The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-12-27

hNd0R RUSSELLJJ edltor OF 1he Co''-
- tinent, and alias,
tho Religious Rambler" Ellis claims
tbo+ Pastor Russells ordination as Pas
tor IL fraudulent. The address shows
tbot Pastor Russell fully understands
tbn situation. He fully justified his po-
sition before his vast audience and
showed up the Rambler editor In
the unenviabe light Of either being
ignorant of the subjects discussed, or
attempting to deceive the public. His
tezt was, Not Of men, neither by man,
Int by Jesus Christ, and God the Fa-
tber. who raised Him from the dead"
zeal. i, u. He said
The time has come for telling the
people what the Bible teaches respect
ing ordination to teach and preach.
The doctrine of Apostolic Succession
started in the second century A. ID.
Tile bishops claimed that they had the
same authority that Jesus gave to the
twelve Apostles. Upon this claim they
ordained the inferior clergy.
This principle is wholly unscriptural.
According to the Bible, the Church Of
Christ is not composed of two parts,
clergy and laity. Jesus declared, Gall
ye are brethren; One is your Master,
Christ" st. Paul shows that I'm the
early Church the ministers were the
servants Of the flock. They were of
the people, chosen by them by the
stretching forth of the hand.
Many of the reformers coveted the
titles accorded the Catholic clergy.
They did not care to tell the congre-
CATION that Its word was supreme, and
that its ministers were merely it's serv-
ants. Others. realizing that these d.
ties were unscriptural. declined to use
them; preferring to be called pastor.
My Bible Student associates, knowing
my objection to the title Reverend"
address ME as Pastor. am the elected
Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle
congregation. and also Of the London
Tabernacle congregation. and l fail to
see ground for criticism I'm this respect,
nor do attack Christian brethren who
accept other and unscriptural titles.
Must Pastors De Ordained2
Ordination is necessary to the Office
ofpastor The question is, What consH-
tutes an ordination to preach amongst
the people of Godt
This question has received various
answers. The Roman, Anglican and
Greek Churches, claiming Apostolic
Succession. declare that authorization
to preach must come through their
apostle bishops, and have not allowed
Protestant ministers to enter their pull
pits-until the Episcopalians, about q
year ago granted this concession. OF
course, if their proposition were cor
rect, am just as much unordained az
all other Protestant ministers-and no
more so.
Each denomination at its beginning
was opposed by all others; yet each
taught that the clergy were separate
from the laity. Only since the organ
cation Of the Evangelical Alliance
lo46l have the different sects of
Christendom acknowledged each 9TH
ers ordinations. Each denomination
makes use of such ceremonies as 1t
deems proper. If. therefore. the con-
gregation of Christian believers in
Brooklyn and London ordain or ap-
point me as their pastor. it is their
own choice what ceremonies. If any.
snail accompany that ordination. Who
can dispute this! No Protestant de-
nomination, surely; for their own Or
dlnatons are on this very basis
The subject of ordination seems to
nave fallen into confusion during the
Dark Ages. st. Paul particularly en-
phasizes the fact that he did not re-
eelVe his commission as preacher and
apostle Of Christ from his brother
apostles, but by Divine authorization.
Ihis Is the Scriptural principle underly-
ING Divine Ordination to the ministry
of Christ.
NO denomination claims that the or
uinatlon of Its ministers either made or
hept them perfect All admit that
Ao'C OCSn Sdu 1dlluE6S
tnelr ordained ministers. Neither
would they claim that ordination has
gwen their ministers superior discern
ment of Divine Truths On the con-
larE' 1t has injured the clergy by
making many of them domineering
ana lordly, contrary to the spirit and
teachings of Christ and the Apostles;
"nu the laity by leading them to con-
S,uue that merely secular matters
'nouid engage their attention
The True Ordination.
FINALLY the Pastor showed the true
orulnadon to be the importation OF the
noly Spirit Whoever receives this
uas Gods authority to be His am
uassador and mouthpiece Such show
~ work of the Holy Spirit regenerat-
tne their minds and hearts. giving
.nein insight into the Scriptures, and
en"ollhg them to be Gods mouth