CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE NATURE OF THE DEACONSHIP.

Definition of the term Deacon-Variety of opinions in

relation to it-Our own doctrine and practice-History

of the origin of the Deaconship-Perpetuation of the office

-The injury of diverting it from its original design,

CHAPTER II.

THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEACONSHIP.

13

The conjugal relations of the candidate-His general

reputation-His religious character-His orthodoxy-His

intellectual endowments-His government of his family,

and general conduct of his own temporal affairs,

CHAPTER III.

34

THE FORMS OF ELECTION, AND ORDINATION TO THE

DEACONSHIP.

By whom deacons are to be elected-Each separate

congregation a true church-Every church independ-

9

ent-Instructions before election-Manner of election-

Checks and balances in government-Ordaining form-

Instructions after ordination-Duty of adhering to Apos-

tolic forms,

57

CHAPTER IV,

THE GENERAL DUTIES OF DEACONS.

Not to preach-Not to administer ordinances-Not to

govern, except in their own department-They are placed

over temporal affairs-Their relation to the regular, and

incidental expenses of worship-To the poor of the

church

70

CHAPTER V.

THE DUTIES OF DEACONS WITH REFERENCE TO THEIR

PASTORS.

Necessity of pastoral support―The law which governs it

-The teachings of Christ and his Apostles-Apostolic

practice-Reason and justice-Importance of a full un-

derstanding between Pastor and Church,

CHAPTER VI.

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THE MEANS OF CREATING AND SUSTAINING THE

NECESSARY REVENUES IN THE CHURCH.

Revenues are indispensable.-The law of God on this

subject. Its excellent characteristics-The superintend-

ence necessary in its execution-It is sufficient for all

purposes-Recapitulation-Importance of stated and re-

gular meetings of the Deacons,
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CHAPTER VII.

DEACONESSES.

Female assistants to the Deacons existed in the primitive

churches-References to them by Ecclesiastical Histo-

rians-By early Christian writers-By the Scriptures-

Are they necessary-Their qualifications-Their duties-

They are virtually employed in our own churches-Practi-

cal conclusions,

124

CHAPTER VIII.

THE DUTY OF THE CHURCHES, AND THE MINISTRY

TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE DEACONS.

Three departments in the Church-Their mutual de-

pendence-Co-operation of the Church with the Deacons-

Of the ministry with the Deacons-Their responsibilities

-The consequences-Motives to co-operation,

CHAPTER IX.

137

IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS ON THE PART OF THE

DEACONS.

The remedy for unfaithfulness-The Deacons' vow-

Their several relations-Benefits of faithfulness-Reca

pitulation-Conclusion,

147

THE DEACONSHIP.,

CHAPTER I.

THE NATURE OF THE DEACONSHIP.

Definition.-Variety of opinions. Our own doctrine and practice. History of its origin.-Perpetuation of the office. The injury of diverting it from its original design.

A DEACON Aíazovos-is a Minister, or SERVANT. The term, in its broadest sense, describes ministers, or servants, of all classes, whether their department be temporal or spiritual. It has in its sense, a similar indefiniteness with the word— Exxanola-Church. In illustration of the truth of this remark, I will refer to several passages of the word of God. "Wilt thou not," says the author of the epistle to the Romans,* speaking of civil rulers, "be afraid of the power? Do that which

*Rom. xiii. 3, 4.