DEAR BRETHREN: -- Pursuant to our custom we address you this our Circular: and instead of troubling you with an abstruse or metaphysical subject, we have, as of more general utility, at this time, chosen to address you on the duties of Ministers and Churches. And first as to Ministers, Christ in their commission says unto them, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature;" and Paul charges Timothy thus, "Study to shoe thyself approved unto God; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth: give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine; meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear unto all."From the foregoing it appears there are no limits to the commission -- "the field is the world,," and the undivided attention of Christ's Ministers is required in fulfilling the great trust; and as a farther proof of this fact we need only attend to the course pursued by the teachers in the Apostolic age. "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." "Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went every where, preaching the word." It seems unnecessary to pursue the course of the ancient saints farther to prove the unbounded authority to extend the Redeemer's cause and kingdom. It is evident the command was first enjoined upon the little church to go; nor were they to remain alone in this great work; we find the preaching of the word effectual in bringing those who were "afar off nigh by the blood of Christ," and was therefore designed by Heaven's King, to be extended till time should end. Here a question may arise -- to whom is this office committed? In answer, we say, to the Church of Christ; and it is incumbent upon her (or upon her various branches) to commit that gift to "faithful men." It may be asked, what shall be their call and qualifications. These are, first, a conviction of duty; the subject of it beholds the world lying in wickedness -- sees sinners carelessly pursuing the road to destruction, and becomes anxiously desirous of their salvation; to which is added a firm persuasion that duty requires him to warn them of their danger, and invite them to the Savior of sinners. All this, however, is evidence only to himself; something farther is necessary to satisfy the Church of the reality of his call, and to open the way for his engaging in the work. It would certainly be dangerous to the welfare of any Church for her to give indiscriminate license for all to preach who profess to consider it their duty, for some of these may be laboring under a delusion of their own imaginations, and be perfectly qualified for the work, whilst others may be hypocrites. We have a method, however, of proving those who claim to be called to the Ministry; and the evidence which should be exhibited to the Church of the reality of this call, is found in the existence of their works, viz: grace, gifts, and fruit, or usefulness: then with propriety we can say, go preach the Gospel of our Redeemer.
Another question remains, how did the ancient Ministers live who travelled [sic] into all quarters? As the account is given in their Acts, let us compare their course with that of Ministers of the present day. It appears that the preachers of that time gave themselves "wholly" to the work: and this will lead us to say something on the duties of Churches. And, first, we will assume the position that, it is the duty of the brethren to sustain their Ministers. "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all the good things." "The laborer is worthy of his reward." "Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges, or who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof; or, who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock; if we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" Ye have done well that ye did communicate with my afflictions; for when in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity." "That which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied." "Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the gospel." the foregoing passages prove, unequivocally, the duty of churches to support the gospel ministry. Although it is plain that collections were in some instances taken to supply the wants of the prro saints, it is equally certain that those who labored in word in doctrine should be supported; else what meaning was there in Paul's complaint, that he "robbed other churches taking wages of them" to serve those whom he was then writing and why the question, "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they that wait at he altar are partakers with the altar?" Or why the special directions to bring preachers on their journeys from place to place? Titus was directed to "bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey dilligently [sic] that nothing be wanting unto them." and when Paul and Barnabas went from Antioch to Jerusalem, they were brought on their way by the church.
Now, dear brethren, if the foregoing proofs are sufficient to show that Ministers must give themselves wholly to the work; and that brethren must see that nothing be wanting unto them (which we think none will dispute,) what reflections must naturally arise from these promises? Are ministers or people engaged in doing their duty? We fear not. A great neglect in the concern of the Redeemer's kingdom is manifest among both, and indifference appears generally to prevail. Where is the brotherly love and christian forbearance that constitute the main evidence of our adoption? Where is the zeal that characterized the primitive disciples of our blessed Lord? Where is the charity (or love) that enables christians to forgive and to bear one another's burdens? Lost, or out of exercise! Ministers laboring through the week for the subsistence for their families; their minds tortured with the fear of poverty; or perhaps drawn insensibly into a desire for gain, are of course unstored with divine truth, and unfitted for devotional exercises on the Sabbath. The consequences are, a coldness in the Minister -- a coldness in the People -- destitute churches neglected -- destitute neighborhoods forgotten, and sinners dying in a christian land without the voice of warning, and without hearing the glad news of salvation. Brethren, let us pray fervently to God for his renovating grace, that we may be led by his Spirit in the ways of duty, and of truth; let us awake to righteousness, and the more engaged in the cause of our dear Redeemer; let the faithful watchmen sound the alarm, and every soldier of the cross gird on his armor: for the insidious enemy is in our camp; indolence and ease and a desire for worldly riches are the weapon with which he assails us. Oh, that the Physician of souls may heal all our wounds, renew our strength, and give us a fervent love for his cause and for one another, is our sincere prayer.
======= [Taken from Madison Baptist Association Minutes, 1840, pp. 6-8. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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