Divine and Human Ordination

Here is good reason for risking”, concerning many practices, — Are these Scriptural, or are they only traditions of the fathers? A little Ritualism in one generation may develop into downright Popery in a few years; therefore it is well to take these things as they arise, and crush them in the bud. I do not believe that, among our Nonconformist churches, there is more than a fly or two of the priestly system in the pot of ointment, but even those Hies should be purged out. Great evils have small beginnings; the little foxes are to be dreaded among the vines. Where so much is admirable, it is a pity that the specks and spots should be suffered to remain. We have a stern fight before us against Ritualistic Popery, and it is well to clear our decks of all lumber, and go into the controversy with clean hands. It is a far more popular thing to find fault with other denominations than to point out follies and failings among ourselves; but this consideration should never occur to the right-minded, except to be repulsed with a “Get thee behind me;, Satan.”

Confining myself to one branch of the subject, I ask, — Whence comes the whole paraphernalia of “ordination” as observed among some Dissenters? Since there is no special gift to bestow, why in any case the laying on of empty hands? Since we cannot pretend to that mystic succession so much vaunted by Ritualists, why are men styled “regularly-ordained ministers”? A man who has preached for years is Mr. Brown; but alter his ordination, or recognition, he develops into the Rev. Mr. Brown. what important change; has he undergone? This matter comes before me in the form of addresses upon letters, — “Rev. Titus Smith, Mr. Spurgeon’s College,” or sometimes, “Rev. Timothy Jones, Spurgeon’s Tabernacle.” Rather odd, this! Here are reverend students of an unreverend preacher, the title being given to one out of courtesy, and withheld from the other for the same reason. The Reverend Titus has met with a church which will insist upon an ordination, and he is ordained; but the President of his College, having never undergone; such a process, nor even that imitation of it called a recognition, remains an unordained, unrecognized person to this day, and has not yet discovered the peculiar loss which he has sustained thereby. I do not object to a recognition of the choice of the church by its neighbours and their ministers; on the contrary, I believe it to be a fraternal act, sanctioned by the very spirit of Christianity; but where it is supposed

II. STURGEON S A I ‘TOIUfKlRAri I V.

to be essential, is regarded as a ceremony, and is thought to he the crowning feature of the settlement, I demur. “The Reverend Theophilus Robinson offered up the ordination prayer” has a Babylonish sound in my ears, and it is not much improved when it takes the form of “the recognition grayer.” Is there, then, a ritual? Are we as much bound by an unwritten extempore liturgy as others by the Book ot Common Prayer? Must there always be “usual questions “? And why “usual”? Is there some legendary rule for the address to the church, and the address to the pastor? I do not object to any one of these things, but I do question the propriety of stereotyping them, and speaking ot the whole aftair as if it were a matter to be gone about according to a certain pattern seen in the holy mount, or an order given forth in trust to the saints. I see germs of evil in the usual parlance, and therefore meet it with a Ouo iarranlo? Is not the Divine call the real ordination to preach, and the? call of the church the only ordination to the pastorate? The church is competent, under the; guidance of the lloly Spirit, to do her own work; and it she calls in her sister-churches, let her tell them what she has done, in such terms that they will never infer that they are called upon to complete the work. J lie ordination prayer should be prayed in the church-meeting, and there and then the work should be; done; for other churches to recognize the act, is well and fitting, but not if it be viewed as needful to the completion of the act itself. I have noticed many signs of an error in this direction.

(The following letter shows how Mr. Spurgeon regarded the question ot an “ordination” or” recognition’’ service at the beginning ot his London pastorate : — )

“75. Dover Road,

“Borough,

“May 2nd, 1854.
” To James Low, Esq.,

“My Dear Sir,

“I sit down to communicate to you my thoughts and feelings with regard to a public recognition. I am sure I need not request your notice of my sentiments, for your usual good judgment is to me a rock of reliance. I can trust any matter with you, knowing that your kindness and wisdom will decide rightly,

“I have a decided objection to any public ordination or recognition. I have, scores of times, most warmly expressed from the pulpit my abhorrence of such things, and have been not a little notorious as the opponent of a custom which has become a kind of iron law in the country. I am willing to ret nice my steps if in error; but if I have been right, it will be no very honourable thing to belie my former loud out cries by submitting to it myself.

“I object to ordinations and recognitions, as sitcli, (i.) Because I am a minister,

C. If. SPUKGKOXS AUTOi3IOGRAPIlV.

and will never receive authority and commission from man; nor do I like that which lias the; shadow of such a thing about it. I detest the dogma of apostolic succession, and dislike the revival ot the doctrine by delegating power from minister to minister.

“(2.) I believe in the glorious principle of Independency. Every church has a right to choose its own minister; and if so, certainly it needs no assistance from others in appointing him to the office. You, yourselves, have chosen me; and what matters it if the whole world dislikes the choice? They cannot invalidate it; nor can they give it more force. It seems to me that other ministers have no more to do with me, as your minister, than the crown of France has with the crown of Britain. We are allies, but we have no authority in each other’s territories. They are my superiors in piety, and other personal matters; but, ex ojjlcio, no man is my superior, We have no apostles to send Titus to ordain. Prelatic power is gone. All we are brethren.

“(3.) If there be no authority inlerred, what is the meaning of the ceremony? ‘It is customary’ Granted; — but we are not all Ecclesiastical Conservatives; and, moreover, I know several instances where there has been none. Rev. W. Robinson, ot Cambridge, agrees with me, I believe; and has not endured it himself. Rev. J. Smith had nothing of it, nor had Rev. Burton, of Cambridge, nor Rev Wooster, of Sandbeach, <S:c.; <S:c.

“Furthermore, I have seldom heard of an ordination service in which there was not something objectionable. There are dinners, and toasts, and things in that line. There is foolish and needless advice, or, if wise advice, unlit for public mention, I am ready to be advised by anyone, on any subject, in private; but I do not know

how I could sit in public to be told, as Mr. C- -was told by Mr. S, that I must

not spend more than my income, and (if married), that I must be a good husband, and not let the wile say that, being a minister, had lessened my affection, with all the absurd remarks on family and household matters. 1 do not know what sort of a homily / should get; but if I am to have it, let it be in my study; or if it be not a very good one, I cannot -promise to sit and hear it,

“1 trust, my dear sir, that you will not imagine that I write warmly, for I am willing to submit; but it will be submission. 1 shall endure it as a self -mortification, in order that you may all be pleased. I would rather please you than myself; but, still, I would have it understood by all the church that I endure it as a penance for their sake. I lind the friends do not care much about itt and others have, like myself, a decided aversion. I am your servant; and whatever is for the good of the church, let it be done. My knowledge is little; I simply express my feelings, and leave it entirely with you.

“A tea-meeting of members, with handbills, and notices in the papers, will be a real recognition, and if my God will make me useful, 1 am not airaid of bein<>

Jo(>> C. II. SPUKGEON S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

recognized by all good IIHMI. I write: now to you as a kind and wise friend. You can use my communication as you think best; and believe me to be —

“ours, with the profoundest respect,

“C. II. STURGEON..”

‘,? -^ *??

(Shortly after writing the above letter, Mr. Spurgeon preached the following sermon at New Park Street Chapel: — )

Tin-: MIXISTKU’S Tun-: ORDINATION.

“Siw of man, I have made thcc a watchman niilo the house of Israel: there- lore heai’ the word at My moittJi, and give them warning from JIe”- — Kze:k. iii. 17.

The office of a gospel minister in some: respects resembles that of the ancient prophets. Though we cannot, like Flisha, raise the dead; nor, like Isaiah, pour forth eloquent predictions; nor, as Fzekiel, foretell certain coming and immediate judgments; yet, like them, we art: commanded to teach, to warn, and to encourage. So much are we: like K/e-kie-1, that his commission will suit any gospel minister even of our day, Le:t us consiele-r, —

I Tin-: MIXISTKK’S COMMISSION.

Here: is a scrap of anciVnt writing worthy of a place- in the: museum. It ought to be in every minister’s stud’. It is the ultimatum of the: King <>1 lle-aven to us in our doubts as to our calling. It is our Kmperor’s protocol to all His legions. It is the minister’s true ordination, a real installation, worth more than a thousand Papal bulls from Rome bearing the mark of the fisherman’s ring; yea, worth more than all the: charte-rs of universities, or the appointments of archbishops. Notice, —

i. The wording of this ancient commission. It is worele:d in the Court language of Heaven, and each letter is Divine “Son of man.” Here is the title by which K/ekiel is addressed ;- not Right Reverend, nor the Very Venerable, but he has given tep him a graciously-humbling title. Ezekiel is calle:el “son of man” no le:ss than ninety times. This is the name Jesus often took to Himself when He was on earth, and therefore it is a truly glorious one. The gracious and all-wise Father saw that too lofty an e:minence might tempt Ezekiel to pride. He therefore styles him son ejf man, as much as to say, —” Your visions, rank, talents, and office, must not exalt you, for you are, after all, only man. You must not lean on self, for yem are: utter weakness, being only the ’ son of man.’ You must sympathize with each of your fellow-creatures, and deal with him, not as if you were a prince, or a master, but as being, like him, a ’ son of man.”

“/ have made thcc a watchman’’ Here we read, on this ancient manuscript, a true account of the making of a minister, Goel alone can do it. Two things are absolutely requisite to make a man a preacher, viz., — (i.) Special gifts, — such as

C. 11. SPUKCiKUN S ALTeJi;iO(,kAPHV.

perception of truth, simplicity, aptness to impart instruction, some degree of eloquence, and intense- earnestness. (2.) S/iccia, call. Lvery man who is riglnlv in the: ministry must have: be-e-n move-el there-to of the Holy Ghost. He must lee-1 an irresistible ele-sire: to spe-nel his whole: life in his Maste-r’s cause. No college-, no bishop, no human ordination, can make a man a minister, but he: who can feel, as did lUmyan, Whitclield, IJerriilge, or Rowland Hill, the: strugglings of an impassioned longing to win tin: souls of men, may hear in the air the voice of God saying, “Son of man, I have maele: Ihce a watchman.”

Unto the house of Israel.” L/e-kieTs was a limited commission; but ours is not, it is as wiele: as the- earth, ami as long as time. The world is otir parish. We are: not ordered to cast the: net alone in the: pools of He’shbon, or the- streams ol Jordan, or the: Lake: ept Genncsarct; but we may cove:r all seas and rive-rs with the: gospel fishing-boats, — the navy of Jesus. Yet, still, it is for the sake of the true Israel that we go

7 here/ore hear the 7^ord at My month” The: ancie-nt seers spoke- not at random; but they declared what they had been taught of God Sometimes, in dreams, they heard Heaven’s message; some-time’s, by a voice: from on high; but, most commonly, by vision, eliel the Worel of the: Lord come- unto tlie-m. The: soul, inspired by (iod, seems at times to le-ave- the: body, and that narrow tube- of vision which we: call eyesight, anel, with its own eagle: eye, to pie-rce the thick clouel, ami to mount into that re-mote- re-gion which the: orelinary eye: cannot see.

The prophets heard the spoken Worel. but we: have the written Worel; anel this we must devoutly re:ad It becomes a minister elilige:ntly to study the: Scripture:s, with all the assistance he: can gain from holy men whep have gone be:fore-, but chie:lly from the: most exce.-llent of all instructors, the true Interpreter, the Holy Ghost.

“And give them warning from Me.” There- are enher elutie:s; but as this is the most arduous, it is specially meinioneel. We are to warn the: Christian if he: is found backsliding, or sinning, anel to warn the: sinne-r ol the conse-e|ue-nce’S of his sin, of the: strict justice: of (iod, anel of the: fearful he-11 in which the: ungodly shall suffer.

2. The high office conjerred by this commission. It is that of “watchman.” Every soldier of the Cross is bounel to watch; but the ministe-r is in a elouble se:nse: a watchman. He is sep calle:el be-cause: —

(i) I he: ministry re:quires great vigilance:. We must not sleep: we: must watch against false doctrine and false bre-thren: we must be re:aely to help be-nighte-el travellers, and to give alarm to any who may be: in elange-r. The- true minister is to sit like: the: shepherd in the: wilelerne-ss by night, or like: the- whispe:r-hearing se:ntinel.

(2.) The: ministry involves toil anel trouble. Fe:w think of the watchman who tramps by the-ir door. Hark! there is a scuffle, a fight! Who is sure: to be: in it? 1 he watchman. How the winel ‘bletws! The snow must be a foot elee:p; pray put list on the doors, and stir the fire. Surely no one is out of doors to-night.-except

I is bare ace is cut by the driving sleet, his fingers are numbed w t c cold, his eye-lids are almost frozen. ‘< Well, well,” someone says •- never mi,,, ’ watchman and his trials; that’s his work, and he is used to’it.” Some of come here, and sit, and smile, and enjoy the sermon; but there are some who fi-1 fault, and sander, and calumniate. The minister must bear it all.; Watch’”;!n- He had need be a very tough veteran, who has swallowed Nor-westers and 1 know not what to fit him for the task he has in hand slll| should be arousing. If there be a fire, or a thief or a door or

Hastened, the watchman must not spare, but cry aloud. We must cry out “,;, ‘Ur ™8 -“Ot bei”S afraid <1-“”’1>, or alarm, or hurt the feelings of the

b<: asleep as be mumblers, or speak in such a way that

we- mean; we must preach the truth in plain, blunt

- language which none can mistake Fverv mm u-l-i 1 i -

man, wno labours in Word and

’ “I’ Sh”“M I”“”1“1’ m’” commission, and wear it next Ins hear,, and on his

’ — ’ th;l ™»y. who profess to preach the gospel, are no

sense ,,, their position; but, having the next presentation to a living, or ing purchased a benefice, they rush in where angels if like them, uncalled would rear to venture.

I’m-: MINISTER’S RESPONSIBILITY

The watchman holds a responsible office. If the sentinel, by sleep,,,, ,,,„,,.,

single person, he is a murderer. I, the prisoner escapes ‘!„„ his

equired to answer for his neglect. So, if the ungodly man is not

warned, he shall suffer for his own guilt, but my unfaithfulness will Tie as a crime on

I the professing Christian falls, his fall is his own; but if 1 have not warned

It I do not utter the whole truth.-the threatening* the

omises, and the invitations of God.-I shall be a sleeping sentinel, a careless in. a negligent railway guard, and 1 shall be the slaughterer of my fellow’- r ., to the professor, I give wine instead of medicine, a plaster instead lancet, or a stone for bread,-] shall be a guilty wretch, and God help me MI, for no one more requires help than an unfaithful minister!

Tin-: MIMSTKK’S CO.MI-OKT.

.. The Lords call to the office: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman” Promises peculiar to that call, for every call iron, God hath the strength to perform it enclosed within itself.

3- The blessed brow-hardening Spirit, who makes us despise alike the frown or mile of man, and thus keeps us from unfaithfulness.

4; Thc iact that success is »ot required of us, — but faithfulness.
1 my bather, keep me clear of the blood of all men! Amen.