IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) v n ^ «// A ^^^ Photographic CorpoMon 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTlR.N.T. i4SSS (716) 873-4503 "^ ^ ^\ rv^ O^^' ^ ^^1,- (K« CIHM/ICMH Microfiche CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadii Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques :\ '^ T Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa rachniquaa at bibliographiquaa Tha Instituta hea attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy available for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibiiogrophicaily uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha reproduction, or which may significantly change the uaual method of filming, are checked below. r~7| Coloured covera/ L__J Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D □ D D Couverture endommagie Covers restored end/or laminated/ Couverture restaur4e et/ou pediculie I — I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured meps/ Cartes gtegraphiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. othar than blue cr black)/ Encra de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur □ Boun Relii Bound with other material/ avec d'autras documents D Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le lomg de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certainea pagea blanchea ajoutiea lors d'une rastauration apparaiaaent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cala Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas it* filmias. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires- L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur axemplaire qu'il lui a it* postibla de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui aont peut-itre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une imege reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la mithode normele de fiimage sent indiquis ci-dassous. I — I Coloured peges/ Pagea de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagies □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restauries et/ou pellicuiies ry[ Pagea discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages dicolories, tacheties ou ptquies □Pages detached/ Pages ditachies r~Kshowthfough/ U—J Transparence □ Quality of print varies/ Qualiti inigale de I'imprassion □ Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matiriel supplimentaire □ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible □ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les peges totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peluro, ate. ont M filmies k nouveau de faqon i obtenir la mailleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ca document est filmi au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X XX y [ TTV I [^1 1 i 12X itx aox 24X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed h«r« has b—n raproducsd thanks to tho ganarosity of: L'axamplaira filmi fut raproduit grAca A la ginirosit* da: Archives of Ontario Toronto Tha imagaa appaaring hara ar%i tha baat quality possibia eonsidaring tha condition and lagibiiity of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha filming contract spacificationa. Archives of Ontario Toronto l.aa imagaa suivantas ont itt raproduitaa avac l« plua grsnd soin, compta tanu da la condition at da la nanat* da l'axamplaira film*, at an conformitA avac laa conditiona du contrat da flimaga. Original copias in printad papar covars ara fllmad beginning with tha front eovar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or iliuatratad impraa- sion, or tha back covar whan appropriate. All otheir original copiaa ara filmad beginning on the first paga with a printed or illustrated impraa- sion, and anding on the laet page with a printad ur illustrated impression. Las axempleires originaux dont la couvartura en papier eat imprimAe sont filmte en commenpant par la premier plat at en terminant soit par la dat niire page qui comporte une ampreinte d'Impreaaion ou d'lilustration. soit par la second plat, selon le ees. Tous las sutres axempiaires originaux sont fiimis an commr^ni^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une cmpreinte dimpreeaion ou d'illuatration at an terminent per la demiire page qui comporte une telle Offlpreints. The laat recorded frame on eech microfiche shell contain the symbol — ^(meening "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meening "END"), whichever appiiaa. Un dee symboiee suivants apparoitra sur la demiAre image (ie cheque microfiche, selon I caa: le symboke — » signif ie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifle "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratioa. Those too lerge to be entirely included in one expoaura are filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framee aa required. The following diagrama illustrate tha method: L«e cartMi, planches, tabieeux, etc.. peuvent dtra filmte A dee taux de rMuction diffArents. Lorrque le document est trop grand pour dtra rep iduit en un seui ciichA, il est filmA A partir de {'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche k droite, et de heut en baa, en prensnt le nombre d'Images n^essaira. Las diagrammes suivants iilustrcnt la m^thoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^2> SUGGESTIONS / TO CANADIAN BAPTIST CHURCHES, S PASTORS, AND DEACONS. BY E. A. FYFE. I < I ■# ^1 i I Toronto: PRINTED AT THE " CANADIAN BAPTIST' OFFICE; 1866. J: 'F ] T SUGGESTIONS TO CANADIAN . BAPTIST CHURCHRS;, PASTORS, AND DEACONS.. BY E. A. FYFE. Woxanta: PRINTED AT THE ;" CANADIAN BAPTIST" OFFICE. 18^6. a t] ti 1] n P s: 8 E PREFACE. Early last autumn, when queries, complaints, and replies were appearing in the columns of the Baptist^ indicating considerable dissatisfac- tion in the churches with the practical work- ing of our church polity, I resolved to publish my views of the remedy for these evils ; but the pressure of my official duties has hitherto pre- vented me from doing so. I did indeed occa- sionally make meinoranda, but I was unwilling to publish what I had to say in the denomina- tional paper, because this subject presented in such a fragmentary way could not produce the desired impression, and moreover would in that form be likely to provoke controversy. I offer my '* Suggestions*' in a connected form at the present time, in the hope that they may be read by my brethren ; that they may help to uiifol''. what the Word of God teaches on the subjects referred to ; and that God may bless them, to the establishment of his people in the truth, and in the spirit of Christian love. R. A. FYFE. Wooddock^ Aprils 1S66. i'»>f SUGGESTIONS TO CANADIAN BAPTIST CHURCHES, PASTORS, AND DEACONS. If we would appreciate the excellence or adaptedness of the system of church govern- ment sketched for us by the pen of inspiration, we must first take into consideration the char- acter and circumstances of the people for whom it was intended. We do not now need to prove that there must be an adaptation between a sys- tem of government and the people on whom it is imposed, else it cannot wo^^k well. The most perfectly framed, and carefully guarded constitution, might be entirely above the people for whom it was designed, and hence it would be either worthless, or mischievous ; while another scheme might be, in its legal aspects, very defective and loose, and yet work well among those who do not require many specific restraints — who are, as it were, " a law unto themselves." It is, then, of the very greatest importance that we should have clearly before us the materials of which a 'New Testament church must be built, when we are enquiring, what is the government of such a church ? what 6 DESCRIPTION OP A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCIf. are her executive officers ? and what are their duties ? More particularly is this important, because when w^e have before us the character of the membership, we have indirectly suggest- ed to us the duties of ^N'ew Testament church oificers, and the means by which their duties are mainly discharged. Description of a New Testament Church, A church of Christ is a company of people who have been baptized on a profession of their faith, who from a sense of duty to their Saviour have united together for mutual edification, to celebrate the ordinances of the New Testament, and to maintain the preaching of the gospel not only among themselves, but as far as their means can extend it. The members must be first converted to God. They must repent, believe, and be baptized, and then be added to the church. See Acts 2 : 38, 41. 8 : 12, &c. Everywhere in the ISTew Testament they are spoken of as "saints," as "sanctified," as " holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly call- ing," as " kings and priests unto God." They have " passed from death unto life,"— they " have been delivered from the power of dark- ness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son." They have " been made partakers THEIR RELITIOK TO GOD. • of the divine nature,"— they " are the temple of the Holy Spirit." These are only a few of the expressions which are used to describe church members. Let us turn for a moment to see what is expected of these highly honored individuals. Their Belation to God. Their relation to God is thus spoken of by the Apostle Peter, " Ye are a chosen genera- tion, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; thai ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of dark- ness into his marvellous light." 1 Pet. 2 : 9. See also Ephesians 1 : 12 ; 2:7, &c. They are elsewhere said " tp be adopted into the family of God," and they are made heirs to the inherit- ance of sons. They " are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." They are called the witnesses of God. These, and a multitude of other passages of a similar import, indicate those duties and privileges of the Christian which arise out of his relations to God. The Belations of the Members to Each Other, Let us now turn our attention for a few mo- ments to those duties and obligations of church members which arise out of their relations to 8 THE RELATIONS OP THB MEMBERS TO BACH OTHER. each other. In Eph. 4 : 1-3, Paul addresses ihem thus, " I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, heseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all low- liness and meekness, with long suffering, for- bearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." h chur(3h members would take home to their own hearts this touching, and specific entreaty of the inspired apostle, how easy would it be for a pastor to govern such ? And ought not members to apply :o themselves these in- spired instructions ? If they fail to do so, should they not have such lessons pressed upon them again and again by their teachers ? Phil. 1 : 27. " Only let your Conversation''^ (con- duct) " be as becometh the gospel of Christ ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving toge- ther" (not against each other) " for the faith of the gospel." Join with this passage. Col. 3 : 12, 13, 14, " Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,' long suffering: forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quar- THE RELATIONS OF THE MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER. 9 rel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all tilings put on chari- ty, which is the bond of perfectness." Let the reader now turn and peruse prayerfully that magnificent chapter, the 13th of 1st Corin- thians, every line of which is binding upon the church member, and is throbbing with life. "Would it be difficult to govern a church com- posed of people possessing the spirit enjoined in the foregoing passages ? The requirements of these scriptures are enforced by every thing which should most strongly influence the Christian. The inspired writers dwell with a peculiar unction and fulness on the manner in which the members of Christ should treat each * other, and on the spirit which they should con- stantly cherish. We are so liable to engage, even in our religious duties, in our ov/n spirit, rather than in the spirit of Christ, that inspi- ration has given us line upon line, precept upon precept, to guard us against this danger. It seems wonderful that persons all originally under the same condemnation, and now pro- fessedly members of the saine body, which derives its life and energy from the one Divine Head, should be so slow to learn the lessons which grow out of the very heart of their reli- 10 THE RELATIONS OF -THE MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER. I . gion ! The pen of inspiration has, in a sense, labored to set before us in their true light our duties toward each other as church members and to urge us to their performance. Hear what Paul farther says in Phil. 2 : 1-4, " If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye may be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind : Let nothing bo done through strife or vain glory : but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Again, Romans 12 : 10, " Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honor preferring one an- other." " Submitting yourselves one to another in the fe-r of God."— Eph. 5 : 21. Lastly, Peter expresses himself on this point thus, 1st Peter 5 : 5, " Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." " Such are some of the duties which church members owe to each other, and such is the THE POWERS OT THE CHURCH. 11 spirit in which these duties are to be per- formed. The Powers of the Church, Let us notice very briefly the powers which the !N"ew Testament confers upon the churches composed of such people as we have described: (a) They have the sole power to receive new members to their fellowship. Eomans 14 : 1, 15: 1, 7, and 2 Cor. 2: 1-11. [h) They alone can exclude unworthy mem- bers. 1 Cor. 5 : 3-5. 2 Cor. 2:6. 1 Cor. 5 : 2, 7. Also 9, ll/l3, &c. (c) They have the sole right to regulate their own financial affairs. They can contribute what they think best, and for such purposes as they choose. I^o man, nor body of men, can dictate to the members on this subject. This is clear from what Peter said to Ananias, and also fro^ Paul's letter to the Corinthians, in which he mentions the church of Macedonia. 2 Cor. 8 : 1, &c. (d) They have the right to elect their own officers, as we sec from Acts 6 : 3, and 14 : 23. These elements are all which are essential to the idea of an independent church. To re- fr I ii t 12 PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM THE PRECEDING REMARKS. ceive and discipline its own members ; to raise and appropriate its own funds ; to clioose (and of course dismiss, for the one involves the other) its own officers, were so clearly exercised by the churches far into the second century, that the best ecclesiastical historians all admit the independency of the churches in the early ages. Practical Lessons from the preceding Bemarks, Several important inferences very clearly follow from the foregoing scriptural statement of the materials of which (churches are com- posed ; of the duties which church members owe to God and to each other ; and of the spirit which must animate them. (1) Whenever any difficulties spring up in a church, it is evident that some of the members must have sinned against the clear teachings of God's word — teachings quite as clear, and quite as important (at least to the individual Christian) as any which relate to the positive institutions or ordinances of God's house. And the proper course for the members to pursue in such cases is to ask, " Lord, is it I ?" Each should examine himself before God, to ascer- tain whether he has not erred, and departed PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM THE PRECEDING REMARKS. 13 from the conduct and spirit enjoined in the New Testament. (2) We see that no kind nor number of eccle- siastical rules or regulations could cure the difficulties of a church such as the New Testa- ment describes. Ecclesiastical rules might silence the disputants, or turn them out of the church ; but they could not restore moral tone to the erring, nor awaken the right spirit in him who has departed from the " mind which was in Christ." For this reason, perhaps, God has not seen fit to make laws very prominent in his church. He designed not merely to rule men in some way, but in such a way that the moral disease should be removed, and that the patient should be saved. Hence the clear and oft repeated inculcations of the spirit of Christ upon all members of churches. No amount of orthodoxy — nothing can make up for the want of this spirit. (3) We see also, if such be the materials of w^hich the church is composed, and if such be the obligations laid on the membership, then whoever presides over such a people, wields nearly all hispoicer over them, as a teacher, rather than as an ecclesiastical officer. His power will almost entirely depend upon his skill and 14 THE OFFICERS OF A CHURCH 07 CHRIST. ability in enforcing the obligations which have been laid upon them by the Head of the Church. A people, such as the Scriptures describe, do not require stringent laws or regulations. God has said to them. Such are your relations to me, and to your brethren. These are the duties which you must perform, and this is the spirit which you must exhibit. If they will not heed this, they give evidence that they are none of his. " If ye love me, keep my command- ments." The Christian teacher is sustained by God's authority in enforcing these things. If men will not heed him, when uttering the words of the Master and appealing to his authority, he must treat them as hef.then men and publicans. Having thus briefly spoken of Christian churches, and of the privileges and obligations of their membership, we would now consider the classe of officers which are essential to the practical working of the organizations which we have described. The Officers of a Church of Christ. The direct testimony of Scripture on this point can be very briefly stated ; but the indi- rect lessons of the Kew Testament, and the THE OFFICERS OF A CHURCH OF CHRIST. 15 fair inferences which we are permitted to draw from what is clearly taught, cannot be dis- missed so easily. We therefore wish to state, as briefly and clearly as we are able, the results to which we have been led by careful study of this subject. Before stating the definite teach- ing of the New Testament on the point under consideration, preliminary remarks seem to be required. When we turn to the earliest records of the development of Christian life, we can- not fail to see that many of the phenomena seem to be of an incidental, or rather, tempo- rary character. Much there t^as in the form and development of the churches which was extraordinary. In Phil. 1:1, we learn, for example, that churches in those days (A.D. 62) had" bishops and deacons," but the church formed at Jerusalem had no deacons for some time. Then, in Ephesians 4 : 11, we have a list of the church officers which Christ intend- ed first to bestow on the churches when he ascended. When we compare these passages with 1 Cor. 12 : 28, we find a slight diversity ; and a very much wider diversity when we com- pare them with 1 Cor. 12 : 8-10. If these vari- ous statements are set by the side of 1 Tim. 8 ; 1-13, we are still more deeply impressed with 16 l( , !! I f THE OFFICERS OP A CHURCH OF CHRIST. the diverse representations of ^Scripture with reference to the laborers in the church of Christ. How are we to explain these apparent discrepancies ? We explain them thus : we go back to the day of Pentecost, and witness the wonderful manifestations of the Spirit; we read the record of the various churches which were formed subsequently, and find similar manifestations. We go down to Corinth, and find the gifts which the Corinthians possessed namod in 1 Cor. 12 : 8-10, and we draw this conclusion, that much of the work done in the early churches was done by "gifted members,'* rather than by gifted oflicials, and it was of an extraordinary character. The members in those days were endowed with the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, and they " brought all their tithes into the storehouse of God, and there was meat in his house." Many greatly err in supposing that all the miraculously endowed laborers who are named, were so many classes of officials which the Lord meant to perpetuate. Such overlook the extraordinary character of the first Christian development we read of, and also overlook the length of time during which the work partook of this character. In Ephesians 4 : 11, we learn that when Christ THB OPflCBRS OF A CHUBCH OP OHBIST. 17 ascended, he gave gifts unto men—" Some apostles, and some prophets, and some evan- gelists, and some pastors and teachers." And in the 13th verse of the same chapter, we learn that the mode of supplying these laborers was designed only to be temporary,— " r. Hackett, in his com- mentary on Acts, seems to favor Neander'^ view. He speaks of a " college of presbyters.'' It would not be difficult to show that Nean- 24 QUAUriOAIIONS OP AH ELDJSE OR BISHOP. der's theory is all but inconceivable, even as a practical reality. And, indeed, he admits enough to make his theory valueless. For ex- ample, he admits that in large cities "portions of the members sometimes formed separate assemblies ;" but to guard this admission, he adds, " but they did not by so doing separate rrom the great whole !" We cannot in reality hold that this " coun- cil or « college of elders" was essential to the proper organization of a Christian church without at the same time denying that there • was really any church in the house of Phile- mon or Aquilas. Our view of the subject is, that the plurality of elders which we find re- corded, arose out of the circumstances of the early churches ; and it is not to be regarded as essential to the proper organization of the church of Christ. If our circumstances require more elders than one, by all means let us have them, but not otherwise. We agree much more nearly with Dr. Kist than with Dr. Meander. Qualifications of an EUer or Bishop. What, then, is the character, and what are the duties required of a bishop or elder ? " 1 bishop must be blameless, the husband of one THE MUTUAL RELATIONS OP PASTOR AND PEOPLE. 25 wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach ; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre ; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous ; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity ; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God ?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. More- over, he must have a good report of them which are without ; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." 1 Tim. 3 : 1-7. With this, Titus 1 ; 6-9 verses should be read. Here we have an inspired writer's description of the social and religious character of a Christian bishop or elder. The Ifutual Eelations of Pastor and People. The union which is formed between the man thus characterized in Scripture, and the people of his charge, is tender and sacred. Every- where, in the New Testament the relations between pastor and flock are represented as peculiarly elevated. Ministers " watch for souls as they who must give account." Ileb. 13 ; 17. " They are jealous over them" (their 26 THE MUTUAL RELATIONS OP PASTOR AND PEOPLE. if III people) "with a godly jealousy." 2 Cor. 11:2. " For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ ?" 1 Thes. 2 : 19. They " feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind ; I^either as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5 : 2-3. On the other hand, the members are addressed as follows, " Know them w^ho labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. Esteem them highly in love, for their work's sake." 1 Thes. 5 : 12-13. When we bear in mind the high and holy work which the minister has to perform, summed up as follow^s, " that we may present every man per- fect in Christ Jesus," Col. 1 ; 28, (see also Eph. 5 : 27 ; 2 Cor. 11 : 2, &c.) can we sup- pose that under frequent changes of pastors there is a just appreciation of the magnitude of this work ? The minister subject to fre- quent changes must forget that he is exp acted to do this great work, and the churches must forget that they require it to be done. To " present a people perfect before God," to train up efficient, faultless servants for THE ELDER IN THE PULPIT. 27 Christ, eacli in his own sphere in life, requires time, skill, patience, and prayer. The pastoral relation is not one of mere convenience, any more than marriage is. It is founded in a deep and abiding mutual respect and love. It is a relation instituted by the great Head of the Church ; and he has given full directions both to pastors and people how they are to treat each other. And woe to the church, woe to the minister where the true spiritual and lasting nature of this tie is overlooked, or severed for trifles. Ministers watch over and feed the church of God. They must by word and ex- ample build up the membership in the faith, and continually labor to present every man perfect before God. Col. 1 : 25-29. The Elder in the FulpiL The whole New Testament gives great prom- inence to preaching ; and Paul, in his solemn charge to his son Timothy, stirs our hearts with the emphasis which he places upon this work, '' Preach the gospel ; be instant in sea- son, out of season." And the theory among all intelligent Baptists is, that preaching is the minister's great work. Whatever a minister may be called to do, he must never subordi- 28 PASTORAL VISITINO. nate his preparation for the pulpit to it. True, in some cases, ministers, from the necessity of engaging in secular employments to support their families, cannot devote time properly to prepare for the pulpit ; but churches which do not support their pastors have no right to expect that all the time and energies of the pastor will be devoted to them. But when ministers "give themselves to their work," they must study and read, that they may bring beaten oil into the sanctuary. They should set apart time for preparation ; and their people, if they would be edified or profited, must not, except in cases of shere necessity, interfere with this. He has to unfold the doctrines of God's word in their relations to each other, in their relations to truth in general, in their relations to the pre- cepts and promises of the Bible. In discuss- ing these, he must have reference to the differ- ent classes and ages of his hearers, and to the times and seasons in which he may be living. In short, he must prayerfully, thoroughly, and intelligently prepare for his work in the pulpit. * Pastoral Visiting, One great disturber of the studious minister is the relative claim which many set up for SPECIAL EPFORTS OB PBOTRACTED MEETINGS. 2» pastoral visiting. The people claim much of this, and some would have the minister always at their houses, in the way of social visiting. It is impossible to adjust this matter, so as to suit all ; and as there is no law laid down in the word of God on this subject, the pastor must be the ultimate judge of how much time he can spend in visiting his people. He is bound to do all the good he can. If he thinks he can be most useful, religiously, by visiting much, ^let him pursue that plan ; if he thinks he can do most good by studying more, let him do so. A pastor must visit to some extent, if he would get acquainted with his people ; the only question is. How much of his time should he devote to this work ? Of this, we say, he must be the ultimate judge. In any event, he should make his visits pastoral in their charac- ter ; that is, have if possible religious services connected with them. Special Efforts or Froiraded Meetings, Ministers often labor long without apparent success in converting men. Then they are dis- couraged and leave, or are tempted to adopt measures of questionable propriety to awaken attention ; and many of our most highly es- 30 8PBCIAL EFFORTS OR PROTRACTED MEKTINQS. 11' teemed ministers have shrunk away from " pro- tracted meetings," because of excesses in former days. But whatever may be said in favor of the theory " that Christians should always be alive," and that " gradual additions to the church are preferable," &c., it is certain that the facts in Christian history do not accord with such theories. There have always been " special" efforts in times of great reli- gious success. The gospel spread at first by the repetition of " protracted prayer meetings," and " protracted preaching meetings." The philosophy of this is simple and clear. The impressions which are made on the Sabbath are very often obliterated during the week ; where- as, in a "protracted meeting" the truth is held up before the mind, until it produces, by the blessing of God, its legitimate effect. We would guard these special seasons for prayer and preach- ing from the abuses which custom may have handed down, but we would make such efforts in each church every two or three years. Let a pastor send for a congenial neighboring pastor, to help him for a few weeks, and let him return the service in kind. Thus, a minister who has been faithfully sowing the seed for two or three years, endeavors by extra exertions to gather THE PASTOR IN THE CHCBCH MEETING. 31 in the harvest. We heartily helieve in such efforts, wisely conducted ; and think thf.t had our ministers generally adopted such measures, crreater success would have followed their labors, than has been witnessed during the last eight or ten years. • The Pastor in the Church Meeting, The elder or pastor is chairman, by virtue of his office, in every church meeting. Kefusing to grant him. this place, is tantamount to de- posing him from his office. He is " the leader" among his people. Heb. 13 : 17. A chairman, in the most ordinary affairs, has a right to be informed respecting the business to be intro- duced at the meeting. So the pastor should be informed beforehand in respect to everything which is to be brought up at the church meet- ing. He cannot prevent any member from bringing up, in an orderly manner, any sub- ject which that member may desire to intro- duce ; but he can insist on being told before- hand what is to be brought up or discussed. Whenever we fail in our respect for our chair- man, we fail in our respect for ourselves. If any man cannot be respected as chairman, he should be put out of the office as soon as possi- 82 THE PASTOR IN THB CHURCH MEETING. ble ; for wo, as a meeting, must partake of the treatment to which our chairman is subjected. But the pastor is more than mere chair- man of the meeting ; he is also teacher and leader. Hence, he has not only the right to preside, but to explain and enforce any, or all of the measures which may come up for the action of the Church. He may not argue or debate the subject with the members, but he may explain the subject itself, and the duty of the people with reference to it. Throughout he should remind his people (if they should forget it for a moment) what they profess to be, and in what spirit they must act towards each other; and he himself should be imbued with the spirit of Christ. Perhaps it is not necessary to remark, farther, that every religious enterprise in the church should be under the general supervision of the pastor. The Bible Class, the Sabbath School, the Missionary Organizations, &c., i&c.,— he has the oversight of them all, including the work of all the officers of the church. But in all these, his oversight is fraternal, simple, and God-fearing. He has no right to dictate to any one, but affectionately enforce by word and example the spirit of Christ, and the duties THK BISHOP on ELDER RULES. 83 :e of the bjected. chair- her and [•iglit to or all of 3 action debate le may ' of the lout he i forget 3e, and . other; ith the ^arther, church L of the School, c, — he ng the But in le, and bate to J word duties of the Christian as set before men in the Word uf God. The Bishop or Elder Rules. The bishop or elder should rule the church. Nothing is clearer from Scripture than this. See 1 Tim. 5 : IT ; Hebrews 13 : T, IT. Some have strangely endeavored to make an official distinction between teaching elders and rulmg elders. There may be a very wide difference in the talent for ruling, possessed by differ- ent men, as there is a wide difference m re- spect to other talents ; but it is clear, from the qualifications required in Timothy that all bishops are to be apt to teach, and they should « rule well ;" that is, the same work is requir- ed of all The offensiveness of the term ruhng arises from a misapprehension in respect to the nature of the authority claimed by the "ruler. I^^ecclesiastical or moral ? The truth seems to be, that nearly the whole of an elder s ruling must be through the subject matter of his teachinsc, combined with his personal character, SrrulS by presenting the truth in the n^m^^^ ofaod What other means has lie ? He must rule by moral influence, or hy force. But force L out of the question. His ruling is therefore 84 TUB BISHOP OR BLDIR RULES. through the truth spoken in love. He must know how to present the doctrines, the duties, and the promises contained in Scripture ; and these are the means by which he must influ- ence his people. He can remind them of the character which they are required to possess ; and this is one of his strong vantage grounds ; for the people, so long as the pastor confines himself to the teaching of God's word, are bound to obey him. God requires this of them ; ancj when they refuse obedience, they not only sin against their pastor, but against God. The ISTew Tes- tament is the great statute book for both pastor and people. If the elder clearly departs from God's word, in anything he requires, the peo- ple are not bound to obey him. It is only within the inspired statute book that both are bound. If a man possesses the character which inspiration describes, then when we invite him to preside over us, w^e impliedly bind ourselves to be guided by the Kew Testament, in all things pertaining to the relation of people to pastor, while he in like manner impliedly binds himself to explain and enforce, lovingly and patiently, God's word, and submit him- self to all its requirements, so far as they rc- u MIMI8TBRB* SALARIK9. 86 i must III ties, ; and influ- 3f the Sdoss ; unds ; nfines 1, are I they gainst /Tes- pastor I from 5 peo- only th are which e him selves in all 3le to liedly ingly him- jy re- late to the duties of pastor to people. A mem- bership, such as that described in the first part of this tract, and a pastor such as is described by Timothy and Titus, cannot have much diffi- culty in working together. But when unsuitable members are hurried into the church ; when pastors shrink from the patient toil of training inexperienced mem- bers in the practice of those duties enjoined on them by the word of God ; when the elder, from timidity or other causes, fails to carry out faithfully the discipline required in the New Testament, or when he attempts to do so by ecclesiastical rules merely, we must not be surprised at the existence of difficulties or " friction" in the church. The moral element, in ruling and in discipline, is infinitely the most important. It is this which God himself uses in influencing and training men. Ministers' Salaries. On the other hand, while an elder or pastor is thus serving a people, they are bound to fur- nish him an adequate support. We ask not wealth or luxuries for our ministry, but a com- fortable and respectable subsistence. Ihe Scriptures are particularly plain on this point. 36 ministers' salaries. " The elder who rules well," in the way we have endeavored to point out, should be counted worthy of '' double honour;" that is, as the best interpreters tell us, double pay or reward. In regard to no one thing has God been more explicit than in reference to this. *' Even so hath the Lord ordained,'' See 1 Tim. 5 : 17 ; 1 Cor. 9 : 5 to 15th verse. Christ, in Matthew 10 : 10, says, " The workman is worthy of his meat." And Paul says, " Let him that is taught in the word, communicate to him that teacheth, in all goodthingb." Gal. 6 ; 6. Yery much of the present uncomfort- able feeling, as between pastors and churches, must be traced to the inadequate support given by the churches to their pastors, whether we take the term *' support" in a spiritual or temporal sense. Some churches have never yet been taught the duty of liberality. Their pastors have shrunk from continued efforts to develope this grace in the people, lest, they should be suspected of " self-seeking." And multitudes of little churches have been- organ- ized for the convenience of particular neigh- borhoods, which are too feeble to support any one. The Scriptures, however, insist that when any people partake of spiritual things THE DEACONS. 37 h from a man, he in return must partake of their carnal things. This the great Head of the Church has laid down as a law. It is not a matter of benevolence, but of simple justice, enforced by the precepts of God, and by the spirit of true religion. The custom of " hiring a minister for a year," and of reviewing and renewing the en- gagement annually, and reducing the salary to the lowest possible point, has greatly tended to desecrate the pastoral relationship, and to degrade both people and pastor. The Deacons. The next class of executive officers are the deacons, and the inspired requirements in re- card to them are as follows : " Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure con- science. And let these also first be proved, then let .hem use the office of deacon, bemg found blameless. Even so must then- wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful m all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the 38 THE DEACONS. office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 3 : 8-13. The reader may turn also to Acts 6 : 3, in this connection. If we bear in mind the work which the deacons were first chosen to perform, and remember the foregoing requirements, we shall obtain a good idea of the work of a true deacon. The geyieral object of the deaconate is to help the pastor. There cannot properly be any rivalry between the elder and deacons. They should have no aim but the good of the cause. Self should be forgotten by both, arid they should strive together for the faith of the gos- pel, and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Deacons are appointed to look after the tem- poral aft'airs of the church. For this they were first elected ; and the inspired Paul evidently contemplated this as part of their work, when he requires that *' they should not be greedy of filthy lucre." For the proper discharge of this duty, they should meet statedly with their pastor, and thoroughly prepare all the business which is to come before the church. They should not only understand what business is to come up, but how it is to be brought for- ward, and by whom. They should see that SETTLING BUSINESS DIFFICULTIES. 3» the business is properly introduced before the meeting. Difficulties have been greatly com- plicated and embittered by being brought into the church out of the gospel order, laid down in Matthew 18. Let, then, the pastor and deacons first agree about what is to come before the church, and how it should be brought up. If they cannot agree in regard to these things, it is ciuite certain that the whole church will not. SelUiiiii' Bminess DillkvJties. The// ishould nee that business difficiiUien arc settled, if at all possible, out of the church meet- ing. We give this suggestion special promi- nence, because we are quite sure our churches overlook the importance of it. Disputes about business or trading' transactions are very gene- rally brought before the whole church, and bitter feelings or misunderstandhigs and divi- sions are occasioned by these. Now, the church was designed for the mutual spiritual beneiit of its members, and not to settle intricate busi- ness difficulties. Earely indeed has a dispute . about a " line fence," or a supposed overreach in business, been settled in an open church meeting without creating sores in the body. It has been supposed that every matter must be brought before the church. This is a gTave mistake, as any one may see by reading 1 Cor. 40 SETTLING BUSINESS DIFFICULTIES. 6 : 1-7. Paul evidently teaches here that mat- ters which tlm laws of the land take coi^nizance of, that is, matters of worldly business, should be left to Christian arbitration. See 1 Cor. 6 : 5. " Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you ? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brother ?" This plainly teaches that business disputes should be left to some Christian brother or brethren, in whom we haye confidence. It seems clear, also, from many Scriptures, that the early churches met for spiritual edifi- cation, and not to spend hours in debating con- flicting interests. We therefore lay it down as a rule, that those deacons who settle out of the church meeting the greatest nuinber of dis- putes or difficulties, render the most important service to the church which appoints them. Let them report to the church that such mat- ters (if the church know of hem) have been settled ; and if they as a body feel right, they will thank the deacons for saving them from trouble, if not from danger of division. In passing, we may remark, that when' churches have difficulties which they cannot settle, they often send and call an " advisory council," to hear the case. In very many in- stances, such councils do no good. The con- DBi-CONS LABOR IN SPIRITUAL THINGS. 41 testants remain of the same opinion, and take the advice of the council if it suits them. The only " councils" which are of any value are those which are " councils of arbitration," bodies to which the parties calling them, agree to submit the case, and abide by their decision. The only " council" of which we have any record in the New Testament m.ore nearly resembled the kind of which we now speak than any other. The difficulty was submitted to the elders and apostles in Jerusalem, and their decision was binding on all parties. It would save much time and trouble, if the brethren who feel disposed to call councils, would first agree to abide by the decision of the brethren whom they invite to hear then- case. Deacons Labor in Spiritual Things. There is, however, another department of the deaconship, that is, they are to help the pastor in spiritual things. It seems to be supposed that a deacon has nothing special to do in connection with the spiritual concerns of the church. But the qualifications required of a deacon clearly imply religious work, as well as financial ; else^ why require deacons to " hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience T Why say that " he purchases to himself a good degree, and great boldness in the iaith T Deacons, then, 42 CLOSING REMARKS. are to labor in spiritual things with their pas- tor, as Grod gives them the tale* -. v^rid oppor- tunity so to do. "VYhen we reit ^ the first deacons chosen, we find that most of them were preachers: they all engaged in some spiritual work, in addition to caring for the poor, &jc. Closbig Remarks. Such are some of the characteristics of a Christian church, and such are some of the relations and duties of its pastor and deacons. In closing our suggestions, we would entreat our readers prayerfully to meditate on these things. Let us consider what manner of per- sons we ought to be, and let our elders remem- ber what they have to do, and what are the means with which they must do their work. The ecclesiastical power of the Baptist minis- ter is little or nothing : there is no denomina- tion which has less of this than we. God meant that we should be ecclesiastically weak, but morally and spiritually strong. When a Baptist church loses the spirit of the Master, He meant it should go to pieces ; but when animated by his Spirit, he meant it should be terrible as an army with banners. Few keep before them the great prominence which is given in Scripture to possessing the spirit of Chi oft spii this ren If I in sta cai firg pel CLOSING REMARKS. 43 Christ— the patient, humble, forbearing spirit of the Master. " If any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." It is m this direction that we must seek the true remedy for our church troubles : we must get more of this loving, self -for getting spirit of Jesus If at any time divisions or decay are iound in one of our churches, we are by this very State of things unerringly pointed to the true cause, and the only remedy— we have left our . first love, and we must retrace our steps, or perish.