He is a worthless shepherd who marks his lambs and turns them out into the forest to shift for themselves. As worthless he who gathers a few disciples, immerses them, and sets them adrift in the wilderness of sin. Such were not the apostles, the evangelists, and first preachers of Christ. When they made disciples they "separated them," and taught them Christ's religion. They "ceased not to preach, and then to teach Jesus Christ." The new converts needed teaching and exhortation after they had received the preaching. The commandments of the Lord are all to be laid before them, and the skilful and faithful evangelist will labor among them till they can take care of themselves. So did the primitive evangelists.

      Much as the apostles and first preachers had to do in the way of itineracy, unless driven away by persecution, they never left the new converts till they were able to take care of themselves. But if constrained to leave them before things were fully set in order, they soon visited them again. Paul spent years in some of the cities in which he gathered many disciples; such as Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, etc., and even then was induced to write letters to some of them.

      Some who call themselves evangelists in this our day more strikingly resemble the ostrich than the first preachers. The ostrich drops its egg in the sand, and leaves it to the sun and the sand--to heaven and earth, to take care of it; and then itinerates the desert. Their character as evangelists is skilfully depicted in the book of Job: "The ostrich leaveth her eggs in the earth and warmeth them in the dust; and forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labor is in vain, without fear; because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding." Behold the picture! You galloping itinerants, see your prototype, and reform!

      He assists by his counsel, when it is expedient, even to the selection of proper persons to have the presidency over them; and from his superior knowledge of men and things and of the oracles of God, it is generally to be presumed, that his counsels will be worthy of regard in one of the most difficult duties which the church owes to herself, her Lord, and the world. [149]

      The difficulties of making a judicious selection, explain to us the reason why the Apostles so often assisted the churches in constituting to themselves elders. This, moreover, suggests to the churches the necessity of exercising all their wisdom and discretion in the selection of those whom they appoint to the work of an evangelist. We learn from the epistles, that even in the days of the Apostles sometimes injudicious selections were made; so that all bishops did not "rule well:" and some there were, who, in, their teaching, gave too much heed to debates, and questions, and doctrines, which were not according to godliness.

      When an evangelist has set up a church in one city or neighborhood, and got things so far in order as to leave them without risque, he then proceeds to another, and so on; not forgetting that in the absence of other aids it is his duty to revisit the churches he has planted and see how they do. So did the first preachers of the word.

      From the apostolic records, as well as our own experience, we learn that two are always better than one. Jesus sent out the first seventy, two by two. This fact is full of meaning, and ought to be regarded as a good precedent, if not of the obligation of a positive institution.

      The preceding hints and sketches on ORDER, in all its general details pertaining to our subject, the church, are conscientiously and benevolently presented to all the beloved disciples of our common Lord, for their serious consideration. They were hastily written in the midst of many interruptions; but they are the results of much thinking, of many discussions, of much study of the New Institution, and of the observation and experience of twenty-five years' attention to the internal and external relations of the Christian church.

      Desiring to glance at the whole matter, we could not be copious on every item essential to the right action of the infant societies so widely dispersed over an immense continent. Many of them are so wholly inexperienced in the affairs of the kingdom of heaven, that they require great plainness of speech; and for their sakes we have been as perspicuous as the variety and length of our essay would allow.

      Being assured that were the suggestions contained in the preceding pages fully acted on by all the churches, we would have a much more prosperous and promising state of things than at present; we can not, from our allegiance to the Lord, and our love for the brethren, do less than request their most serious and devout attention to this matter; unfeignedly imploring the Father of mercies that he may "give them understanding in all things" pertaining to his cause and people in the world.--All of which is most respectfully and affectionately submitted to all the holy brethren, by their brother and fellow citizen under the Messiah.

A. CAMPBELL [150].      

Source:

Alexander Campbell. "Order--As Respects the Labors of an Evangelist among the Baptized." The Millennial Harbinger Extra 6 (October 1835): 526-528.

[MHA2 149-150]