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 Vol , 2,1. 
 
M 
 
k 
 
?, 
 
 THE 
 
 ELDERSHIP 
 
 PRESBYTERIAIV CHURCH. 
 
 SERMON 
 
 PREACHED BEFORE THE 
 
 (H^^avltuton W^nion Jlttstiffttru^ 
 
 APRII. 4th, i§36. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Rev. THOMAS SMi;rH,v_ „ .^ . 
 
 fASTOR or THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHORCH, CHARLESTON. I 
 
 CHARLESTOxX: 
 
 PRINTED BY A. X. MILLER. 
 No. 4 Broad-street, 
 
 1836. 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES, 
 
 FOR THE 
 PEOMOTION OF WHOSE WELFARE, 
 THE FOLLOWING SERMON 
 WAS WRITTEN, 
 AND 
 IS NOW PUBLISHED. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE following discourse was delivered before the Charleston Union 
 Presbytery at one ofits regular meetings. The hope thatit may do good, 
 by calling the attention of our Churches to the nature, duties, and charac- 
 ter of the Eldership — by exciting inquiry into this subject — by calling at- 
 tention to its present woful condition — by imparting a stronger conviction 
 ofits importance, dignity and necessity — and by leading to the adoption 
 of such measures, as will restore it to its designed influence in the 
 Church of Christ — this he humbly trusts is the author's motive for 
 sending it forth to the Christian public. In doiug so, he has acted 
 not merely on his own judgment, but by the request and advice of 
 those who are capable of determining the adaptation of this discussion 
 to the end in view.* 
 
 Before the reader enters upon the perusal of this Sermon, he is re- 
 quested to read the following remarks, which will possibly prepare 
 him to examine it with more candour, and a greater willingness to 
 admit its principles, and to act upon its suggestions. 
 
 It has been thought by some, that the j)lan of action here laid down 
 for Elders, though followed in "the olden times," and in European 
 Churches, is not accordant to the system of the Presbyterian Church 
 in these United States, and even if it were, altogether impracticable. 
 
 "We think it, however, very demonstrable, that this plan is acknow- 
 ledged by our Church in tbis country, implied in or required by our 
 Book of Discipline, and followed by many of our Congregations. In 
 illustrating our positions, we have quoted chiefly from foreign writers 
 because we believed their views would come to the minds of those 
 who heard, with more of the power of freshness and originality, and 
 free from any of the weakening influence of prejudice. 
 
 * It may be proper here to state, t]iat one gentleman who has urged the autlior 
 to publish this discourse, freely meets all its expense. 
 
VI 
 
 That this jilan is however acknowledged by the Presbyterian 
 Church in this country, will be evident, if we remember, that the 
 Kirk of Scotland is her model — that she has adopted her standards — 
 that whatever she has nxKlified or altered, has had no reference to this 
 subjeet^and consequently, that the office of the Eldership is regarded 
 by her in the same light in which it is considered by that earlier Church. 
 The truth in this matter can be brought to a very certain test. Let 
 us retrace the history of our Churches in this land, and as we gradu- 
 ally approach their origin, do we not find this system more and more 
 perfectly followed? And is it not the unquestionable standard by 
 which the character of Elders was then estimated ? 
 
 It is also implied in our Book of Discipline. •'Ruling Elders are 
 properly the representatives of the people, chosen by them for the 
 purpose of exercising government and discipline, in conjunction uithjias- 
 tors and ministers.''''* But if the duties laid down in this Sermon are 
 omitted, what government and discipline, in conjunction with their 
 pastors, can Elders exercise? Again — in the form of ordaining Rul- 
 ing Elders, one question to be propounded is this, "Do you accept 
 the office of Ruling Elder in this Congregation, and promise faith- 
 fully to perform all the duties thereof ?"f What duties, but those 
 which they had ever been accustomed to perform ? Is not this as 
 necessarily implied in the subsequent question put to the people, 
 which requires that they should express their willingness to yield 
 all that honour, encouragement and obedience in the Lord, to 
 which his office, according to the word of God, and the consti- 
 tution of this Church entitles him. Again — we ask what duties but 
 those referred to can they be, which age or infirmity can render a 
 man incapable of performing ?t — for it will be shewn, that the distri- 
 bution of the elements at the Lord's table, is no necesssu-y part of the 
 duties of an Elder. And for what other purpose is the, Elder so 
 solemnly ordained, and invested with almost as much spiritual autho- 
 rity as the Minister ? The early decisions of the General Assembly, 
 in which Elders are required to be faithful in the discharge of these 
 duties, and especially in those of family visitation and catechetical 
 instruction, make our interpretation of the form of government indis- 
 
 * See Form of Governinent, Chap. v. 
 t See do. do. Chapxiii. $3. 
 
 See do. do. do. 
 
VJI 
 
 putable 1* When the Synod of New- York and Philadelphia united 
 in 1758, they agreed on this principle. " We do still receive the same 
 (that is the Confession and Catechisms) as the confession of our faith, 
 and also the plan of worshij), government and discipline contained in 
 the Westminster Directory." And Dr. Miller, who has examined this 
 subject as thoroughly, at least, as any other man, when he comes to speak 
 of the nature and duties of the office, seems to intimate that he had now 
 passed over what was contested, and entered upon what was plainly 
 acknowledged,! while his schedule of duties and qualifications will 
 be found even more ample than that presented in this discourse. Si- 
 milar duties are assigned to this office, by the Lutheran Church in 
 this country.t In the Cambridge Platform of Church Discipline, 
 adopted in 1648, and in force in all the New-England Colonies, until 
 superceded in Connecticut by the Saybrook Platform in 1708, the 
 duties of Ruling Elders, passing over what relates to discipline, are 
 thus described—" 5. To be guides and leaders to the Church, in all mat- 
 ters whatsoever pertaining to Church administrations and actions. 6, 
 To see that none in the Church live inordinately, &c. 7. To prevent 
 and heal such offences in life, or in doctrine, as might corrupt the 
 Church. 8. To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition. 
 9. And as they shall be sent for to visit and pray over their sick bre- 
 thren. 10. And at other times as opportunities shall serve thereun- 
 to."§ Such are the views of this office, taken by early American 
 Divines, as the Rev. John Cotton,|| John Davenport, H Cotton Ma- 
 ther,** Dr.Dwight,ft not to mention many others. 
 
 And this system is still pursued by very many Churches in our 
 country. In the Rules of an Association of Elders of the Second Pres- 
 bytery of Philadelphia, it is most explicitly and fully laid down, as 
 that which they felt incumbent upon ihem as Elders in the Presby- 
 terian Church.« In the central Presbyterian Church in the same 
 city, " the Session have resolved as a standing rule, that they will visit 
 
 * See extracts from minutes of the Assembly, Philad. 1803, pp. 144, 196, 3, 
 150. See also, the Assembly's Digest, pp. Ill, 112, 114, fcc. 
 t Miller on the Nature and Duties of the Eldership, p. 193. 
 tSee Schmucker's Theology, Appendix, p. 374. 
 $ Chap. vii. 2, see texts quoted. || Miller on Eldership, p. 151. 
 H Miller on Eldership, p. 152. ** Do. p. 157. ft Theology, vol. 5, p. 251. 
 tt See Rules of An Association, Sec: 
 
Vlll 
 
 the Church members at least once in six months."* And such, 
 doubtless, is the fact, in regard to very many other Churches in our 
 land.f 
 
 Now if tliis is so evidently the system acknowledged by the Presby- 
 terian Church in this country, implied in its standards, and pursued 
 by those Congregations which act most fully on the principles of 
 Presbyterianism — and if this system is thus adopted, because it is be- 
 lieved to be scriptural — on what pretence will it be said that it is im- 
 practicable. What is the true source of difficulty ? Is it in the sys- 
 tem, or in those who are called upon to pursue it? Has it arisen from 
 the fact that Christians would not receive the visits, or advice, or 
 prayers, or instructions of their Elders, or because Elders have ceased 
 to visit and advise, and ])ray with, and instruct the people? In a 
 Congregation where Pastoral Visitation, or Lectures, or faithful admo- 
 nitions have been long neglected, it is very difficult to introduce these 
 most necessary and useful exercises of the ministerial function. 
 But are these, therefore, unfit means for promoting the spiritual well- 
 being of a Church? Surely not; and neither is the fulfilment of 
 all the duties of the Eldership unnecessary or improper, because these 
 duties have been long neglected. It may not be possible at once to 
 restore to our Churches this system in all its fullness, but we may gra- 
 dually prepare the way for its introduction, by setting it before them as 
 the standard of necessary attainment, towards which they should conti- 
 nually aspire. A similar course is pursued in the Methodist and other 
 Churches, and with the most blessed results, and why not in the Pres- 
 byterian Church ? Let not the scheme be pronounced Utopian, until 
 it has first been proved and found wanting. The author is unwilling to 
 think that we have so far degenerated as Christians, that what our 
 fathers found to be the very life and soul of the Church, we cannot or 
 will not preserve; and if this discourse will lead any Churches to 
 the re-establishment of an efficient, active, zealous, prayerful and 
 devoted Eldership, he will be abundantly repaid for all his labours. 
 And may God lead to this desirable and most needful result, and to his 
 name will bo all the glory. 
 
 * Sec Manual of the Central Presbyterian Churcli, &c. p. 47. 
 
 t In a Presbyterian Church in a city not distant from Charleston, the Congre- 
 gation is divided into districts, each under the charge of one Elder, who visits tJie 
 families under his care once even month. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 Fathers and Brethren, — 
 
 I AM permitted, in the providence of God, to address 
 3''ou this evening, not merely in the ordinary capacity of 
 a Minister of Christ, but as the present presiding Bishop 
 of this Presbytery. Called to open another meeting of 
 this important ecclesiastical judicatory, which may never 
 find us all again assembled to participate in its delibera- 
 tions, it will be very properly expected, that I should call 
 your attention to whatever the interests of our Church, 
 and the cause of its Divine Head, may seem most to re- 
 quire. 
 
 On such occasions as the present, it is very customary 
 to bring that truth home to the bosom and consciences of 
 the Ministers of Christ, which they from sabbath to sab- 
 bath impress upon their hearers. This, my brethren, is 
 well. Our work is one of incomparable difficulty, toil 
 and labour. It is one, which requires for its proper dis- 
 charge, the union of every qualification of the intellect, 
 the will, and the heart. It is a work, which eclipses by 
 its grandeur all sublunar}'^ occupations, and gives to all 
 others the aspect of littleness, and comparative worthless- 
 ness. From its absorbing interest, and its unceasing 
 demands upon the judgment, the memory, and the time, 
 it is eminently delusive in its influence upon the feelings 
 of him who is engrossed in its official duties, by leading 
 
 away his attention from his own personal condition and 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 character, to the wants and woes of dying souls around 
 him. Hence, the necessity for that watchfuhiess, hunii- 
 hty, and self-examination, which should characterize the 
 Minister of Christ. Hence, the wisdom of such asso- 
 ciations as the present, where we may bring each other 
 to the standard of comparison, and thus make observa- 
 tion uj)on the present aspect of our spiritual nature. 
 And hence, too, the importance, on such solemn occasions, 
 and with all the weight of delegated authority and power, 
 of exhorting one another, and admonishing one another, 
 and urging each other by all the motives which heaven 
 and hell can offer, to greater devoted ness, hohness, and 
 prayer. Let us, then, brethren, in this sacred pause of 
 public duty, as we are now in the presence of our mas- 
 ter, convened in his name, and for the promotion of his 
 glory, examine our own hearts and prove our ownselves, 
 whether we be in the faith, rooted and grounded in Christ, 
 and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. 
 
 It is, however, equally important and proper, that with 
 the increased interest this occasion gives, our attention 
 shoidd be directed to the other officers of the Church, and 
 that their pure minds should also be stirred up by way ot 
 remembrance. It was never designed by Christ, and 
 we know it was not believed by his Apostles, that the 
 whole burden of the spiritual concerns of the Church, 
 should be borne by its unaided Pastors. Elders, a class 
 of officers which had existed under the Mosaic Economy, 
 and in the Jewish Synagogues, were therefore divinely ap- 
 pointed, that they might be associated with Pastors in the 
 rule and government of the Church of Christ. And we 
 have been increasingly of the opinion, that in the proper 
 discharge of their functions, in connexion and co-opera- 
 tion with the Pnstor, lies the whole strength, beauty and 
 symmetry of that form of government we so confidently 
 believe to be derived from the word of God. We have 
 therefore thought, that we would be doing most service 
 
11 
 
 to the cause of the Redeemer, especially in this Southern 
 Zion, by bringing before you, and before the Elders and 
 Members of our Churches, on this interesting occasion, 
 this most imjjortant subject. 
 
 With the Apostle Paul, (1 Timothy, v. 17.) we would 
 therefore say, 
 
 " LET THE ELDERS WHO RULE WELL BE COUNTED WOR- 
 THY OF DOUBLE HONOUR." 
 
 We shall not occupy 3'our attention with the discussion of 
 the scriptural origin of such officers. This question has 
 been often and al;ly examined, and especially b}' Dr. Mil- 
 ler, in his work on the Nature and Duties of the office of 
 lluUng Elder. The following positions are laid down 
 and maintamed in the work referred to; that this office 
 is found in the Old Testament economy — had plainly a 
 place in the Apostolic Church — is recognized by a num- 
 ber of the early Fathers, as existing in their day — the wit- 
 nesses of the truth in the darkest times, and the great 
 body of the reformers sanctioned and retained it as of 
 divine appointment — some of the most learned of the 
 Episcopal and Independent divines since the reformation, 
 have borne decisive testimony to this office as of aposto- 
 lical authority — and some such is manifestly indispensa- 
 ble to the purity and order of the Church.* 
 
 We find a plurality of Elders in ever}' Church organ- 
 ized by the Apostles, and a distinction made among these 
 Elders ; some being described as ruling, and others as, 
 in addition to ruling, labouring in word and doctrine. 
 The Church of Christ being a society under the govern- 
 ment of spiritual laws and regulations, and in the enjoy- 
 ment of ordinances designed to promote its peace, hap- 
 piness and prosperity, there must of necessity be officers 
 
 * See Miller on Eldership, pp. 191, 29; Dick's Lect. on Theol. vol. iv. p. 379, 
 &c.; Calvin's Institutes ; Mastrichl Theologia; Turretiiii Instit.; Stapferi Insiit.; 
 Harmony of the Confessions of the Reformed Churches, Lon. 1643, the eleventU 
 section ; Maurice's Social Religion ; and Neal's History of the Puritaiis. 
 
12 
 
 by whom these laws and ordinances may be regularly and 
 properly administered. Not to speak of the worship of 
 the Sabbath, the Sacraments and the other provisions of 
 the sanctuary, discipline is as necessary to the well-being 
 of any Christian, as it is of any civil community. A fa- 
 mily in which there is no order, no regularity and no 
 authority — a society in which there are neither rules nor 
 officers — or any aggregate of human beings directed by 
 no fixed principles, under the control of no power, and 
 the restraint of no government — is a correct picture of 
 that Church where there is no spiritual power, and in 
 which that power is not exercised in the enforcement of 
 its laws. Discipline is the application of those rules and 
 principles given us in the word of God, for the promotion 
 of peace, order and purity, and the preservation of con- 
 sistency and devotedness. It is designed to sustain the 
 authority of Christ — to uphold his government over the 
 hearts and lives of his people — to preserve the Church 
 from the wiles of hypocrisy and the disgrace of apostacy 
 — to secure the fulfilment of heaven's commands, and the 
 proper use of the instituted means of Christian improve- 
 ment. Discipline will embrace the inspection of mem- 
 bers and families — the admonition of the negligent — the 
 reclamation of wanderers — the removal of scandal — the 
 correction of irregularities — the reconciliation of differ- 
 ences — the visitation of all, especially the sick and the 
 inquiring — the instruction of tlie young, the ignorant 
 and distressed — the promotion of knowledge and piety — 
 the careful admission of candidates — and the suspen- 
 sion or exclusion of such as act inconsistently or sin- 
 fully. It is therefore at once apparent, that the faithful 
 maintenance of discipline in any Church, is necessary 
 not merely to its pros|)erity, but almost to its existence. 
 Certain it is that the purity and harmony of any Church 
 will be found proportioned to the zealous, active fulfil- 
 ment of these great duties. It is equally clear, that their 
 
13 
 
 proper discharge requires the most consummate pru- 
 dence, wisdom, piety and devotedness. 
 
 By whom, then, are these .services to be rendered, and 
 in whom is all this wisdom and discretion to reside ? In 
 the Pastor of a Chnrch ? In one single man, upon whom it 
 is incumbent, to sustain the public exercises of religion — 
 to feed the flock of God with knowledge — to administer 
 the sacraments of the Church — to plan its moveinents — 
 to conduct all its operations — to attend all its judicatories, 
 and there sustain its interests and defend its claims ? Is 
 there any thing in the whole government of God, either 
 in the kingdom of nature or Providence — is there any 
 thing in the whole sphere of human action, so dispropor- 
 tioned to the end in view as sucii an arian<^ement would 
 be ? Atlas, bearing upon his own unassisted shoulders, 
 the whole globe, with its millions of inhabitants, is the only 
 counterpart to such an impossible achievement, which can 
 be found in fact or fable. And even viere such a task within 
 the capability of any one man, would it be expedient or 
 safe in the present condition of human nature, to entrust 
 it to him ? 
 
 We do not find in the New Testament, any Church 
 committed to the guidance of one man, with all its multi- 
 plied interests devolving upon him. So far from it, 
 there appears to have been in the Apostolic, and certain- 
 ly in the primitive Churches, even more than one, and 
 sometimes many teaching and preaching Elders — each 
 Church having its Pastor or Pastors, its Doctor, and fre- 
 quently also, its Teacher or Schoolmaster. But in addition to 
 these, there were in every Church a body of Ruling Elders, 
 called and ordained in the same manner as the Teach- 
 ing Elders, who were associated with them as govern- 
 ments or helps: and who, while these gave themselves 
 to the word and to prayer, were employed in the constant 
 oversight and visitation of the Church. 
 
14 
 
 Some such offices have been found necessary in every 
 denomination, and were very generally restored by the 
 Reformers. And where they have not existed, there, says 
 Owen, " The Church has become weak and impoverish- 
 ed, it has degenerated into anarchy and confusion, its self- 
 rule being managed with vain disputes and janghngs to 
 its division and ruin; or else it has been given up to the 
 domination of some prelatical teachers, to rule it at their 
 pleasure." 
 
 The Eldership in the view of the restorers of Presbyte- 
 rian order to the Church of Christ, was regarded as a spi- 
 ritual office, to which men were to be as regularly called 
 and ordained, as to the Ministry of the Gospel, and pos- 
 sessing in its sphere, as much divine authority and sanc- 
 tion. The office was voluntary, and as those appointed 
 to it were sup[)osed to be engaged in some worldly 
 occupation, only a limited portion of their time could be 
 expected to be devoted to its duties. To become a 
 Ruling Elder, no particular age was requisite, but as a 
 man could become a Teaching Elder at the age of 
 twenty-five, an individual of even fewer yeas, if other- 
 wise qualified, could not be deemed unfit for a Ruling 
 Elder, and in the present usage of the Church assuredly 
 not. To be a]>pointed an Elder, a man must be, accord- 
 ing to the first Book of Discipline, t " of the best knowledge, 
 judgment and conversation, and be lawfiill}' called, accord- 
 ing to God's word and order established in the Kirk, hav- 
 ing soundness in religion, and godliness of life;" -and ac- 
 cording to the second Book of Discipline, drawn uj) in 
 1705, they are to be " men of the greatest prudence, gra- 
 vity and interest in the parish."* 
 
 As Elders were not Laymen, but were invested with a 
 spiritual and holy office, their fitness was a matter of as 
 
 • See Irvinp'e ConfessioriH of Faith, pp. 50, 72, 155. See also Knox's History 
 of the Reformation, pp. 230, 232. 
 t Drawn up by Jolin Knox. 
 
16 
 
 faithful examination as that of the Preaching or Teach- 
 ing Elder. To quote from an old Scotch writer of great 
 authority on this subject, "The trial is to be by the 
 Minister and Eldership of the congregation, or in case of 
 their want of these, by the Presbytery. And they are to 
 he tried, both in regard to their conversation, that it be 
 blameless and holy, and also in regard of their knowledge 
 and experience of the things of God, and of the affairs of 
 his house, and of their ability and prudence for govern- 
 ment."* To be qualified for this office, a man should 
 unquestionably be pious, spiritual in his character, pos- 
 sessed of self-government, not morose, imperious, irrita- 
 ble or haughty, actively zealous, well esteemed by the con- 
 gregation, grave, prudent, unblameable in all his secular 
 transactions and civil relations, a judicious manager of his 
 own family, intelligent, well acquainted with the doctrines 
 of the Bible, well skilled in the discipline of the Church, 
 well acquainted with Christian experience, and with the 
 nature of conversion and sanctification.f As ruling and 
 governing the Church was the principal part of the 
 Elder's employment, he was called Ruling Elder, that it 
 might be at once perceived he had no power or autho- 
 rity to teach or preach. It was his duty to help, with 
 the Pastor, to watch over the Church, both publicly 
 and privately. The duties of an Elder were, therefore, 
 of a more private, and a more public character. The 
 private duties were, instruction, especially of the young 
 — admonition and rebuke — comforting the afflicted di- 
 recting the weak and restoring the fallen — reconciling 
 variances — praying — and visiting the sick. He was to 
 strengthen the hands and encourage the heart of the Pas- 
 tor — to stand by him in every difficulty — and to defend and 
 uphold him by his prayers, and his advice ; for in the 
 first Book of Discipline, "the Elders are required to 
 
 * See Presby. Rev. Nov. 1834, p. 43. f See Englee' Tract. 
 
16 
 
 watch upon all men's manners, religion and conversation 
 that are within their charge, and to take heed to the doc- 
 trine, diligence, and behaviour of their Minister, and if 
 need be, admonish and correct them."* 
 
 In their public capacity, the Elders, with the Pastor, 
 constituted the Session or Church Kirk — one of them 
 from each Church, in a given district, with the Pastor, 
 formed the Presbytery — one with their Pastor from each 
 Church in a larger sphere, a Provincial Synod — and depu- 
 ties in equal numbers from the Presbyteries, the General 
 or National Assembly. In these courts, Elders had power 
 to sit, write, debate, and vote, and conclude in all matters 
 handled therein. The things here treated of are matters 
 of Faith, Doctrine, Order and Discipline. The power of 
 Ruling Elders in conjunction with the Teaching Elders, 
 according to the same old divine, who wrote about the time 
 of the restoration, and who is supposed to be Guthi-ie, the 
 martyr, is what is called, ^^Ist. Dogfnatic, whereby they 
 judge of truth and error according to God's word only. 2. 
 That which is called Diatacdc, by which they decern 
 and judge of the circumstances of those things which 
 belong to the worship of God, as times, places, &.c. 3. 
 That which is critic or corrective, by which censures are 
 exercised on the scandalous, and obstinate, &;c. 4. That 
 which is exusastic, by virtue of which they send, autho- 
 rize, and give power to Church officers to serve m the 
 house of God." In the Second Book of Discipline, their 
 duties are thus described. " As the Pastors and Doctors 
 should be diligent in teaching and sowing the seid of the 
 word, so the Elders sould be cairful in seeking the fruit of 
 the same in the people. It apperteins to them to assist 
 the Pastor in examination of them that cumis to the Lord's 
 table : Item, in visiting the sick." 
 
 * Irviiig's Confessions, p. 51. 
 
17 
 
 " They sould cause the actes of the assemblies, as Weill 
 particular as generall, to be put in execution cairfullie. 
 
 " They soukl be diligent in admonishing all men of 
 their deutie, according to the reul of the evangell. Things 
 that the}^ cannot correct be private admonitions, they 
 sould bring to the Assembly of the Eldership. Their 
 principall office is to hold assemblies with the Pastors and 
 Doctors, who ar also of their number, for establishing of 
 gude order, and execution of discipline. Unto the quhilk 
 assemblies, all persons ar subject that remain within their 
 bounds." 
 
 Thus it appears that all that appertained to the welfare 
 of the congregation, and the promotion of Christ's cause, 
 was entrusted to their chaige. Of such impoitance was 
 the fulfilment of these duties deemed by the Reformers, 
 that they were anxious to have men exclusively devoted 
 to this work, and compensated for their labour. To obvi- 
 ate the difficulty, they made the number of Elders in each 
 congregation large, and permitted them to alternate and 
 relieve each other for a given time. The number of 
 Elders was regulated by the extent and circumstances of 
 each parish or congregation. The parish was divided 
 into a number of districts. Each Elder had the charge 
 of his own district. The names of all the people within 
 each were drawn up by the Eldei*. It was his duty to 
 visit them regularly, and report to the Pastor or Pastors, at 
 the monthly meeting of the Kirk session. It was enacted, 
 in 1648, that the Elders should visit once a. month, at leasts 
 and report to the assembled session, what abuses are 
 existing, and also make known to the Deacons, any cases 
 of want which demanded their attention : and this is still 
 the law of the Church of Scotland.* 
 
 These duties, if devolved upon a few individuals, would 
 be altogether disproportioned to the time they could be 
 
 "See TiaCton Eldership of Church of Scotland, p. 4. 
 
 2 
 
18 
 
 supposefl to spare from the ordinary avocations of life, but 
 divided among a number, they woidd be hght and easy. 
 Thus, suppose a congregation to consist of one hundred 
 famihes — let there be ten elders and ten districts, and let 
 each Elder visit his district once a month. This would 
 require each man to pay no more than five faithful, regu- 
 lar visits in two weeks. And who is there who with any 
 love to Christ and the souls of men, could not find time to 
 pay two visits per week, and discharge the other duties 
 arising from his station ? In a small parish in Fifeshire, 
 in 1755, which contained only 996 souls, there were twen- 
 ty-four Elders. In another small rural parish, there were, 
 150 years since, nearly thirty Elders.* In Cyprian's 
 Church, at Carthage, there were eight Elders. Soon 
 after the Reformation, in the Church in Edinburgh, there 
 were twelve Elders antl sixteen Deacons. In 1560, four 
 years before Calvin's death, there were twelve Elders in 
 the Church of Geneva.t 
 
 Thus associated with their Pastor or Pastors, and thus 
 faithful in the discharge of their appropriate duties, and 
 thus regular in their review of the condition and wants of 
 the Church — the Eldership will at once be seen to be the 
 bone and sinew of a Church, its very marrow, its nerves, 
 without which, let the head be ever so eloquent, devoted, 
 and pious, the body nuast languish and decay. 
 
 Over all these stood the Presbytery, composed of the 
 Pastors and Elders of many neiglibotiring Churches, which 
 prevented the Pastor from lording it over the Elders, or 
 the Elders over the Pastor. In the golden days of Presby- 
 terianism, it was a regular part of Presbyterial duty, to 
 appoint committees ofvisitation to each individual Church, 
 whose duty it was to hear the Pastor [)reach, to examine 
 the Pastor respecting the fidelity of his EUlers and mem- 
 bers, in their absence ; and the Elders regarding their 
 
 * Tract do. p. 5. t Miller, Ac p. i>71. 
 
19 
 
 Pastor, in his absence, and the members respecting both ; 
 and report accordingly. As a curious specimen of such 
 Presbyterial visitation, I will give the following, which 
 has been preserved. It is extracted from the records of 
 the Presbytery, of which the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine was 
 a member, and is found in his life, by the Rev. D. Fraser. 
 ''At. Portmoah Kirk, Sept. 20, 1710. 
 ** According to appointment, the Presbytery met here 
 this day, and Mr. Erskine, minister of this congregation, 
 preached to this text, Ps. xxiii. 4. — being his ordinary, 
 
 wherein he was approven. Mr. was interrogated. 
 
 1. If he gave due intimation of this visitation to the par- 
 ish ? Answered, Yes. 2. If his Session Book be in rea- 
 diness in order to be revised ? Answered, That the min- 
 utes are not yet filled up in the register. He was order- 
 ed to cause them to be filled up, to the end they may be 
 revised. 3. If he preaches twice and lectuies every 
 Lord's day .^ Answered, Yes. And if he hath week-day's 
 sermon.'' Answered, Yes. 5. If he intimates the Assem- 
 bly's act against profaneness .f* Answered, He did read 
 the same. 6. If he intimated the act against abuses by 
 penny weddings ? Answered, Yes, and speaks to the peo- 
 ple to be married thereanent, and preaches against these 
 abuses. 7. If he reads the Synod's act anent testimonials, 
 and if it be inserted in their Session Book.'' Answered, 
 Yes, and that he has administered the same thrice since 
 (he) came to the congregation. 9. If all the parishioners 
 attend the ordinances.'' Answered, He cannot complain. 
 10. If all the Elders attend the Session .'' Answered, Yes, 
 except two, who have abandoned the same. 11. If they 
 pray in their families .'' Answered, He thinks so. 12. 
 Are they grave, pious, and exemplary in their lives .'* An- 
 swered, So far as I know. 13. Are they diligent, careful, 
 and impartial in the exercise of their office .'' Answered, 
 Yes. 14. Do the Elders call for testimonials from persons 
 who come to reside in the parish .'' Answered, he does it 
 
20 
 
 himself as he goes through visiting. 15. Does the Session 
 appoint a ruling Elder to attend Presbyteries and Synods ? 
 Answered, Yes. Mr. Erskine removed. The Presl)yte- 
 ry are well satisfied with his answers to the aforesaid que- 
 ries; and, being called in, this was intimated to liim, and 
 then removed. 
 
 " The Heritors were called ; Mr. Kirkaldy compeared 
 for Sir Robert Douglass of Kirkness, Bailie Steadman for 
 Sir John Bruce, as also compeared Gospetrie, Geo. Bur- 
 rell, and several other feuars in the parish, who were inter- 
 rogated. 1. If their minister gave timeous intimation of 
 his visitation ? 2. If he had a Gospel-like conversation.'* 
 3. If he keep close by his work ^ 4. If he be careful of 
 ministerial visits.'* 5. If he exercise disciphne against 
 delinquents? To which queries they answered in tbe 
 affirmative. 
 
 " The Elders were then called, and the same questions 
 proposed to them as to the Heritors. Then they inquired 
 if all the Elders attend the Session .'' Answered, yes, 
 except two. The Elders removed, the masters of fami- 
 lies were called, and were interrogated as above. Mr. 
 Erskine was called ; he was interrogated if he discoursed 
 these Elders who have abandoned the Session, why they 
 did not attend the same ? Answered, There was a Com- 
 mittee of Session appointed to discourse them thereanent, 
 as the minuteof the Session bears."* 
 
 If we wish to see the power and efficiency of such a 
 plan, let us turn our eyes to Scotland, as she was some 
 fifty years ago, when this system was in active operation, 
 and when she stood foith to the world, unquestionably 
 the most moral, intelligent, and religious conmiunity on 
 the face of the globe. And it is our hope and praj'er that 
 the efforts now in progress for the restoration of the Elder- 
 ship to its designed intluence and power in that country, 
 will be crowned with abundant success. 
 
 • Life of Erskine, by Rev. D. Frazer. 
 
21 
 
 My brethren, when we pass from the contemplation of 
 the Eldership as it exists in the platform of our Church, 
 and has been exhibited in ils former history, not merely in 
 
 Scotland but in Ireland, and in Continental Churches 
 
 to that Eldership as it now apjK-ars,— what a melancholy 
 contrast is presented to our minds ? Where are we to 
 find those, who in the spirit of their office, in fidelity to 
 their divine master, in fulfilment of their solemn and un- 
 transferable obligations, in the spirit of Christ, of love and 
 holy devotion, give themselves to this work, and with earn- 
 estness, pimctuahty and zeal enter upon its duties?— 
 Where are we to look for Elders who regularly visit the 
 flock committed to their governance and care— who con- 
 duct the social meetings for prayer — who instruct the bap- 
 tized children of the Church— who guide the anxious and 
 inquiring mind— who fbUow up the ministrations of the 
 pulpit by their private conversation, exhortation and pray- 
 ers—who find out the wandering, bring in the outcast, 
 reclaim the backsliding, and indeed and truth co-operate 
 with him who laboureth in word and doctrine ? A solita- 
 ry Elder, or two or three superannuated and inactive men, 
 for a Session, is here, as in Scotland, no uncommon spec- 
 tacle. Even where there are more — their number is still 
 very disproportionate to the extent of the congregation. 
 And do not our Elders appear to be without any real ap- 
 prehension of the true character and duties of their office ? 
 Is it not regarded as a mere human appointment, as that 
 which they may conduct as they please, and whose duties 
 they may measure by their inchnation or leisure ? Are 
 not those elected by our congregations to this important 
 office, who are in no manner qualified to fill it,— or who 
 will not use their qualifications.? And do not Christian 
 men, professing to fear God and love the Saviour, even 
 when God makes it apparent that he calls them, and would 
 make them useful in this office, if devoted to it in heart and 
 purpose, take it upon them to put it away from them, and 
 
22 
 
 that, too, oti the very grouud that it demands effort, self- 
 denial, sacrifice, devoteduess, and that spiritualit}' and ac- 
 tive zeal whicli they are not disjxjsed to exercise ? And 
 do not these Elders very generally imagine, that their du- 
 ty is pert()rmed if they are present at the Session, if they 
 stand to receive the contributions for the poor and other 
 purjjoses, if they aid in distributing the funds, and offici- 
 ate at the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper? Whereas, 
 all these duties, except that of composing a member of 
 the Session, might be discharged by any individual act- 
 ing under the authority of the Minister, and as it regards 
 the poor, the Deacon alone is authorized to act, Elders 
 having no Scriptural power in this matter. If, therefore, 
 we deduct from the present functions of our Elders, their 
 assistance at the Communion, and in the collection of 
 funds, what services do they render to the cause of Christ ? 
 — in what respect do they promote the prosperity of the 
 Church? What do they more than others? — and what 
 account of their Stewardship will they render at the bar 
 of Him to whose services they have been voluntarily and 
 solemnly ordained ? Is it not a fact, as it is said of Scotland, 
 that there is no regular visitation of the parish — no se(,'k- 
 iug of the fruit in the people of the seed sown by the Min- 
 ister — no aduionishing of the backsliding — no exhorting 
 of the weak — no reconciling of those who are at variance 
 — no comforting of the desponding — no consoling of the 
 afflicted — no supporting of the sick, and no praymg with 
 tlie dying.* In short, adds this v^^riter, they have nothing 
 of the spirit and nothing of the efficacy of their office, and 
 for aught of spiritual duty they perform, the Church might 
 as well be without Elders altogether. Neither do they 
 take their part in the more general government of the 
 Church, by attending Presbj'teries, and Synods, Sec. The 
 importance of duly performing their functions in this re- 
 spect, is very great. It tends to take away that limited, 
 
 •Prcb. Rec. Jan. 1835, p. 163. 
 
23 
 
 corporate spirit which is always Hkely to prevail in a body 
 exclusively ofthe same profession and mode of thinking, 
 and thus to improve the deliberations of the Church 
 Courts, and at the same time to save the Church from that 
 character of a Corporation of Ministers, which is so apt 
 to produce a feeling of jealousy on the part of the people: 
 while it further exhibits the Church in her true charac- 
 ter, as comprehending not merely the Clergy, but all class- 
 es of the community.* Our Elders, as a body, are not 
 certainly such as they should be, and even were they in 
 all respects such as they ought to be, yet would their 
 number and their mode of action be totally unfit to accom- 
 plish the great objects for which this office was designed. 
 
 I am aware that there are exceptions to these remarks. 
 Yes, blessed be God, there are many in our land, whose 
 desire it is to do the will of him who hath called them, 
 and to be faithful stewards. I am also aware, that in 
 many of our Churches, as in ray own, the present incum- 
 bents are far advanced in years, or are so situated in life 
 as to find little opportunity for the full discharge of their 
 office, and I trust also, that better days are dawning upon 
 us, — but that such is the general character of the present 
 Eldership of our Church, cannot, we lament to say, be 
 even questioned. 
 
 Whence, then, is this sad declension, this mournful apa- 
 thy, this death-hke stupor, by which the Church of the 
 living God is transformed into a valley of dry bones, with 
 the voice of the preacher in vain calling upon them to live ? 
 It is to be traced, we think, in the first place, to the want 
 of a more warm, operative, and energetic piety, and to the 
 existence of that cold, calculating, selfish Christianity, 
 which is scarcely sufficient to animate the dull form of 
 worldliness in which it operates. Another source of this 
 declension, is the ignorance of our Churches as to the 
 real character, qualifications, authority and duty of the 
 
 ' Presb. Rec. Jan. 1835, p. 163» 
 
24 
 
 Eldership. A third source of the evil will be found in the 
 fact that great prejudices exist even among Elders them- 
 selves, against the introduction into this office of young, 
 and well qualified and devoted Christians, lest, as is inti- 
 mated by the writer ah'eady quoted, their inactivity should 
 be disturbed, and their neglect of duty come under a more 
 rigid observance. A fourth reason is the carelessness and 
 indifference of Churches on this subject. If they can secure 
 a Minister who wilt he popular enough to hold together 
 the Congregation, they fold their arms to sleep, and cast- 
 ing all the burden of the Church on him, throw them- 
 selves, with all their powers and facultiesj into the business 
 or politics of the world, or at most into the mere temporal 
 and outward concerns of the Church. A fifth reason is, 
 the low estimation in which the character and office of 
 the Elder is held by the people. Instead of being regard- 
 ed as instituted by God, as of equal authority with the 
 Ministry, and for equally important ends, to which they 
 are under equal, though not perhaps as high obligations, 
 and for the treatment of which they shall be held respon- 
 sible — it is regarded as a mere sinecure, a mere nominal, 
 unnecessary, and unimportant office. Connected with 
 this, is the fact, that those who would give to the office 
 that respectability, character, standing, and influence, 
 which it ought to have, nre unwilling to assume it, and it 
 is thus thrown often upon the humbler njembers of the 
 congregation, and is then in return despised or disesteemed 
 by these very individuals themselves. Will God hold 
 such Christians guiltless ? 
 
 In what way may these evils be remedied .'* To this 
 question a few remarks will be made in reply. These 
 evils are to be corrected, in the first place, by the revival 
 of [)ure and undefiled religion, without which even the 
 things that remain will die. Secondly, by the diffusion 
 of correct information on this subject, and this will be ac- 
 complished by preaching upon it — b}' inducing Elders to 
 
25 
 
 attpnd Presbytery— by requiring their discharge of duty, 
 and by putting into circulation those works in which these 
 things are discussed.* Thirdly, by training up young 
 Christians in view of tiie claims olGod and of the Church, 
 upon their activity and talents. Finally, by giving more 
 respectability to the office.* This will be effected by the 
 appointment of respectable men, who will be induced to 
 act, when our people have correct views of the magnitude 
 and i mportance of the office. In Scotland, and in many con- 
 gregations in this country, ruling Elders will be found to be 
 among the most honourable and wealthy members of the 
 community. Fifthly, by restoring Presbyterial visitation 
 and examination of the Churches. Sixthly, by increasing 
 the interest of the meetings of Presbytery. Seventhly, 
 much is also to be done by elders themselves. A Session 
 in Scotland, consisting of twenty-four members, agreed 
 every half year to have a meeting, and to put to them- 
 selves and to each other these questions. 
 
 Do you visit the sick in your quarter, exhort and pray 
 with them.^ 
 
 Do you worship God in your family, morning and eve- 
 ning? 
 
 Do you instruct and catechise your children and family 
 in the principles of religion? 
 
 Is there any unpurged scandal in your quarter of the 
 parish ? 
 
 Do you exhort the ignorant and children to diligence In 
 acquiring the principles of religion? 
 
 Do 3'^ou attend the judicatories of the Church when ap- 
 pointed ? 
 
 Do you attend and encourage societies for prayer and 
 Christian conference ; j)nrticularly the monthly meetings 
 of the Elders for that ])urp()se ? 
 
 Do you study to reconcile differences that occur in your 
 quarter ? 
 
 *Thc aiiihnr woulri recommend, for this purpose. Dr. Eagles' Traci on the 
 Eldership, fonning No. 2 of the Trarfs of the Preebylerian Tract Societj". 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 Do you recommend religious and practical godliness ii3 
 your quarter, by precept and example, and rebuke what 
 is amiss? 
 
 Do you study, according to Christ's command, to re- 
 claim offenders in private and secret, before you declare 
 them to the Session ? 
 
 Do you make conscience of declaring your mind, as to 
 admitting and debarring from the Lord's supper, when 
 the congregation roll is read sessionally, for that purpose ? 
 Whatever may be the best mode of remedying existing 
 evils, it is evident that something must be done, and that 
 speedily. For otherwise the most disastrous results will 
 follow. Ministers are now overburdened and l^roken 
 down — the cause of Christ languishes, not because the 
 field is not white unto the harvest, but because the labour- 
 ers are few — errors of the most pernicious character are 
 spreading their baneful influence through the Church, be- 
 cause Ministers have not time to study and to indoctrinate 
 their people in the truth of God — the springs of benevolent 
 operations stop, and there ai'e none to keep them in order 
 and in motion — and when a revival does take place in 
 any Church, there are none to unite in gathering in the 
 harvest, which is thus suffered to perish or to be greatly 
 injured. 
 
 Had we time, we might shew how eflRcient onr Church 
 woukl become, were our Elders as numerous and as ac- 
 tive as they should be. 
 
 ** A statement appended to the ' Eldership' as to the 
 ♦• moral machinery' of the parish of St. John's, Glasgow, of 
 «♦ which the great moving power is the eldership, affords 
 •' an admirable illustration of what might be effected, and 
 "in a comparatively shoi-t |)eriod of time, were that part 
 "of our establishment on the footing upon which it ought 
 " to be placed. That parish, situated in nearly the worst 
 " part of Glasgow, contains a population of 11,513. This 
 "is about four times the proper extent of a single parish. 
 
27 
 
 ** and the population is of a very inferior description. It 
 *' was only erected into a separate parish in 1818, when 
 *' it was nearly a moral wilderness. Happily falling un- 
 *' der the charge of Dr. Chalmers, he framed the machi- 
 *' nery in accordance with the standards of our church, 
 *' and as if to shew that it was to the system and not mere- 
 *' ly to the man that its efficacy was truly to be attributed, 
 «* he left it after a few years, and it has worked equally 
 ** well under both his successors. At present, besides the 
 " minister with a salary of ,£425 guaranteed by the magis- 
 *' trates of Glasgow, but far more than covered by the 
 *' seat-rents, there is a chapel of ease built since the erec- 
 "tion of tlie parish, the minister having a salary of £150 
 *' secured by bond on the part of private individuals, — four 
 *' missionaries at £50 each obtained by contributions from 
 ** the congregation, — twenty-seven elders, — twenty-three 
 ** deacons, — twenty-nine Sabbath school teachers instruct- 
 " ing 1180 children, — four parochial schools attended by 
 " 646 scholars, — two infant schools, and one female school 
 " of industry, — while in this large mass of a working po- 
 *' pulation there are only eighty-six regular and eleven 
 *' non-regular paupers, and all supported by the collections at 
 " the church doors. Great and valuable as are these fruits 
 " of the exertions of the St. John's eldership, it is yet far 
 ** from realizing all the advantages which ought to be at- 
 ** tained, and once in that very city were attained. The 
 *' total number of families in St. John's parish is stated to 
 " be 2585, while the number of elders being twenty-seven, 
 " gives an average of ninety-six families under the charge 
 " of each. Now it appears that in the interval between 
 " the second Reformation in 1638 and the Restoration, the 
 " city of Glasgow was divided into five quarters, each 
 " having eighteen elders and as many deacons. Each 
 *' quarter or parish again was divided into proportions or 
 " districts, with elders specially allotted to each, and the 
 " division of one of these quarters, with the number of fa- 
 
28 
 
 " niilies and elders, we find engrossed in the session re- 
 " cords under date April 18, 1657, shewing us exactly the 
 " number of families allotted to each elder. The east quar- 
 •' ter is there stated to be divided into eighteen propor- 
 " tions, corresponding to the number of elders, whereof 
 " twelve had twenty-nine families, and the remaining six 
 •' nineteen families each, in all 402 families, or about 2000 
 *' souls, distributed among eighteen elders, giving to each 
 " an average of twenty -two families, or about a hundred 
 " souls, instead of ninety-six families, or about 450 souls, 
 ** as is the case at present in St. John's. These eighteen 
 *' elders were further required (and it was a duty which 
 *' with so reasonable a portion of families under their 
 *' charge, they could easily perform) to visit their propor- 
 •' tion once a month, and oiice every three months to give 
 " into the session a written report of its condition." 
 
 Another illustration of the power of the eldership and 
 the strength it gives to the Church, may be found in a short 
 notice of one w'ho filled this office tor many years of his life. 
 
 " The late Patrick Falconer, Esq. was first called to the 
 ♦' Eldership, in the Tron Parish, under the pastoral charge 
 *' of Dr. Chalmers, and subsequently in St. John's. Of all 
 *' the active, lal)orious, and faithful men, with whom Dr. 
 " Chalmers was surrounded and supported, this gentle- 
 " man was in labours the most abundant, and in perseve- 
 " ranee the most unwearied ; and with one accord, we 
 " are sure, the Session of St. John's will concede to their 
 •• departed brother the pre-emhience in this work^and la- 
 *'bour of love. For the last seventeen years of his lite, 
 " he fjave all his leisure, and for the last ten, the whole of 
 " his time, to the duties of this office. Whilst many re- 
 *' tired and fortunate merchants think they have no ac- 
 ** count to render of their time to Cod, and loiter and 
 " lounge away the remainder of their days, barren of pro- 
 ♦« fit either to themselves or the community, — this good 
 *' man increased in well-doing, as he increased in years ; 
 
29 
 
 * whilst some grew weary of their labour of love, he grew 
 ** more devoted; and whilst others doffed tlieir S])iritual 
 "office, and shrunk into mere men of the world, he be- 
 " came more single-hearted as he advanced in life, and 
 ** lived more exclusively for the glory of the Master whom 
 •' he served. Every day, when in health, was he to be 
 " seen wending his way from his residence to the west end 
 "of the city, to the farthest extremity of the east, where 
 " his poor district lay ; and, punctual to his hour, the shop- 
 •' keepers inquired if all was well, when they missed his 
 " familiar face and figure, or were defrauded, for a day, 
 " of his passing salutation. Twice or thrice every year 
 " he regularly visited each of the eighty-three families in 
 *' his district, besitles his visitation of the sick ; and we are 
 " assCired that he was 300 days out of the 365 in his dis- 
 " trict. No London magistrate ever acquainted himself 
 " more laboriously with the worst districts of the metropo- 
 •' lis, in order to detect and punish, than this gentleman 
 *' did in his plebeian district, in order to prevent crime 
 " and reform the criminal. On the practical experience 
 " of this laborious office-bearer in the church, all oood 
 " men will set a just value ; and we feel, therefore, great 
 " pleasure in giving that experience in his own words, as 
 " conveyed to the Rev. Mr. Thomson of Dysart, four years 
 " ago, in answer to a letter from that gentleman, request- 
 " ing his opinion on this subject. Mr. Thomson informs 
 " us that he read the letter to his own Session at its first 
 " meeting, on which one of the brethren remarked, thatit 
 " had a speaking language ; and we now have great plea- 
 *♦ sure in adding it is a most suitable sequel to the preced- 
 " in2 remarks : — 
 
 «"Rev. and dear Sir, — I duly received your much 
 " esteemed letter of the 1 1th instant. It is with mucii 
 " pleasure I sit down to attempt something answering the 
 " object you have in view ; although, I am sorry to say, 
 " that an exact detail of my procedure would not be so 
 
30 
 
 " much to that purpose as I could wish, or as it ought to 
 " be. I shall therefore make use of it only as occasion 
 " may offer, in the way of perhaps mentioning what I ex- 
 " perience. 
 
 " 'Allow me, then, to mention, in the first place, what 
 ♦• has often struck me with peculiar force, and which 
 " is, that if a National Establishment answer at all its in- 
 ♦* tended purpose, it must supply a religious superinten- 
 " dence to the whole of the country which adopts it ; and 
 " that, just as well in point o^ i)enetrating the mass, as of 
 " converting the surface. Accordingly, it is always made 
 " to extend over the whole of a country, by parishes, or 
 " districts, such as were originally deemed what one min- 
 " ister could superintend. But these districts remaining 
 *' locally the same, while the population in them has pro- 
 " dif^iously increased, it is utterly impossible that a minis- 
 " ter can do any kind of justice to them in any other way 
 »' than by caUing in the assistance of laymen. This is 
 " particularly the case in large towns, where, in conse- 
 ♦♦ quence of the inadequacy of the means of spiritual im- 
 " provement, multitudes are in danger of sinking into a 
 "state of ignorance and absolute heathenism. 
 
 " To counteract and remove this great and growing 
 " evil, it is clear that every possible effort should be made 
 »* by the friends of religion to render the Establishment as 
 " efficient as may be, as that is the most effectual means 
 " of reclaiming those who wander from the path of duty 
 " and who feel as if no man cared for their souls. This 
 *' is, certainly, no easy undertaking. In the present state 
 " of the country, a religious superintendence, in any de- 
 " gree at all promising efficiency, can in no other way be 
 «♦ accomplished, but by a numerous arid vital/ ij sjnritual el- 
 •' dershij), or lay agency, operating in concert with the 
 " parish minister. There must be a local system adapt- 
 " ed to the wants of the parishioners, so as that the ground 
 " be not only covered without omission, but thoroughly 
 
31 
 
 " pefvaded — so thoroughly, indeed, that all may feel the 
 " life and energy it is intended to infuse into their minds. 
 " Sabbath school teachers, of course, would be considered 
 '* as forming a part of this agency. 
 
 " ' But to come to the eldership. Perhaps there is on 
 
 " this subject a very general feeling that a man needs to 
 
 *' be disengaged from business, in some considerable de- 
 
 " gree at least, before he can efficiently undertake this 
 
 *' office. My experience leads me to think, that a man 
 
 " who can spare an hour a day, or even two hours a 
 
 *' week, may do as much good in that little time as one 
 
 *' who has the whole of his time at his disposal. Besides, 
 
 " in the evangelizing of the world, it is evident the great 
 
 " power must come from the little of each agent accumulat- 
 
 " ed into the aggregate of the many. Each and every man 
 
 " doing the little he can, is the source whence the irresis- 
 
 *' tible force at length is to come, which, in Christ, is to 
 
 " overcome the deadness, darkness, and depravity which 
 
 " now pervade the earth. I cannot, while on this point, 
 
 " forbear to notice the importance of doing all to the glory 
 
 *' of God, and to be seen of Him, and of coming, not only 
 
 " to the feehng of this, as our motive fordoing, but also as 
 
 " our excitement to do whatever we have within the com- 
 
 " pass of our power. What I mean in calling attention 
 
 " to this failing is that evidence not to withhold what we 
 
 *' can do because it is little. Bat, under any other feeling, 
 
 " no individual will do any thing except it can be distinctly 
 
 " seen as a great thing ; and this is the cause that vast 
 
 ** power, which might be collected from the many, is lost. 
 
 " ' Proper division of labour is also vastly important. If 
 
 *' an elder is disposed and peculiarly fitted to act spiritual- 
 
 " ly, it is a great pity that any part of his time should be 
 
 " taken up with what any man may do. The province of 
 
 " the elder is quite distinct from that of the deacon ; and, to 
 
 *' render the parochial system efficient, each must abide 
 
 ** by his own proper calling. Various things, such as dis- 
 
32 
 
 "tributing tracts, or missionary intelligence, or reading to 
 *' those who cannot read for themselves, may be easily 
 " done by snch as have no gift for exhortation or pray- 
 "er. 
 
 " ' The exact plan which I think best for a spiritual 
 " elder to adopt, and which T am decidedly of opinion is 
 " requisite to an efficient religious superintendence of a 
 *' proportion, is that, along with the particular calls upon 
 " the sick, Sec, he keep a regular progressive visit of the 
 " whole going on ; so that he may visit every family once, 
 " twice, or as often as may be, within the year. I think 
 •' it verv important that he do not allow himself to act as 
 *' a judge or divider, nor even very much as an adviser, in 
 " worldly matters. It is astonishing how much time a 
 " single instance of that may take, when fully gone into, 
 " and perhaps may produce in the end no good whatever. 
 
 " ' Proportions should be sma.ll when a sufficient num- 
 " her can be got ; the smaller, down to even two hundred 
 " souls, the better. Where a thorough pervading can be 
 *' accomplished, it stimulates to the keeping of it up ; but 
 •' where it is im[)ossil)le, a vague ' do at random, or not do 
 *• at all,' is apt to take place. In the progressive, or all 
 *' over visits, the topics which generally have occurred to 
 " me as the easiest to be introduced, are those connected 
 " with the state of theirchildren as to reading and religious 
 *' instruction. Here a fine field for many important mat- 
 " ters o])eas to our view. Every elder should study tofill 
 *' his mouth with aruumenvs, in order to turn parental af- 
 " fection to the eternal interests of children, instead of al- 
 " lowing it to be absorbed entirely by their temporal con- 
 " cerns. ' Seek first,' says Christ, ' the kingdom of God 
 " and his righteousness, and all these things sball be add- 
 " ed unto you.' By securing salvation all is secin-ed, by 
 " not seeking to S(x;ure it, is the sure way to lose all. 
 " Things present are too apt to engross our attention, as 
 " if they were the only objects of real importance ; yet we 
 
S3 
 
 ** do not know how soon they may pass away, like tli@ 
 ** vision of a dream, for ever. How wise it is then to look 
 *' steadily to the objects of faith, to give them their due 
 " place in our thoughts and affections, and to give a decided 
 " preference to that better part which shall not be taken 
 " away ! We should keep eternity constantly in our 
 "view, and act under the felt impression of the unseen 
 •* world. Every spiritually-minded elder will endeavour 
 " to press these things upon the people of his charge ; he 
 " will be earnest to stir up parents to their religious du 
 " ties. Families should be spoken to on the duty of fami- 
 **ly worship, and the daily reading of the word of God* 
 *' The advantages of piety should be set forth to young 
 *' and old, as claiming their highest regard. What a com- 
 " fort will be afforded to bereaved parents, to know that 
 " their children, who have been removed from them iri 
 '• early lifcj were brought up in the nurture and admoni- 
 " tion of the Lord ! Or in the case of prolonged life, what 
 ** a blessedness to have a well-founded prospect of ha])pi- 
 *' ness beyond death and the grave ! This will support 
 " them under the trials and afflictions of life^ and fortify 
 '* them against the temptations to which they are exposed* 
 *"With best regards, &-c* 
 (Signed,) "'Patrick Falconer,'" 
 
 With such examples before us of the power, efficiency^ 
 and usefulness of the office of" the Eldershij)^ — and of the 
 practicability, in any ordinary circumstances of business, of 
 the duties it requires, are we not called upon^ as we regard 
 the purity, the peace, the stability, aud the increase of the! 
 Church, to use all our influence to restore it wherever it is 
 wanting, and to perfect it whei'e it may already exist. And 
 should this be the result of our labours, we would leave a 
 rich legacy to our children, and advance the honour and 
 the cause of Christ more than by any other possible? 
 instrumentality. 
 
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