The Elder and His Work #220538

SO necessary is the eldership for the superintend ence of a congregation that practical wisdom would demand it even if Scripture did not provide it. In ordinary congregations it is physically impossible for the ministers to do all that is needful, or they must cease to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. It is expected that our ministers shall prepare two sermons or lectures ev ery week, and that these Shall be the result Of much study and thought. We do not enter on the ques tion whether this is reasonable in all circumstances, or for spiritual edification; we merely take things as they are. And besides the weekly preparation of two discourses the minister is expected to visit his whole flock in succession, especially attending to the sick. Then he has other duties as a public ser vant of Christ. It is therefore utterly impossible for him, singly and alone, to care for several hun dred souls as they ought to be cared for.