the church settle
5. without the knowledge of the congregt
e. ton. We ought to manage our bushes
ly meetings in more deliberate manner. ;
ne business meeting should be but 10 mn
ne utes long and held not oftener than ono
-" month.
ly Then any business should not be don
n without the clerk in his place. Letter
n granted and other business transacte
IS without recording is liable to max
he trouble.
Another important consideration Is M
rs the ushers should be selected with car
nd The kindest, politest and courtHe
he should be selected. First impressions oil
nj church areapl To establish our opinions
in "A church. The speaker was not Oppose
ms To have deaConesses. Women were apt
of be the power behind the throne ana !
MS was willing to have it so. The judgmel
of of the women is likely TO be better Uni