Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-08
CALLING A PASTOR.
What is the Wisest Course to be
Adopted at Such Time?
CANDIDATING FAR FROM WISE.
Shall Churches Receive as Members Those
Who We're Dropped BY Others?
NEWSY NOTES FROM THE CHURCHES.

On Monday morning the Presbyterian
Ministerial Association held its MONTH.
''quiz" meeting, which is certainly the mos
interesting and practical one OF all during
the month. The principal interest centereC
in two questions, the first OF which had re
lation to the reception of members into
church who had been either dropped or ex
PEELED from another church. On this ques
ton there was considerable difference o
opinion, the Rev. G. w. Chalfant, who
opened the discussion, believing that cir
cumstances often altered cases, and that nj
absolute, unvarying law could be laid down
DR. Kumler thought it never should be done
and Rev. Gibson was of the same opinion
feeling that the decision OF the session which
had taken adverse action must be respected
The second question, SIS the selection of 8
pastor by a committee Presbyterian In
theory and satisfactory In practice?" was
answered by W. B. Negley, Esq, who has
served on four such committees, and there
fore did not speak without practical expert,
ence. He said
Probably the Trainer of the question had in
view the practice which obtains in some of our
churches of appointing committees to recon-
mend suitable person for pas tor. If SO, his
question is not properly framed. for know OF
no congregation which allows pastor TO be
selected by committee. But let US view the
question in both lights. BY the first book of
discipline of the Old Scotch Church 'it apper-
taineth to the people and to every several con-
gregation to elect their pastor, and this, by
section / of chapter Is of our constitution, is
the law of the Church to-day, viz. when any
probGtioner shall have preached so much to
the satisfaction of any congregation as that the
people appear prepared to elect pastor the
session shall take measures to convene them
for this purpose"
Under this clause of our constitution it has
been decided by our assembly that il is the
duty of the session when a congregation is
vacant to use their best endeavors to promote
the settlement of pastor in the same, in the
speediest manner possible consistently with
the peace, order and edifcation of the congre-
cation. This being the case, what is there to
prevent the session from calling meeting of
the congregation to decide upon the manner of
selecting pastor for their vacant pulpit; and
when assembled and properly organized what
is there to prevent the congregation from de-
Gliding that a committee of, say, seven persons
shall be selected from its number, without
previous nomination. that each person entitled
to vote shall vote for seven persons, and when
the polls are closed TIE seven persons having
majority of all the votes cast shall be the COM
mittee to recommend some suitable person
TO the congregation, when they shall have
UNANIMOUSLY agreed upon some one for this
purpose. None of the rights of the congrega-
tion have been surrendered-they still retain
the right to hear the probationer preach and to
call, when satisfied with his quallncatlons.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
What then is the use of the committee7 1t
is-in the language of the General Assem- bly,
"to promote the settlement of a pastor in the
speedIest manner possible consistently with
the peace, order and edifcation Of the congre-
CATION"
Can a committee promote this settlement
more speedily than the congregation? Most
Presbyterian usage that in the selection of a
minister his manners, conversation and
life, as well as his doctrine and know-
edge. are to be examined into. This
action is concerned, to mean: First-"W hole
some doctrine and ability to instruct the SIM
pie; that he he walks in the presence Of God SO
may be multiplied into him; and In the pres
ence of man SO soberly and uprightly that his
life may confirm in the eyes of men that which
by tongue and word he persuaded into Others"
Second-"That as pastor he shall be able to at
tend upon his own charge and vocation to the
comfort and edifieation of the flock committed
to him. and thrd-"It has been determined
that because a man may be fit for some places,
it does not follow that he is meet for others;
that the principal places are to be provided
with men of most worthy gifts, and are not to
accept of greater charge than they are able
to discharge. Indeed when a minister is en-
dowed with prudence and hath love and respect
from his people, greater charge will De easier
to him than another"
To investigate into these qualifications in
ministers is the object of the committee. To
do this the committee must go to points where
the congregation cannot by possibility be ex-
pected to go, hear preaching. inquire into
character, abilities ETC., and if satisfied hold a
conference with the brother. satisfy him that
they intend to recommend him unanimously,
and no doubt he will be called, if he will COM
ply with the terms of the constitution, preach
before the people of that particular congrega-
tion. His consent being had, the brother
breaches; he sees the field, feels his position,
and if the congregation is satisfied, the men,
bers express themselves SO to the committee,
who request the session to call a congregational
meeting to hear report from their committee,
and if the way be clear, to call pastor
CANDIDATES ALWAYS READY.
The meeting being called and properly Or
ganized call is made and the work is DONE
which would perhaps not have been done for
months yet to come without a committee and
1t might be (without such committee) candi-
dates-and l am sorry to say there are hun
dreds tha are ready to act such-would be
allowed in the pulpit; the people would become
distracted and divided in opinion and lead to a
division of the church.
1es, the selection of a committee to recon-
mend pastor is Presbyterian, is orderly and
promotive of the selection OF pastor in the
Epeediest manner possible.
The question. however, as propounde5 NAV
be somewhat more difficult to answer: still /
think it would be Presbyterian in theory. if not
I'm practice. For find by the act of Assembly
August 4 l649, Church of Scotland that il was
enacted that it doth properly belong TO the
session of the church as the representatives of
the congregation 10 look out for a fit person
TO be their pastor" If that was good law
then, why not now? The session is declared to
be so fitted for the work because not of their
representative capacij Y from on high butas rep-
resentatives of the people. This being so, would
not committee specially selected for the pur-
pose subserve the ends of the congregation
better than the session. the members of which
would not have been selected had that end
been in view upon being selected as elders
This plan, however, has not been satisfactory
in practice in Scotland. The session in many
churches, and it may be in all for aught 1
know, recommend, but it is with the people to
call or decline.
In conclusion would say, however that if a
congregation see proper to appoint special
committee TO select pastor, can see nothing
un-Presbyterian in ii and should think it might
work well in many churches practically. Seven
men of different minds, education and makeup
will most likely cover all the peculiarties of a
congregation, and when unanimous in the se-
lection of a minister would more than likely
satisfy the whole congregation.
The opinion OF a majority of those present |
was that while there are objections to this |
method, as well to all Others still 1t is wise
plan not only for the committee to recommend |
to the congregation but really TO complete the |
much better than to have candidate after can |
didate preach Sunday after Sunday as samples. /
and then the last one to be chosen, because they
are weary Of SO many changes.
Church Notes.
WEST JERSEY Presbytery 80 for ssrevi sion, l6 |
against. |
DR.. W. FREY, late of Brandonville, W. Va,
died Fehruarv Ia