commission given by Christ to his apostles, after his resurrection, together with the promises and blessings connected therewith, is sublime and impressive; and it shews the dignity of Christ-the amplitude of his designs -the sufficiency of his power-and the continuance of their office. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (this points out the geographical and intellectual extent of their commission); and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!" Again, "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted, and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained," &c. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain."

The twelve, with St. Paul added to them, were called "the apostles." The adding of St. Paul to the twelve was occasioned by Christ's appearing to him when in glory, and declaring that he appeared unto him "to make" him "an apostle;" "a chosen vessel to testify of Christ before rulers and kings." He was commissioned to go to the people, and to the Gentiles: "I send you,” was his authority; and his work, "to open blind eyes;' "to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they might receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

The term apostolos, signifies one that is sent, a legate,

missionary, or ambassador; so that the calling and work of the apostles was to plant churches and to preach the gospel all the world over, without limitation.

But this cannot be said of the "Pastoral Office;" for, when churches were founded, then the apostles “ordained elders in every city;" and the terms father and elder suppose a family; the term shepherd supposes a flock; pastor, a church: so that it is plain, when the apostles had gathered a church out of the world by their preaching, "they ordained an elder," or pastor, "in every place;" to feed and keep together, the church gathered, “taking the oversight thereof."

It appears that the apostles were cautious not to lay hands suddenly on any-not to select a novice. Three things appear to have been requisite before they were appointed to the office: First, spiritual grace. Second, suitable gifts. Third, a divine call.

The term ELDER, is one concerning which there has been much controversy. It appears to have been a general term for pastors, teachers, helpers, &c.; for the elders would differ, perhaps, in circumstances and qualifications in different places. Some would be enabled to give themselves up wholly to the work of the ministry; and others, only in part.

For the general import of the term elder, see the first epistle of Peter; where he styles himself an elder; and addresses the officers of the church, in the term, "the elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also

a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed;" "feed the flock of God which is among you:" and in St. Paul's first epistle to Timothy, we read, "let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine:" and when writing to Titus, he says, "for this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city as I appointed thee; If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men; sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."* And in Acts xx. 28. when about to leave the church, which was at Ephesus, the apostle addressed the elders thereof, saying, "take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, (episkopous) bishops, or elders; so that we perceive there was a plurality of bishops in the same place; which could not have been the case according to the present import of the term bishop; also at the commencement of the epistle to the Philippians, he addresses the bishops, &c, at Phi

*The term bishop in the above passage is used synonymously with that of elder: bishop, presbyter, or elder signifying the same office.

lippi. Again we find him giving orders to Titus, "to ordain elders (presbuteroi) in every city; for which, in a verse or two after, when describing their character, he uses the term (episcopos) bishop.*

The EVANGELISTS differed from the Elders, for they preached the gospel generally, and were the assistants and companions of the apostles. Timothy and Titus appear to have sustained this office. St. Paul, in his second epistle to Timothy, says, "thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also; thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; no man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." And then in the fourth chapter, "but watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." It appears, therefore, that Timothy was an assistant to St. Paul; as was also Demas, at one time: and we read in the ninth and following verses of the same chapter, "do thy diligence to come shortly unto me, for Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world, and is departed to Thessalonica; Crescens, to Galatia; Titus, unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is profitable to me for

*It is farther to be remarked, that the office and duties of an elder, as distinguished from a bishop, are nowhere exhibited to us in the New Testament.-DWIGHT.

the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus." These were the scriptural evangelists. The general meaning of the term being gospelers. It is frequently applied exclusively to the writers of the four gospels.

When God's gifts to the church are enumerated, apostles come first in the Christian church; then the evangelists; and afterwards pastors and teachers.

DEACONS and deaconesses were doubtless the lowest officers of the Christian church; for we learn in Paul's first epistle to Timothy, (verse 13.) that "they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree (or higher office), and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus." And the same apostle addresses them in his epistle to the Philippians, "to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons," (diakonois).

The origin of this office is given in the sixth chapter of the Acts. It was instituted for the better regulation of the temporal supplies of the poor and sick. Stephen and Philip were deacons; but we find that this did not disqalify them for the office of preaching also. This office is not enumerated in that passage of Holy Writ which speaks of the officers of the church; it was instituted when the members of the church had all things common. Such officers are still necessary to attend to

the temporal concerns of the church, and of the poor; but some include under this term lay agency of every kind.

One great error, in reference to the apostles and evan