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Untitled Article
risdictior * . Whatever may be bis rank , his learning , his -riches , his power in the world , they give i > a claims of pre-eminence u \ this body . Humility is the leading feature ^ and no Christian is likely * o abase himself more than his
Saviour did , who had , if he had thought fit to claim it , the greatest right to every species of condescension on the pan of his followers . Being left free by their
Saviour , they look to the actions of his apostles , and the writings they have left behind them . No general rule is here to be found on
the formation of societies , but they find general directions , which cannot but be of use : such as these ; "let every thing be done with decorum and in order : 5 ' 44 do not make vain distinctions between
jieh&nd poor ; " a precept admirably enlarged upon by the apostle James , but unhappily too much uogleeted by Christians . Hence our brethren will conclude , that they are at liberty to form their society in the manner which they shall think best adapted to attain the ends of a Christian
union * provided that they keep constantly in mind , that Christ is their head , an < J do not allow to any individual to arrogate to hinis < ) h' any pre-eminence or
authority over his brethren . But though no rules are laid down , as they are in the Mosaical kiw for the service of the temple , ii-rvi in fact it would have been
inconsistent with Christian liberty to lay down such laws , yet there is in tlfe writings of the apostles , and m the history of their actions , sufficient knowledge imparted to us of the form of their societies .
Directions are given also on the description of persons suited for the various offices ijn their com-
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munities . We may collect fromr these , that for the conduct of the affairs of some of their societies , were the following offices ; those of bishop , elder , deacon , deaconess , angel or messenger : and it seems to me , that the mode of
conducting a society by these officers is better than any other that has been since adopted . The constitution of a Christian congregation , where the number admitted
it , was as follows . 'j he whole was under the management of a'committee of elders , of whom one was called the bishop or overseer , he being the
president of the committee , and also president of the general meeting , whenever one was necessary . The establishment of such a body of men is well calculated for the order and
decorum that become a Christian society . A large number of men , however well disposed , cannot attend to their concerns . If all direct in every concern , the confu - sion must be infinite . Without
infringement of Christian'Iiberty , a certain number may be selected ; and they will of course be vested with the power of directing the concerns of the society , in the manner that is generally agreed upon . When a committee has
been formed , it is equally prudent , that a head should be appointed , that regularity may be observed in its meetings , and loss of time may be avoided , by
one person being appointed to take the chair , who will thus be better qualified to superintend the meeting , than he who is seldom or by accident called to it . On the number of elders to form
a committee , the scriptures arc perfectly silent . They could not toavc determined jthis point , with-
Untitled Article
S 6 On the Discipline of a Christian Community . Letter . IF .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1809, page 86, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1733/page/30/
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