A Discourse: Preached Before the Synod of Northern Indiana at the Opening of Its Sessions, at Indianapolis, October 10, 1861 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

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Excerpt from A Discourse: Preached Before the Synod of Northern Indiana at the Opening of Its Sessions, at Indianapolis, October 10, 1861

Considering, then, the topic chosen by the Apostle, and the person to whom he addressed it, we may plead Paul as a pre cedent upon the present occasion. Providentially called, in the regular discharge of an official duty, to address you, fath ers and brethren of this venerable Synod, I may rightly choose the theme the Apostle furnishes. It is the duty of the chris tian ministry to remind their hearers that they are, not only Christians, but citizens and patriots; that the scriptures clear ly and often enjoin the careful discharge of civil obligations; and that obedience to lawful rulers is obedience to God him self; and it is the duty of ministers to remind each other that these claims of the civil government are to be laid before the people. I exhort you, my brethren in the. Ministry, as Paul exhorted Titus, Put the people in mind' to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates.

N or is it only by Paul's direct example that we may indi cate the propriety of this topic in the opening discourse of the Synod. If any duty, proper for a christian, may be prop erly considered by christian ministers and elders; if any teachings proper for the people, are proper for our ecclesiastic al gatherings; if duties binding on individuals, bind no less those who bear the responsibilities of ofiice in the church, timely discussions especially become this service. The times in which we live are indeed times of unparalleled agitation and excitement. Men are swayed by their aroused passions and prejudice rather than by the calm voice of reason and truth; and ministers of the gospel and ecclesiastical assemblies are liable to hasty words and rash judgments. These seem, in the view of some, scarcely times to settle the proper grounds of duty, as the Church of Christ stand related to civil socie ty. And yet such is the reasoning of shallow and timid minds. These are the very times in which to discuss earnest ly just such questions. A word spoken in the season how good itis A word fitl y spoken is like apples of goldin pictures of silver. The opportune time to rebuke any sin, is when the sin abounds to sustain any truth, is when it suffers denial to enforce any duty, is when that duty is trampled under foot.

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