Theories of the Eldership [pp. 449-472]

Theories of the Eldership.
becomes a clerical aristocracy, or in other words, a hierarchy. In their original form, as found in all modern and
reformed churches, as among the Waldenses, in Switzerland at
Geneva, in France, in Scotland, elders were unquestionably
laymen, chosen from the civil state and not from the ecclesiastical, and by the civil authorities in many cases, as by the Confession of the churches of Switzerland, and the first adopted in
Scotland. Blair,* "one of the most profound writers on the
Waldenses," as Dr. Miller justly styles him, (on Presbyterianism, p. 18, 19,) "points out the difference between the lay elders
of the Waldenses and of the Church of Scotland, by stating that
the former were chosen by the Waldensian congregations,
meeting annually and appointing the elder." "Calvin," says
Principal Hill, "in 1542, admitted lay elders into his church.t
The admission of lay elders into church courts having the
sanction of these early authorities, Calvin thought it expedient
to revive the primitive practice as an effectual method of preventing the return of inordinate power in a superior order
of clergy. With some variation of name and privilege, the
office of lay elders is found in all the Presbyterian churches on
the Continent. Ever since the Reformation it has formed an
essential part of the constitution of the church of Scotland."
( VTiew, pp. 24, 25.) "The Kirk session is composed of the minister of the parish, who is oficially moderator, and of lay elders."
P. 48. "The Presbytery is composed of the ministers of all the
parishes within its bounds, and of lay representatives from the
consistories." P. 26. Speaking of these lay elders as assisting
the minister in everything which concerns discipline, Principal
Hill adds, "They are called laymen in this respect, that they
have no right to teach or to dispense the sacraments, and on
this account they form an office in the Presbyterian church,
inferior in rank and power to that of pastors." Ibid. p. 23.
The very learned Vitringa, in his elaborate treatise on the
Ancient Synagogue, in discussing the question of ruling elders
as maintained by Calvin, and as commonly adopted in his own
church, uniformly styles them presbyteros laicos. (See p. 484.)
* In vol. ii. p. 540, he calls them lay, five times.
t View of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland, by George Hill, D. D.
Principal of St. Andrews College, Third edition, p. 28.
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