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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
6^ y ^ ^
THE
DEACONS HIP:
ITS NATURE, QUALIFICATIONS, RELATIONS,
AND DUTIES.
BY R. B. C. HOWELL, D.D.
PASTOR OP THE SECOND BAPTIST CHmciI, niCn.MONT, VA.
f^lbor of "Th» Termi of Communion al Ibe Lora"* Toblp."
" Thuy that have used the office cf a Deacon well, purchase to
thoniKelTes a good degree, and great boldness in the faith wh.th
is in Christ Josus." 1 Tim. iii. 13.
?iiJ5 '^l^iiur*'!).
^;(jai-Y£5]t stretching forth tlie hand. This
is particularly mentioned of the churches in Derbe,
Lystra, Iconium, and others, planted by Paul and
Barnabas. What was true of their polity, was
certainly true of the polity of all But the princi-
ples we have now set forth are confirmed, illus-
trated, and established, by the manner of electing
the deacons pursued by the church in Jenisalem.J
The act was performed, not by tlie ministry, or
by a conference, or a session, but by " the multi-
tude of the disciples'^ — all the members — com-
posing that church. It is not competent, then, to
be done — nor is it competent tliat appointments to
any other offices, nor the exercise of any acts ol
general discipline, be done — by the pastorship, by
any number of the ministry, or any otlier body of
men; but by the church only, and by tb.at particu-
lar churcli, exclusively, in which tlie deacons are
to exercise their ofHce.
I cannot but rejoice that our churches, every
where, on this subject, and aU others of a kindred
character, are so universally jealous of their rights.
• 2 Cor. viii. 18, 19. t Acts xiv. 23. t Acts vi. 1.
62 FORMS OF ELECTION
They are determined — may that determination re-
main fiiTii for ever — that they shall not be usurped,
as tliey have been in so many of the sects around
us, and appropriated to themselves by an ambi-
tious and aspiring clergy. Let them carefully
maintain the principles of the word of God ; let
them be guided by its instructions; and, with the
truth, the favor of Jehovah, and consequent pros-
perity, they will, with their own independence,
preserve also their usefulness, and continued peace
and happiness.
When deacons are to be elected in a new
church, or when, in consultation, in one already
estabhshed, between the pastor and the members,
it has been determined that the appointment of
additional deacons is necessary, their first duty is
to receive, from their accredited teacher, full in-
structions on the whole subject. This course is
important, not only because it is that adopted and
practised by the apostles, but also because it is
necessary that, in all such cases, the members
should deliberate maturely, with a full knowledge
of the matter upon which they are about to act. A
false step in the selection of the permanent officers
of a church can seldom be retrieved, and must
always be productive of the most melancholy
AND ORDINATION. 03
consequences. Many a church has been thus
overthrown, and the cause crushed, within the
circle of its influence, for an age. In the proceed-
ings at Jerusalem — " The twelve called tlie multi-
tude of the disciples unto Uiem, and said, ll is not
reason that we should leave the word of God, and
serve tables. ^Vherefo^e, brethren, look ye out
among you seven men, of honest report, full of the
Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business, [the temporalities of the
church,] but we will give ourselves continually to
prayer, and to the ministry of the word." These
are tlie topics, and ihcir consideration should be
repeated whenever a snnilar duty is to be per-
formed. After ample time and means have been
afforded for reflection and decision, the church, as
a body, proceeds to the election. Whether the
choice at Jerusalem, which is our perpetual pre-
cedent, was made by direct vote, or by conversa-
tion and mutual agreement among themselves, is
matter of little consequence. We know, and that
is sufficient, that it was by the suffrnge of tlie
whole body, and that all elections should still be
conducted in the same manner.
The persons designated by any particular
church to the Dcaconship, must, to render them
64 FORMS OF ELECTION
eligible, be members of its own body. " Look ye
out among you seven men." This admonition
should be invariably regarded, because otherwise
they may not be sufficiently known to the mem-
bers for them to be able to judge as to their quali-
fications ; and because their duties are to be con-
fined to that one church. They cannot, without
a new appointment, exercise their office in any
other. There is their work, and there they are to
conduct themselves " as good stewards of the
manifold gi'ace of God." The property and funds
of other churches do not come into their hands,
nor, indeed, those designed for other than church
purposes. Extraordinary collections for distant
brethren and objects were, as we learn from the
apostolic history,* sent, not to the deacons, but to
the elders — the pastors — through whom they
reached their appropriate destination. During
the famine, which occurred in the reign of Clau-
dius Caesar, " the disciples, every man according
to his ability, determined to send relief unto the
brethren which dwelt in Judea ; which they did,
and sent it to the elders, by the hands of Barnabas
and Saul."
A-t a proper time after their election, the persons
* Acts xi. 29, 30.
AND ORDINATION. 65
designed for deacons are placed, by the church,
before the ministers, whose duty it is tc» appoint
them. It will doubtless be remembered, that ap-
pointment, and ordinalion, are two words ex-
pressive of the same action. The people elected
the deacons, and the ministers ordained thorn.
This fact leads me to venture a remark, in
passing, in regard to the true principles of ecclesi-
astical polity. In the government of st;ites, what-
ever its form, checks and balances between the
several departments, are, by experience, found
to be necessary to secure the interests of the
parties concerned. They have, accordingly, been
adopted by all civilized nations. In the church
of Christ they are instituted by divine autho-
rity. We have now before us a striking ex-
ample. The ministry have no right to ordain any
man to the Deaconship, not previously elected by
the church to that office. The consent of the
church is positively necessary, otherwise he
would be a deacon " at large" — having no place
in which to exercise his functions. On the other
hand, though brethren may be elected by the
church, they are still, urdess ordained by the min-
istry, not deacons. There must be a concurrence
between the church and the ministry to create the
6*
66 FORMS OF ELECTION
officer. True, they do, commonly, concur, but
not always, nor is it by any means a matter of
course. Similar checks and balances exist with
regard to the ordination of pastors and evangelists,
and the baptism of candidates for membership in
the church. Thus a double guard is thrown around
all the most important interests of the kingdom of
Messiah.
So much in regard to elections. The forms
of ordination of the first deacons — and these we
are sacredly bound always to observe — were
simple. They were set before the apostles by
the church, expressive of their own action, and the
consent and promise of the candidates to fulfil the
duties assigned them, " to the best of their know-
ledge and ability." The twelve, having approved
the choice, prayed. This was the next step.
Whether one or more led in the service, is unim-
portant. Lastly, after they had prayed, they laid
their hands on them. Thus their appointment
was finished, and they were inducted into the
Deaconship.
Whether they now received, as with us, more
special and particular instructions, in the form of
a "charge," as to their duties, and the importance
of their fidelity, we are left without particular in-
AND ORDINATION. 67
formation. Tf'e all, however, need "line upon
line," and "precept upon precept," and it cannot
be improper thus to address those who are placed
in conspicuous and responsible positions m tlie
house of God.
In this manner the election and ordination of
the deacoas were conducted and completed, and
*' the seven" entered upon their work. The most
happy results followed, and will always follow, a
similar course. " The word of God mcreased ;
and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jeru-
salem greatly ; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith."
With some of these forms, and especially the
laying on of hands, there are brethren, in different
parts of our country, who propose now to dis-
pense. They offer, as a principal reason, our
inability, by that act, to impart any virtue. The
aposdes, say they, laid their hands on the deacons
to communicate, with other endowments, " the
gift of the Holy Ghost." This we cannot do.
It is, therefore, useless, if not presumptuous, for
us to employ the forms. At first view this argu-
ment seems reasonable. It at least carries with it
the appearance of humility. When tested, how-
68 FORMS OF ELECTION
ever, it will not, I apprehend, be found unexcep-
tionable.
It is conceded that the apostles did, sometimes,
but not always, pray, and lay their hands on per-
sons for the purposes alleged. But this will be
found not to have been their design in the ordina-
tion of the deacons. In proof of this fact we
have only to recur again to the qualifications they
were required to possess to justify their election.
Among these, it will be remembered, is tlie follow-
ing :_» Men full of the Holy Ghost." They
had already, therefore, received those extraordinary
endowments, to impart which, our brethren pre-
sume, was the object of the forms in question.
Since these, then, were necessary to render them
eligible, this could not have been the object of the
apostle.
Scripture forms are never enjomed, either by
precedent or command, without some good and
benevolent reason. It is, consequently, always
important that they should be strictly observed.
If I did not know the design, I would insist, in all
cases, upon the form. But is this difficult to
ascertain? I presume not. It appears to me to
have been nothing more than the solemn bencdic-
AND ORDINATION. 09
tion, and official recognition of the officers thus
formally appointed. Of all this, it cannot be irreve-
rent for us to say, modem ministers are fully as
capable as were tlie apostles themselves. Let us,
therefore, bretliren, sedulously adhere to those
fomis, whatever tliey may be, that we find pre-
scribed in the word of God.
Thus have we considered and determined by
whom the deacons are to be elected ; the instruc-
tions to be given to the church before the election ;
the manner in which the election is to be con-
ducted ; tlie checks and balances instituted in the
government of the church ; the ordaining form ;
the charge to be given after ordination ; and the'
duty of adhering, in this and all other cases, strictly
to apostolic usage.
70 THE DUTIES
CHAPTER IV.
THE GENERAL DUTIES OF DEACON'S.
Not to preach. — Not to administer ordinances. — Not to
govern, except in their own department. — They are
placed over temporal affairs. — Their relation to the
regular and incidental expenses of worship. — To the
poor of the church.
If the prosperity of the church is, in any de-
gree, dependent on the prompt and effectual per-
formance of the duties belonging to the Deaconship,
those who are appointed to that office must know
what those duties are, their nature, extent, and
obhgation. Without this they can never be dis-
charged. How can men do things of which they
know nothing ? For all practical ends, we had
as well be without deacons as to have those who
are ignorant, incompetent, or unfaithful. They
are not only useless, but positively hurtful to the
churches. They cannot but inflict tlie most
serious injuries.
OF DEACONS. 71
What are the duties of Deacons ? Let us ap-
ply ourselves diligently, in the light of the word
of God, to an examination of this question. And
as it has two sides, a negative and a positive one,
we will first consider the former.
It is not the duty of the Deacons to preach.
We assumed this proposition in our first chapter,
and made then but a passing remark, promising
to recur to it again. We now proceed to discuss
it more fully. In half the denomuiations around
us, as we have before seen, the deacons are
preachers. We are therefore admonislied, main-
taining as we do the directly opposite doctrines,
to be cautious in our words, and conclusive in our
arguments.
The reasons alleged for the appointment of
deacons are sufficient proof that they are not, and
never were, designed to preach.
1. Every church has, necessarily, a temporal
as well as a spiritual department. It must, as
we have before said, have its place of worship, its
pastor, its poor, and expenses of various kinds,
requiring money and property. These constitute
the former. The latter embraces worship and in-
struction — " prayer, and the ministry of the
word." This was true of the church in Jeru-
72 THE DUTIES
ealem. Originally both these departments were
in the hands of the aposdes. Turn again to
the history of the origin of the Deaconship, anu
recollect that the reasons for the appointment
of these officers were, that the preachers might
be relieved from the management of secular inter-
ests, by placing them under the direction of others.
This point has already been sufficiently con-
sidered.
2. The duties of the deacons are presented to
us by the apostles themselves, as the opposite of
the duties of the ministry. Let them, said they,
in their instructions to the church at the time of
their election, attend to your temporal affairs, and
•' we will give ourselves continually to prayer and
the ministry of the word." It was never designed
then, by either the apostles or the church, that the
deacons should preach. On the contrary, they
elected to the office those who did not preach, and
because they did not preach. This argument has
also before been discussed.
3. Consider the two facts now before you, and
it appears to me to be impossible to suppose that
the deacons were or ought to be preachers, with-
out censuring the intelligence both of the apostles
and the primitive church. It was their professed
OF DEACONS. 73
desifirii in creating the office to relieve the ministry
from the administration of the church's temporah-
ties, and they appointed to discharge this duty
tliose who did not preach, and because they did
not preach. These facts cannot be disputed.
Were the deacons, after all, ministers of the word ?
Then the apostles and the church did not do what
they intended ! The matter rested precisely where
it was before. The ministry still had llie charge
of every thing, in both the temporal and spiritual
departments ! Such a conclusion is immeasurably
preposterous.
4. Is it objected to me that Philip, " one of the
seven," did preach and baptize ?* I admit the
statement to be true ; but at the same lime must
confess that I cannot see how this weakens my
argument at all, since it occurred many years after-
wards ; and these actions were especially per-
formed, not in his character as a deacon, but in his
office as an evangelist. The inspired writer is at
the pains lest, as it would seem, we miffht not
understand the matter fully, to inform us of this
change in the official relations of Philip. He was
7intv a minister of the gospel. Deacons, as well
as oilier men, may he called of God to the uiin-
• Acts viii. 5, 33.
7
74 THE DUTIES
istry. If called, it is their duty to obey. They
then, however, as Philip did, drop the office of a
deacon and assume that of a minister. No other
of the seven, so far as we know, ever preached.
Why did they not ? If deacons are ministers, it
was their duly. They all did their duty, but they
did not preach. Therefore it was not their duty
to preach.
We now see that deacons are not preachers,
because preaching was not the design had in ^iew
in the creation of the office ; because their duties,
as defined by the apostles, are the opposite of
those of preachers ; because they were especially
appointed to superintend the church's temporal
department ; and because no deacons as such, in
primitive times, did preach, although they fully
performed their duty. And if the design and pur-
poses of God have not changed since the begin-
ning, and no one will maintain this, it is still the
duty of deacons not to preach, but to superintend
the same important interests originally committed
to tlieu' charge.
It is not, I next observe, the duty of deacons
to administer the ordinances of religion.
The administration of the ordinances is admit-
ted, on all sides, to be the prerogative of the min-
or DEACONS. 75
istry. If this be a correct conclusion, and if we
have proved that deacons are not ministers, the
argument demonstrates beyond doubt that they
are not competent to ihe work. Their ofiice con-
fers upon them no authority to administer ordi-
nances. They generally receive, at the Lord's
supper, the bread and tlie wine from tlie hands of
the pastor, and distribute them to the communi-
cants. This, however, is not by authority, but
only as a matter of convenience. Any other per-
sons might do the same thing. Nor is lliis, in any
sense, the administration by them of the eucharist,
more than habiting and attending a candidate at
baptism is the administration of bajjtism. Dea-
cons were employed thus at a very early period.
It is becoming and suitable, and therefore not im-
proper.
It is not, lastly, the duty of the deacons to
rule in the church.
They administer of course their own depart-
ment, and rule there and to that extent. The
pastors, in their department, are said to "have
the rule." As officers of the church, they each,
in their own sphere, are rulers, in the same sense
that officers of the civil government are rulers.
They are not legislators nor judges, but simply
76 THE DUTIES
'executors of the law of Christ. Like them they
are, both pastors and deacons, the servants of the
people, are to be guided by God's word, and have
not a particle of peculiar authority beyond the
precincts of tlieir respective offices. Their nile
cannot therefore encroach upon the rights of any
member. In the whole of the government and
discipline of the church, the most inconsiderable
communicant has all the immunities and privileges
that belong to either deacons or pastors. Why
should it not be so ? Every member is alike
interested, and has the same at stake. Each has
an equal right, and in proportion to his religious
standing and intelligence, may make himself felt.
These facts stimulate him to more vigorous and
constant exertion. All are called upon to assume
responsibilities, and to bear their parts, and act
under a consciousness that they fill some space in
the great work of salvation. As a necessary con-
sequence they are compelled to think, study the
word of God, and be impressed with a sense of
llie magnitude of that account they must one day
give at the judgment bar. Thus the mass are
elevated in the scale of intellectuality, piety, and
usefulness. If talents exist among them they are
called forth in the cause of Christ ; and real wortli
OF DEACONS. 77
«oon finds its appropriate position. How wise
and salutary, therefore, is the inspired polity of
the kingdom of the Redeemer ! In these, as
much as in any other considerations, is evinced
the superiority of that form of ecclesiastical gov-
ernment which Jehovah has established in his
word, above all the numerous systems devised and
substituted for it by the wisdom of men. Dea-
cons, except in their own peculiar department,
have no rule in the church, in any sense, not com-
mon to all die members of " the household of
faith."
Referring to this topic. Dr. Gill remarks :—
" Deacons may, and should be, assisting to pas-
tors and elders in the care of the church — as to
watch over the walk and conversation of the mem-
bers of the church, and to observe that they keep
their places in it ; and to exhort, admonish, and
reprove, as they may find it necessary ; » * »
to report the state of the church to the elder or
pastor, and to reconcile differences between one
member and another, and to prepare matters to be
laid before the church at church meetings, when
needful."* The services here enumerated are
certainly very important. They sliould be care-
• Body of Divinity, vol. iii. p. 269.
7*
78 THE DUTIES
fully and diligently employed. I am surprised,
however, to find Dr. Gill classing them among
the peculiar duties of the Deaconship. If he
means to say tliat they of right belong to that
office, I question much whether in this case he
has not been led aside from his usual accuracy of
judgment. The Deaconship does not appear to
me to embrace diem as a matter of course. They
belong alike to all the members of the church, and
I seriously doubt whether they can be appropriated
to any specified mdividuals or officers, without so
taking away the sense of responsibility and duty
of the whole as materially to injure the efficiency
of the body. If it be found, by fair experiment,
that the members will not discharge these obliga-
tions, they may, by a special act of the church,
be submitted temporarily to the deacons ; or the
church may appoint a standing committee on dis-
cipline, charged with their performance. Either
of these methods may not be without advantage,
provided they are not pursued as a permanent
policy ; and by adopting it too much indifference
among the members generally, in regard to the
conduct of each other and the discipline of the
church, is not thereby encouraged. This depart-
ment, substantially, has, in some denominations,
OF DEACONS. 79
been put in charge of " Elders ivho ride, but do
not preach.^* Their office, however, is a human
device, has no authority in the word of God, in-
fringes the rights of others, and cannot, conse-
quently, be exercised without detriment to all
concerned. Deacons are not ruling elders. The
church is free, made so by Christ, and is com-
manded to " stand fast in that liberty." Guided
by divine revelation, she is fully competent to
govern herself.
Thus we have considered the negative side of
the subject — what are not the duties of deacons.
Let us now proceed to address ourselves to the
opposite branch, and determine what obhgations
really devolve upon them.
/ By the divine law, we repeat it, they are placed
f over all the temporalities of the church.
For this specific and definite pur])0se, and for « /•
no other, they were appointed. All the propert y ' ^ ^^
and funds which belong to the church, os a church,
is placed under their direction. Their command
over them, however, is not absolute, but limited/
to such uses as the church may order. The
benefit of the whole body is the object, and she
of necessity retains the right of appropriation.
The gospel has created certain standing rcgula-
\
80 THE PUTIES
tioivs, which the church makes definite, as those
to the pastor and others. These must be met
regularly and promptly at the time appointed.
Neglects sometimes are indulged in by tlie dea-
cons, in this respect, which are often attended
with the most melancholy results. Decisive
promptness is always of the utmost consequence.
INIen of business require it, and so should llie
church of Christ.
The fact that the deacons are oflicially the de-
positories, not of all that the members possess, but
of all the common property and funds of the
church, created and held by her for the purposes
of religion, gives them the peculiar relation which
they sustain to her ordinary and incidental ex-
penses, to the wants of the poor, and to the sus-
tenance of her pastor. All their peculiar duties
grow out of this single fact. They therefore de-
fray, I remark, in the first place, the expenses
arising from the convenient disposition of the
house of God, and the regular and proper admin-
istration of the ordinances of the gospel. These,
in many instances, are very inconsiderable ; in
others they are by no means small ; yet they are
all necessary, and, small or large, must be in-
curred
OF DEACONS. 81
Let us indulge in a little particularity. The
house of worship must be comfortable in itself.
At night it must be lighted ; in summer it must
be ventilated ; and in the winter it must be
warmed. The services, consequently, of a sex-
ton, or some one to take charge of it, must be
procured, who will perform these necessary du-
ties. Janitors, too, in many churches, are indis-
pensable.
Baptism must be administered, God's word
commands : — " Let all things be done decently
and in orderJ'^ Baptism is surely among these
" (dl tliings.^^ But it cannot be fidy dispensed,
unless we have a suitable place prepared, and the
candidates, in recei\ing the ordinance, be properly
habited and attended. When appropriately or-
dered, how striking, how beautiful, how impres-
sive, how solemn, is baptism. Thousands have
been convinced of sin, and guided to the ser\ice
of God by the simple witnessing of this holy rite.
But how often is all its touching influence lost,
and does even the ordinance itself become, to
many, repulsive, for want of the scriptural atten-
tion to its circumstances, — decency and order !
From our censurable neglect in conducting these
82 THE DUTIES
very particulars, most serious evil has resulted.
Thence the opposers of apostolic baptism have
drawn their most effective arguments against it.
They point to our sloveiJy acts reproachfully,
and multitudes who witness them shrink from the
idea of a similar personal exposure. Shall we,
while substantially obedient to the rite as a whole,
make ourselves transgressors, by violating the law
of God in relation to its circumstances 1 Shall we
permit our strength thus to become weakness, and
our good evil ? Few of our churches, I fear, and
especially in country places, are without sin in
this particular.
The table of the Lord must frequently be
spread. The necessary furniture for the purpose,
as well as the elements, must be provided and su-
perintended.
Not unfrequendy the church invites evangelists,
or neighboring ministers, to aid their pastor on
special occasions. Their expenses are to be paid,
and their toils compensated. David would not
ofier to God a sacrifice which cost him nothing.
Shall the church of Christ offer to God sacrifices
tliat not only cost her nothing, but are unjustly
wrung from the labors of her impoverished pas-
OF DEACONS. 83
torship? This act is benrnth licr, and showld
never be pennitted to sully the escutcheon of her
honor.
But who are to superintend, re^ilatc, and carry
all these important arrangements into effect ? Too
ol'ten, as we have melancholy evidence, they are
most painfully overlooked, and, in many respects,
totally disregarded. They constitute one great
branch of the duties of the Deaconship. They
are responsible for whatever, in these and similar
things, the reputation and interest of our holy re-
ligion may require. The means have been, or
should be, placed in their hands for the purposes
enumerated, and they must not only disburse
them, but give, at the same time, so much of their
personal attention and service as may be neces-
sary.
I next observe, that the duties of the deacons
require them to administer to the wants of the
poor, the distressed, the afflicted, the fatherless,
and the widows of the household of faith, and
especially of their own particular cluirch.
One of the great cxcoliencics of rcliis affairs with constant
reference to his duty to God, and thus defend him
against an inordinate attachment to the tilings of
this life.
Such is the law of God, its excellencies and
its chanicteriotics, for creaiiug and sii.st;uning the
requisite reveiuics in his church. As to the
amount and all other circumstances, except that it
is to be larger or smaller, as God's blessing shall
120 REVENUES OF
indicate, it is left to the voluntary decision of the
individual concerned. But he who is able and
will do nothing, manifests an indifference, and a
spirit of disobedience to Christ, inconsistent with
religion. What a man contributes for the cause
of Christ, is proof of what he feels. He feels no
more than he does ; and he that does nothing feela
nothing, and should be permitted to profess no-
thing. Thus in the support of the gospel, our
love to God is thorouglily tested on the principle
that a " tree is known by its fruit."
As, however, the best system for revenue, or
for any other purpose, in civil government, must,
without the superintendence of appropriate offi-
cers, entirely fail of its end, so it is in the church
of Christ. No plan will execute itself. Chris-
tians should be taught the laws of Christ on this
subject; for I must believe they are Avilling to
comply with them when understood. Why, then,
are these laws so seldom obeyed ? I answer, the
ministry have not given the people the instruction,
definitely and fully, they needed on this subject ;
and the evil has been aggravated by the fact, that
no one has superintended their execution. Com-
pliance, therefore, has been, in effect, not advocated
and enforced, but entirely discouraged. If the
THE CHURCH. 121
deacons are the financial officers of the church,
and superintend the whole department committed
to them ; and if the laws will not execute them-
selves ; they, of course, are their executors,
divinely appointed for this purpose. They are
as much obliged to see the laws carried into effect
in their department, as the pastor is in his, or as
the church is in hers. When a member habit-
ually violates gospel morals, it is the duty of every
one associated with him as Christians, to bring him
to the proper discipline ; it is the duty of the pas-
tor to provide that the gospel be fully preached,
and all the ordinances of religion duly adminis-
tered ; if so, it is no less the duty of the deacons
to see that every member contributes to the sacred
revenue, according to his ability, and to bring the
amount into the treasury. It may not, always, be
necessary or even desirable, for all to bestow mo-
ney. Some may have other things fully as pro-
fitable — food and raiment, or any other required
articles. Let these be contributed. To mimy of
our country brethren, such an arrangement may
be exceedingly convenient. But an entire and
persevering refusal to comply with the divine in-
junction on this subject, should never be permitted
to pass without the proper action of the church.
11
• 122 REVENUES OF
Who, that considers the whole subjoct now
before you maturely, can doubt, that carried fully
into effect the arrangement would prove entirely
sufficient for iill the purposes designed. God in-
tended it to be sufficient, and if it fails it is not his
fault, but because we are unfaithful to our trust.
Let us here recapitulate, as to the duties of dea-
cons. We have, in this and the two preceding
chapters, seen that these all arise from their office
as depositaries of the common property and funds
of the church, of which they have, ex officio, the
possession and superintendence, and consist in
these FOUR particulars — that they pay the ordi-
nary and incidental expenses of divine worship ;
that they take care of the poor and distressed;
that they see tliat the pastor is comfortably sup-
ported ; and that they superintend the prosecution
of the scriptural plans for the raising of such reve-
nues as may be necessary for the regular and per-
manent service of our holy religion. Such is the
sum of all tlie divinely enjoined duties of the
Deacons.
I close the discussion of this part of our sub-
ject by suggesting that, as the deacons, in their
own peculiar department are, as we have said, a
BOARD OF OFFICERS, or the cxecutive board of
THE CHURCH. 123
the church, for her temporal department, it is ne-
cessary that they hold stated and frequent meetings
of their own body in diat capacity, prepare to pro-
secute their duties in concert, and widi llie best
advice. Who can doubt that the first deacons
held daily meetings ? The peculiar nature of their
relations to the disciples required it. In our cir-
cumstances tlieir sessions should not be less fre-
quent, especially in the towns, tlian once in a
month. They appear to me to be imperative, on
many accounts. Unity, and co-operation in action,
are of the utmost importance. But without stated
and frequent meetings they can never be gained or
preserved. They will compel thought ; lead to
a better knowledge of their duties ; to a higher
appreciation of their importance ; and to more
prompmess and fidelity in their execution.
124 DEACONKSSES.
CHAPTER VII.
DEACONESSES.
Female assistants to the Deacons existed in the primitive
churches. — References to them by Ecclesiastical Histo-
rians. — By early Christian writers. — By the Scriptures. —
Are they necessary. — Their qualifications. — Their du-
ties. — They are virtually employed in our own churches.
— Practical conclusions.
Female assistants to the deacons, usually called
Deaconesses, existed in the primitive churches.
They were ladies of approved character and piety ;
and their duty required them to minister to females,
under circumstances in which it would have been
manifestly improper that the odier sex should have
been employed. Their services were regarded as
of very great importance, if not entirely indis-
pensable. Ecclesiastical historians, the early
fathers, and other writers, refer to them frequendy
and fomiharly.
Mosheim, for example, in his History of the
F'fst Century, introduces them thus : — •' The
DEACONESSES. 125
eastern churches elected deaconesses, aiid chose
for that purpose, matrons, or widows, of eminent
sanctity, who also ministered to tlie necessities of
the poor, and performed several otlier offices, that
tended to order and decency in the church."* All
the other writers of his class, of distinction, have
stated die same thing in similar terms.
Clemens of Alexandria,! who wrote in the
second century, treats extensively of deaconesses,
advocates their legitimacy, and appeals as autho-
rity, to Paul's first epistle to Timothy. Jerome,
who flourished in the fourth century, speaks of
them,J as generally found in the churches. The
book of " Apostolic Constitutions," prescribes
their election, and publishes forms for their ordi-
nation.§ We may indeed appeal, on tlus topic,
even to the enemies of tlie Christians. Pliny,
the distinguished Roman Governor of Bythinia,
in his well-known letter to die Emperor Trajan,!!
regarding their affairs, describes two females whom
he ordered to be put to the torture, and says of
them : — " quae ministrae dicebantur," who were
called ministresses, or female deacons.
• Vol. i. pp. 90, 91. t Stromal. Lib. 3, p. 448.
: Coinm. in 1 Tim- iii, 11. ^ Lib. yiii. ch. 19, 20.
II Anno Domini 106.
126 DEACONESSES.
There can be, therefore, no doubt as to the mat-
ter of fact. It is conceded, on all hands, that dea-
conesses were employed, and that constant resort
was had to their ministry in the first clnirches of
Christ. The only question to be decided is
whether the Avord of God authorizes, or in any
manner enjoins their appointment. This infallible
authority is our unerring guide. When we have
ascertained its teachings, we comply without fur-
ther inquiry. Let us, then, " to the law and to the
testimony." " What saith the Scriptures ?"
In his address to the church in Rome, Paul thus
appeals to his brethren of that city : — " I com-
mend unto you Phoebe, our sister, which is a
LAtaxovoK, a Deaconess, in our version aj servant
of the church in Cenchrea ; that ye receive her in
the Lord, as becometh saints ; and that ye assist
her in whatsoever business she hath need of you ;
for she hath been a succorer of many, and of me
also."* Phoebe is, therefore, by an apostle, called
expressly a Deaconess of the church ; and we are
assured tliat she had honorably and effectually ex-
ercised that office, in the succors she had extended
to many, and, either directly or indirectly, to the
aposde himself among the number. Two facts are
• Rom. xvi. 1.
DEACONESSES. 127
implied in this passaije, both of wliich are wortliy
of our attentiori. The first is, that the apostle
speaks of this excellent lady hi her official cha-
racter, in terms of high approbation, and com-
mends her, not only as a sister, but as a Deacon-
ess, to his brethren in Rome. This he never
could have done, if he had not regarded the office
as legitimate. And the second is, the strong pro-
bability, that, as the church at Cenchrea had dea-
conesses, they were also found in all the other
churches. Uniformity, no doubt, prevailed in
their organization. This passage, therefore, must
be regarded as conclusive of the Scripture warrant
for deaconesses.
But this is not all. Three other passages are
supposed to allude to the deaconesses. To these
I will refer, however, only as collateral testimony
in the premises.
Speaking of a class of persons called " Xf;^oi,"
(Cheras,) the aposde says : — " Let not a widow
be taken into the number under three score yeaia
old ; having been the wife of one man ; well re-
ported of for good works ; if she have brought up
children ; if she have lodged strangers ; if she have
washed the saints' feet ; [[ministered the usual rites
of hospitality ;] if she have reUevcd llie afflicted ;
128 DEACONESSES.
if she have diligently followed every good work."*
The nature, or the privileges of this class, into
which only widows, of the character described,
were to "be taken," I shall not now attempt to
determine. It is very certain, however, that they
were not, as lias been so generally supposed, to be
*' taken into the number" of those who were sup-
ported by the church. "It can hardly be ima-
gined that a widow, unless she had considerable
property, could have done the things enumerated,
some of which would occasion no small expense."!
She could not, therefore, have been very poor.
Would it not, also, have been a strange prohibi-
tion, if the benevolence of the church had been de-
nied to a woman, however helpless and afflicted,
unless she was sixty years old? How singular,
too, the condition that she must have had children,
to entitle her to this bounty ! If a woman have
children, she is thought on that account to be less
dependent. Indeed, in a previous injunction, in
immediate connection with this passage, the apos-
tle says : — " If any widow have children, or
nephews, let them learn first to show piety at
home, and to requite their parents, for that is good
and acceptable before God."| In other words,
• 1 Tim. v. 9, 10. t Clark's Com. m loc. X 1 Tim. v. 4
DEACONESSES. 129
such widows are to be supported by tlieir chil-
dren, or nephews, and not by the church. Who,
then, were these "X>y^aj?" (^Cherus.) The quaU-
fications required of them singularly resemble
those of a deacon. Their age, however, was too
great to suppose that thoy were capable of much
aclive service. Many of our best biblical exposi-
tors presume that they were those who had been
deaconesses, and now, in the evening of their days,
enjoyed some kind of peculiar immunities.
A second passage speaks of them, as is believed,
under the general name of "Women." Address-
ing some unnamed brother and friend at Philippi,
Paul says : — " I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow,
[colleague] help those women who labored with
me in the gospel."* How did they labor with
him in the gospel ? It cannot be that they preached,
since the same apostle says, in another place- — " I
sutTcr not a woman to teach nor to usurp autho-
rity" in the church. Yet they labored with Paul,
and were so distinct from all others, that they were
known by the simple description — '^'- those wo-
men.'''' Why should we withhold our assent from
iJie almost unanimous opinion of commentators,
that they were the deaconesses of the church ?
• Phil. iv. 3.
130 DEACONESSES.
To the last passage I had occasion before to
refer, when treating of the qualifications of dea-
cons, and then promised that I would, in a future
chapter, consider it more at large. In our com-
mon version it has the following reading : — " Even
so must their [the deacons'] wives be grave, not
slanderous, sober, faitliful in all things."* We
have already seen, I trust, satisfactorily, that no
reference is here had to the wives of deacons.
But does not the apostle say — " Even so must
their wives be grave ?" In our translation he
does ; but when you turn to the original, you find
no such thing ! The reading is : — ytiwwxas co^avruj
Of ftj/aj — ^Uterally — " Let the women also be giave."
This strikingly resembles the last passage noticed
— " Help those women.''^ The wives of the
deacons, as we have before seen, are spoken of in
the next verse, and not in this. These " u^ome/i,"
then, were some other '■'■ women.^^ and not the
deacons' wives. What women were they ? Cle-
mens, Jerome, and other ancient writers, say they
were the Deaconesses, and so say our best writers
of modem times. The conclusion is most natural.
No one supposes tliey were the deacons' wives.
Paul, in other places, speaks of them. He was
• 1 Tim. m. 11.
DEACONESSES. 131
here describing the qualifications of deacons, and
what is more consonant than to suppose, tliat, in
passing, he adds a few words regardhig the quali-
fications of deaconesses. As the Deacons, so the
Deaconesses must be grave, not slanderers, sober,
faithful in all things. Such, I confess, appears to
me to be the true sense of the apostle.
Take all these passages together, and I think it
will be difficult for us to resist the conclusion that
the word of God authorizes, and in some sense,
certainly by implication, enjoins the appointment
of deaconesses in the churches of Christ.
Were they, in ancient times, and are they now,
" requisite and necessary ?" This is our next in-
quiry, and we address ourselves, witliout formality,
to its consideration.
We cannot but reply in the affirmative, if we
consider what has been, in all ages, and what is
now, the condition of females in the east. They
are generally, as is well known, much more se-
cluded than they are with us. Access can pro-
perly be had to them, and they can, therefore, in
many respects be benefited only by persons of
tlieir own sex. These should, without doubt, be
women of approved character and ability, and
ought to go forth to their work with the sanction
132 DEACONESSES.
of the church. In oriental countries, therefore,
deaconesses were, and are, beyond question, in-
dispensable.
And are they altogether useless among us ? Do
we not know that they might have admission to
multitudes of their own sex with very great ad-
vantage to the interests of religion, under circum-
stances in wliich, otherwise, they must remain
unvisited ? Gentlemen cannot administer to their
wants. And further, when ladies are to be bap-
tized, they may be left, and frequently are, in the
most painful manner, unattended, unless there are
some persons specially designated for that duty ;
or they may be accompanied by those of very
unsuitable character. Deaconesses, therefore, are,
every where, as necessary as they were in the
days of the apostles.
Let us next consider their qualifications, as we
find them set forth in the word of God.
If deaconesses are to be employed, it is very
evident that they should be women whose reputa-
tion for piety, and whose kind, intelligent, and
courteous deportment, will give force to their min-
istrations, and all whose conversation and inter-
course Avill beneficially impress those for whom
they labor. We are accordingly admonished that
DEACONESSES. 1H3
they must " be grave, not slanderers [^t Jtailoxowj,
literally, not devils,] sober, faithful in all things" —
women who " have followed every good work."
Those of this character, and not the vain, the
giddy, and the thoughdess, should do the office of
deaconesses. The reasons are plain. Tliey are
to visit the sick, the miserable, and the helpless,
and ought to feel for them an abiding sympathy,
and be ready and able, at all times, to hold forth
to them the consolations of the gospel of Christ.
They are, as we have said, to attend their neo-
phyte sister at baptism, and to be the companions
of her toilet, before and after the sacrament. This
solemn and striking act of Christian devotion is
to be perfomied but once in our life ! How im-
portant, then, that, during its administration, we
should feel the full spirit of the gospel ! But how
easily, on such occasions, by the frivolous conver-
sation of thoughtless girls, to whom this duty may
be left, are the minds of the recipients diverted
from the proper thoughts, and is all the holy
sweetness of that hour destroyed ! These, and
the numerous other interesting and important du-
ties they are called upon to fulfil, make it neces-
•arj' tliat they maintain the jwescribcd character.
12
184 DEACONESSES.
" Let the ivomen also be grave, sober, faithful in
all things."
When we look around us we see, indeed, in
effect, deaconesses in nearly all our well regulated
churches. In most of the other denominations,
the office is rendered unnecessary, partly by their
having abolished baptism, partly by their aristo-
cratic propensities, on account of which, as we
have seen in another place, they themselves con-
fess that they have almost " no poor among them ;"
and pardy by their having instituted, in opposition
to the gospel, female orders, as with the Roman
Catholics, who have their troops of " Sisters of
Charity" and other sisters rather too charitable;
but in the true church, in which are maintained
primitive principles, all the original institutions of
religion are indispensable. There are ladies, self-
appointed, I admit, but whose intelligence and
piety have led them to see that such offices ought
to be performed, and, governed by a just sense of
propriety, who voluntarily undertake to discharge
them. Thus they become substantially deacon-
esses, and in some degree make amends for the
want of proper ecclesiastical action. Our churches
thus far, consequently, have the benefit of dea-
conesses.
DEACONESSES. 135
We have now seen, with as much brevity as
the nature of the case would admit, that female
assistants to deacons, or deaconesses, existed in
tlie primitive churches ; we have considered the
passages in the word of God, in which ihey are
named and described ; we have proved their ne-
cessity at the present day, as well as in former
limes, where the duties and ordinances of religion
are administered in their original and lawful forms ;
we have examined their qu;ililications, and shown
that they are still found, substantially, in all our
best regulated churches. We close this topic by
remarking, that from all that appears in the Scrip-
tures, we are justified in the conclusion that dea-
conesses were not, as deacons are, formally
ordained, " the book of Apostolic Constimtions,"
as it is improperly called, to the contrary notwith-
standing. Apostolic example authorizes and en-
joins their appointment. But in their selection,
(I judge from the sQence of inspiration) no further
proceedings were had than the action of the church
by which they were designated, and their own
promise to perform, " to the best of their know-
ledge and ability," the duties enjoined. All that
seems yet to be wanting among us, is the selection
and approval by the churches, of the persons to
136 DEACONESSES.
be employed ; and, generally, more regular and
systematic attention to this department, so as to
secure the performance of its duties well, promptly,
and laiihfully.
CO-OPKRATION, ETC. 137
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DUTY OF THE CHURCII AND THE MINISTRY TO
CO-OPERATE WITH THE DEACONS.
Three departments in the Churcli. — Their mutual depend-
ence. — Co-operation of the Clmrch with tlie Deacons.^
Of the ministry with the Deacons. — Their responsibili-
ties. — The consequences. — Motives to co-operation.
Every church of Christ, regularly organized
according to the Scriptures, is made up of three
deportments. The first is constituted of the body
of the people, who compose the communicants ;
the second of the deacons ; and the third is filled
by the pastor. These all form one churcli, whose
unity is essential to its strength and success.
Each department must have the concurrence and
co-operation of the others, in both spiritual and
temporal things. The church is tlie depositor^'
of the Divine word and ordinances ; and has in
charge the purity of truth, and the convei-sion of
tlie world. Rut without a pastorship and other
mijiislry, she could achieve nothing. The whole
12*
138 CO-OPERATION WITH
body would present the aspect of an unwieldy
mass, without a voice to speak, or hands to exe-
cute her purposes. Therefore, — " God hath set
some in the church, first aposdes, secondarily
prophets, [and] thirdly teachers."* These are
her agents for tlie diffusion of light — the universal
propagation of the gospel. They must, therefore,
co-operate with her faithfully and zealously in the
great work.
The ministry, on the other hand, can do Utde
without the church to sustain them and to second
their efforts. The co-operation of tlie church
removed, and they would have no human arm on
which to lean ; no warm hearts to sympatliize in
their toils, perplexities, and objects ; no compa-
nions in prayer, to mvigorate their faith and to
cheer them on to duty. Under God they must
look to the church, and there they find " a muni-
tion of rock" — a source of resistless energy.
Whiie the ministers are thus upheld, temporally
and spiritually, and are able to point the world to
her light, as concurrent evidence of the power of
the p-ospel, " no weapon that is formed against her
shall prosper," — victory shall crown them in every
field of their conflicts.
• 1 Co-, xii 28.
THE DEACONS. 139
All this, however, is dependent, in no small
degree, upon the powerful auxiliary aid of the
Deaconship. The church would be I'lilly as effi*
cient with a good Deaconship, and without a min-
istry, as she would be with a good ministry and
without a Deaconship. The result, in either case,
would be feebleness and disaster. Remove the
deacons, or, what amounts to the same thing, let
them be incompetent or inefficient, and the church
is like an army without officers, unprovisioned and
undisciplined, in the country of its enemy. No
channel, regularly arranged, for supplies or direc-
tion exists, and all their efforts are paralyzed.
Every divinely appointed department is necessary
to every other. A competent and faithful Dea-
conship must have the co-operation of the church
and of the ministry, in ortler to the advancement
of the cause of Christ.
If, in their ordination, the deacons enter into
vows before God, to do by his help the work
assigned them, the churches, in their election and
presentation, and the ministry, in their ordination,
solemnly pledge themselves to stand by them m
their office.
The church then, in the first place, who electa
the deacons, and presents them for appointment,
140 CO-OPERATION WITH
in that act solemnly pledges to them her co-npe-
ration in the great work to which they are called.
What this is I have already shown, in what has
been said on the duties of the deacons. Is it pos-
sible that she can ever, voluntarily, fail to redeem
that obligation ? Can we forget or violate responsi-
bilities so sacred, into wliich we have entered with
all the sanctions of religion ? Alas ! I fear that it
is but too common. How criminal in the sight
of God is such an abandonment ! How unjust !
How destructive to the church ! If every bro-
ther shall be ready when called upon, or even
without being called upon, to do whatever his
ability or the cause of Christ may demand, the
labors of the deacons will be sufficiently ardu-
ous, and no christian will have gone beyond his
OAvn voluntary promise. But if any considerable
number neglect or refuse, what can they do ? They
may toil on for a season, but sooner or later they
must sink ! The cause cannot be maintained
unless every one will do his duty. When it is
decided that the co-operation of the church cannot
be obtained, what is the remedy ? I can think of
none but to abandon her, as we would an unma-
nageable ship at sea. Her members habitually
disregard the authority of Christ, and violate theii
THE DEACONS. 141
own solemn vows. They have no right to be
respected as a church of the Redeemer. To per-
petuate such a body, under that sacred tide, is to
preserve and cherish a reproach — a leprosy upon
the name and honor of religion. It does not fre-
quently happen, however, that all die church neg-
lect, or refuse, to co-operate with the deacons, but
that individual memljers do so, and sometimes in
numbers so large as almost to overwhelm all her
energies. In such cases, what is the remedy ? I
answer that the delinquents, if they cannot be re-
claimed, should be required to answer at her bar.
Members of the body politic, who constandy vio-
late, or perseveringly neglect to observe, the laws
of dieir country, are sure to be called to account.
If they are not, the government is pronounced
utterly depraved and worddess. Shall the church
be less just Uian civil government ? No society
can safely tolerate in its bosom those who will not
conform to its laws. How much less should a
church continue in its fellowship persons wlio
habitually, openly, and perseveringly disregard the
laws of die Redeemer ? Can she do it and pre-
serve her purity, or gain the end for which she
was organized ?
But more commonly, no refusal to co-operate
142 CO-OPERATION WITH
with the deacons takes place. Indeed, all pro
fessedly desire to see the work done, and th
cause prosper. No one, however, is ready, ot
prepared to do any thing himself. Slothfulness
rests upon them with the crushing weight of a
mountain. They will act, as soon as they can ;
but they never can ; they never do ! Through
this process the same result is reached. They do
nothing, not for want of ability, but, really, be-
cause they will do nothing ! Their reluctance to
duty, like that of a siimer to religion, can never be
overcome. Thus they sin against God, and de-
stroy themselves.
How long will the church submit to such degra-
dation, and soil her beautiful garments in the
dust ! Let her arise to a sense of her own dignity
and glory. Let every one of her members be
well and thoroughly instructed as to what is re-
quired at his hands, and what the deacons have a
right to expect and demand. Then, if the love of
God dwell richly in their hearts, their co-operation
with them will not be difficult. They wiU re-
joice that they are permitted to be associated, ac-
tively, with those who " are workers together
with Christ," m the salvation of men.
But the ministry, also, in the second place, in
THE DEACONS 143
die ordination of the deacons, are solemnly pledged
to co-operate with them, in all the legitimate ser-
vices of tlieir sacred calling.
This promise is, mainly, redeemed by teaching
those who are under their charge their whole
duty, upon every part of the subject in hand.
They are the divinely appointed instructors, both
of deacons and people. AU must have light ; and
if the pastors, and other ministers, do not give it,
faillifully and fully, they stand condemned, before
both God and his church. If ignorance of duty
on the part of the church, however well inclined
she may be, necessarily produces a failure to co-
operate with the deacons, because she knows not
how to act, how much more injurious must be
the absence of adequate knowledge on the part of
the deacons themselves ! If they know not dieir
duty, how can they be expected to perform it 1
Are we not obliged to confess that gi-eat want of
information has prevailed, and, in many places,
yet prevails, among them ? How often are those
found who im:igine, when they have prepared die
sacred emblems, and waited upon the communi-
cants, at tlie Lord's supper, that most of theii
work is done ! Besides tliis, they presume, if any
thing happens to be in tlieir hands for lluil purpose,
144 CO-OPERATION WITH
that they ought to relieve the necessities of the suf-
fering, and to have, too, some care for their pastor.
But their ideas on the whole subject are, more or
less, confused ; and how, and to what extent, they
are to act, they have very litde conception. Who, I
now ask, is principally responsible for this igno-
rance, and consequent inefficiency ? The minis-
try, undoubtedly ! It is their duty to teach the
whole body. They have not done so, and there-
fore have failed to co-operate, as they are pledged
to do, in this great work.
Ministers generally, it must be conceded, mani-
fest great disinclination to give to their people
much instruction in that peculiar department which
belongs to the deacons.
They are entitled, I suppose, to some apology,
because the subject seems to involve their own
personal interest, and, since they are liable to be
charged with selfishness as their motive, and the
world, and covetous professors of religion, have so
readily the stereotyped imputation — " money hunt-
ers," they are afraid. But the result is, that
they are driven, by the fear of their enemies, into
unfaitlifulness to God, to their brethren, and to the
cause of Christ ! It is, I confess it, possible that,
if they preach the whole truth on this, as well as
THE DEACONS. 145
every other subject, the reputation and "influence
of some of them, in various quarters, may, for a
season, be injured. But, brethren, the work must
be done, come what will. Let us, then, approach
it in the spirit of Paul, and " count not even our
lives dear unto ourselves, so that we might finish
our course with joy, and the ministry which we
have received of the liOrd Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God."
Fidelity, on the part both of the church and of
the ministry, is of the utmost importance. With-
out it, all must, by this time, confess that the
church cannot be sustained, and the truth propa-
gated, with vigor and eflect. With it, we have
the blessing of God, a good conscience, and the
fulfilment of our highest desires.
And the motives to co-operation with the dea-
cons — how infinitely strong are they !
V»'e all profess to regard the souls of men as
of countless value. Can they be saved without
the gospel ? Can that he extended — can it even
continue to be preached where it now is — unless
we have tlie mutual and warm concurrence of all
tlie deparitnents in the church ? Truth is more
precious than gold ; but it cannot olherwi-'^ be
propagated and defended. How are the cL ;ms
13
146 CO-OPERATION, ETC.
upon us of the poor, the distressed, and the
wretched, to be met? How are the ordinances
of the house of God to be administered ? The
church, and the ministry, therefore, are obhged to
co-operate with the deacons, by their duty of obe-
dience to Christ; by their own solemn pledge.
given at their election and ordination ; by their
love to the souls of men ; by their reverence for
the truth of God ; by their obligations to the poor,
the suffering and distressed ; and by their estimate
of the ordinances and privileges of the gospel of
Christ.
IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS, 147
CHAPTER IX.
IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS ON THE PART OP
THE DEACONS.
The remedy for unfaithfulness. — The Deacons' vow; —
Their several relations. — Benefits of faitlifulness. — Re-
capitulation. — Conclusion.
Faithfulness is a duty enjoined on all Chris-
tians. It is made the condition — while its oppo-
site is denounced as most repugnant to God — of
the highest rewards. " Be thou faithful unto
death," said the adorable Redeemer to his labor-
ing and persecuted disciples, " and I will give you
a crown of life." The importance of possessing
this quality is necessarily increased in any par-
ticular case, in proportion as persons are elevated
in office and influence in the church. The fidelity
of the deacons, therefore, is next in consequence
to that of the pastor himself, since such is their
relative position in the kingdom of Messiah.
148 IMPORTANCE OF
Unhappily, cases of unfaithfulness on the part
of deacons are but too frequent, and too little re-
garded. This dereliction must arise either from
incompetence, neglect, or design. To be faithful,
deacons must know dieir duty, they must cheer-
fully and willingly do their duty, and they must
do it at the proper time, and in the proper spirit,
and manner. Look into the condition of the
church whose deacons are not faithful to their
trust, and what do you see ? Every interest is
languishing. Her financial affairs become de-
ranged and ruined ; the poor and miserable weep
unpitied and unrelieved ; the sick are umisited ;
the pastor, discouraged and overwhelmed, is either
broken down in spirit, and inefficient, or leaves for
a more promising fifeld in which to bestow his
toils ; the congregations fall off, and cease to feel
further interest; the genius of desolation broods,
in darkness and silence, over the whole scene ! la
this picture overdrawn ? Would to God it were.
On the contrary, its reality may, at this moment,
be found in a thousand places all over our broad
land. It reveals one of the most prolific causes
why so many of our churches have ceased to
exist ; and why so many others have been divided,
scattered, and led into destructive errors, of every
FAITHFULNESS, 149
grade and complexion. These are the natural re-
sults. The church so ofiicered, cannot retain a
competent ministry. She, therefore, satisfies her-
self, either with none at all, or with the ser\ices
of those who do more harm than good. Un-
quahfied pastors often complete the ruin which
such deacons, by making way for them, had only
begun. They are, whatever their age may be,
" novices," who cannot teach, who will not leam,
who are Uable to be corrupted by the first enorist
who wiU flatter and persuade them, and too often,
after having perverted the church, tliey consign it
over, as a trophy, into the possession of the
enemy. Some such disaster, unless the pecuUar
favor of God interpose, always occurs. Never
did a church, whose deacons were unfaitliful to
their trust, permanently flourish.
But is there, perhaps we shall now be asked,
no remedy ? Can such officers never, by any
scriptural process, be displaced and succeeded by
others ?
If a lay member is delinquent he is subjected
to discipline, and either reformed or excluded. A
pastor who is unfaitliful is readily removed, and
if he is heterodox or disorderly, he is deposed,
13*
150 IMPORTANCE OF
probably excommunicated. But if a man is a
deacon, no matter whether he is faithful or un-
faithful, he remains in office during hfe, unless he
please to change his residence, or is expelled from
fellowship for immorality ! Who ever heard of a
deacon's being deposed, or even impeached, for
want of fidehty in his office ? I never did ! Why
is this ? Has none of them ever materially erred ?
This cannot be supposed. Does it not go far to
prove that there is something on this point exceed-
ingly wrong, and singularly unguarded ? The
church, I answer, has the same remedy here that
she has in all other cases. God has said to her,
and she cannot misunderstand the admonition : —
" Thy brother — thou shalt, in any wise, not suffer
sin upon him."* If the failure arise from the
want of knowledge, the deacons must be instructed.
Does the minister neglect or decline to do this ?
Then the sin becomes his. Does the unfaithful-
ness of tliese officers result from slothful indiffer-
ence ? Then they must be admonished. If it is
voluntary and continued, and neither instruction
from the pastor nor admonition from the church
can procure reformation, they must be impeached,
• LeviU xix. 17.
FAITHFULXESS. 151
and, by a regular vote, removed. The same power
that makes an officer, is always competent, when
he proves himself unworthy or uixfailhful, to dis-
place him. JNor is it a matter of indiflerenoe
whether this is done. She dare not decide lo
take no notice of it, and let it pass. No church
can, in justice to herself, to the interests of reli-
gion, or to her duty to the King in Zion, suffer
such an incubus. She is obliged to remove them.
If she does not, she becomes a partaker in their
sins, and must expect from the hand of God sum-
mary chastisement. But we turn to more pleasant
considerations.
The importance of fidelity on the part of the
deacons, if they are in the proper exercise of reli-
gion, will be deeply impressed upon their minds
by the fact that the vows of God are upon them.
When they accepted the office, and when the
hands of ordination were imposed, they bound
themselves in the most solemn and fearful manner,
to Christ and to his people, that they would, Jeho-
vah aiding them, fulfil its duties. A noble and
generous heart will stand by that pledge, even for
its own sake, to the last hour.
But, irrespective of all this, they cannot but
152 IMPORTANCE OF
remember that the ^eat day is near when they
must answer, before the judgment seat of Christ,
for their stewardship. If they fear God, they
must seek earnestly to be faithful in all things.
Another consideration, not less affecting, is the
consequences which are to be produced upon all
the interests of religion. What these are, at least
negatively, we have already seen. On the other
hand, adversity and languishing will not long cha-
racterize a church whose deacons are faithful to
the interests committed to their charge.
But, chiefly, they, as all others, must and will
be impelled to dut}^ by the love of Christ, This
is the glorious impulse, always dwelling in every
christian heart, and always effectual.
"When every man — ministers, deacons, and peo
pie, — is in his place, and fully animated with the
spirit of his calling, what power can successfully
resist them? " The voice of a king is heard in
tlie camp," and the nations will bow to his su-
premacy. Then, and not till then, will the church
be, — " Clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and ter-
rible as an army with banners."
Let us now, briefly, recapitulate the topics
vhich have passed in review.
FAITHFULNESS. 153
In our first chapter we considered the nature
of the Deaconship ; in the second, die quaUfica-
tions requisite ; and in the third, the forms of
election and ordination to the office ; in the fourth,
fifth, and sixth, we examined the duties of dea-
cons, and satisfactorily settled their number and
character ; in the seventh, we investigated the
subject of female assistants to deacons, or deacon-
esses ; in the eighth chapter, we have seen the
obligations of the church and the ministry, to co-
operate with the deacons ; and in the ninth, the
importance of their fidelity to all the interests of
religion.
I have only to add, in conclusion, tliat the day,
as I trust, is not distant, when all deacons will
fully understand and faitlifully discharge their high
vocation. Well docs it befit a lofty spirit, tilled
with the love of God, and burning with quench-
less ze:d for the salvation of men. Nor this only,
but when every christian, whatever "his position
or calling, shall awake and shake himself from the
dust, and " die feeblest among them become as
David before the Lord." Then, indeed, will the
blessings of God descend upon his churches, as
die refreshing showers of spring. Songs of re-
154 IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS.
joicing will cheer the vales, and hosannaVis of tri-
umph echo from every hill and mountain. " The
wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for
them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as
tlie rose."
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