ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845,

BY LEAVITT, TROW & COMPANY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New-York.

J. F. TROW & CO., PRINTERS,

33 Ann-Street, N. Y.

WITH PECULIAR EMOTIONS OF HOPE AND JOY

THE AUTHOR

ASSOCIATES WITH THIS VOLUME THE NAMES

OF

WILLIAM DEARING, HUGH WILSON, WILLIAM YEADON, WILLIAM C. DUKES, JAMES M. CALDWELL, D. W. HARRISON, WILLIAM ADGER, AND WILLIAM HARRAL.

MAY THEIR NAMES, THROUGHOUT ETERNITY,

BE ASSOCIATED WITH ITS SPIRITUAL ADVANCEMENT;

AND BEING NOW

FOUND WISE TO WIN SOULS TO CHRIST,

MAY THEY THEN

SHINE AS STARS IN THE FIRMAMENT

OF

HEAVEN.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

The nature, end, and object of the Church of Christ, its

officers and ordinances, with a general review of the

origin, title, and history of the office of Ruling Elder. 13

CHAPTER II.

In which it is shown that in Scripture the term Presbyter

is always applied to the Preacher, and not to the Rul-

ing Elder; with an examination of 1 Timothy 5: 17.. 32

CHAPTER III.

The term Presbyter was applied by the Fathers only to

Ministers who preached and ordained, and not to Rul-

ing Elders ..

60

CHAPTER IV.

The views of the Reformers on the subject of the Elder-

ship, and on the application to it of the term Presbyter 74

CHAPTER V.

On the permanency of the office of Ruling Elder... 100

CHAPTER VI.

Of the Ordination of Ruling Elders by imposition of

hands; and the co-operation in ordination........

106

CHAPTER VII.

The value of the Eldership....

110