FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER.

NEW SERIES.

VOL. V.	B E T H A N Y,   V A. APRIL, 1841.	NO. IV.

      OUR God being a God of order, should not his church be a place of order? From which consideration I would take the liberty of making a few remarks, for the purpose of calling forth some of your able correspondents on the order scripturally to be observed relative to our evangelists and proclaimers of the glad tidings. Having my fears that great injury has been sustained by permitting incompetent individuals to itinerate as proclaimers, I would inquire by what authority should a person proceed in so important an undertaking? Or should the churches receive any or every person who may imagine himself qualified, without being sanctioned in some orderly manner, and so come regularly certified as qualified for the work? We find, both in the old and new dispensation, either an immediate call from, God, as in the case of Moses, and that of Saul of Tarsus.--Next a regular appointment by authority delegated. Our Lord appointed or ordained twelve to be with him, whom he sent forth two and two before his face--afterwards, the seventy. We also find that even Paul and Barnabas received authority from the church of Antioch to fulfil a certain mission, and of their returning with an account of having attended thereto. We also find the church at Thessalonica commended for being ensamples to others; for it appears the word of the Lord sounded out from them. Now, keeping in view scriptural order, is it not ascribed to the church, and not to insulated individuals, who might have itinerated on their own responsibility? I would here observe, a brother may possess a readiness in expatiating on the great and momentous doctrines of the gospel, and be very deficient in many other qualifications necessary for the important work. Therefore, others would be better prepared to decide on the requisite gifts, and particularly when we take into account that the church is, in a certain degree, responsible to her head for the exercise of her authority. We an [189] aware that some possess high opinions of themselves, and there are others who may estimate themselves too low--the latter I would consider the safer. But I apprehend, that taking all things into consideration, it is fit and right that a controlling and appointing power must be vested somewhere; let us, therefore, keep all our actions, in the great cause, in due subordination to the plainly revealed laws of the King.

      There is another deficiency which often occurs:--Member of churches frequently migrate from the vicinity of one church to that of another, it may be to remain permanently, or for a time, without procuring letters. On the footing of their profession as Disciples, they are permitted to partake in the ordinances. In case of any difficulty occurring, such may refuse holding themselves responsible to that church, inasmuch as they do not recognize the authority of it, being members of the church from which they are absent. Then is there not a want of attention by individuals and churches on that ground? A hint to the wise is sufficient. A few practical remarks on subjects of this kind might be blessed in rectifying a great many difficulties that occur in churches.

      Being persuaded that the church of Jesus Christ is that city set on a hill, which is destined to enlighten every land; she should be first engaged in rectifying every thing within, not only theoretically, but practically, according to the law and testimony given, that her light may break forth fully on the nations.

      The object of the above remarks, it will be perceived, is to elicit something pointed on these, and similar subjects, from others.

T. H.      

      The items of scriptural order above specified, ought, we think, to he duly attended to, not only for the important reasons assigned; but also for the sake or the character and influence of the individuals themselves. For if letters of authority and commendation were deemed necessary in the apostolic age, when the very profession of Christianity was so dangerous as to jeopard the lives of the professors; how much more so in the present time when there is no such danger; but, on the contrary, a certain degree of honor and respect, especially among those with whom we associate; and, consequently, so much greater reasons to impose and falsify. Whereas, in those very perilous times alluded to, Evangelistic had their letters of credit from the Apostles: see the epistles to Timothy and Titus: as had also those that were sent, or received by the churches: see 2 Cor. iii. 1. Wherefore, upon the whole, we humbly hope, that our brethren every where, will, both for their own sake. and for the truth's sake, be duly attentive to those important items of Christian duty.

T. C.      

[The Millennial Harbinger (April 1841): 189-190.]

      Thomas Campbell's "Remarks [on T. H.'s 'Order']" was first published in The Millennial Harbinger, New Series, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1841. 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, 1841), pp. 189-190.

      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.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 22 March 1998.
Updated 9 July 2003.