in was led to a very neat pulpit rais-ley to lisp in harmony the praises of ved a few steps above the floor, and their Creator. What a delightful 'after having seated myself, I observ-exercise! What a pleasing recreaed a convenient gallery opposite, well tion! How preferable to those vain filled with singers. It is customary amusements, which administer pleain many churches, not only of our sure but during their momentary exown, but likewise of sister denomin-istence, and leave no joy behind. ations, to have the singing of psalms This is certainly a custom, which, and hymns confined more particular- if generally prevailing, would proly to the choir; and it is to be la- duce a very happy effect. Every mented that every christian who pos- christian family might constitute this sesses the requisite faculty, does not a part of their evening devotion, and pay more attention to this delightful on every succeeding Sabbath, whilst part of public worship. The case engaged in the service of the sanchere is different from what I have tuary, all could unite in those ascripgenerally observed. As soon as Itions of praise which are due the had announced the hymn, a sudden | Creator from every individual mempeal of soul-inspiring melody burst ber of the family of man. I hope from every lip, and the house of you will pardon me for making a prayer resounded with the praises of Jehovah. This, thought I, is music -music, such as angels use, where all are employed, from the least to the greatest, in ascribing glory to their Redeemer and their God. I felt its influence; and I knew that I was in a place where many hearts were engaged in devotion.

passing comment on those subjects, which are thus accidentally presented. I should even be pleased to indulge more freely in my observations, could they be comprehended within the limits of a single letter. But to return to our meeting.

The music was not the only thing which attracted my observation. The This custom, however, or rather, deep solemnity and serious attention this practical spirit of devotion, ex-which pervaded every countenance, ists in other places besides Philadel-convinced me that there was an earphia. During my visits at New-nest desire to become acquainted York, which are frequent, I always with the way of salvation, and those derive a peculiar pleasure from at- inspiring truths which relate to our tending the church of St. James; and welfare here, and are connected with though this pleasure is in part pro- our happiness hereafter. In short, duced by many fond associations, yet I discovered that I was in the midst it is increased by observing that ac- of a people, who had risen to their tive piety which seems to prevail. present happy condition, notwithThere are likewise many other in-standing many trials and disappointstances of this kind. ments, which have only served to

I have always admired the prac-excite and cherish a spirit of christice, adopted by a very interesting tian perseverance. family of my acquaintance, whose You are, undoubtedly, well acchildren are taught from their infan-quainted with the object of my mis

sion to this city; and though I have adoption, as a most important event found some whose charity not only in our history. I have regarded with begins at home, but ends there too, pleasurable emotions, the efforts (how unlike the zeal of a Franke!) which are making in our church at yet, thank God, I have found many the present day. A change has cerwho have expressed a deep interest tainly been effected. Missionary and in our success. Those who are de- education societies, connected with sirous of contributing to our underta- the Lutheran cause, are springing up king, are not able, in consequence of in every part of the Union; and the their own peculiar circumstances, to operations of these associations, are a contribute any thing but their pray- convincing proof of the fact, that our ers; yet, surely, these will not as- people are beginning to awake from cend to heaven in vain. their inactivity. Two Theological Seminaries have been established within a very few years, and a third is now in contemplation.

But I have already extended this epistle beyond ordinary limits; I will therefore close with the promise that you shall soon hear from me again.

With sincere prayers for your welfare, I remain you affectionate brother in Christ.

I have often lamented that Lutherans are not more liberal in their intercourse with one another, and more anxious to promote those objects which will conduce to the general welfare. This is not confined to the lay members of the church, but it extends to ministers of the gospel; and here, in fact, we must look for the source of the evil. The Pastor of any people, has an opportunity of exciting among the members of his conFor the Lutheran Magazine. gregation a spirit of benevolence and ON THE DUTY OF DEACONS. liberality; and on the contrary, he Mr. Editor:-It has long appearcan also, by his individual influence, ed evident to me, that a church canwarp these feelings, and substitute in not reasonably be expected to prostheir stead, qualities of an opposite per, unless its spiritual concerns be character. I am sensible that I may managed and conducted by pious and be censured for such an undisguised faithful men. The greatest care expression of my sentiments on this should be exercised in selecting the subject. I may be told that the ex- officers of a church, and that none be istence of such principles is a suffi- placed in such stations, but those who cient evil, without exposing them to bear a good moral and religious chapublic view; but I must confess, racter; men who are engaged in the that I do not agree in opinion with cause of Christ, active in promoting those who employ such arguments. vital piety and ready to further the Shall we permit these feelings to ex- objects of benevolent institutions.-ist without correction, or shall we Such officers are calculated to build openly exhort each other to banish up a church; but cold, lifeless and them from the midst of us. I, for immoral men cannot but fail to demy part, am in favor of the latter stroy a congregation. On this subcourse, and I should hail its general |ject there has existed in our church

ed and neglected, in the daily min

selves of this burdensome service,

said to the multitudes of the brethren, that it was not reasonable for them who were commissioned for higher and nobler purposes, to leave the word of God, and employ themselves in the service of tables; they, therefore proposed, that wise and ho charge of this business, to the end ly men should be appointed to take that they might give their whole time and attention to prayer and the ministry of the word, which was as much as they were able to do, and surely as much as any man can do, in any This proposal of the Apostles pleased the whole multitude

es generally, too great a negligence||plied, and some uneasiness had arisand indifference, and they stand inen in the church at Jerusalem, reneed of reformation. Within the know- specting the distribution of the public alms or charities, and complaint ledge of the writer, there are some was made that some were overlookcongregations ruled by officers, who have either absented themselves from | |istration; the Apostles, to rid themthe communion table for many years, or are intemperate, occasionally join at a ball or gaming-table, or are other wise grossly immoral. A vestry or council composed of such men, can be no blessing to a church, nor aid to a pastor, however zealous and faithful he may be. Yet such is the practice of some churches from year to year, while men of prayer and vital godliness are compelled to stand back, as unfit to serve in those stations; and consequently have lit-nation or age. tle or no influence with the members, but they have to lament in secret of the disciples, who chose seven over the declension of religion, with- men from among themselves to whom out any hope of a reform. Not long the management of the funds of the church and the care of the poor were since, I met with the following resolemnly committed. That this was marks on the subject of the office of the first institution of the office in the Deacons, extracted from a religious christian church, and these seven paper, which in my view are so just men were the first deacons, there can and applicable, that I have taken the be no reasonable doubt. These liberty to send them to you for inser-things show, beyond all controversy,

tion in the Magazine, hoping that they will be read with interest, by the members of our communion, and cause all who feel for the welfare of our Zion, to be more particular hereafter in the selection of their church officers. They are as follows:

the duty incumbent upon the preswhat is now a considerable part of ent deacons of the church. They are to serve tables, to take care of the common property and poor of the church, and to see that all her temprudently, and faithfully. The deaporal concerns be managed wisely, cons are the proper treasurers, stewards, and almoners of the church.

"The reasons which led to the institution of the office of deacons, as "In the first ages of the christian related in the sixth chapter of the church, when the civil governments Acts, plainly teach us a primary and of the earth were hostile to the cause considerable part of their duty. The of Christ, it was the duty of deacons primitive christians, brought their to provide, at the expense of the charities and laid them at the Apos-church, suitable places for their wortles' feet, and they made distribution shipping assemblies-to provide for of them to every one as he had need. the table of the bishop or pastor, and But when the disciples were multi- for the communion table of the Lord.

On the Duty of Deacons.

11

But now, since, through the general ||] There are many decencies and cominfluence of christian principles, the forts, which the cold hand of public two former of these the place of charity but sparingly, if at all, supworship and the table of the pastor, are otherwise provided for, they are, in a great measure, relieved, from these concerns; though they ought still to have a care for these things, and see there be no unreasonable deficiency. But the duty of providing for the administration of the christian ordinances, and especially for the Lord's table, is still incumbent on deacons. And here, according to prevalent modern opinion and custom, their official duties terminate. But this, it is confidently believed, is a great mistake, which ought to be corrected, and which must be corrected, before the churches can assume that high and influential stand they are destined to occupy.

"The support and care of the poor of the church, was a prominent object, which first led to the institution and choice of deacons ; and this still continues an important part of their duty. Every church is bound by the laws of Christ, to maintain its own poor, according to its ability; and the deacons are the proper officers to receive and distribute the alms of the church, for the relief and comfort of its poor and suffering members. And here, also, they are greatly relieved by the charitable provision of the civil government, for the maintenance of the poor. Nevertheless, much remains for them to do, in this matter. As the members of the church, equally with other citizens, are obliged to contribute their proportion to this public charity, (if it may be so called,) so it is altogether reasonable and just, that the deacons avail themselves of this public provision, and take care that their poor brethren and sisters be not unreasonably deprived of the designed benefit. But after all, the provision made by law for the support of the poor, is often inadequate, and barely sufficient to supply the necessaries of life.

plies, and without which, life itself is hardly desirable. To these, it is the duty of deacons to attend, and to take care, that no member of the church be left to suffer for the want of those things, which the bounty of the church ought to provide, when and where needed. They ought, indeed, to do good to all men, as occasion requires; but especially to those who belong to the household of faith. And in discharging this important duty, it is requisite that deacons observe the directions which the Apostle has given directly to them-Rom. xii: 8,- He that giveth' or distributeth, let him do it with simplicity;' that is, with liberality, impartiality, and disinterestedness; and he that showeth mercy,' that is, relieves the necessities of the needy, sick, and distressed, ' let him do it with cheerfulness.' The duty of distributing and showing mercy, officially, belongs to deacons; and the bounty of the church, for these purposes, ought to pass through their hand, and be applied by them. Hence the importance of that trait of character, which the Holy Ghost requires in deacons, that they be not greedy of filthy lucre'-not covetous of gain, lest they be tempted to embezzle, or pervert to their own private use, any part of the treasures of the church.

6

"Thus far, as to the duty of deacons, in relation to the property, and temporal concerns of the church.And here, perhaps, almost every one will say, are the utmost boundaries. of their official duties. But this, also, it is conceived, is a great mistake, which ought to be rectified, and which must be rectified, before the office can appear in all its dignity and importance, and the church derive that benefit from it, which it is designed and calculated to impart.

"The church of Christ, is a spiritual society, and designed to answer

the most spiritual and holy purposes. || poses, as pastors, for the edification And the ministry of it, is a spiritual of the church, and the salvation of ministry, intended to promote the sinners? And, especially, why should edification of the body, and the spi- they be required to hold the mysritual and everlasting good of man- tery of the faith in a pure conscience? kind. Of course, deacons, who par- And how could they purchase to take of this ministry, are spiritual of themselves, a good degree, and great ficers, whose duties extend to all the boldness in the faith,' as Stephen spiritual concerns and interests of the|| did, and also Philip, the evangelist, church. Though they are not, by who was one of the seven, did, unany means, authorised to preach the less they were, in some way or othword, and administer the special or-er, to use their gifts and talents for dinances of the gospel, and thus intrude upon the office, and usurp the appropriate powers and privileges of bishops, or pastors and teachers; yet they are to bear a proper part in these things, and to aid in the ministration of some of the most spiritual and sa-church, as well, or better than they. cred mysteries of our holy religion.

the instruction and edification of their brethren and fellow men? Surely, men of far inferior qualifications, in christian knowledge and piety, would be competent to manage the merely outward and temporal concerns of the

Why, then, should so much be required in deacons; and how shall they make advances towards higher degrees in the ministry, unless they were to exercise themselves in spiritual things for the help of the pastor-for the edification of the brethren, and the salvation of souls? In primitive times, the good use of the office of a deacon, purchased a higher degree in the ministry; and the early pastors were usually taken from this order of officers. They were educated and improved in this school, and were thus qualified for a higher station in the church; which is, in some instances, the case at the present day. Wherever God bestows, or requires gifts and talents, he designs them for an appropriate use; and unless those high qualifications, required in deacons, are used for spiritual purposes, they are degraded and lost, and the church is left to languish and suffer, for the want of such needed assistants, as her divine Head has graciously provided.

"In the scriptures, 1 Cor. xii. 28, these are called helps; and in ecclesiastical history, they are called ministers of the mysteries of Christ-of the episcopate, and of the church.' These titles are strongly expressive of their duties, in relation to the ministry and the church. They are to be helpers and assistants, both to the pastor and church, and to encourage and aid them, in a subordinate capacity, in all matters and things pertaining to life and godliness. It is very noticeable, that when the Apostle, to Timothy, enumerates the qualifications of deacons and bishops, he expresses himself in much the same language, in respect to both, requiring nearly the same things in the one as in the other; and why should he do thus, unless they were both necessary, and to be employed for the same spiritual purposes? A deacon must be a man of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, grave, temperate, sincere, not covetous, understanding, sound and honest in the "If the Apostles, those extraordifaith, and maintaining an exemplary||nary officers in the church, to whom family government. Now, let it again a large measure of the Spirit was imbe asked, and well considered, why parted, needed the help of deacons, are such high and holy qualifications in the ministry and care of the church, required in deacons, unless they are surely, the ordinary bishops, or pasto use them for the same general pur-tors, need them much more, to aid