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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*'!).
^<M;ilnlirl|iliin:
AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY
118 AKCII fc^THKET.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S46, by
W. W. KEEN,
Treasurer of the American Baptist Publication Society, in the
Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.
Oe"r^e Charles, Slereo^ypei
Km; & Biird, Pr^olera,
Ino. 9 George Street. PhiUdflphii.
DEDICATION.
To the Deacons of all the Baptist churches
throughout the United States of America, this little
volume is respectfully dedicated, by their oblirred
brother,
The Author.
550080
SECOND EDITION.
The first edition, containing a thousand copies,
has been sold in six months. The work has
received many commendations. At the close
of the present edition, will be found editorial
notices from the " Christian Review," and " Bap-
tist Memorial," and the opinion of the Editor of
the widely circulated " Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge."
With increased confidence in the adaptation
of this volume to the wants of the churches, it is
sent forth in reliance upon the blessing of the
Head of the Church.
T. S. Malcom,
Cor. Secretary.
Philadelphia, December 15, 1S46.
PREFACE.
A Valued friend and brother, lately soli-
cited from me, an article on the Deacon-
ship, for publication in a Quarterly, which is
under his editorial direction. About the
same time my own beloved church decided
to appoint several additional deacons, and
called upon me for such instruction as might
be necessary to guide them in their proceed-
ings. My attention was thus specially called
to the subject, and I determined to give it a
thorough re-investigation. To write a book
formed no part of my design. As, however,
1* 5
6 ^ PREFACE.
my examinations extended, my convictions
of the importance of the office were increas-
ed. I turned to my library for aid to direct
me, but could find, there or elsewhere,
almost none. Bodies of Divinity, Diction-
aries of the Bible, and Commentators, fur-
nished me a few short articles, but 1 found
them all defective, both m the amount of
thought bestowed upon them, and the con-
clusions at which they arrived. With the
word of God before me, I continued to write
until the substance of the following chap-
ters was produced. I am surprised to find
that no work, indeed, that nothing valuable,
so far as I know, has been published on the
Deaconship, either in England or America.
I have not the vanity to suppose that the
following pages will supply the deficiency ;
nevertheless, at the suggestion of intelligent
and judicious brethren, I have thrown the
results of inv examhiations into the form of
PREFACE. 7
a volume, and now submit them to the pub-
lic eye. I have taken this step with great
deference, but in the hope, and with the
earnest prayer, that it may be accompanied
with the blessing of God.
RoBT. BoYTE C. Howell,
Naihville, Tenn. Feb. 21, 1846.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE NATURE OP THE DEACOXSHIP.
Definition of the term Deacon — Variety of opinions in
relation to it — Our own doctrine and practice — History
of the origin of the Deaconship — Perpetuation of the office
— The injury of diverting it from its original design, 13
CHAPTER n.
THE QOALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEACONSHIP.
The conjugal relations of the candidate — His general
reputation — His religious character — His orthodoxy— His
intellectual endo^^^Ilents — His government of his family,
and general conduct of his own temporal affairs, . 34
CHAPTER HI.
THE FORMS OF ELECTION, AND ORDINATION TO THK
DEACONSHIP.
By whom deicons are to ho oloctcd — Each separate
congregation a true church — Every church in(lo])ciid-
9
10 CONTENTS.
ent — Instructions before election — ^Mannei of election-
Checks and balances in government — Ordaining form-
Instructions after ordination — Duty of adhering to Apos-
tolic forms, ........ 57
CHAPTER IV,
THE GENERAL DUTIES OF DEACONS.
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 70
CHAPTER V.
THE DUTIES OF DEACONS WITH REFERENCE TO TBEIR
PASTORS.
Necessity of pastoral support — The law which governs it
— The teachings of Christ and his Apostles — Apostolic
practice — Reason and justice — Importance of a fuU un-
derstanding between Pastor and Church, . . 90
CHAPTER VI.
THE MEANS OF CREATING AND SUSTAINING THE
NECESSARY REVENUES IN THE CHURCH.
Revenues are indispensable. — The law of God on this
subject. — Its excellent characteristics — The superintend-
ence necessary in its execution — It is sufficient for all
purposes — Recapitulation — Importance of stated and re-
gular meetings of the Deacons, . . . .110
THE DEACONSHIP.
CHAPTER I.
THE NATURE OF THE DEACONSHIP.
Definition. — Variety of opinions. — Our own doctrine and
practice. — History of its origin. — Perpetuation of the
office. — The injury of diverting it from its original
design.
A Deacon — Aiaxovoi — is a Minister, or Ser-
vant. The term, in its broadest sense, descrihes
ministers, or servants, of all classes, whether their
department be temporal or spiritual. It has in its
sense, a similar indefinitencss with the word — .
exx'Krjsia — Church. In illustration of the truth of
this remark, I will refer to several passages of tho
word of God. " Wilt thou not," says the author
of the epistle to the Romans,* speaking of civil
rulers, " be afraid of the power? Do that which
• Rom. xiii. 3, 4.
2
14 NATURE OF
is good, and tliou shall have praise of the same ;
for he is I9i6v 70^ 5wixoi;6j, the Deacon of God-
in our version] the minhter of God to thee for
good." In this, and other texts, the civil magis-
trate is announced as '■'■the Deacon of God.''*
The apostles are frequently called Deacons. In
the address of Peter to the assembled disciples, a
few days after the ascension of Christ,* he said —
" Brethren, this scripture must needs have been
fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of
David, spake before concerning Judas, which was
guide to them that took Jesus. For he was num-
bered with us [the apostles], and had obtained
part of [yrii Stax&w'a;, this Deaconship'] this min'
istry." And again, in the apostolic prayer at the
choosing of Matthias, we have this sentence —
" Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all
men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
that he may take part of [trfi fikoueovias, this Dea-
conshiji] this ministry, and apostlesJup.^^j
Paul, speaking of himself and Apollos, says, they
were AMxovot, Deacons, in our version ministers,
by whom the Corinthians believed the gospel.J
Tychicus, an evangelist, is denominated a Deacon.
Writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul says:
* Acts i. 16, 17. t Acts i. 24, 25. X 1 Cor. iii. 5.
THE DEACON'SHIP. 15
" That ye also may know my afiaire, and liow I
do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and \jti,or6i Staxoi'oj,
faithful Deacon] faithful minister in the Lord,
shall make known unto you all tilings ; whom I
have sent unto you for the same purpose."* The
angels of God are declared to be all Deacons.
" Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister \_Siaxoviav'] for them who shall be heirs
of salvation?"! I will only add that our Lord
Jesus Christ himself is also a Deacon. " Now I
[Paul] say, that Jesus Christ was a [^Ataxovoj, a
Deacon'] minister of tlie circumcision for the
truth of God, to confirm tlie promises. "J Thus
we see that according to the usus loquendi of tlie
Scriptures, all ministers or servants, ordinary and
extraordinary, political, ecclesiastical, angelic, and
divine, are familiarly cidled Deacons.
There is, however, a strict application of the
term to a specified class of officers in tlie church,
who, in distinction from allothers, bear this name.
They are denominated Deacons, because they are
the only class not already known by some other
appellation, and not that the sense of their tide is
less applicable to others than to them. This fact
is plainly set forth in the teachings of those por-
• Eph. yi. 21, 22. t Heb. i. 14. t Rom. xv. 8.
16 NATURE OF
tions of the word of God in which their station is
described, and their duties are enjoined.
Let us consider this proposition. The inspired
writers speak, frequently, of the office of pastors,
and the office of Deacons, as two distinct offices.
In one of the epistles the qualifications of the
former are described ; and after that, and sepa-
rately, those of the latter. Sometimes, also, the
churches are addressed, with " their bishops, and
Deacons." The position of the Deacons, there-
fore, is, plainly, in the same church with the pas-
tor, or bishop ; and their duties, though in the
most perfect harmony with each other, belong to
different departments in the kingdom of Christ.
They are coadjutors in the great work of salva-
tion ; fellow-laborers in the truth. To the Dea-
cons, no less than to the pastors, or ministers,
most important interests are committed, upon their
prompt, enlightened, and faitliful attention to which,
depends, essential'y, the prosperity of religion.
In the facts and considerations thus far sub-
mitted, all Christians, I beUeve, substantially con-
cur. But, unliappily, much confusion and division
of sentiment prevail regarding the nature of the
office ; the relations which the Deacons sustain to
tlie church and to the ministry ; and the duties
THE DEACONSHIP. 17
ihey are properly called upon to perform. Nearly
all the churches have made them ministers of the
gospel. In the Roman Catholic church he is an
inferior ecclesiastic, the second in the sacred order,
who, with tlie permission of the bishop, has au-
thority to preach and baptize. In tlie EngUsh
church tlie Deacons are clergymen, but of the
lowest grade ; who can, however, perform all the
offices of priests, except the consecration of the
sacred elements and the pronouncing of the abso-
lution. In tlie German Protestant churches, when
more ministers dian one in the same congregation
are necessary, the second, or assistant minister, is
called the Deacon ; and if there are two assistants
the first is called the Arch-Deacon. In the Pres-
byterian church, the office is commonly merged in
that of ruling elder, and, therefore, mosdy dis-
used. Where it is still retained, it embraces, as
among Congregationalists and otiiers, merely the
distribution of alms. The Methodist and Epis-
copal churciies in this country adopt, substantially,
on this subject, the practice of the English church,
of whicll thoy are descendants and modifications.
In the Baptist churches, the Deacons are not min-
isters who preach, on the one hand, nor mere
distributors of alms on the other, but serve in a
2*
18 NATURE OF
different capacity. They are a board of directors,
and have charge of all the secular affairs in the
kingdom of Christ.
This diversity is as painful, as it is extensive
and firmly fixed. I entertain no hope that, by
any thing that may be here said, I shall be able,
in the smallest degree, to bring the advocates of
these jarring opinions into harmony with each
other. I do not, desirable as it may be, even
aspire to such an object. My purpose is simply
to ascertain, and embody, the teachings of the
word of God on the whole subject, that we may
know, and do, the will of the Most High.
The nature of the Deaconship finds its chief,
and most prominent illustration in the history of
the origin of the office. By the acts there set
forth, as well as by all that appears in every other
part of the word of God, it will be fully seen
that, as the pastor has supervision of o// f/ie spiri'
tualities of the church, and is, therefore, overseer,
or bishop in that department ; so the deacons
are overseers of all her temporalities, of which
they of right, have the full control. This was,
certainly, the form of organization in " the model
church at Jerusalem."
The first professors of the religion of Christ
IHE DEACONSHIP. 19
were well informed of the fact, often announced
to them by their IMaster, that their city was soon
to be destroyed, their country overrun, and the
nation dispersed, so that their property would be
of no further value to them. Besides this, they
subjected themselves, by uniting with Christ,
not only to persecution and excommunication
from the congregation of the Jews, but also to the
coniiscation of all their earthly possessions. As
a measure of economy, precaution, and defence,
therefore, by which they could secure the means
of life for their own support, — " All tliat believed
were together, and had all things common ; and
sold their possessions and goods, and parted them
to all men as every man had need."* Thus, and
for these i-easons, a large common fund was cre-
ated, the whole of which was placed in the hands
of " the twelve.'''' All the disciples, consequently,
of every class, were made dependent on the apos-
tles for their necessary sustenance. They were
obliged, in addition to all then* spiritual duties, to
make, daily, an equitable disbursement to each in-
dividual — at least to every family — to supply the
wants of tlie whole multitude ! Some of tlie dis-
• Acts ii. 44, 45.
20' NATURE OF
ciples, doubtless, probably many of them, hrid,
originally, no property, and brought nothing with
them into the common stock. Yet, such was the
pervading feeling of benevolence, that all were
made equal partakers in the benefits of the arrange-
ment. This guardianship devolved upon the
apostles, necessarily, a most laborious task. For
a season, however, they persevered in its per-
formance. But soon difficulties sprang up.
Charges of inattention, and partiality, were pre-
ferred against the Hebrews, in which, probably,
the apostles felt themselves included. " A mur-
muring" arose "of the Grecians [Hellenistic
Jews^ because their widows were neglected in
the daily ministrations."* Their cares and toils,
before sufficiently arduous, now became insup-
portable. They instantly saw that they were in
danger of sacrificing their influence over the pub-
lic mind, by assuming to manage the temporal af-
fairs of the Christians. They found also another
impediment equally great. A large part of their
time, all of which they were sacredly bound to
devote to the preaching of the gospel, they were
now consuming in mere earthly matters. They
• Acts vi. 1.
THE DEACOXSHIP 21
(lelemiined, therefore, without delay, to change
the existing condition of things, and to provide
for these newly developed necessities of the
fhurcli. The nieasnre devised, resulted, under
guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the institution of
the Deaconship.
"Then" — says Luke — "the twelve called the
multitude of the disciples unto them, and said : —
It is not reason that we should leave the word of
God and serve tables [Aiaxovtiv r^a.-tt^acj — deacon
tables']. Wherefore, 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. But we will give ourselves, con-
tinually, to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word. And the saying pleased the whole multi-
tude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith, and the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Pro-
chorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas,
and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they
set before the aposUes ; and when they had
prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the
word of God increased ; and tlie number of the
disciples multiplied in Jenisalem greatly ; and a
great company of the priests were obedient to tha
faith."*
• AcU vi. 2-7.
Z^ NATURE OF
Such is, briefly, the inspired history of the
origin of the Deaconship. We learn from it the
incontestible fact that the first deacons were not
appointed as ministers of the gospel, nor with any
intention of their ever becoming such. If some
of them subsequently preached, they did so, not
in their character as deacons, but by virtue of au-
thority afterw^ards conferred upon them as evan-
gelists. To this topic we shall have occasion to
recur, and will, therefore, not now pursue it.lThe
deacons were, on the other hand, appointed not
simply, as many maintain, to disti'ibute the chari-
ties of the church ; but expressly and alone, to re-
lieve the aposdes of temporal cares, by taking
charge of this department of the churcli's affairs-
Accordingly we see their duties defined, in the
reasons assigned for creating the office, as the op-
posite of those which they reserved to themselves.
If we, said they, continue to " serve tables,^'' we
must " leave''' preaching " the word of God."
We cannot accomplish both. Let the Deacons
serve the " tables" of the people. They can do
that, fully as well as we can, probably better.
•' And ive will give ourselves continually to prayer,
and to the ministry of the word" — exclusively to
tlie service of preaching die gospel. The deacons,
THE DEACONSIIIP. 23
tfierefore, were originally not preachers, nor
merely conservators for the poor, but had the ad-
ministration of the property of tlie church, which
they conducted, as the divinely authorized agents,
for the benefit of the whole community.
In these conclusions we are sustained, not only
by the word of God, but, also, by the involuntary
assent even of those who adopt a practice the op-
posite of that which we advocate. For example,
Burkitt, a deservedly popular commentator of the
English church, says : — " The deacons were, at
first, instituted for the service of die poor ; the
alms of the church were brought to the altar, the
deacons received them, and distributed them
among the aged, and impotent, from house to
house."* Here he fully confesses that they were
not ministers ; hut he falls into the opposite error.
Dr. Dick, in his Theology, remarks, on this sub-
ject, " It is true, indeed, that, as the design of the
instiuition was not to divert the attention of tlie
aposUes from the ministry of tlie word, tlie care
of all temporal matters in which die church is
concerned, may be considered as belonging to
deacons."! Why, tlien, it may be asked, have
• On 1 Tim. lii. 8. t Vol. ii. p. 498-9.
24 NATURE OF
the Presbyterians generally, of which community
Dr. Dick was a distintriiished member, no dea-
cons. He himself, under a misconception of the
nature of the office, like that of Burkitt, explains*
— Deacons " were specially appointed solely for
the poor. In some congregations there are no
poor ; in others they are very few in number ;
and where they most abound, they can be at-
tended to by the elders." In the Encyclopedia
Americana, a deacon is described thus : — " A
person who belongs to the inferior order of minis-
ters in the church. Seven were first mstituted by
the apostles, which number was retained a long
time, in several churches. Their duty was to
serve in the agapse [love feasts] to distribute the
bread and wine to the communicants, and to dis-
pense alms. The office of the deacons, at first,
merely concerned things temporal !"t
We might thus pass through the whole circle
of the sects, showing that they aU, in some way,
concede our doctrines to be correct, as to the ori-
ginal designs and purposes of the Deaconship, and
adducing their confessions that they have either
abolished the office, or changed its character and
* Ut supra. t Sub voce.
THE DEACON'SHIP. 25
duties. But these facts are so well known that
1 deem it unnecessary further to prosecute tliis
particular topic.
Doubts, I proceed to remark, have been ex-
pressed whether the officers, the history of whose
appointment we have briefly recapitulated, were
the same with the deacons described in the epis-
tles. Dr. Mosheira, and others of his class, main-
tain that they were not. He alleges,* that dea-
cons existed before this time, and are spoken of
by Christt in the following passage :-^" But ye
shall not be so ; but he that is greatest among you,
let him be as the younger ; and he that is chief, as
he that doth serve." Here the word younger
is wwTffoj, and for he that doth serve, biaxovutv.
The latter word he supposes to be unanswerably
explanatory of the former, and to denote here,
appropriately, the office of a deacon in the Chris-
tian church. Msi^wf, also, the Greek word for
greatest, he considers us denoting a rider, or
presbyter} because it is explained by tyyoL^tvoj,
chief, and contrasted to hMxwi^v. In conformity
to tliis interpretation, he supposed that \\\cyo<.'ng
men, who curried Ananias and Sapphira to their
• Dwight's Theology, vol. iv. pp. 286, 287, 288»
t Luke x-tii. 26.
3
26 NATURE OF
burial, were deacons in the proper sense. In sup-
port, and, as he thinks, in absolute confirmation
of this opinion, he observes, that Peter says ;—
" And Ukewise ye younger submit yourselves to
tiie elder. ''^ Here the words are vfwrf^ot, and
rffsfr/^urffot, the latter meaning, as he apprehends,
the elders of the cluirch, and tlie former the dea-
cons. To all this he adds, tliat this sense of ihe
word vfiotf^oi., might be confirmed by numberless
citations from Greek and Roman writers, and a
variety of authors, sacred and profane. From
these considerations, Dr. Mosheim concludes,
that there were deacons in the church anterior
to those whose appointment toe have considered,
and that the seven were instituted only, or chiefly,
to remedy the disorders of the moment.
There are others who reject the exegeses of
Mosheim, but who arrive, by a different route, at
similar conclusions. They hold that the office
first filled by die seven, was origuiated by tempo-
rary disorders, and passed away with the commu-
nity of goods among the disciples. Afterwards
the appointment of deacons was, tliey imagine,
discretionary, and might be wholly discontinued
without injury. Dr. Dick expresses their opinion
when he says : — " In some parts of the church the
THE PEACONSHIP. 87
office of deacon is retained, but in others it is not ;
and the want of it has been represented as a crim-
inal omission. But the institution arose out of
particular circumstances, and may, therefore, be
dispensed with where these do not exist." " The
poor," he adds, " where they are found, can be
attended to by the elders, who, on the principle
tliat an inferior ofTice is comprehended in a supe-
rior, possess the power of deacons, as ministers
possess the power of elders. This" — concludes
Dr. Dick — " is our apology for not having deacons
in our congregations, and it seems to be satisfac-
tory."*
To this reasoning of the Scotch divine, and
tliose who adhere to him, we reply, summarily,
tliat it is based upon three palpable errors. First,
that the deacon's ofTice originated in peculiar and
temporary circumstances ; secondly, that, where
these circumstances are supposed not to exist, tlie
church may abolish it ; and thirdly, that its duties
may be performed by higher officers, whose offices
necessarily include the lower ! These errors are
too obvious to need refutation.
But the expositions of Dr. Mosheim, 1)y whH
he proposes to establish the existence of deacons
• Theology, vol. ii. p. 499.
28 NATURE OF
in the church before the ascension of Christ, de-
serve a more particular examination. They are
very ingenious, but they labor under one capital
defect — they are entirely inapplicable ; his scrip-
ture passafjes have not the remotest reference to
the Deaconship. Every one must see, on turning
to his texts, that their whole design was, not to
teach any thing with regard to the Deaconship,
but to inculcate upon the disciples those lessons
of humility, so necessary both for them and for
us. When Christ, and his apostles, tell us, that
in the church of the Redeemer, " the greatest is
bound to feel and act as a youth, or child, ought
to feel and act ; and that he who is chief ought to
behave with the modesty and humility of him
whose business it is to serve," we are charmed
with the beautiful lesson inculcated ; and cannot
but be surprised that any one, by a sublimated
process of criticism, should thmk of turning it
aside from its purpose, and especially of finding
in it a class of ecclesiastical officers nowhere re-
corded, at the time, as ha\dng an existence ! Is it
not incredible, that Christ should, in the days of
his flesh, have formed an order of officers in his
church, by his own immediate appointment, and
yet that no writer of tlie New Testament, except
THE DEACONSHIP. 29
in distant and incomprehensible allusions, shonkJ
have lurnished us any account of a procedure so
important 1 Besides, in the act of choosing the
deacons, the history of which we have considered,
there is not the least allusion to any pre-existing
officers of that title or character. On the contrary,
the idea is forbidden by the spirit of tlie whole
transaction.
It is perfecdy certain, therefore, that up to the
lime we have indicated, there were no deacons in
the church. It is equally clear, that those then
appointed were not designed to serve a mere tem-
porary purpose, but were to be continued in the
church, and are as necessary now as they were
when first instituted.
Was the Deaconship originated to remedy the
disorders growing out of the community of jroods
merely, and to pass away with that condition of
things ? I cannot see how any one can seriously
entertain this opinion, since long after the disci-
ples had ceased to have " all things common,"
and there were no longer any disorders on this
account, the office was still exislinir in all the
churches. In the episdes it is familiarly spoken
of, and especially in the first episde to Timothy,
written at least thirty years after the disciples had
3*
30 NATURE OF
exh/insted their rnmmnn property, and the com-
inunity of goods was no more. To the close of
the apostolic age it was inculcated and required.
The qualifications necessary to be possessed by
those who are elevated to the office, are minutely
described, and the ministry admonished to be ex-
tremely cautious as to the character of the men
upon whom they conferred this dignity. The
moral, religious, and intellectual endowments of
the officer ; the duties of his station ; his respon-
sibilities ; and the importance of his fidelity ; as
enumerated and enforced by Paul, are essentially
the same with those stated at the origination of
the office, and prove, beyond question, that it was
the same officer.
Let us advert to three additional facts, in proof
that the perpetuation of the Deaconship in the
church is positively indispensable.
Every church, in the first place, must, in the
nature of things, own more or less common pro-
perty and funds, for the management of which the
services of deacons are essential. She must pos-
sess a place of worship ; and she must create and
sustain a ti'casury, because it is necessary that she
support her pastor, that she succor and reheve her
poor, that she meet her incidental expenses, and
THE DEACONSHIP. 81
tliat she aid in the general dissemination of the
gospel. Who, in all this, is to superintend and
direct aflliirs to the proper issue ? God has ap-
pointed for tliis special purpose tlie Deacons ;
tlierefore tlieir office must be perpetually continued
ui die church.
The temporal affairs of the church, secondly,
cannot, as expericuce fully teaches, )ioiv be admin-
istered by the pastors, witliout subjecting them to
die same difficulties that beset the aposUes. Either
diey will be fatally neglected by them, and great
injury ensue ; or a very large part of dieir lime
will be thereby engrossed, which is not admissible,
since tiie whole is appropriated, by die King in
Zion, to die preaching of die word. The deacona
must therefore be retained.
And, lasdy, the law enacting die Deaconsliip
has never been repealed, cluxnged, or modilied in
any way. It is still in full force, and if disre-
garded by us, we become, on diat account, criminal
before God. Indeed, no church, witliout deacons-
to preside over its temporal affairs, is legally or
fully organized, or can properly claim to be in
every respect, Christ's church.
The perpetuation of the Deaconship, Uierefore,
32 NATURE OF
in its original form, and with its primitive duties
is as obligatory as any other portion of the word
of God.
When we look around us we see, almost every
where, other and unauthorized officers introduced
into the church to do their work ; the deacons,
where they exist at all, diverted from it ; and en-
gaged in other duties than those they were origi-
nally appointed to perform. I cannot but lament
this perversion, so generally prevalent, since it
must inevitably result in deep and lasting injury to
the cause it is designed to subserve. AVhat God
appoints is always best for his people. To devise
a plan of our own, and to substitute it for his, is
to commit the folly of assuming to be more wise,
and to understand better the wants of his church
than Christ himself! Remove the deacons, either
by transferring them to the ministry or in any other
way, and the pecuniary interests of religion, al-
ways extensive and important, must revert to the
clergy, be wholly neglected, or be under the con-
trol of men who have no authority in the pre-
mises. In either case the word of God is
contemned, and the rights of both the church and
the mmistry are abused and injured. We are dis
THE DEACONSHIP. 33
obedient, presumptuous, and the blessing of God
is jusdy forfeited. The evil is inevitable and aggra-
vated.
Thus have we seen the nature of the Deacon-
ship illustrated in a definition as to what the office
really is ; die variety of opinions entertained in
reladon to it ; and our own doctrine and practice
on die subject ; also in the history of its origin,
the necessity of its perpetuation in die church,
and the injury which must always result when it
is diverted from its original design. Let us, be-
loved brethren, understand ourselves upon this
subject ; adhere unwaveringly to the word of God ;
maintain the Deaconship in its original fonn and
with its primitive purj[)oses ; and we may coiiii-
dendy anticipate upon " our works of faith, and
labors of love," the rich blessing of our Heavenly
Fadier.
34 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
CHAPTER II.
THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEACONSHIP.
The conjugal relations of the candidate. — His general re-
putation. — His religious character. — His orthodoxy.—
His intellectual endowments. — His government of hi3
family, and general conduct of his own temporal affairs.
The success of an officer must always depend,
mainly, upon his qualifications to perform the
duties of his office. Incompetent or unfaitliful
men, either in the Deaconship or the ministry,
invariably prove an incubus upon the cause their
appointment was intended to promote. The apos-
tles, guided by these considerations, describe with
careful particularity the endowments necessary to
be possessed to fit a man for tliis distinguished
station. To the church in Jerusalem they said
that they must be :— /" Men of honest report, fidl
of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom."* And Paul
charged Timothy thus : — " The Deacons must be
* Acts vi. 3.
THE DEACONSHIP. 35
^ve, not doiil)le tongiied, not given to much
wine, not greedy of filthy lucre ; holding ilie mys-
tery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let
tliese also first be proved, then let them use tlie
office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even
so must llieir wives be grave, not slanderers, sober,
faithful in all diiugs. Let tlie deacons be the
husbands of one wife, ruling their children and
their own houses well. For they that have used
the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves
a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which
is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto
tliee, hoping to come unto thee shortly ; but, if I
tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou
oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God."*
Thus brieffy are set forth in the Scriptures, the
qualifications for the Deaconship. The subject
presents six distinct points, which we will proceed
to consider separately.
Whether the qualificaUons of a brother render
him eligible to the Deaconship, is, in the first
place, determined by the character of his conjugd
relations.
On this part of our subject we are tlius admo
• 1 Tim. iii. S-14.
36 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
nished : — " Even so must their wives be grave,
not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let
the deacons be the husbands of one wife." Upon
tlie first sentence in this text — " Even so must
their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithfiil
in all things" — opinions are at variance. But our
best and most judicious biblical critics have decided
that it does not refer to the deacons' wives, but
to another class of women mistaken for them by
our translators. It is evident, however, that every
man must be, more or less, influenced for good or
for e^il by his wife. If she does not maintain a
reputable character, prudence at least would dic-
tate, that the husband should not be placed in a
position which will bring her so in contact with
the church as to injure the cause of religion. It
is exceedingly desirable that tlie wives of deacons,
and the wives of ail other chnstian men, should
fully correspond with the apostolic description.
This all, for very many reasons, will frankly con-
fess. Next to the religion of Christ, a pious,
mtelligent, exemplary, zealous, devoted, aflec-
tionate wife, is the most precious gift of God.
Happy is that man who is blessed with such a
companion through life's weary pilgrimage. But
why, if the passage does not describe tlie wives
THE DEACOXSHIP. S?
of deacons, should our translators liave so repre-
sented it I I know not. The church to whicli
they all belonged, had dispensed with die Deacon
ship in its original form, and had made the officer
a clergyman. Supposing, as we may conjecture,
that a minister's wife ought to be such a woman
as Paul describes, and as it is not required of the
bisliops, and since with Uiem bishops are made
of deacons, they determined that it must be re-
quired of deacons ! This might probably have
been the motive for our present version.
We have four reasons for believing that the pas-
sage does not refer to the wives of the deacons.
With these we will content ourselves at present,
and ^\•ill resume die subject in a subsequent
chapter.
In the first place, the inspired original will not
sustain the interpretation. The literal rendering
is simply — **■ Let the women likewise be grave"
&.C. What women ? The conclusion is as na-
tural that the apostle meant some other women as
the wives of the deacons.
Secondly, the wives of the deacons are ex-
pressly spoken of in Uie next verse, and Uierelore,
probably not in this.
4
38 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
Thirdly, it is not rational to conclude that more,
on ttie score of religion and fidelity, would be
demanded as to the wives of deacons than as to
those of bishops, and no such requirements are
challenged of the wives of bishops.
Lastly, it is the opinion of expositors generally,
m which I feel myself obliged to concur, that the
apostle delineates those female assistants to dea-
cons, usually called Deaconesses, of whom we
read in several other places in the New Testament,
whom we know existed in the apostoUc churches,
and of whom we hear so much in the writings of
the early Christian fathers. He was describing
the quahfications of deacons, and continues his
theme down to this verse ; here he portrays " the
WOMEN ;" and in the next place the deacons'
wives. By these " women" therefore, he must
have meant the Deaconesses, who, hke the Dea-
cons, must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful
in all things. But more of this hereafter. We
dismiss the passage as having no direct reference
to the wives of deacons.
If we do not materially err in these expositions,
the only text which speaks of the conjugal rela-
tions of the deacons simply restricts them to one
wife, without any especial direction as to what
THE DEACONSHIP. 39
shall be her character, — " Lit the deacons he the
husbands of one ivije.'^
Does this apostolic injunction make it neces-
sary, to qualify a brother for the Deaconship, that
he shall actually have a wife ? A misapprehen-
sion of llie nature of the instructions here given,
has led, in various quarters, to some singular
errors. Supposing that a wife is necessary to a
deacon, die Moravian church, the Reformed Dutch
church, and some of our own churches, always
require it They indeed frequendy go so far as
to conclude, Uiat it disqualifies him if he has lost
his wife, or if he has been married a second time !
All this, however, is inconsistent both with rea:<on
and tlie true meaning of Scripture. If the deacon
must be a married man, so also must the bishop.
The same authority that enjoins it in the one case,
enjoins it, and in tlie same words also, in the olher.
" A bishop [a pastor] then, must be blameless,
the husband of one ivife."* Yet who among us
supposes that a minister is, for want of a wife, dis-
qualified to assume the pastorship ? It not unfre-
quently happens that the same churches that refuse
to admit a single man to the Deaconship, receive
widiout scruple an unmarried pastor ! Such in-
• 1 Tim. iii. 2.
40 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
consistencies prove a very great want of reflection,
as well as inadequate conceptions of the word of
God. The meaning of the passage is plain. It
commands, not that the deacon shall have a wife,
but tliat, if he be married, he shall not, at the
same time, have two or more wives, but that he
shall have but "oneMJJ/e."
But Avhy this special admonition on such a
subject, since no deacon in our age or country
can possibly, according to law, have more than one
wife at a time ? No one would think of making
a man a deacon Avho has tivo wives! This
restriction, however, let it be remembered, did not
always exist, and does not even now in oriental
countries, where polygamy is stUl permitted by
their governments and practised by the people.
Our Creator, in the beginning, purposed that every
man should have his own wife, and every woman
her own husband. Unhappily, not many centu-
ries were counted in tlie world's histor5% before
this wise and salutary provision began to be pain-
fully perverted. Men married as many wives as
they felt inclined, and the practice prevailed in all
nations. Israel offered no exception to tliis gene-
ral departure. Ultimately polygamy found its
way every where, even among the most pious of
THE DEACONSHIP. 41
the servants of God. David, for example, had
many wives ; Solomon had several hundred ; and
up to the days of the apostles, every man had as
many as he was disposed to take. Among those
who professed religion and joined the primitive
churches, there were doubtless not a few who had
more wives than one. It would have been strange
if tliey had not had. I submit, with deference,
whether it is likely, for many reasons wliich may
readily be imagined, that every one who joined
the Christians was required to separate from all
but one of his wives. No such law was enacted
at the time, and had it been, its enforcement in the
then condition of things would, in many cases,
have been attended with incalculable sutfering.
However this may have been, it was the pur-
pose of Christ to aI)olish polygamy, and to restore
marriage to its original state. In accordance with
this intention, the Scriptures peremptorily prohibit
every unmarried person from tiiking hut one wife,
and if a man had more than one, although he
might have retained his position as a private mem-
ber, it was a perpetual disqualification for both the
ministry and the Deaconship — and, indeed, for
any other sacred office. This is the moaning of
tlie apostle when he says — "Let the deacons be
4*
42 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
the husbands of one wife." If any man could
deliberately disregard the authority of Jesus Christ
in the matter of marriage, this was testimony suf-
ficient of his unfitness for the Deaeonship. The
spirit of the injunction, as it applies to us, is, that
he who is not pure in his conjugal relations, is
not to be placed in authority in the church. He
must partake, more or less, of the temper and
moral feelings of his family. The possibility of
his being " spiritually minded" is precluded.
How can he cultivate such a knowledge of the
word of God as is essential to " soundness in the
faith ?" He cannot be a deacon.
The qualifications of a brother for the Deacon-
ship are, in the second place, to be determined by
his general reputation.
The deacons, said ^'■the fivelve'^ to the church
in Jerusalem, at the institution of the office, must
be " men of honest report." This, however, is
a someAvhat vague definition. More definiteness
is necessary. To what particular points does it
refer ? In another place we have the requisite
information. Paul charges Timothv thus : —
" The deacons must be grave, [of sedate and
dignified carriage and deportment,] not double
tongued, [speaking one thing to one person and
THE DEACONSHIP. 4S
another to another, on the same subjcctr— one
thing in your presence and another in your ab-
sence,] not given to much wine, [so using intoxi-
cating drinks as in any way to endanger their
habits of the most perfect temperance,] not greedy
of filthy lucre, [''/"-»? aaoxcoxf^ini, — not desirous
of base gain,"' — not employing base and unjus-
tifiable means to enlarge their revenues,] holding
tlie mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, [so
acting and believing, as to have habitually a con-
science void of ofl'ence towards God and towards
men]. Let these also first be proved; [have
given, as private members of the church, suffi-
cient evidence of character, capacity, and readi-
ness to act ;] then let them use the office of a
deacon, being found blameless." They must be
endowed with all the moral qudities here enu-
merated as entering into the character of a man
" of honest report," and they must, in addition,
have the repKfalion of possessing them, not with
the church only, but ;dso with the world — " Hav-
ing a good report of them that are without." This,
at the first glance, will probably appear to be a
hard condition. But it will not be so considered
when we come to remember that every man really
is, as a general rule, what he has the reputation
44 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
of being, especially among those who are most
familiar with him in the details of life.
To the success of a minister, an irrepioachable
moral chai"acter every where is absolutely essen-
tial. Without it, there must necessarily be such a
general want of confidence in his integrity and
sincerity as wiU close the hearts of all who hear
him. He has not " a good report of those who are
without." Therefore, by his preaching, he rather
dishonors Christ than advances the cause of reli-
gion. The multitudes will think him a hypocrite,
and to all his instructions and exhortations they
will reply with the old proverb — " Physician heal
thyself." He must be known as a man of ex-
emplary piety. " A statue upon the house top
must be larger than life, or it will appear to be
much smaller." So those who are ever sub-
jected to the public gaze, elevated in conspicuous
stations in tlie church, must be more religious than
other men, or they will appear much less so.
These considerations apply with equal force to
the deacons. They too must be " men of honest
report." If he is light, vain, and frivolous in his
intercourse — not grave ; if, on the same subject,
he give different representations, not contining
himself to strict truth — is double tongued ; if he
THE DEACONSHIF. 4ft
drink intoxicating spirits, so as, even remotely, to
bring his temperance into question — is given to
much ivine ; if he avail himself of any low or
undue means to increase his wealth — is greedy
of filthy lucre; he is effectually disqualitied for
the Deaconship. Such a man can never acquire
or maintain that influence over tlie public mind
which the office demands ; he cannot inculcate,
successfully, a pure morality ; nor can he offer, in
his life, such an example as will do honor to the
cause of Christ. All these considerations require
that the deacons should be, and should have the
reputation of being, men of unsullied honor.
Other and paramount reasons exist why the
deacons should support an unimpeached, and un-
impeachable, moral character — should be, indeed,
" above suspicion."
They are tlie depositaries of all the common
property and funds of the church ; to supply the
necessities of the destitute and suffering, they fre-
quently receive contributions, disburse them at
discretion, and no account is given, or expected to
be rtMidered by them ; and no remedy exists at
law by which they can, in these, or, indeed, in
any case, be compelled to fidelity. The whole
church and congregation must, therefore, havo in
46 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
their incorruptible integrity the most undoubting
confidence. If their characters, in any moral re-
spects, are equivocal, this defect amounts to a
disquahfication. They must be " men of honest
report^
The third qualification respects the religious
character of the candidate for the Deaconship.
Men of distinguished piety are demanded.
Than this, nothing less can surely be meant by
the phrase, — " FuU of the Holy Ghost" — in othei
words, full of the gifts and graces of the Spirit o'
God. Those who are thus eminently endowed
possess sincere and unfailing religion, enjoy the
love of Christ dwelling richly in their hearts. Of
these acquirements the deacons, if they do their
duty, will have pressing necessity. What else
but the influence of the holiest affections can so at-
tach them to the cause as to induce them promptly,
patiently, and from year to year, to prosecute
unwaveringly the many, and often extremely dis-
agreeable duties, which they are constantly called
upon to discharge ? What else is there that is
likely to prevent them from indulguig in those
neglects, to which unwilling nature so strongly
prompts, and which, when permitted, are always
so fatal to all the interests of the religion of Christ ?
THE DEACONSHIP. 47
They can never be borne onward l}y motives of
worldly honor, because no temporal dislinctions
await them. Neither can they be prompted to
duty by the influence of pecuniary reward. They
receive none. Their work is a gratuity. Yet they '
must devote much of their time, make many per-
sonal sacrifices, bear a thousand perplexities, and
toil on, under every discouragement that may
beset them, unslirinkiiig, and to the end ! Can
so much be expected from any but men of the
most exemplar^' piety ? For iliese, and oilier
reasons, those who are appointed to the Deacon-
ship should, if possible, be like Stephen, — "Full
of faith, and of the Holy Ghost."
They must, in tlie fourth place, be men of
sound scriptural principles.
This characteristic in the qualifications requi-
site to the Deaconship, is enjoined with ereat
emphasis — " Holding tlie mystery of tlie faith."
They may be strict in their morals ; spiritual in
their feelings ; kind, courteous, and sincere in
their Christian intercourse; recrularand punctual in
tlie performance of all their duties; and their hearts
deeply imbued with the love of Christ. But even
all this is not enough, if it is not accompanied by
48 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
orthodoxy in their Christian doctiine — they must
" hold the mystery of the faith."
This requisition necessarily involves more than
a very limited knowledge of the word of God.
How salutary, how indispensable to us all, is the'
prayerful and careful study of divine revelation ?
" Search the Scriptures," said the Redeemer, " for
in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they
are they which testify of me." Without this we
can form no stable system of theoloof\-, and our
conduct, which is always based upon our princi-
ples, must be vacillating and unsteady. In our
day, indeed, many professors of religion appear,
doubtless in consequence of a want of competent
information, to have hardly any definite doctrinal
principles. Periodical excitements are looked to
for almost every purpose. They carry us for-
ward upon their resisdess tide. As a natural
result, our religion has assumed a spasmodic cha-
racter, and seems to consist mostly, if not alto-
gether, in feeling. With that denomination which
happens to be convenient, therefore, the great mass,
when they profess religion, unite themselves.
They make, generally, almost no inquiry, are
rarely informed what that church believe, they
THE DEACONSHIP. 49
nevertlielcss profess to receive and to cherish theL
doctrines ! Church membership has, in conse
quence, assumed a painful instabihty ; and the
tendencies to all descriptions of fanaticism art
every where apparent. Who but the leading mem-
bers of our churches — the deacons especially —
are to stay lliis overwhelming tide of evil I And
can they do it unless they are thorougldy fixed in
the truth as it is in Jesus ?
What the doctrines are that constitute the sum
of " the mystery of the faitli," it is, of course, not
proper for me here to describe. The attempt
would, necessarily, occupy by far too much space.
I may barely remark, that they are such as tlie
distinction of persons in tlie Godliead, die divine
Sonship, the proper Divinity, and the distinct per-
sonality of Christ; llie Deity, personality, and
work of tlie Holy Spirit; the unity of God; the
incarnation of Christ, and the union of die two
natures in him ; the vicariousness of his sacrifice ;
justification by faith alone, through the merits ot
Christ ; the duty of obedience to all die ordinances
and commandments ; the resurrection of die body,
and everlasting life. In these, and such Uke doc-
trines of die gospel, it is necessary, to qualify a
5
50 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
man for the Deaconship, that he be thoroughly
orthodox.
. Yet other reasons also require it. The influ-
ence which the deacons exert in the churches is
to be considered. Should they be unsound in the
faith it will not be difficult for them to tind adhe-
rents, and thus bring additional evils into the
body. They may, therefore, if defective "in
the faith," instead of becoming a blessing, prove
a source of the greatest injuries — perhaps over-
whelm and destroy the church itself.
The deacons will also be called frequently, espe-
cially in private — even more frequently it may be
than the pastor — to defend the peculiar doctrines
of the gospel. This they can never do if they
are wanting in orthodoxy. On the contrar)', every
attempt of the kind would necessarily inflict a new
and dangerous wound, because it would be a new
advocacy of error, and an increased dissemination
of false principles.
They will be called upon to mstruct the erring
and the weak, to confirm the strong, and to estab-
lish the wavering. They must, therefore, not be
unsteady or eccentric in their tenets ; disposed,
for any reason, to compromise truth ; nc~. on the
THE DEACONSHIP. 61
Other hand, dogmatical and overbearing in its de-
fence, but gentle, firm, and decided.
On these and many other accounts, it will be
seen that the deacons must be men wiio hold
unwaveringly " the mystery of the faith."
The qualifications for the Deaconship consist,
m the filth place, in intellectual capacity.
He who is chosen to that office must be, —
" Full of wisdom." Such is the apostohc admo-
nition to llie church in Jerusalem, and " it was
written for our learning."
The term wisdom, as it occurs in this passage,
does not, I presume, refer exclusively, or even pri-
marily, to what is popularly known as human
learning, or cultivation in the arts, sciences, and
literature. Learning, I will confess, is very desir-
able ; and yet instances often occur in which it is
possessed profoundly, but blended with very little
practical good sense ! That kind of wisdom is
doubtless meant, which will give them ability to
manage the interests involved in their office, so
as, on the one hand, to avoid all unnecessary diffi-
culties, and on the other, by selecting the most
appropriate measures, to gain, in the surest possi-
ble manner, the ends proposed. Literary acquirt*-
52 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
ments. to any consideraJ^le extent, are not essential
to the Deaconship, consequently, because they do
not impart the peculiar powers required. And
besides this, deacons are not, as ministers are,
professionally teachers of the people. Frequently
too, persons are found whose scientific advantages
have been very limited, but who, nevertheless,
have acquired much wisdom — much of that dis-
criminating perception of the character of men
and things, which prepares them to act well the
part assigned them in ecclesiastical as well as tem-
poral affairs. Such is the wisdom demanded for
the Deaconship.
The necessity for careful attention in this re-
spect will be the more apparent to all, if we con-
sider that without the capacity here required the
deacons will never comprehend the nature, obliga-
tions, and extent of their duties. Enlarged views,
a just appreciation of the objects proposed, and
clear perceptions of the measures to be adopted
to secure them, are indispensable. Otherwise
they will be, as but too many already are, of little
or no value. The time for action ; the manner
of proceeding ; and how far any particular enter-
prise should be prosecuted ; demand wise counsels.
THE DEACONSHIP. 53
These are some of the considerations that make
It necessary that tlic deacons be men " Full of
wisdom."
No one, in the sixth and last place, should be
selected as a deacon, who does not, in the manage-
ment of his own personal affairs, give promise of
efficiency and fidelity in his sacred office.
Look around you. Examine into the private
affairs of those you would place in authority.
Mark tlie apostolic portrait. — " Ruling their chil-
dren and theii own houses well." " Let them
first be proved ; then let them use the office of a
deacon." As of a minister, so of a deacon : —
" Not a novice, lest being Ufted up with pride, he
fall into the condemnation of tlie devil." When
the apostle mstructs us that they must " first be
proved," he does not intimate that they must, pre-
viously to their ordination, have exercised the
office, and thus have evinced their qualifications ;
but simply, that none be elected until, as private
members of the church and otlierwise, they have
given full proof of their character, religion, ortho-
doxy, wisdom, and abQity, as well as tlieir readi-
ne^-: to do the work of the Deaconship.
The admonition now under consideration is tiy
no means singular. Others, besides tlie churcli,
5*
54 QUALIFICATIONS FOR
are accustomed to look to a mnn's family govern-
ment, and to his general management of his own
concerns, as criteria by which to determine his
fitness for particular pursuits, his energy and the
probability of his success. If we desire a partner
in business ; or if we find it necessary to intmst
our affairs to the guidance of another person ; our
thoughts involuntarily turn to such considerations.
If he is defective here, we hesitate to proceed.
The same principles hold good in religion. If a
man comes short in his own matters, " how shall
he take care of the church of Christ?" Has
he not promptness, energ)', firmness, discretion ?
Has he not influence enough with his children to
govern them ? Has he not the requisite command
over his servants ? Is his busmess left at loose
ends to drag itself along ? Is he seldom ready to
meet his engagements at the proper time ? Then,
in these respects, his character is the reverse of
that which the word of God requires for a deacon.
Whatever of influence he would exert with his
brethren would tend to diffiise in the church his
own defects, and thus deprive her of more than
half of her strength.
Would you secure the services of an efl!icient
deacon, who will conduct the church's affairs sue-
THE DEACONsmi'. 55
cessfiiUy ? Select that brother who, if in oilier
respects he is of the proper character, has his
family, — his children and servants — under a regu-
lar, mild, and tirm government ; in whose house-
hold economy, benevolence, and regularity, bear
rule ; who conducts his own business with skill
and success ; and who attends promptly, honor-
ably, and energetically, to all his duties as a man.
He is " proved, and found blameless — ruling hig
children and his own house well. — Let him use
the office of a deacon."
Such are tlie scnptural qualifications for the
Deaconship. Let us recapitulate. — Those who
are appointed to this office must be pure in their
coiijugal relaticjns ; tliey must be men of unble-
mished genend reputation ; men of devout piety ;
men of sound orthodoxy in principle ; men who
are wise as to the character of men and things ;
and who conduct well their own household and
business alTairs. Will it be objected to me thai
bretliren who fully answer to tliis description can
be very seldom found, and that if all these qualifi-
cations are insisted upon, many churches can have
no deacons at all ? This supposition is, I think,
mistaken ; but even were it not, it would in no
way change the case, as it is presented before us
56 QUALIFICATIONS, ETC.
ill the divine record. I have held up before you
the inspired standard, by which your judgment
is to be fornied. Shall the law be lowered in its
obligations, because we may imagine that few
men, if measured by it, would not be found want-
mg ? As well might we bring down the divine
standard of Christian excellence, and think to
adjust it to the prevailing character of Christian
morals ? Such a course is not admissible. Let
the churches select as their deacons those brethren
who, in their judgment, approach nearest the in-
spired rule ; and let all — Deacons and people —
seek earnestly to reach it — press ever " towards
the mark for the prize of their high calling of
God in Christ Jesus."
FORMS OF ELECTION. 67
CHAPTER III.
THE FORMS OF ELECTION AND ORDINATION TO
THE DEACONSHIP.
By whom Deacons are to be elected. — Each separate con-
gregation a true church. — Every church independent. —
Instructions before election. — Manner of election. —
Checks and balances in goveriiment. — Ordaining form.
— Instructions ailer ordination. — Duty of adhering to
Apostolic form.
By whom are the deacons to be elected and ap-
pointed ? This is our next inquiry. I answer,
iliey are to be elected by tliat particular church in
which they are to serve, and they are to be ap-
poinleJ, or ordained, by the pastor, aided by such
otlier ministers as tlie church may mvite for that
purpose.
Every separate con^egation of believers, or-
ganized, with its appropriate olhcers, united toge-
iher for the worship of God, embracing tlie doc-
trines and keeping tlie rrdinances of Christ, an
58 FORMS OF ELECTION
they were originally delivered to the saints, is a
true church of the Redeemer. As such, it pos-
sesses fuU and exclusive powers of ecclesiastical
jurisdiction over its members; is independent of
any external authority, and for all its acts is re-
sponsible alone to its great Head in heaven. Than
this no truth in the word of God appears to me to
be more firmly established. Every such congre-
gation is a constituent part of the universal Church,
of which Jesus Christ is the sole lawgiver, ruler,
and judge. Where, in the divine record, is the
example found of one church claiming a right
of jurisdiction over another ? Nor is it any
where intimated that any such jurisdiction was
claimed, or exercised, by any body of ministers,
churches, or by the representatives of either, or of
both. Sessions, presbyteries, synods, conferences,
consistories, assembUes, and all similar bodies,
legislative and judicial, were wholly unknown in
the days of the apostles. Associations, conven-
tions, and even councils, have no power to go
further than to offer their advice. When convened
for any other purpose than to promote Christian
fellowship, and the prosecution, by uniting their
energies, of plans for the further and more effectual
preaching of the gospel, they are Ulegitunate, and
AND ORDINATIOV. 59
should not receive our countenance. Let us, for
proof of tliis postulate, refer briefly to the word
of God. The inspired record plainly shows, thai
each church, guided by the divine law, conducted,
in apostolic times, its own discipline, elected its
own officers, and took all other necessary mea-
sures for its own prosperity and usefulness, and
for the dissemination abroad of tlie gospel of
Christ. But we descend to more particularity.
Refemng to an instance of excommunication, Paul
says to the Corinthian church : — " In the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered
togetJier, and my spirit, with the power of our
Lord Jesifs Christ, to deliver such a one [a man
who had committed incest] unto Satan, for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be
saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."* By whom
was this excision to be made ? By the whole
church " gathered together," for which act they
had, with pastoral advice, " the power of our Lord
Jesus Christ." Similar discipline is involved in
the allusions of scvcnd other passages. " I
would," says an apostle to the Galatians, " that
they were even cut oflT which trouble you ;"t
and he appeals to the church to carry his advice
• 1 Cor. V. 4, 5. + Gal. v. 12.
60 FORMS OF ELECTION
into effect. Expulsions from fellowship were,
therefore, made by the whole church. So, also,
were restorations. Speaking, in a second letter to
the Cormthians, of the same person, Paul thus
advises his readmission by them to fellowship :
— " Sufficient unto such a man is this punishment,
which was inflicted of many. Ye ought to for-
give him, and comfort him, lest, perhaps, such a
one should be swallowed up of overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm
your love towards him."* Was he not restored
by the church, as a church ? I may remark, that
in this act is implied the power of original admis-
sion, which seems to be also recognized in the
admonition to the Eoman church : — " Him that is
weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations."! I further observe, that the church,
as a body, transacted its own ordinary business.
Take two instances in proof. " When I come,"
said Paul to one of them, " whomsoever ye shall
approve by your letters, them will I send to bring
your liberality. "J And again, he says : — " We
have sent with him [Titus] the brother whose
praise is in the gospel, throughout all the churches ;
and not that only, but Avho was chosen of the
* 2 Cor. ii. 6, 7, 8. t Rom. xv. 1. t 1 Cor. xvi. 3.
AND ORDINATION. 61
churches to travel with us."* AVe go further
still. It is plain that the churches elected tlieir
own pastors by a full suirnige, expressed by
[^X£t^oToi/>;(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 rcli<rion is its
affectionate care, extended to all these classes of
our fellow beings. Those who enter fully into
its benevolent feelings have the peculiar benedic-
84 THE DUTIES
tions of Heaven. It is God who has said :—
" Blessed is he who considereth the poor." What
we do for the relief of the necessitous of all
grades, our Redeemer chooses to consider as done
to himself. " I was an hungered," said he, " and
ye gave me meat ; I was thirsty and ye gave me
drink ; I was a stranger, and ye took me in ;
naked, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and ye
visited me ; I was in prison and ye came unto
me." But when and how did we all this ? He
himself answers : — " Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have
done it unto me."* And yet more — we are as-
sured, by divine authority, if there are any who
have no sympathy with the suffering and de-
pendent, that they prove thereby that they have
no religion. " Whoso hath this world's good,
and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up
his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth
tlie love of God in him."t And again — " Pure re-
ligion, and undefiled, before God and the Father, is
this — To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted fi-om the
world."! I ^^^^11 <5"^y ^d'i' i^ ^^^ words of our
Saviour, — " Ye have the poor with you always,
• Matt. xsvi. 35-41. t 1 John iii. 17. t James i. 27.
OF DEACONS. 85
and whensoever ye will, ye may do them
good."*
Such are the teachings of the woril of God.
With them every true christian is most anxious
to comply. The obligation rests upon all to
feed the hungry, to extend hospitality to the
stranger, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick, to
relieve the distressed, and to provide for the
orphan and the widow in their affliction. In their
individual capacities, they should do, in this be-
half, whatever they may find practicable. But a
few persons cannot accomplish, alone and unaided
by others, all that may be necessary or desired.
Each one, except in rare instances, can only do a
small part. The church, therefore, unites all her
members for its successful prosecution. Every
one contributes what he is able, and the privilege
is allowed to all. The sums thus procured are
placed in the hands of the deacons, who are the
divinely appointed almoners of their bounty. So
zealous and constant were primitive Christians in
these acts of gospel benevolence, that they thereby
attracted tlio admiration of the whole world. Julian
the apostate, Emperor of Rome, one of their bit-
terest enemies, insists in his writings,! that they
• Mark xiv. 7. t Dwiirht's Thcol. vol. iv, p. 295.
8
86 THE DUTIES
did as much, in this way, for the spread of their
principles, as they did even by the preaching of
the gospel, censuring, at the same time, the pagans
for their careless neglect. All were compelled to
exclaim : — " See how these Christians love one
another."
How beautifully benign are the purposes of the
gospel ! They are indeed worthy of a religion
which proposes to humanize and bless the world,
as Avell as to prepare the soul for heaven ! How
effective, when scripturally administered, is the
church — the divine organization — for their prose-
cution ! It is from God, and therefore suitable.
But have wt not now painfully declined from the
spirit and zeal of early times '* Where, in this
behalf, are our " works of faith, and labors of
love ?" Is it not true that some societies around
us are much more attentive and faithful than is
even the church of Christ ? When I see these
merely human associations relieving their poor,
supporting their dependent widows, and rearing
and carefully educating the orphans of their de-
ceased members, and by the bed-side of their sick
day and night while they Uve, and kindly render-
ing the hst offices of affection when dead, I can
but blush for the criminal negligence of the people
OF DEACONS. 8T
of God. Can it be, that those who do not pro-
fess to be influenced by the same exalted motives
tliat giiide us, who look no higher tlian to friend-
ship and humanity, shall so far outstrip us in tlie
race of love and benevolence ? Brethren, dea-
cons, ministers, shall this reproach continue ?
When will the church arise to a proper sense of
her own dignity and duty in tliis department of
her labors ?
These duties, in their performance, necessarily
involve another. Much visiting by the deacons
will, I apprehend, be found positively indispensa-
ble.
Without this, especially among the classes to
be benefited, how can tliey know who tliey are,
and become sufficiently familiar with all their cir-
cumstances and wants to guide them in the mea-
sures most proper to be adopted ? And to keep
up the required knowledge the process must be
perpetuated. There are those who do not need
pecuniary aid, but only advice, and perhaps assist-
ance in procuring employment. In other cases
the gratuity bestowed will be of little service un-
less personal attentions are added. This is true
in numerous examples, but especially in the in-
stances of the orphan children of our bretlircn and
88 THE DUTIES
sisters who die in poverty. Duty requires that
the church should rear all such, educate them, and
prepare them for usefulness in life. Yet other
examples are constantly occurring, of persons who
are not by any means poor or dependent, but to
whom we must look with as much care as to
those who are. The heart that is in affliction is
soothed and comforted by our fraternal sympathy.
Our presence in the sick chamber of a brother or
a sister is often of gi'eat consequence. Such
attentions are infinitely more valuable than gold.
When the deacons cannot give them, indindually,
tliey should call upon others, and no benevolent
heart, if possible to do otherwise, would decline a
service so sacred. Brethren — " To do good and
to communicate, forget not ; for with such sacri-
fices God is well pleased."
Some of the duties of the Deaconship now
enumerated, will always be asrreeable, often de-
lightful. They will occasionally find, among
those to whom they minister, elegant simplicity,
mingled with intelligence and fervent piety.
Again, their work will be not a Utde repulsive.
It is no grateful task to scour the numerous lanes
and by-ways of our cities and country ; and tlirust
ourselves into the hovels of ignorance, wretched-
OF DEACONS. 89
ness and disease. But the labor is not more ardu-
ous tlum it is holy ami god-like, and tliose who
perform it shiill not, even in this world, lose tlieir
reward. " For they that have used the office of
a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good de-
gree, and great boldness in the faith which is in
Cinist Jesus."
These comprehend most of the general duties
of the deacons — not to preach, not to administer
ordinances, not to rul(\ except in their own depart-
meiit ; but, as they are placed over all the tem-
poral affairs of the church, they defray, not from
their own means but from the treasury, the ordi-
nary and incidental expenses of divine worship,
and have charge of the poor, tlie dependent, the
afflicted, the widow, and the fatherless.
It is proper for us now to consider the duties
of deacons with reference to the pastorship. This,
however, must occupy the next chapter.
8*
90 THE DUTIES
CHAPTER V.
THE DUTIES OF DEACONS WITH REFERENCE TO
THEIR PASTORS.
Necessity of pastoral support. — The law which governs it.
—The teachings of Christ and his Apostles. — Apostolic
practice. — Reason and justice. — Importance of a full
understanding between Pastor and Church.
As the superintendents of all the temporalities
of the church, the duties of the deacons require
them to see that their pastor receive a competent
temporal support.
Rete I apprehend they will meet, unless they
have a wisely constructed scheme of finance in
successful operation, the greater part of their labor
and difficulty. A much larger amount is necessary
for pastoral sustenance than is needful for general
purposes ; and a regular and uninterrupted supply
is absolutely indispensable. If it should fail even
for a few months, the whole machinery must
cease ; because pastors, without food and raiment
and a place of shelter, if dependent, as they
OF DEACONS. 91
usually are, wholly upon the church, can neither
preach nor adequately discharge any other of the
claims of their office.
Let us examine briefly, since it is immediately
connected with the Deaconship, the general sub-
ject of pastoral support.
The law of the kingdom of Christ guarantees
thus much to the preacher, as a proper return
from those whom he serves. The provision is,
indeed, not peculiar to the gospel, it is founded in
reason and justice, and has fully obtained in all
nations and ages. Even among idolaters and pa-
gans the ministers of religion are sustained by
their religion. This principle is taught in the
law of Moses.
The priests were made dependent for the means
of life upon their spiritual avocation. Beyond the
house in which they resided they were not allowed
any possession in the land of Canaan. The Lord
said unto Aaron : — " Tho»} shalt have no inherit-
ance in the land, neither shalt thou have any part
among them. I am thy part, and thine inheritance,
among the children of Israel."* A<rain — "The
Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of
the covenant of tlie Lord, to stand before tlte Lord
• Numb, iviii. 20.
92 THE DUTIES
to minister unto him, and to bless his name, unto
this day. Wherefore Levi hath no part nor in-
heritance with his brethren. The Lord is his
inheritance, according as the Lord thy God pro-
mised him."* And again — ^" The Levite that is
within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him, for
he hath no part nor inlieritance with thee."t Yet
again — " The priests, the Levites, and all the tribe
of Levi, shall have no inheritance with Israel.
They shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by
fire, and his inheritance. Therefore, they shall have
no inheritance among their brethren. The Lord
is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. "J
Once more — " The Levites have no part among
you ; for the priesthood of the Lord is their
inheritance."
The manner in which the priests under the
law received their compensations, was so mingled
with the performance of the duties of their office,
that the neglect of one was the loss of the other.
But to the faithful there was no want. Thus it
is seen that under the former economy ample pro-
\'isions were made for the comfortable sustenance
of the ministers of religion.
Substantially, the same provisions are continued
• Deut. X, 8, 9. t Deut, xiv, 27. I Deut. sviii. 1, 2.
OF DEACONS. ra
under the gospel. The forms are abrogated, but
the principle is retained. An apostle was certainly
of this opinion when he said to the Corinthians —
" Do ye not know that they which minister about
holy tilings [under the law,] live of the things of
the temple ? And they which wait at the altar
are partakers witli the altar ? Even so [under the
gospel,] hath the Lord ordained, that they which
preach the gospel should live of the gospel."*
Justice and right are immulahle. And while the
word of God requires a ministry for its propa-
gation and defence, so long will those wlio are
devoted to this work be authorized to claim such
temporal support as their circumstances may re-
quire, and as may be rendered practicable or pro-
per by the condition of the people under their
charjre.
This, Paul says, is not only the law of the
Mosaic economy, but the Lord has ordained it
under the gospel. Christ has ordained — enacted
a statute — established a law — that " those who
preach the gospel shall live of the gospel." In a
synopsis, it may be stated thus — " These twelve
Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying —
Go— and as ye go, preach. Provide neither gold,
• 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14.
94 THE DUTIES
nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip
[provisions] for your journey, neither two coats,
neither shoes, nor yet staves, [weapons of de-
fence,]ybr the workman is worthy of his meat."*
This has regard to the apostles. But it was re-
peated for the government of the seventy disci-
ples, and almost in the same words. It may be
thus abridged — " The Lord appointed other seventy
also, and sent them two and two, before his face,
into every city whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them — go your ways —
carry neither purse nor scrip, nor shoes— ^or the
laborer is worthy of his Aire."t The same law,
Paul tell us, in the passage recited, is applicable
and perpetually binding, as to all those, in every
age, who, with the proper sanctions, preach the
gospel. Its provisions relate exclusively to min-
isters, and regard solely tlieir temporal support
and comfort. Such is the law, or ordinance of
our Lord, brought forward as authority by the
apostle, and which secures to the minister, whether
he be pastor, evangelist, or missionary, food, and
clothing, and shelter, and whatever else his wants
may render necessary, so long as he may be faith-
fully employed in his sacred calling.
• Matt. 5, &-16. t Luke x. 12.
OF DEACONS. W
As might naturally be supposed, both the teach-
ing and the practice of the apostles, are in accord-
ance with this principle. We will examine them
separately.
The apostolic teaching, in regard to ministerial
support, is very plain and decided.
Referring to this subject, Paul thus addresses
himself to the Corinthians — " Who goeth a war-
fare, any time, at his own charges ? Who plant-
eth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit diereof ?
Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk
of the flock ? Say I these things as a man ? Or
saith not the law the same also ? For it is writ-
ten in the law of Moses — Thou shall not muzzle
the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.
Doth God take care for oxen ? Or saith he it
altogether for our sakes ? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written ; that he that plougheth
should plough in hope, and that he that thresheth
in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we
have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great
ihing if we should reap your carnal things ?"*
To jiresent, in other words, tlie sum of the apos-
tle's argument — God is careful even for oxen, and
has stipulated by law, that those for whom they
• 1 Cor. ix. 7-11.
96 THE DUTIES
toil should suitably provide for their wants. They
shall not be muzzled. Can he be less careful for
his ministers ? He also requires their support.
If they plough, and sow, and reap, and thresh in
your fields, you cannot do less for them than you
do for your oxen. If they labor for your instruc-
tion and salvation, and thus " sow unto you spi-
ritual things," their support from your "carnal
things" is a small matter. You have done no
"great things" when it is freely and promptly
given.
The Galatians were impressed with the same
lesson. " Let him that is taught in the word
communicate to him that teacheth in all good
things."* He who receives instruction in Chris-
tianity, by the public preaching of the word —
having become a party to the pastoral compact,
for this passage refers directly to the pastorship-
is, by the gospel, required to aid in supporting the
teacher. Some of the Galatian believers, it
would seem, were willing, and such probably may
be found among us, to receive the benefits of the
Christian ministry without contributing to sustain
it ! Such a spirit and conduct are here, by tlie
• Gal. Tl. 6.
OF DEACONS. 97
Holy Ghost, condemned as ungrateful, unjust, and
unworthy a disciple of the Redeemer.
Numerous other passages might be adduced,
almost any of which is decisive as to the teach-
ings of the aposdes. The whole, taken together,
cannot be resisted.
But what was their practice ? Did tliey and
the evansrelists actually, as a general rule, while
they preached to the people, receive support from
them ? This has been doubled by candid men,
both ministers and others, on account, it would
appear, of tlie statements of Paul to some of the
churches, that he had not received aid from them,
but while he labored in their service had supported
himself.
The ministers of the gospel, certainly received
before the crucifixion, according to the ordinance
— the law — of Christ, all needful support from
the people. When the tivelve, and the seventy,
sent out in the manner already descrilied, had
finished their mission and returned to their master,
Christ said to tliem — " When I sent you without
purse, and scrip, and shoes, lackod ye any thing ?
And tiny said [we lacked] nothing."* They,
therefore, were comfortably fed, clothed, and
• Luke xsii. 3d.
9
98 THE DUTIES
lodged, and as some had families, even more than
this must have been given by the people to whom
they preached, and actually received by them.
The proof is not less conclusive, that during
the apostolic age the same condition of things was
continued. Paul, when preaching at Philippi,
thus wrote to the Corinthians — " I am glad of the
coming of Stephanus, and Fortunatus, and Achai-
cus ; for that which was lacking on your part they
have supplied."* To the Philippians, while at
Rome, the same apostle thus addresses himself:
— " Now ye Philippians, know also, that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no church communicated with me as
concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
For even in Thessalonica, ye sent once and again
unto my necessities. [Now] I have all things
and aliound. I am full ; having received of Epa-
phroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,
well pleasing to God. [And] My God shall sup-
ply all your needs, according to his riches in glory
by Christ Jesus. "t To the Corinthians he says :
— " I robbed other churches, taking wages of
them, to do you service. And when I was with
* 1 Cor. xvi. 17. t Phil. iv. 15-20.
OF DEACONS. 99
you and wanted, I was chargeable to no man [of
you], for that which was lacking to me the bretli-
ren which came from Macedonia supplied."*
Who that reads tliese, and similar passages,
can longer seriously question whether the apostles
and evangeUsts accepted, and received the support,
as pastors and odier ministers must now do, which
they needed ; which the people, as a religious
duty, offered ; and which it was their right to
claim, by the law of the King in Zion ?
I do not, however, maintaui that all professed
ministers should be provided with a temporal sup-
port by the church. And for the instnicuon of
deacons in this particular, as to their duty, it is
necessary that we shall suggest the discriminations
which are to be made.
Those who are entitled to support »?h/s/ be true
ministers of Jesus Christ ; and \hcy must fully
do the work of the ministry.
The first and most important qualification of a
true minister is, that he who claims diis character
shall be a true chrisli;m — born of the Spirit of
God, and possess high and spiritual endowments.
As a second qualification he must have united
himself with the true church, and he must have
• 3 Cor. li. 8, 9.
100 THE DUTIES
received her approval of his devoting himself to
tlie work of the ministry. This sanction consists
in her own official act, expressing her opinion
that he is called of God, and qualified for the
work ; and his regular ordination by a lawfully
constituted presbytery. His third qualification
embraces his ability to teach, which involves the
power of perception, facility of utterance, and a
competent knowledge of the word of God. Lasdy,
his life and doctrine must accord with the teach-
ings of divine revelation. He cannot be a legiti-
mate minister of Christ who does not preach and
pi-actise, and live, according to the gospel. Tliese
four qualifications must combine to make a man a
true minister of Christ.
But a man may be such minister and yet de-
vote himself but very partially to the work of
preaching. If, in other respects, he is unexcep-
tionable, but is a farmer, a merchant, a school
teacher, or something else, and preaches only
when he can do so without material injury to his
main pursuits, I do not think him entided to any
support. If he give only part of his time and
thoughts, a small compensation, if any thing, only
is due. To such, I cannot doubt, the aposde al-
ludes when he says — " Let the elders [bishops
OF DEACONS. 101
—pastors] who rule well, be counted worthy of
double honor [AirtX»7jTi./t»jj, double reward, stipend,
wages,] especially they who labor in word and
doctrine. For the scripture saith — Thou shalt
not muzzle the ox that treadeth out tlie corn."*
That this text has reference to pastoral support, is
certainly true for three reasons. The first is the
title of the person named. He is a presbyter —
elder — bishop. Not a man who rules, but does
not preach, because such an officer is unknown to
the word of God ; but a minister who preaches
and rules with diligence and tidehty. The second
is, the sense of the word Ttju»;5, rendered in our
common version honor. That it means that kind
of honor which embraces wages, or reward, is
admitted by all critics of any pretensions. The
last reason, is the cause assigned for double wages
to the faithful bishop — "Thou shalt not muzzle
the ox that treadeth out the com ; and the laborer
is worthy of his reward." Such an elder —
bishop, or pastor — who is faithful and devoted, is
entitled to a full support, because he must devote
all his time, talents, ;md energy, to the work. But,
on the other hand, he who sacrifices and labor*
less, is entitled to very little reward.
• 1 Tim. V. 17, IS.
9«
102 THE DUTIES
But are we authorized to fix previously a defi-
nite amount to be paid to those who preach the
gospel — to offer him a stipulated salary?
Why, I ask, are we not ! It appears to me to
be necessary and proper for three reasons. Under
the law, the precedent from which Paul constantly
reasons on this subject, the amount, all must con-
fess, which was awarded to the ministers of reli-
gion, was fixed, definite, and previously appointed,
the tithe of all their increase. The terms em-
ployed by the New Testament, teach the same
doctrine. Ministerial support is called their
" wages,""^ their " hire,^^ and their " reward."
These words certainly describe a specific sum.
Reason also requires that it should be so. Every
mmister, if he is dependent, and intends to main-
tain his character as an honorable man, ought,
beforehand, to know what amount he may rely
upon, otherwise, as he must incur debts for the
means of life, and may, confidently, expect from
the church more than he will receive, he is liable
to be overwhelmed at any time. Indeed he can
hardly hope to escape inextricable injury. The
amount, therefore, whatever it may be, that a min-
ister — pastor, or evangelist — receives, is required
OF DEACONS.
to be previously fixed and agreed upon by Ui
parties interested.
Having now seen the law of ministerial sup-
port, and the teaching and practice of the apostles,
let us consider for a moment the abstract reason
and justice of the case.
If a man discharge the duties of any office to
which he is legitimately called, it is reasonable
and just that, from the community he serves, he
should receive for his time, labor, and expense, a
suitable compensation. But is not the principle
as applicable to the ministry as to any other
office ? Is it not as unjust to withhold the rights
of ministers as of any other class of men ?
Besides this, when the pastoral or ministerial
relation is formed, the church, by the stipulations
of the parties, engages to pay to him certain
sums, at specified times, for ofiicial services. If
the services are rendered, the amount promised is,
in the fullest sense, a debt, which the church is
as much under obligation to pay as any other debt
whatever. If, without necessity, it is withheld,
or all suitable efforts are not made Iiy herself, and
by her officers appointed to conduct her pecuniary
afTairs, she brings upon herself dishonor, and the
sin of fraudulently refusing to comply with an
THE DUTIES
aest contract, after the considerations have been
rendered. This act appears the more criminal,
because these are sacred debts, contracted to facili-
tate the progress of the gospel, whose teachings
the church violates by the non-payment ; and be-
cause they are debts of honor, there being no
means by which the defrauded minister can en-
force the collection.
But why should the minister place himself in
such a condition as to become thus dependent
upon the church ? The necessity, I answer,
arises from two causes — the constitution of the
human mind, and the commands of God.
The preaching of the gospel requires the undi-
vided energies of the strongest and most cultivated
powers. Can its purposes be gained, therefore,
by a shght and casual attention ? Such is the cha-
racter of the mind that all its strength must be
directed to one object, or it can never be prose-
cuted with full success. The lawyer, the physi-
cian, the mechanic, the politician, know this, and
direct their course accorduigly. Shall not the min-
ister be equally wise ? Does his sacred calling
deserve less attention than mere worldly pursuits ?
But the commandment of God requires his ex-
clusive devotion to the ministry. " Give thyself
OF DEACONS. 106
wholly to these things, that thy profiting may ap-
pear to all." This demand, although paramount,
is not without its reasons. So numerous are the
duties of the ministry, especially ol'the pastorship,
out of the pulpit as well as in it, tliat if they dis-
charge them all, with but tolerable attention, they
will leave no time to devote to any other pursuits.
But — some one inquires^-could not our minis-
ter do something else, besides preaching ? If he
would, he might materially aid in sustaining him-
self, and lighten essentially our burdens in provid-
ing for his support ! Thus, but loo frequenUy,
talk the members of our churches. I answer,
yes, — the minister certainly could embark, in tem-
poral business, and, probably, prosecute it suc-
cessfully. The loss, except of conscience, and
ministerial prosperity, would not be his. In every
worldly sense he would reap immense advantage.
The churches, and the cause, would be die suf-
ferers. But let us make a similar and equally
rational inquiry. Could not our schoolmasiters
do something else besides teaching, to aid in sup-
porting themselves ? They could dien teach our
children for a much less sum, and thus greaUy
diminish our burdens in educating diem. Could
not our lawyers and physicians do somediing else
106 THE DUTtES
to support themselves ? Then they could attend
to our business and our health for almost nothing !
This would be extremely convenient, especially to
those of us who love our money more than we do
honor, religion, or justice. But with regard to
other men, we never think of such questions. Why
then do we, with regard to mmisters ?
Reason and justice, therefore, concur with the
word of God, and teach us that the minister is to
be competently supported. But this is, almost
always, a most difficult work. How can it be
accomphshed ? It never can, with regularity and
success, unless the plans adopted be wisely formed
and vigorously prosecuted. The obligation rests
upon the whole church. But that which is left
to a whole community, and not intrusted to any
special or official superintendence, will certainly
never be done. " "What is every body's business
is nobody's business." This is as true of the
church as it is of the world. Jehovah has made
adequate provision. The deacons are appointed
over all the temporal affairs of the church, and,
of course, this also must be under their special
chai^ge.
The pastor, when he enters upon his trust,
looks to the church to say what support she will
OF DEACONS. 107
offer. When she has spoken, and he has accepted
her proposition, he has, while he performs the
duties of his station, no more to say to tJie mem-
bers generally on that subject except to teach them
iheir duty. To him the deacons, and they only,
are responsible. They are the permanent finan-
cial officers. They stand between the church and
tlie ministry, are fully informed as to their relative
condition, and should be ever ready to do their
duty to both.
I am here reminded, perhaps, that the churches
sometimes enter upon their records promises to
pay to their pastors certain amounts, at certain
limes, but do not place the stipulated sums in the
hands of the deacons, and, therefore, compliance
is impossible. But is not this exceediiigly wrong
— highly criminal ? Sliould grave, thoughtful,
christian men so act ? Should they suffer them-
selves in a moment of excitement, when highly
pleased with the efforts of ministers, to induce
them to accept pastorships and undergo laliors, by
promises which they afterwards fail to fulfil ?
H;isty and inconsiderate pastorships, formed under
the inlluence of mutual excitement, and accom-
panied by large promises and high expectations,
108 THE DUTIES
like marriages contracted in similar circumstances,
are seldom produciive of lasting happiness.
When Congress, or a state legislature, propose
to make an appropriation, specific or annual, for
any purpose, however desirable, they always in-
quire into the condition of the treasury, or the
sources of revenue, generally both, and are sedu-
lous not to contract obligations which they either
cannot, or wUl not, promptiy discharge. Their
financial officers are called upon to apprise them
how far they may venture, and are ready to utter
their warning if they find them going beyond their
abilities. Shall the church be less careful ? Is
not her honor as dear, are not her debts as sacred,
as those of the state ? The deacons should never
permit the church to promise her pastor a larger
sum than they are confident she wiU be able and
willing to pay ; nor that payments will be made
at certain times, unless there exists a fair prospect
of compliance. If they find that the church has
already acted thus imprudently, they should in-
stanriy apprise him of the fact. And further —
If, at any time, they perceive that the abilities of
the church are unequal to the continuance of what
she has formerly done, they should not leave tl)e
OF DEACONS. If) 9
pastor to make the discovery, for tlie first time,
by their nearly total failure to meet their ohiiffa-
tions ; and that too, perhaps, after, upon the faith
of their pledges, he has involved himself in lia-
bilities fi-om which he finds it now impossible to
be delivered.
To guard all these points efTectually, it will
readily be seen, that everv'^ engagement, involving
temporal considerations, between the churches and
their pastors, should be made, invariably, through
the agency of the deacons. And in all our trans-
actions, in relation to tliis whole department, our
intercourse should be always governed by llie
utmost sincerity and frankness.
It
1 10 THE REVENUES OF
CHAPTER VT.
THE MEANS OF CREATING AND SUSTAINING THE
NECESSARY REVENUES IN THE CHURCH.
Revenues are indispensable. — The law of God on this sub
ject. — Its excellent characteristics. — The superintend-
ence necessary in its execution. — It is sufficient for all
purposes. — Recapitulation. — Importance of stated and
Tf gular meetings of the Deacons.
No organized community, political or religious,
can long exist without a regular revenue to sup-
port its necessary expenses. This is a self-en-
dent proposition ; and if it were not, we have but
too many melancholy proofs of its truth. Not a
few churches in differe..! parts of our country,
have attempted to connuct their affairs Avithout
cost. The result has invariably been, where the
experiment has been continued through many
years, that they have gone down, and many of
them become for ever extinct. It is folly to sup-
pose that it can ever be otherwise. God, in his
THE CHURCH. Ill
prOAidence, has ordered tliat without appropriate
exertions nothing valuable shall be produced. Can
a city or a state keep up its organization without
revenues, and these too regularly accruing? No
more can a church of Christ. But more than
this — Jehovah has ordered the appointment, in
his kingdom, of linancial olhcers. This would
be a strange procedure if he intended that the
church should have no treasury. He has also
given us laws by which to create the necessary,
income, and to bring it into their hands. These
facts suggest and involve all that is necessary for
us to do in the premises.
When the first deacons were appointed, " tlie
disciples," as we have seen, " had all things com-
mon." " The seven" were, therefore, actually
in possession of all that belonged to the whole
community. No man had any properly or funds
of his own. All had been voluntarily relinquished.
But then their duties were so much the more nu-
merous, and their labors exceedingly great. This
condidon of things soon passed away. The gos-
pel now requires us to retain our possessions, and
authorizes its institutions to be sustained only by
such offerings as may be freely given. The ques-
tion presents itself to us, as to the measures by
112 REVENUES OF
which this matter can be so regulated, as that
what is given may assume, in amount, that defi-
niteness and certainty which the olvject demands.
In order to this, the deacons, in the begiiming
of each year, should prepare and place before the
church an estimate of her expenses for that period.
They can always do so in a manner sufficiendy
correct for all practical purposes. Such is the
initiatory measure, and two principal reasons
render it imperative. In the first place, it is ne-
cessary for us to know to what extent we must
exert ourselves, or we have not the means of de-
ciding how we shall act. Let us be informed as
to what is to be done, and we are then prepared
to do it. Secondly ; when the whole matter is
explained, fully understood, and has received the
assent of all, we shall proceed with cheerfulness
and alacrity. Otherwise more or less darkness
and embarrassment must always rest upon the
church in her efforts to secure tlie required funds.
Let the annual estimate by the deacons, therefore,
never be neglected.
As we have seen, in this, and the two preceding
chapters, that God designs that the necessary
revenues shall be created, the church is, of course,
obliged to go forward in the performance of this
THE CHURCH. 113
duty. The obligation rests alike upon all, and
each is expected to make a free-will offering ac-
cording to his or her ability, for the maintenance
of the cause. Some churches have investments
of various kinds, the profits of which are so ap-
plied. Others make their seats sources of reve-
nue. Others, still, have a preference to subscrip-
tions and donations. And yet others choose to
mingle these plans. " Let every man be fully
persuaded in his own mind." I can perceive
nothing improper in them, provided they are so
conducted as to haniionize with the divine law,
are approved by the particular church concerned,
and are adequate to the purposes in view. In this
whole matter the utmost openness and candor
should always be maintained. No bickerings, if
tliey can possibly be prevented, sliould ever arise,
on any subject, especially relating to mere pecu-
niary affairs.
I wish, however, to call attention to a speci;J
Divine statute, enacted for general purposes, and
which may apply, therefore, to the sn])port of a
particular church, as well as to distant objects of
benevolence, about which, in various quarters,
much has of late been said, particularly iji con-
10*
114 REVENUES OF
nection with the work of missions. It is in these
words : —
" Upon the first day of the week [the Lord's
day] let every one of you lay by him in store
as God hath prospered him,"* for the purposes
of relig-ion. This is the law of the Divine Ruler,
delivered by an aposde, and it is obligatory upon
us aU. Does any one exclaim, — What, money
on the Lord's day ! Must we, on that day, be
counting our treasures, and deteraiining our pro-
Jits J Why, money and religion must not be
thought of together ! It is possible, and the fact
should be remembered that this feeling, supposed
to be so holy, may be far otherwise. Indeed, it
may be, and often is, prompted by a worldly and
avaricious disposition. It is no evidence of our
humility and piety, that we become wiser than
Christ, and refuse to obey him, lest we should
thereby contract sin. AVe are commanded to serve
God with our substance, and the first fruits of
all ottr increase. We should also remember that
— " It is lawful for us to do good on the Sabbath
day," Besides, obedience to this injunction so
connect? our business pursuits and profits with
* 1 Cor. vi. 2.
THE CHURCH. 115
the service of God, as essentially to crush the in-
herent worldUness of our nature, and lead us to that
habitul sapirituality of mind, so necessary, in busi-
ness and in pleasure, to be constantly cultivated.
" Whatsoever ye do — do all to the glory of God."
The excellency of the laws that govern diis de-
partment is manifest, in the first place, in tlie fact
that they compel a weekly setdement with God.
How easy is this, if done in time ! But it is not
so afterwards. If our accounts with him are per-
mitted to run through any very long period, they
either pass from our mnids, and are never adjust-
ed ; or they mount up to so large a sum, that we
think ourselves unjireparcd to meet it, and are
tempted to withhold it, and to refuse his rights.
We are never safe in disobedience to the obligation
which requires the duty prescribed to be per-
formed on the fir at day of every week.
In the second place, it will be seen that the con-
tribution here demanded is to be universal. This
is another excellency of the divine plan. " Let
every one of you lay by him in store." No man
is so poor that the obligation does not reach him.
None are excused this year because they liberally
contributed the last. Debts, cares, resposibilities,
contnl)utions for other objects, are not sulhcient
116 REVENUES OF
apologies for not sustaining our own church. All
are equally interested, and " every one''' must take
part in the work. In the act of joining the church
we pledge ourselves to obey Christ in this as well
as in every other respect. The solemn obligation
can never be cancelled, untU death shall close our
earthly labors.
These contributions, I observe, in the third
place, can always be readily afforded, because they
are never disproportioned to our circumstances —
they are to be rendered each week " as God hath
■prospered us." " It is required of a man accord-
ing to what he hath, and not according to what he
hath not." What we do is to be graduated by
the measure of our prosperity. He, it would
seem, thus calls upon us to look to him in our
temporal, as well as our spiritual interests, with
the intimation that, by giving us prosperity, or
sending upon us adversity, he will regulate his
own treasury. If he wants much he will indicate
it by his greater temporal blessings. If we refuse
his service, he sends upon us a chastisement for
our unfaithfulness, calamity and distress, either in
our property, or in ourselves, or in both.
In the last place, since the wants of Christ's
kingdom must regularly continue, and thrs impose
THE CHURCH. 117
upon his people perpetually recurring obligations,
he demands our contributions regularly, each
week. On the morning of every Lord's day, we
must review our temporal affairs for the week ;
ascertain the extent of the divine favor which we
have enjoyed ; and make such a pecuniary expres-
sion of our sense of gratitude as an enlightened
conscience may dictate; laying by us in store
i'oT the kingdom of Christ ; that our own and the
contributions of others, may make up a sufficient
revenue.
In many places, and especially with reference
to her own necessary individual expenditures, the
church returns to her contributors a consideration,
in seats and other immunities in the house of
worship, as the avails of investments of various
kinds for sacred purposes. This, however, is a
mattei of mere personal and individual arrange-
ment, which she may comply with, or disregard,
at her discretion.
These are some of the excellencies of the divine
method. In its execution, regard is had to all, of
every character, who compose the great mass of
believers. Too frequendy churches are supported
wiinlly by a few persons, and the multitude do
almost nolliing. Such a condition of things, as it
118 REVENUES OF
is always exceedingly pernicious, should be mosl
sedulously avoided. Either the few contribute
more than they ought, or the amount raised is in-
sufficient; and, in both cases, all are sulFerers.
Those who fail, or refuse to act, are injured, the
church deliberately permits them to sin ; tlu;y ne-
cessarily feel little interest in a cause, for the ad-
vancement of wli.irli thev make no exertions ;
their conspjentiousncss liecomes hlimted ; and they
soon are found to occupy a very low position in
the scale of religion. This, doubdess, is one rea-
son why there are, in our country, so many
churches, and Christians, who " have a name that
they live, and are dead."
The execution of the law of Christ, it will be
seen, on consideration, is entirely practicable.
There is but one person upon whom it depends,
and that is the man himself who is the contributor.
He acts under the all-seeing eye, and graduates
his proceedings by his own sense of obligation to
the author of all his blessings. Inability never
can be pleaded, because it is impossible that it
should exist, since we contribute only " as God
has prospered us,''' and at a time when the avails
are yet in our own hands. Who cannot do thus
much ? The whole plan proceeds upon a sort of
THE CHURCH. 119
ad valorem principle, the stock of wliii'h is the
blessing of our heavenly Father. The arrange-
ment is fully practicable.
As I have already observed, in the practice of
this principle, every man consults his own tem-
poral as well as spiritual advancement. It gives
regularity and prompuiess to his habits of action.
If he possess these in spiritual things, they will
inevitably communicate themselves to his tempo-
ral engagements, and always greatly to their ad-
vantage. It will compel him weekly to calculate
his profits and losses in business. Otherwise he
cannot determine what duty requires him to con-
secrate as an offering to God. Thus he will, ne-
cessarily, be kept fully informed, and may avoid
falling into numerous snares and dangers, by which
we are perpetunlly surrounded. Above all, it will
accustom him to conduct l>is 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."
l'ff:r] '\ A A A A A A A A A A A A A uV^
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-'■.jp Lewlsburg, Pa. With sl.xty-three Engravings. Tenth Amer-
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*C -^ WILLIAM CAREY : A Biography. By Joseph Belcheb, DJ).,
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THE ROCK OF FAITH IN CONTRAST WITH THE QUICK-
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Also new Tracts. Ac. ic.
• 4> — 1 'zT^rTy^'^ «T.'^ •■^''. ^T^ J"^ i^T^ ^7^ ^.'»\;'».«v 4^y\ .■'S ^i"
l,J^ V V V V V V V V V V V V V V
; of Jndson. O^*
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AO.M.VST Si'
%
y*3VA A A A A A A A .^ A A A A A ^*t
J THE ^ sSIFtiie IbM^i^
^ OR, ' S>
<m THE HISTORY OF THE STANLEY FAMILY. !(i>
«S^^ Bs Imxii Dotolins ©t mitt. [^r>
18mo. 132 pages. PRICE 30 CENTS. ^»
A Tale of truth admirably told, exemplifying in the most
^
.Pi^ touchijYt; manner the evils of intemperance, in it.t insidious pro- ^'j^-.
I'/i) gres.s, blighting the beautiful promise of youth, talent, educntion. JC
J*f) and position in society, and reducing a once lofty family to the (f-.
^ij^j depths of mi.sery and ruin. We remember nothing of the kiud jJ"?
K>S more beautiful or more tragical. Would that every family in the ^.
^•J- land might read it, and ponder its lessons. Its religious character ••J*5»
Jg? is one of the chief points of excellence. 7^
^ffi From, the Cliristian Era. C^^
rC"* '-'This is a true story from the pen of a daughter of Rev. Dr. Y}
^ij-x Dowling, and is de.signed to illustrate the evils of wine and strong •j!«|
£d drink. In the history of the Stanley family, we shall recognize ^,^'
rf A/ the history of mauy other families, and our hearts will bleed over -f>^
ig* the sorrows of those relatives who have given themselves ap to V.V
jt/^jn the evils of the cup." ^■^'^
{^ Prnm the Michigan Christian Herald. ^^
^A- " Another of the interesting series constantly issuing from the ■-f»'i»
■'Si press of our Publication Society, calculated to interest, admonish ^.^,'
M^jp and instruct the young. The history of the Stanley family is a tjf;^
ij^) fearful warning on the subject of intemperance, giving the results vA
jj^ of unchecked indulgence in the use of intoxicating drinks." ([f,^
}g9 From the Western Recorder. ^V
^•jiD "This is a neat little volume, and should be read by every 'T.Si
u'tf husband, parent, and .youth in our land. It is a tale of thrilling iA
j^t) interest, founded on facts, in which the author has faithfully fjf^^
^i*JQ portrayed the drunkard, and the great evil of intemperance." Cv
^^ From the Journal and Messenger. ?^
lA) '■ The incidents are tragic, like all illustrative of the ravages of tA
jj^ intemperance. They are related, woven together, and expressed GP^
[X■^ with power and pathos. It will prove a very effective little book CV
j^>v> on the subject for general circulation." QF^
^■J) From the American Ba^^dst Memorid. ^
ji'V^ " It so depicts the dangers and the woe of intemperance, that ff^-^
•jQ '"'^ should think every youthful reader would shudder at the vA
'J^ sight of a bottle, and shrink from touching it, as they would from
)Q a veritable adder."
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