Milford chronicle., 1912-11-15

Brooklyn and the other congregation
in London choose 10 OTdain or appoln
me their Pastor, it is wholly a matter
of their own what ceremonies, If any
shall accompany that ordination OF ap
pointment. Who can dispute this? NJ
ProI5z$ant denomination. surely; fOl
their own ordinations are on this basis
"Not Of Men, Nor by Man."
The entire subject of ordination OF
ministers Of the Gospel seems to have
fallen into confusion during the shut
filings of the Dark Ages, and few seem
to have gotten fully back to the Bible
teachings on this subject as on other
subjects. St Paul Is particular in en-
phasizing the fact that he did not re-
ceive his commission rs preacher and
Apostle of Christ from his brother
Apostles He distinctly declares him
self an Apostle by Divine authorize
ton. This is the general Scriptural
! principle underlying Divine Ordination
to the ministry of Christ
Before we proceed with an expOsi-
ton Of the Bible teaching on Divine
Ordination, it will not be improper for
US TO note the practical operation of the
different human organizations-of men
and by men merely.
Have all bishops Of the Catholic
Church, the Anglican Church, and the
Greek Church been models of propri-
ETY., patterns to the flock? Have all
given evidence of Divine authorization
to teach and to preach the True Cos
pei? Their staunchest yOtaries must
admit that many of them have been !
unworthy; and that from these very |
ones have proceeded doctrines and /
practlses contrary to the Word of God. |
OF what value, then, are their Ordina-
tions by men and of man? None what
everi On the contrary. the claim that
they We're Divlnely authorized, and
guided and inspired to be teachers of
the Church, helped forward the errors
which they promulgated. BY reason
Of their claimed authority TO teach.
the people believed them too implicitly
and did not sufficiently critlclse their
utterances and practiseS in the light Of
the Holy Scriptures.
How is ii today In the various Prot
estaut denominations Of ChristendOm?
Are all those who receive sectarian or
Of men and by man, benefited
thereby? Has such ordination kept
them free from wea knesses Of the flesh
to which others were exposed? Has 1t
not, on the other hand, exposed them
TO greater temptations, because they
were pedestaled by the people and
hereby injured with pride. haugbt-
less. etc? Has such ordination In .
my denomination preserved It's min
sters from doctrinal errors more than
he people, who did not have a similar I
Of men and by man: {
The answer is found ln the NAM 2
,ers who have left various de- '
nominations and ordinations TO 90 {
ntO other denominations and Ordi- e.
lations. 1T is answered also In the &
act that today the great majority of a
rdained ministers in all denOmina- l.
Ions endrely repudlate the Bible rs a II
)lP,ne Revelation. Their ordination n
I'd not protect them from our modern Il
called Higher Criticism. Tn d
er its influence they have ceased to ;
2 teachers Of Bible Christianity. and CO
ave become merely essayists. leaders 0
political and social reform and in +
work Manifestly their II
Of men and by man did not D.
Did them 10 the faith once delivered CO
the saints" dude - II dill not AS IL
ST them to appreciate tue Bible as 81
smg sufficient that the man OF God e'
ight be thoroughly furnished unto J'
cry good word and work. 81
Let us consider the matter again. III
Jm another standpoint Did any Of ki
ese human ordinations Of men and
man rmpart the Holy Spirit or give
mental illumination by which any OF
csc humanity ordained ministers were cl
alltied for preaching and teaching 70
e Lords people? The answer is. No! d
deep spirituality and as deep in II
int into the teachings of the Scrip ar
res are to be found outside Of the Or
IIpit as inside. The ordination. evil Cl
ntly, brought no enlightenment. no fu
t of the Holy Spirit-the thing 20
owe all needed by those who would co
lch others and exnOund the Gospel tn
lin
Has Served Bad Purpose. re-
The ordination of ministers. OF men sic
d by man. has been Injurious in that ms
has perpetuated the misconceptiOn er.
lt the Church Is divided into two tn,
sSes-clergy and laity. The ordained ter
We been Injured by being puffed up to He
1pose themselves Of higher caste thi
IN their brethren. The unordained
We been injured in that human ordi- Tr
ion has helped to befog their minds en-
respect to the real Ordna ton Thus no
"laity' have been hindercd from ev
ering upon the very service whicb h tef
d intended should be their CHEZ aim ba,