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Presbyterianism Presbyterianism Its Principles and Practice By S. L. Morris, D. D., LL. D. Executive Secretary of Home Missions, Presbyterian Church in the United States Author of "At Our Own Door" "The Task That Challenges" and 'Christianizing Christendom" "Hold fast the form of sound words." 2 Tim. i : 13. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of Truth." 2 Tim. 2:15. "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 3. 1922 Presbyterian Committee of Publication Richmond, Va., Texarkana, Ark.-Tex. Copyright 1922 BY Presbyterian Committee of Publication Richmond, Va. printed in u. s. a. BY WHITTET & SHEPPERSON, RICHMOND, VA. Contents; I. PRESBYTERIANISM—^A SYSTEM 1 II. PRESBYTERIANISM IN HiSTORY 19 III. PRESBYTERIANISM AND CALVINISM 42 IV. PRESBYTERIANISM AND ChURCH PolITY 58 v. presbyterianism and the sacraments 77 (The Lord's Supper.) VI. PRESBYTERIANISM AND THE SaCRAMENTS 87 (Baptism.) vii. presbyterianism and the covenant 102 (Infant Church Membership.) viii. presbyterianism in action 118 ix. presbyterianism and catholicity 140 x. presbyterianism and missions 150 . preface THE purpose of this study of the distinctive principles of Presbyterianism is not controversial but undeniably apolo- getic. It is not in any sense an attack upon systems which differ from the Presbyterian, but it is an avowed defense of the latter. In this strenuous age which tolerates only short sermons, necessarily devoted almost exclusively to Evangelism and Mis- sions, there is neither time, patience nor opportunity for instruction in the doctrinal principles, which are the fundamental basis of faith, and which contribute materially to the development of intel- ligent Christian character. As a consequence a generation of Presbyterians has arisen which knows not Calvinistic theology and Presbyterian polity. Sentimentalism and indifference to truth are calculated to produce moral flabbiness instead of the rugged char- acters of our forefathers who bequeathed to posterity civil and religious liberty by their moral heroism and sacrificial service. As an illustration, one of our greatest city churches, having an official body of elders and deacons numbering about thirty, asked their pastor to organize them into a class for studying the princi- ples of their Church. At the first meeting the pastor asked the significance of the word "Presbyterian." Not a man in the num- ber could answer. This case is not unique, but the normal type of the average body of Presbyterian officers. The object of this treatise on Presbyterianism is to meet the de- mands of the Church for doctrinal instruction. The difficulty in the preparation of a suitable Text-book for denominational classes is to avoid the merely technical and make it popular enough to interest thoughtful young people and the average layman, and at the same time to give it sufficient scholarship to stand the test of criticism. The task is so difficult that it may fail to satisfy either the layman or the scholar. The Presbyterian Church has no denominational "Shibboleth" with which to rally the masses,—which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage gained is that it prevents Presby- terianism from being narrow and sectarian, but it is at a distinct disadvantage in contending with the bigot characterized by intense sectarian propaganda and proverbial zeal. The task of Presby- terianism is to produce a loyal, intelligent membership, stalwart in faith and character, yet liberal towards all evangelical denomina- tions. This attempt to accomplish the impossible is measurably successful in cultivating catholicity on the one hand and denomina- tional loyalty on the other. This discussion of Presbyterian principles and practice is in- tended as a contribution to the cause of that type of Christianity which knows its fundamental faiths and joins heart and hand with all God's hosts in the advancement of the common kingdom, hav- ing "one Lord, one faith and one baptism." The writer during his pastorate sufiFered for lack of such a treatise, which could be put into the hands of an inquirer willing to investigate truth for himself at the cost of time and thought. The author's purpose is not only to meet this long-felt want on the part of pastors, but also to furnish a Text-book, 'which can be used by our ministry in classes of young people, training for intelligent leadership, by Bible Classes in our Sabbath Schools seeking instruction in the principles of their Church, and by laymen who are dissatisfied with their lack of information and are ambitious to be "workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." In some cases Mission Study Classes might be willing to examine the fundamental principles. of a Church, which by its intelligent zeal has led all denominations in the great field of missionary activities. Ti To meet the need of the denomination, in educating its membet - ship for loyal service in the cause of Christ and His Kingdom, is surely a worthy ambition justifying the purpose of this study. Such has been the thought of the author in its production, which he now sends out on its mission with the sincere prayer that it may educate, stimulate and develop the spiritual life oi the Church, which will bring forth the fruit, in future generations, of more intelligent and consecrated leadership of the Lord's militant hosts. Samuel Leslie Morris. Atlanta, Ga. vil CHAPTER I Truth is ever consistent with itself. Given a few fundamental principles and they necessitate certain other kindred truths form- ing a complete system. As in a well-articulated fabric of network each separate stitch binds the constituent parts—or unravels the whole—so the web of divine truth is woven like the robe of the Master, without seam throughout. This is alike true in the realm of Nature, in the domain of Philosophy and in the sphere of Religion. Basic Principle. The Natural Sciences are based largely upon this principle. By virtue of this fact the comparative anatomist can reconstruct the entire skeleton of an extinct animal from the merest fragment of a bone. The records of science furnish well-authenticated cases where such men as Professors Owen, Kaup and Cuvier, from fragments of bone or tooth, have restored the entire skeleton of prehistoric species, and subsequent discoveries have corroborated the correctness of their conclusions. Systems of philosophy are likewise held together by kindred and consistent principles. In keeping with this same principle Calvinism constitutes a well- articulated system of truth, which not only hangs together by virtue of its logical consistency, but involves the whole of Pres- byterian conception of theology and life. The denial of scriptural predestination, for example, consistently necessitates the rejection of the sovereignty of God, divine foreknowledge, special providence, limited atonement, human inability, the sole efficiency of the Spirit in regeneration, and the final perseverance of the saints. One stitch dropped from the web of divine truth rends it in twain, or warps the whole, according to the bias of perverted human judg- ment. William of Orange, the illustrious Calvinist, author of religious liberty throughout the Anglo-Saxon world, according to : Macaulay, declared that he could not abandon the doctrine of predestination without abandoning with it all his belief in a superintending providence and becoming a mere Epicurean. The Presbyterian System. While the Presbyterian form of Government is not a part of the Calvinistic system of theology, yet the two are so closely related that any hybrid alliance of Arminian theology and Pres- byterian polity has never prospered but has eventually fallen apart by reason of the fact that they constitute an unsympathettc and illogical coalition. The Presbyterian system, based on the infallible Word,, sus- tained by its irresistible logic and reinforced by its inherent philosophy,—as expounded and defended In this treatise,—is taken in its broadest sense, as embracing both Calvinistic theology and Presbyterian polity with all the kindred and distinctive principles involved. No claim will be advanced that Presbyterianism, as thus defined. Is essential to the existence of the Church—much less as necessary to salvation—but It will be advocated as the most scriptural of all Biblical systems and, therefore, fundamental to the well-being of the Church. The things essential to salva- tion are common to all evangelical branches of the Church; and certain of the distinctive elements of the Presbyterian system are shared also by various religious bodies in one way or another. Distinctive Principles. The purpose of this preliminary chapter Is to outline briefly the general and distinctive principles of Presbyterianism, which will be enlarged, illustrated and re-enforced by appeals to the Word of God In subsequent chapters. Passing by those vital principles held in common with other denominations, such as Inspiration of the Scriptures, the Deity of Christ, the Atonement, Justification by Faith, the Necessity of Regeneration, etc., this inquiry will be confined to the four essentials of Presbyterianism 2 I. The Word of God as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only infallible rule of Faith and Practice. Presbyterianism bases its claims entirely upon the Word of God. Nothing else is accepted as authority ; and arguments based upon history, reason or philosophy may be cited as additional testimony, but they are not the final nor forceful appeal. The state- ment of this first principle will inevitably be challenged and met by the assertion that all denominations advance the same claim for the scripturalness of their respective systems ; and yet, in the prac- tical application of the principle, there is a vast and important difference. Variations Illustrated. The Roman Catholic Church bases its claim upon the Scriptures, but not exclusively.
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