Elder-why applied to Christian teachers.

The Greek word (geoßreços) translated presbyter or elder, means literally an older, or an old man; being the comparative of лgéoßus, old. The term was originally applied to the heads of the tribes of Israel, and to the members of the Jewish Sanhedrim or high court of the nation. These were generally men advanced in life; and distinguished for sobriety, knowledge, and sound judgment.

The term is applied to the teachers of the Christian church, because these were, at first, selected from the more aged, and experienced, and intelligent converts to Christianity.

The first place in which the term "elder" is used in the New Testament to designate a Christian teacher, is Acts 11: 30. "The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

We find it in numerous other places, in such connections as to prove, conclusively, that the same order of persons are designated by the term presbyters or elders—as are at other times, called bishops, overseers, or pastors. The first epistle of Peter 5: 1–4 very clearly illustrates this.

"The elders (geoßutéqovs) which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder" (or co-elder) * * "Feed the flock (nouavare, act the part of a pastor towards the flock) of God which is among you." Here we have the pastoral

and especially, if he would know the sentiments of the fathers of the church, and the English Reformers upon this subject, is referred to Dr. Dwight's Theology, Ser. 150 & 151, and to Prof. Pond's most satisfactory exhibition of the matter, in the 8th chapter of his book on "The Church," and Dr. Campbell's learned Lectures on Ecc. History.

Elders-why called pastors.

character introduced; the elders are spoken of as pastors; allusion being made to such passages as Jer. 3: 15; “I will give you pastors according to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." These pastors or elders are next described as bishops, "taking the oversight thereof," [éлiσxопойvτεs-acting the bishop, overseeing the church]; "not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Which is as if the apostle had said: The elders or pastors are to act the part of bishops in the church. They are to govern the church, but not with lordly authority; but rather by the weight of their holy example, and their strict conformity to the directions and spirit of the chief Shepherd and bishop of souls.

How the apostle could teach the identity of the office of presbyter or elder, and bishop or overseer, and pastor and teacher, more fully than he does in this passage, it would be difficult to conceive. Dr. Bloomfield, in his note upon this chapter, seems to admit this identity. His words are: "The apostle now gives particular injunctions to the presbyters,.i. e. the bishops and pastors of the church."

The titles pastor and teacher designate "the officework" of elders or bishops; namely, to guide, and preside over the flock, and to feed it with knowledge and wisdom. Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd and bishop of souls, (1 Pet. 2: 25) and every elder in his church is an under bishop and shepherd, or pastor, of a portion of his flock, 1 Pet. 5: 1-4.

Can anything be made more plain, from Scripture testi

Admissions of Bloomfield and Waddington.-Owen's opinion.

mony, than the correctness of this doctrine of Congregationalism that an elder, a pastor, a bishop, are different titles of the same church officer?

Dr. Bloomfield himself, though a devoted churchman, is constrained to admit, that "the best commentators, ancient and modern, have, with reason, inferred that the terms [elder and bishop] as yet denoted the same thing." (See Bloomfield's New Testament, Acts 20: 17, note.)

If, then, these terms "as yet," (that is, during the life time of the apostle) signified the "same thing," by what authority are they now made to signify different things? "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say."

Waddington, another Episcopal writer, admits that "it is even certain, that the terms bishop, and elder, or presbyter were, in the first instance, and for a short period, sometimes used synonymously, and indiscriminately applied to the same order in the ministry." (Wadd. Eccl. Hist. chap. 2. § 2.

If this be an admitted fact, and the soundness of the first principle of Congregationalism be allowed-that the Scriptures, and the authorized practice of the apostolic churches, while under the direction of inspired men, are our safe and only guide in respect to church polity—then, I see not why it must not follow, that elders and bishops are one and the same order of church officers.

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To suppose," says Dr. Owen, that the apostle doth not intend the same persons and the same office by presbyters and bishops in the same place, is to destroy his argument, and render the context of his discourse unintelligible. He that will say, if you make a justice of peace or a constable, he must be magnanimous, liberal, full of clemency and courage, for so a king ought to be, will not be thought

Campbell's opinion-Deacons.

to argue very wisely. Yet, such is the argument here, if by elders and bishops distinct orders and officers are intended." (Works, Vol. XX. p. 395.)

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Dr. Campbell says: That the terms ἐπισκόπος and лQεσẞúteos [bishop and elder] are sometimes used promiscuously in the New Testament, there is no critic of any name who now pretends to dispute." (Lect. 4. p. 66.) "The truth is, éniσxonos [bishop] was the name of office, лgεоẞúτegos [elder] was a title of respect." (Ib.)

* * "One single passage from the apostolical writings has not yet been produced in which it appears from the context, that the two terms πρεσβύτερος and ἐπίσκοπος [elder and bishop] mean different offices." (Campbell's Lect. 4. p. 67.)

2. DEACONS are the only other permanent church officers, recognized by Congregationalists.

It is true, our puritan fathers recognized an intermediate office, between the elder or teaching elder-as they were wont to call the pastor, or teacher of the churchand the deacon; this was the ruling elder. In this, however, there was not from the beginning, a perfect agreement among Congregationalists, and the office was gradually dispensed with, until it has ceased to be known in our churches.

Cotton Mather says (Magnalia, Book V. chap. 17): "Another point in the [Cambridge] platform not universally received, is, the distinct office of ruling elders * * * There are some who cannot see any such officer as we call a ruling elder, directed and appointed in the word of God ** Our churches are now (1702) nearly destitute of such helps in government."*

* Governor Hutchinson, in his " History of Massachusetts Bay,"

Original appointment of deacons.

The original appointment of deacons, is given in Acts 6: 1-6; "In those days, when the number of the disciples

"Most of the

gives the following account of the ruling elder. churches-not all-had one or more ruling elders. In matters of offence the ruling elder after the hearing, asked the church if they were satisfied; if they were not, he left it to the pastor or teacher to denounce the sentence of excommunication, suspension, or admonition, according as the church had determined.

"Matters of offence, regularly, were first brought to the ruling elder in private, and might not otherwise be told to the church. It was the practice for the ruling elders to give public notice of such persons as desired to enter into church fellowship with them; and of the time proposed for admitting them, if no sufficient objection was offered; and when the time came, to require all persons who knew any just grounds, to signify them.

"When a minister preached to any other than his own church, the ruling elder of the church, after the psalm was sung, said publicly If this present brother have any word of exhortation for the people at this time, in the name of God, let him say on.'

"The ruling elder also read the Psalm.

"When a member of one church desired to receive the sacrament at another, he came to the ruling elder, who proposed his name to the church, for their consent.

"At the communion they sat with the minister.

"They were considered, without doors, as men for advice and counsel in religious matters; they visited the sick; and had a general inspection and oversight of the conduct of their brethren.

"Every thing which I have mentioned, as the peculiar province of the ruling elder; so far as it was in itself necessary or proper, may with propriety enough be performed by the minister.

"It is not strange, therefore, that this office, in a course of years, sunk into an almost entire desuetude in the churches. Indeed, the multiplying unnecessary, and mere nominal offices or officers, whose duties and privileges are not, with certainty, agreed upon and determined, seems rather to have had a natural tendency to discord and contention, than harmony and peace." Vol. I. pp. 426,

427.