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ness and disease. But the labor is not more arduous than it is holy and god-like, and those who perform it shall not, even in this world, lose their reward. "For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."

These comprehend most of the general duties of the deacons-not to preach, not to administer ordinances, not to rule, except in their own department; but, as they are placed over all the temporal affairs of the church, they defray, not from their own means but from the treasury, the ordinary and incidental expenses of divine worship, and have charge of the poor, the dependent, the afflicted, the widow, and the fatherless.

It is proper for us now to consider the duties of deacons with reference to the pastorship. This, however, must occupy the next chapter.

8*

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 understanding between Pastor and Church.

As the superintendents of all the temporalities of the church, the duties of the deacons require them to see that their pastor receive a competent temporal support.

Here I apprehend they will meet, unless they have a wisely constructed scheme of finance in successful operation, the greater part of their labor and difficulty. A much larger amount is necessary for pastoral sustenance than is needful for general purposes; and a regular and uninterrupted supply is absolutely indispensable. If it should fail even for a few months, the whole machinery must cease; because pastors, without food and raiment and a place of shelter, if dependent, as they

usually are, wholly upon the church, can neither preach nor adequately discharge any other of the claims of their office.

Let us examine briefly, since it is immediately connected with the Deaconship, the general subject of pastoral support.

The law of the kingdom of Christ guarantees thus much to the preacher, as a proper return from those whom he serves. The provision is, indeed, not peculiar to the gospel, it is founded in reason and justice, and has fully obtained in all idolators and paages. Even among

nations and

gans the ministers of religion are sustained by This principle is taught in the

their religion.

law of Moses.

The priests were made dependent for the means of life upon their spiritual avocation. Beyond the house in which they resided they were not allowed any possession in the land of Canaan. The Lord said unto Aaron :-"Thou shalt have no inheritance in the land, neither shalt thou have any part among them. I am thy part, and thine inheritance, among the children of Israel.”* Again "The Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord

• Numb. xviii. 20. ·

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to minister unto him, and to bless his name, unto

Yet

this day. Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren. The Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him."* And again" The Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him, for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee." again" The priests, the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and his inheritance. Therefore, they shall have no inheritance among their brethren. The Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them."‡ Once more-"The Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance."

The manner in which the priests under the law received their compensations, was so mingled with the performance of the duties of their office, that the neglect of one was the loss of the other. But to the faithful there was no want. Thus it is seen that under the former economy ample provisions were made for the comfortable sustenance of the ministers of religion.

Substantially, the same provisions are continued • Deut. x. 8, 9. † Deut. xiv. 27. Deut. xviii. 1, 2.

under the gospel. The forms are abrogated, but the principle is retained. An apostle was certainly of this opinion when he said to the Corinthians"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things [under the law,] live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so [under the gospel,] hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.' Justice and right are immutable. And while the word of God requires a ministry for its propagation and defence, so long will those who are devoted to this work be authorized to claim such temporal support as their circumstances may require, and as may be rendered practicable or proper by the condition of the people under their charge.

This, Paul says, is not only the law of the Mosaic economy, but the Lord has ordained it under the gospel. Christ has ordained-enacted a statute-established a law-that "those who preach the gospel shall live of the gospel." In a synopsis, it may be stated thus-"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, sayingGo-and as ye go, preach. Provide neither gold, * 1 Cor. ix. 13, 14.

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