Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

1860.] Destructive Tendencies of this Theory.
explicitly concludes, "to preachers as ministers of the word;"
and if, as he also declares, "it is clear, beyond the possibility
of a doubt, that presbyters and ministers of the word are not
synonymous terms," (see Southern Presbyterian Review, 1848,
pp. 61, 66)-then the whole argument falls to the ground. For
that such a succession of ruling elders, as distinct from ministers, can be clearly made out, is denied not only by infidels and
by nine-tenths of the Christian world, but also, as we shall see,
by a weighty number of the most learned Presbyterians.
4. This theory destroys also, and for many of the same reasons, the ruling eldership. It founds the office upon an equivocal term-upon an English rendering of the words (xato~
r,oo:saworgz) the wise or judicious presidents-upon a very partially supported interpretation of one single text, in contrariety
to the universal criticism of all other denominations-to the
positive decision of the Westminster Assembly, and to its form
of government, which is the received standard of all Presbyterian churches but the American. An office and a name based
on such a foundation, must rest upon shifting sand amid everwasting tides.
Besides, either the ruling elder alone, or the minister alone,
must be understood by presbyter and be designated in its
qualifications, call, gifts, offices, and obligations; and it is very
certain the Christian world will never dethrone her ministry
to enthrone the eldership over her demolished empire.
But further. Legitimate interpretation, of which Calvin
and Owen are examples, almost necessitates the honourable
support and exclusive occupation of the presbyters in 1 Tim.
v. 17, and 1 Thess. v. 12, 13, and is presumptive proof that
they cannot be ruling elders.*
Again. By clothing the eldership with all the names, and
requiring for it all the qualifications, and imposing upon it
all the duties, and fearful responsibilities, and laborious devotion attached in Scripture to presbyters, we render it impossible for any honest conscientious man to assume the office;
* Dr. King, on the eldership, allows that "it must be admitted that the
word translated honour does sometimes allude to pay or wages, and that the
allusions which follow do seem to favour this interpretation. Dr. Wardlaw
argues from it as incontrovertible. See in do. 37, 35.
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