The Natchitoches enterprise., 1921-10-20

Rev. j. S. Shann0n's Ordina-
ton Endorsed by Council
Natchitoches, La, Sept. %, 1921.
On the above date an Exparte C0un-
Gil met with the First Baptist Church,
No. l. Natchitoches, louisiana, at the
request of Rev. ]. S. Shannon. This
council was held in this church with
her consent. This council was called
bv Rev. Jesse S. Shannon because the
question of his having been properly
ordained had been called in question
and declared bogus and null and void.
The council was further called to dis
cuss and advise as to the authority of
the association over ministers, deacoDs
and members of churches. The council
was composed of Rev. Ezra K. Shuts
(white), pastor of the Natchitoches
Baotist church, and Rev. Ben }. How
ard. of the New Zion Baptist church,
Powhattan, La. The council met as
ner invitation at ten q. m. Sept. q.
1921.
As to the ordination of Rev. Jesse 8.
Shannon, the council is of the follow
ing opinion: The ordaining council
which ordained Rev. Shannon was
called regularly by the church Of which
he was a member and by said church
were asked to take up the matter of
his ordination and if found worthy they
were to ordain him. While the council
does not deem it absolutely essential
to ordination, yet it appears that there
was in sight and hand work Rev. Shan
non was expected to do, and work
which would require his being ordained.
The only authority this council knows
Of al being competent to pass on this
question was the church he was
member of and the ordaining council.
Both Of these believed he should be
ordained. The ordaining council or
presbytery was composed of five regu
larry ordained ministers. This appears
from the records Of the meeting held
70 ordain. From the records of the
church Of which Rev. Shannon was and
10 member, and from the record left
by the presbytery, this council believes
that Rev. shannon was duly and prop
erly ordained, and a. further evidence,
he had ordination papers properly made
out and signed by the presbvtery who
ordained him. It il the opinion of this
council that the right and power to
ordain to. the Gospel ministry is vested
in the local church and that since this
is true, it is equally true that only the
local church of which minister is q |
member can nulify or call in his ordina- |
ton papers. No association nor con-
vention has this right or power. II an
association or convention has griev-
ance or believes q minister unworthy.
then they should cali . common council
with the church Of which said minister
10 q member and after full and thor
ouRh investigation advise the church
10 to the action this common council
would recommend. The church could
then take up the matter and decide on
its course as to the Brother. But in
no case is the church forced to act as
advised. There is no authority above
4 regularly organized Baptist church
and New Testament church. ANY
action of an association as to the ordt-
nation of . minister can not affect his
,r any other local church. He is still
IN ordained minister. The association
8 q man-made institution and the
church is Divine, of Christ. Since ,
his is true, the association has no
,ower other than that delegated to it |
" the churches. and this is only as
matters affect the association.
As to the right Of the association to I
evy assessments or dues, this is, or
'ught to be, easily adjusted. If the
'ssociation says you shall pay certain
um or you shall not be 9 member Of
he association, this is valid, but in no
vay nor sense does it effect your
landing in your local church. It is \
nth you to pay or not to pay, and the +
ssociation can take Whatever action :
sees fit as to your standing in the
but your local church il :,
he power to which you must answer in 2
II things. This council questions the 2
,isdom and right to make laws for e
living. The Old Testament law per n
APPS passed, but it is new voluntary n
nd ought to be no less than the tiths. il
% be sure no religious body can runI
ing and far without money, and wise
leans ought to be devised For securingl
1ts money, and then at the end Of
ach year at least there ought to be an
for every cent 20 paid in.
he churches and individuals have q Z
ght to know what has been done with y
le money collected. Every cent y
lould b accounted for. ~
II oil the brethren will bear in mind y =.
10 fact that the local church il the =
" New Testament organization with - :.
lthority, it will help u to know cur :!
FUNDS better. In Ill Of the New "
estament writings it il the Church.
lohrAn 0f m having aythnrifv II "a
'iviEg members, in ordainin9 minis
70, OF deacons, in disciplinine mem
~, in administering the ordinances,
10 always the CHURCH.
EZRA. K. SHUTS, Moderator.
BENZ. HOWARD, Clerk. g