Presbyterianism [pp. 546-567]

Presbyterianism.
committee was the thing. God permits a committee, but to
institute a board is an act of rebellion. But what is the difference? A committee is no more commanded than a board.
The one is as much a delegated body as the other. Both continue as a living organism after the Assembly appointing them
is dissolved and dead. We were referred to the Committee of
Church Extension as an illustration of the radical difference
between the two organizations. The only difference, however,
is that one is larger than the other. There is not a single
principle involved in the one, which is not involved also in the
other.
It may be said, and it was said in the last extremity, that
an executive committee appointed directly by the Assembly, is
a simpler device than a board, and that the church is limited
in her choice of agencies to what is absolutely necessary. But,
in the first place, this is an admission that everything necessary is not prescribed in Scripture which is contrary to the
theory. In the second place, the Committee of Church Extension, which was held up as the model, is not the simplest possible, by a great deal. A single executive officer is a simpler
device than an executive committee, and much more so than a
committee of thirty or forty members. In the third place,
when it is said we are forbidden to adopt any means not absolutely necessary, the question arises, Necessary for what?
For doing the work? or, for doing it in the best and most
effectual manner? If the latter, which is the only rational
view of the matter, then again the whole principle is abandoned; for it must rest with the judgment of the church to
decide what measures are best adapted for her purpose, and
this is all the discretion any body desires. It is obvious that
the principle advocated by these brethren is one which they
themselves cannot carry out. The church is getting tired of
such hair-splitting. She is impatient of being harassed and
impeded in her great operations by such abstractions. If,
however, the principle in question could be carried out, what
would be the consequence? Of course we could have no
church-schools, colleges, or theological seminaries; no appliances for the education of the heathen, such as all churches
have found it necessary to adopt. The boards of directors of
VOL. XXXII.-NO. III. 72
1860.]
565