FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER,

NEW SERIES.

VOLUME III.-----NUMBER X.

B E T H A N Y, VA. OCTOBER, 1839.

      As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, the many, are one body in (or under) Christ; and every one members one of another. Having, then, gifts differing [462] to the grace that is given to us; whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, an exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.--Rom. xii. 4-8. Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers. Let all things be done to edification. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Cor. xii. 27, 28., and xiv. 26, 40. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into a holy temple in the Lord: in whom you also are builded together, for a habitation of God through the Spirit.--To the intent that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, might be known by the church. The manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord--which things the angels desire to look into. There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers;--for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love. Eph. ii. 20-22. and iii. 10, 11. 1 Pet. i. 12. and iv. 4-8, 11-13, 16. These things write I to thee (son Timothy) hoping to coma to thee shortly; but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground (or support) of the truth. Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (or teaching). Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed to thyself, and to the teaching: continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Yet evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All (holy) scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works. I charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom) [463] preach the word: be instant in season--out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts will they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables. 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15. and iv. 13-16. and I Tim. iii. 13-17. and iv. 1-4. For this cause left I thee (son Titus) in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee. Titus i. 5.

      In the above collation of scripture documents respecting the constitution and edification of the Christian church, the following items are distinctly noticeable, and evidently demand most serious attention:--

      First. That the church of Christ upon earth is wholly a divine organization, the adaptation and structure of which are the result of the supreme love, wisdom, and goodness of God, for the most sublime and heavenly purposes.

      Second. That the blissful and immediate intention of its organization is the progressive edification and ultimate perfection of every individual member, or particle of this divine structure.

      Third. That this divine perfection will ultimately consist in love:--the love of the Father, and of Christ, and of each other, and of all holy intelligences.

      Fourth. That the due performance of the relative official duties of all the members, respectively, is the constitutional means divinely appointed and provided for this blissful purpose.

      Fifth. That all Christian duties, personal and official, are clearly taught and provided for in the holy scriptures; and must, of divine necessity, be thence explicitly deduced, that they may justly claim a divine authority.

      Contemplating the Christian church in the light of the above scriptures, it appears a most august, and sacred institution--a divinely organized society of new creatures--a "habitation of God through the Spirit"--the admiration and resort of angels; and for this cause ought the women to have their heads covered in the church. 1 Cor. xi. 10. Surely, then, in such a divinely distinguished society every thing should be most solemnly conducted;--every thing to edification:--The ordinances of divine worship should be duly administered;--every thing done decently and in order. "Order is Heaven's first law:" nothing can be done right without it.

      True, indeed, we are not divinely provided with a religious formula or ritual, as the Jews were: the reason is, we presume, because it is not necessary. Some, however, think they find something of this kind in the 42d verse of the 2d chapter of Acts; but this seems rather forced and imaginary, as appears from the fact, that the breaking of the bread is put before prayer, which never was the case in partaking of the Lord's supper, nor even of a common meal. But to return:--Although a divinely authorized order was not deemed necessary; yet there must be a certain conventional order in every society, which is in the habit of meeting at set times for set purposes; else no social business could be consistently transacted. Now if the business of such meetings be definite and intelligible there can be no difficulty respecting the necessary adjustments; and surely this is the case in our [464] weekly church meetings, for the day and the exercises are all of divine appointment. What remains, then, to be determined, but the conventional hours and the order of the exercises? And these things surely every church has a right to determine according to its circumstances. In the mean time, in order to come to the subject before us, we shall propose a certain medium which both, reason and experience evince to be quite practicable; and, we should think, quite eligible to churches in country situations; namely, to meet every first day at 10 o'clock, and dismiss at 2; thus taking their social hours out of the very midst of the day. And surely no church should think four hours in seven days too much to spend together for social edification.

      Next as to the exercises and their order. The exercises, distinctly and numerically considered, are singing, praying, reading, teaching, exhorting, eating the Lord's supper, and the contribution for benevolent and charitable purposes; seven in all. These are the ordinary stated exercises for public and social edification. Then, as to their order, this may be optional; yet time, the great index to human affairs, would seem to indicate our commencement with the celebration of the resurrection, that glorious event which has given us the joyful day that brings us together--the Lord's day,--that is, the day of his resurrection, "who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." "This joyful day let us observe: redemption work is done:" and we who believe are justified from all things: so that in celebrating his resurrection we celebrate our own justification. And to do this in a due and suitable manner would well occupy the first hour of our meeting; in singing, praying, reading, and singing, with a special reference to this glorious event, and the blessings thence resulting. This would lead us to read with special remarks, every Lord's day, some one of the four testimonies respecting the resurrection. Thus would we be led to read and consider the whole amount of the four records every month, upon this all-important subject. And, if the month contained five first days, still availing ourselves of the great index--time--we could furnish ourselves with a fifth testimony, accompanied with a most interesting and luminous display of the truth and importance of the subject, by adverting to the 15th chapter of Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. So much for the first section of our weekly social worship. Let the second be teaching for another hour.

      This exercise to consist in reading the portions appointed last Lord's day, for the due consideration of the congregation through the week. This reading to be duly attended to, in the mean time, by all that can read, every one with open book. These portions should be taken up in regular order from the beginning of both Testaments; and after being distinctly and emphatically read, due attention should be paid to the contents by such appropriate remarks and questions, as will distinctly impress the minds of all concerned, with the moral and religious instructions they are divinely intended to convey. This, with the reading, is the proper office of the teachers.--Intermit half an hour;--after intermission, recommence with singing: then proceed to the supper by reading the appropriate portions out of the Evangelists, as was done in the morning with respect to the resurrection. And here let it again be observed, that if there should happen to be four first days in [465] the month, and we feel disposed to be guided by the regular succession of time, we may avail ourselves of the prophetic testimony of Isaiah, chapter 53d, who, because of his historic style, and of the circumstantial clearness and fulness of his predictions respecting the person, sufferings, and glory of the Messiah, is sometimes called the fifth Evangelist. The supper being thus duly attended to, according to the manifest design of the institution, and this third part of our public exercises closed with singing, there still remains a fourth; and, according to the above order, the concluding part; namely, the contribution for benevolent and charitable purposes; for every church is, in its proper character, a benevolent society, to supply the wants of the poor and needy, and to promote the conversion of the world; and is therefore divinely furnished with deacons, the proper officers for this very purpose. In the mean time, while this is in doing, just before dismissal, if any brother has a word of exhortation, which he feels desirous to impress upon the congregation, let him do it with all convenient brevity.

      Thus, according to the above arrangement, may all things, that are to be statedly attended to, "be done decently and in order." And whatever plan of proceeding may be adopted, surely none of those things should be consentaneously and statedly omitted.

THOMAS CAMPBELL.      

[The Millennial Harbinger (October 1839): 462-466.]

FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

NEW SERIES.

VOLUME III.-----NUMBER XII.

B E T H A N Y, VA. DECEMBER, 1839.

      This most desirable achievement, this divinely important object, is to be accomplished only by the due use of the divinely appointed means of teaching and ruling. For this blissful purpose, God has graciously and abundantly furnished his people with all necessary instructions, both with respect to the qualifications of the teachers, and also with respect to the matter and manner of their teaching, and the conscientious and dutiful submission due to their divine admonitions. See the following scriptures--Acts xi. 28-30. A great dearth throughout all the world--came to pass in the days of Cesar. Then the disciples (at Antioch) every man, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren which dwelt in Judea; which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. And xiv. 23. When they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And xv. 4-6. When they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the Apostles, and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. And xx. 17-21: 26-35. From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.--Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men: for I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (bishops) to feed the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and [591] remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears. 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in word and doctrine (or teaching.) For the scripture saith, Then shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And--The laborer is worthy of his reward. Gal. vi. 6. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate to him that teacheth, in all good things. Titus i. 5-9. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine (or teaching) both to exhort, and to convince the gainsayers. 1. Pet. v. 1-4. The elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight 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. Eph. vi. 21. But that you may also know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things. Col. i. 7-8. As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

      Phil. i. 1. Paul and Timotheus the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 1 Tim. iii. 1-7. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)--not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.--For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God. Luke xii. 42-43. Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing:--he will make him ruler over all that he hath. Eph. iv. 8-11. When Christ ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Isaiah. lxii. 6. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [592] which shall never hold their peace day nor night. Heb. xiii. 7-17. Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief--for that is unprofitable for you.

      The official epithets, qualifications, and duties, explicitly mentioned in the above quotations, duly considered, amply show the abundant provisions divinely intended for the edification of the church.

      The very first epithet, namely, that of elder, provides for experimental knowledge; which joined with the specified attributes of character required to qualify him for the office of bishop, or overseer, and the duties enjoined upon him as such, go to provide, as far as possible, for his moral and religions influence and utility; as does also the title of minister, or voluntary servant (not doulos but diakonos) see I Tim. iv. 6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister (diakonos) of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Peter v. 1-4. The elders--I exhort--Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight 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. But it would appear superfluous to expatiate upon the well known import, and comprehensive responsibility included in the other official epithets of bishop, steward, pastor, teacher, watchman, divinely chosen to express the duties of the gospel ministry. Suffice it to say, that whatever can be done, by teaching the word, and executing the law of Christ, is clearly and fully expressed by the well known import of those official titles; as are also the correspondent duties incumbent upon those to whom they minister. For the truth of which we refer again to the above quotations.

T. C.      

[The Millennial Harbinger (December 1839): 591-593.]

FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

NEW SERIES.

VOLUME IV.-----NUMBER II.

B E T H A N Y, VA. FEBRUARY, 1840.

      THE grand intention of the Christian institution,--viz. the reformation of the world--the highest possible amelioration of the condition of man in this life--is to be effected by the church; "that now, to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God " Eph. iii. 10. Wherefore, it necessarily follows, that church edification--the grand proximate object of its constitution--being divinely intended, and abundantly provided for, ought to be the primary intention of all concerned: that is, of all the members, but especially of those divinely appointed for that purpose. For--"He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints--for the work of the ministry--for the edifying the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph. iv. 12, 13.

      When we consider the high attainments above specified, as divinely intended for the whole body; surely we must feet deeply convinced of the indispensable necessity of the most abundant, most diligent, and persevering use of all the means, with which we are divinely furnished for those high and blissful purposes: especially when we advert to the diversified condition of the members; both with respect to their natural capacities, dispositions, situations, and peculiar temptations,--and to that deadly depressing weight of inbred carnality, lying so heavily upon all.

      It is, therefore, the intention of this essay to submit to the consideration of all, both teachers and taught, who are concerned for the perfection and happiness of the body of Christ upon earth,--the due and suitable use of the means, divinely intended for this most desirable purpose. Now these are distinctly and comprehensively two--viz. teachers, and teaching. The qualifications and duties both of the teachers, and of the taught,--what and how the former are to teach,--and how the latter are to behave under their tuition, are all divinely prescribed and determined in the holy scriptures; so that we have nothing to do but to proceed accordingly. Wherefore, in our farther investigation of this important subject, we shall proceed as follows--viz.--

      I. Consider the qualifications both of the teachers and of the taught.

      II. Their respective duties to each other.

      III. The proper manner of proceeding, for the public edification of the congregation, on the Lord's day.

      1st. We are, then, first to consider the qualifications both of teachers and taught. As to the latter, all that we deem necessary to state at present is, that they have made an intelligent scriptural confession of Christ in baptism, as did the primitive converts to Christianity, and are still continuing to walk in his law. As to the former, we would only observe at present, that they be such characters as are described in the following scriptures: 1 Tim. iii. 1-7. Titus i. 6-9. And that they be duly chosen and ordained; see Acts vi. 3, 8. and xiii. 2, 3. and xiv. 23; with 1 Tim. iv. 14. and v. 22. In the above quotations we [56] have a view both of the personal and official qualifications of the legitimate teachers of Christianity in the churches: the former of which could not qualify them for assuming that office, without the latter: for in no voluntary association does mere fitness give authority, without the consent of the society duly expressed.

      2d. We come next to consider the respective duties of each. And here we would observe, in the first place, that it is the duty of the teachers to teach and rule well according to the scriptures:--to teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, divinely furnished for the edification of the church: that is,--all holy scripture--neither more nor less. For "all holy scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works." 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Yet all this must be done prudently, and skilfully, "rightly dividing the word of truth:" 2 Tim. ii. 15.--"giving to each his portion of meat in due season:" Matth. xxiv. 45. There is milk for babes, and meat for strong men. 1 Cor. iii. Heb. v. 12, 13. And as for those that are thus divinely taught--their duties to their teachers are most expressly declared in the following scriptures:--Gal. vi. 6. "Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, in all good things"--and 1 Tim. v. 17. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they that labor in word and doctrine;" that is--teaching--"For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox, that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward." See also Heb. xiii. 6, 8, 17. "Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.--Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you." Yea, surely it is in vain to employ teachers, if we will not submit to be taught by them!

      But again, Christian teachers are not only bound to teach the Bible, the whole Bible, and that exclusively, in its true, literal, practical import; and to accommodate their teaching to the capacity and condition of their hearers, both publicly and privately, keeping back nothing that is profitable: see Acts xx. 20. But they should also be zealously active, faithful, and diligent,--"in season, and out of season, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting, with all long suffering and teaching; and that with all authority:" see 2 Tim. iv. 3., with Titus iii. 15. Especially should they study to do every thing to the best advantage for the public edification of the church on the Lord's day. For this important purpose, a seasonable. and sufficient portion of the day ought to be punctually devoted to public edification. Next--all the different exercises duly and suitably adjusted and provided for, so that every thing might be done decently and in order--every thing in the best manner to edification. For this purpose the portion, or portions of scripture, intended for the public edification, might be duly known to the church, having been previously appointed at the close of the former meeting, so that all the members might be duly prepared for their investigation. [57]

      Things thus duly and statedly arranged, the natural order of the public exercises follows of course. The day divinely appointed for church edification,--inscribed to the Lord--the herald and memorial of his resurrection, suggests to us immediately the celebration of that most blissful and glorious event--the seal and pledge of our justification; without which, not only the birth, but also the death of the Saviour, had been to us in vain; "for if Christ be not risen we are yet in our sins;" but, blessed be God "he was," not only "delivered for our offences; but "was also raised again for our justification:" Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 17. So that in celebrating his resurrection, we, celebrate our own justification. Blessed be God, this is our first spiritual meal upon the first day of the week--the first dish upon the spiritual table of our weekly festival. Surely it might well entertain us for one hour, in singing, and praying, and reading, and praising--about it. Next in order comes our weekly lesson in the holy scriptures, that we may add to our faith--knowledge; and thus be made wise to salvation, thoroughly furnished to all good works. Now there are but two ways in which the scripture can be made forthcoming for our instruction in righteousness. The first is--the careful studious perusal of any portion of them, with a strict regard to the contextual connexion, and to the scriptural use and meaning of certain peculiar words and phrases where they occur, always adverting to the six following items; namely,--Who speaks,--to whom he speaks,--what he says,--why he says it,--when and where he said so. And then--to the subject matter of the portion under consideration; whether it be history, prophecy, commands, prohibitions, declarations, invitations, or promises: thus directing and fixing the attention of the hearers--the students, (as all genuine disciples are,) to the contents and import of the lesson under consideration. And lastly, by a catechetical investigation of the contents, to impress them distinctly and forcibly upon the minds of all concerned, that so they may be clearly perceived and retained; and so conclude with a brief, pertinent, practical exhortation. By--"a catechetical investigation"--is meant the manner of presenting the contents of the lesson to the consideration of the congregation, by proposing and answering such questions, as will recall and exhaust the subject matter of the portion read, according to the preceding analysis; viz.--What historic facts, what prophecies, what commands, what prohibitions, &c. &c. are contained in it--and all these distinctly stated by the teacher, with pertinent remarks and exhortations; the congregation, in the mean time, closely attending with open books. The congregation, however, may be divided into distinct classes, and examined privately. For the Apostle taught both publicly and privately: see Acts xx. 20.

      So much for the first and general use and study of the holy scriptures: the second is for particular and special purposes;--namely, to obtain the amount of the divine testimony upon a particular subject; by collecting together, into one complete aggregate, all the places where it is mentioned. By thus searching the scriptures, and extracting their contents upon the subject of inquiry, we shall have it before us in all its attitudes, bearings, and relations.--"Every one, acquainted with the sacred scriptures, knows that the complete account, which they contain of any one article of religion, is never to be met with altogether in one place, without other subjects intermixed with it; but [58] is to be collected from many different passages, where the sacred writers have touched upon it. All these places, taken together, do make up the complete scripture account of the subject; they contain all the light which the spirit of revelation has thrown upon it, as needful for instruction. Whoever, then, will view any scripture truth, in all the light thus afforded, must search the scriptures for the different places in which it is contained, or where the subject is mentioned. In these places it will be found sufficiently explained,-- enforced by all its proper motives,--applied to all its proper uses, and set in every advantageous light, needful for being rightly understood, and properly applied."^*

      These things being so, it evidently follows, that both those ways of studying the scriptures ought to be attended to: the former, for acquiring the knowledge of the Bible, as a whole; the latter, for understanding particularly, the full amount of what it teaches upon any one point--or topic. And each of these exercises, being suitably introduced by previous notification, may equally become subjects of public social investigation, as all subjects, introduced into the regular stated meetings of a congregation, ought to be; for, surely, they, that study by proxy, will never become learned.

      3d. These exercises of celebrating the resurrection, and of attending to the stated lessons of the day, having been duly observed, and the congregation indulged with a short interval, the church, of course, next proceeds to commemorate the death and dying love of its Divine Redeemer. It is now afternoon, say 1 o'clock--he is yet upon the cross--as to the time of day--drawing near to the close of his sufferings; and the symbols of his death, instituted after the paschal supper, just before his sufferings, lie upon the table,--commonly called the Lord's table--the Lord's supper. This is the closing meal of our weekly festival. How rich in blessings! how costly! how refreshing!--"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Rom. v. 8. 1 John iv. 10, 11. Hear him say, O! communicant, when you receive into your hand the bread--the symbol of his broken body--hear him say--"This is my body--broken for you"! And, likewise, also with the cup of blessing--"This is my blood shed for you--shed for the remission of the sins of many." And can yon forbear, O! believing communicant, to say--with the master of the feast in Cana of Galilee,--"You have kept the best wine until now"!!! Yea, surely, this expression of his love is infinitely better than wine. "All the things that can be desired, are not to be compared with it."

      The exhortations and praise elicited by this, closes the religious solemnities of the Lord's day--that blissful day, which he has given us to feast upon the provisions of his love. We breakfast together upon his resurrection; we dine upon the doctrine of his holy word; and sup upon his person--sacrificed for us. Thus are we richly and abundantly entertained and provided for, at the expense of the divine goodness. What a pity that we should not avail ourselves of it, by making an abundant and proper use of the rich provisions of his love! [59] And seeing all enjoyment lies in employment, surely four or five hours per week, spent together for this blissful purpose, should seem but a short space; and so it must and will, if we be not carnally-minded; and even if we be, it can only be cured by persevering in Spiritual exercises. Let all, then, who would enjoy the salvation of God, avail themselves of the means of enjoyment, by making a diligent and proper use of them,--committing themselves to the divine mercy, humbly relying upon the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; and, in so doing, they may rest assured upon the divine promise,--that their labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. xv. 58.

THOMAS CAMPBELL.      

      ^* Gaston's Collections. Philadelphia, A.D. 1807.

[The Millennial Harbinger (February 1840): 56-60.]

      Thomas Campbell's "Church Edification" was first published in three parts in The Millennial Harbinger, New Series, Vol. 3, No. 10, October 1839; No. 12, December 1839; Vol. 4, No. 2, February 1840. The electronic version of the essay has been produced from the College Press reprint (1976) of The Millennial Harbinger, ed. Alexander Campbell (Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1839), pp. 462-466 and 591-593; (Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1840), pp. 56-60.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. I have let stand variations and inconsistencies in the author's (or editor's) use of italics, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in the essay. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 463:    evety part, [ every part,
            teaching.) [ teaching).
 p. 466:    very purpuse. [ very purpose.
            to be staledly [ to be statedly
 p. 591:    flock   Also [ flock. Also
 p. 56:     followiug scriptures: [ following scriptures:
 p. 57:     2 Tim. iv. 3.. [ 2 Tim. iv. 3.,
 p. 58:     onr sins;" [ our sins;"
            festival   Surely [ festival. Surely
            viz -- [ viz.--
            what phophecies [ what prophecies
 p. 59:     of pnblic [ of public
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 13 March 1998.
Updated 9 July 2003.