Jethro : a system of lay agency, in connexion with Congregational Churches, for the diffusion of the gospel among our home population

Front matter

PRESENTED ' V BY THE CONGREGATIOKAL

OF ENGl.ANl) AND WALES,

THE C0NGE,EGAT10KAL IJBRAR1 ii 0 S T 0 N .

Preface

In the following pages, an attempt has been made to open the whole question of lay agency, and to embody the experience of the Protestant world, with respect to its excellencies, its evils, its management, and its various modes of operation. Modern illustrations, to a great extent, have, for obvious reasons, been drawn from the National Church Establishments — a quarter, where their supply forms a new and remarkable feature of our times.

It is hoped, that the subject of Chapter VL v/ill be deeply pondered — its principles appreciated — and the necessity perceived for carrying them fully out in the Congregational churches. In Chapter VIL, the order of nature has been followed, with regard to the departments of labour — an order w^hich has been too generally neglected or reversed. The stedfast and uniform observance of this order, however, lies at the foundation of all real strength and spiritual prosperity in Christian churches, and of all extensive and permanent efficiency, in their evangelical operations. The members of churches, their children, and their congregations, respectively, must receive individual attention, and personal instruction, to an extent which has never yet been bestowed upon them, before Scripture Christianity can spread and prosper in our land.

A 2 vi

PREFACE.

In Chapter VIII., a measure of space and of disquisition has been devoted to the several classes of lay agents, in proportion to their relative importance, in the field of labour. On this principle, great prominence has been assigned to the subject of Sabbath-school teachers and catechists, who, when they shall have been properly trained, organized, and put in their right position, will one day be found a body of agents of inestimable value to Christian pastors, as mighty instruments in furthering the kingdom of God. Although the catechists are placed, necessarily, second in order, they are to be viewed as first in importance, and as next to the ministry itself. It is absolutely indispensable, that the fourfold catechetical course here delineated should immediately succeed to that of the Sunday-school. Every successive generation of scholars, on having passed through the public Sabbathclasses, ought to be incorporated with the private catechetical classes. This should, on all hands, be considered a matter of course. By this system, alone can the religious education of our youth be efficiently carried on, and thoroughly completed. This view of the subject is powerfully supported by analogy. In a complete course of worldly education, there is a gradation of institutions, by which the recipients of secular tuition are carried forward, until they be at length ushered into the field of active life ; and until this dictate of common sense be followed, in matters of rehgion, it is in vain that we look for the general prevalence of enlightened piety, or for the appearance of able and well-informed men — with respect to divine things — in such numbers as to yield adequate assistance to the ministry of the word in diffusing

PREFACE.

vii the Gospel around our churches, and throughout our country.

It is a circumstance of considerable importance, that lay agency, in the forms of teachers, catechists, helpers, and expositors, is very little liable to abuse; and, we believe, it never has been made a subject of serious complaint by right-minded men, in any denomination of Protestants. The respective spheres of these classes of agents are too small for unhallowed ambition to blaze in ; vulgar vanity will find them to be "a. dry and thirsty land," without the means of quenching its ardours ; and fanaticism will always seek a loftier theatre of display, and a field encumbered with fewer checks. It is, indeed, hardly conceivable, how any evil can come out of the employment of these various orders of agents. The fact is so perfectly in unison with the testimony of universal experience, as to render any defence of it wholly superfluous.

Lay agency has been so much identified with preaching, that many persons cannot conceive of it in any other form ; and not a few, who scornfully repudiate it in that, are its strenuous advocates in those other modes, which have just been specified. We cordially hail all such patrons of lay labour. They go with us four-fifths of the way ; and we shall have no dispute about the remainder. He who has advanced thus far, may soon proceed to the end of the journey. Compared with this great and daily augmenting host of various agents, whom they approve, the whole existing body of lay preachers in the realm is but a handful ; and the same may be said of the comparative numbers of human beings upon whom they, respectively,

A 3 viii

PREFACE.

operate. This department of lay effort, however, although but one of a number, and in some respects inferior, is, nevertheless, considered absolutely, one of great importance ; and, with due attention to the rules laid down in this system for its management, it may most safely be carried on to any extent that circumstances render necessary.

As in laying out the several fields of labour, no part of the extended territory has been left unappropriated ; so in marshalling the classes of agents, none have been omitted, whose aid is considered necessary to the effective spread of the Gospel among the ignorant and irreligious population of our own land, both in town and country.

The illustrations of the admirable working of the district system, furnished in the sixth chapter of the following treatise, show, that a chief element in the arrangements and plans there detailed and set forth, was a provision for the sick and infirm members. Had the conditions, which regulated the present composition, permitted, we should gladly have embraced the opportunity of giving that point a full consideration. As it is, we must rest satisfied, for the present, with calling attention to the production of a celebrated Scottish pen — " A Cure for Pauperism proposed in a Letter to the Rev. Thomas Chalmers, D. D., Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh, and recommended to public attention by the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Bart." The object of the gifted author of this wise and humane pamphlet — the Rev. Dr. Adam Thomson, of Coldstream — is, to simplify the principles and to extend the benefits of Friendly Societies to

PREFACE.

ix the whole body of every Christian congregation in the kingdom. His plan embraces male and female, old and young, rich and poor. The sagacious author's own conclusion, in which the bulk of the Scotch periodicals largely, and, we think, rightly concur, is : — " That if it were the universal practice for members of all Christian churches. Established and Dissenting, to join Friendly Societies, on the plan here proposed, there would really remain comparatively few cases of distress to be provided for, either by private charity or parochial assessment."

The subject is clearly one of the greatest importance to Christian pastors, deacons, and churches. It is remarkable, that so little has been done in this way for averting distress. The thing is left to individual prudence, which, in the immense majority of instances, turns out to be individual negligence, with its attendant calamities. It will never be otherwise, till taken up congregationally, and led on by the ministers of Christ. We rejoice to find this view embraced in the great organ of the Scottish Establishment — the Christian Instructor — in which a writer, speaking of ministers in relation to it, exclaims — " What a fine field for their usefulness ! What a rich boon they would thereby confer upon their country ! "

It is certain, from the known laws of human nature, that the introduction of this element would variously and powerfully affect the character and contribute to the success of our district system. Its invaluable temporal bearings would do much, in the first instance, to reconcile many to its duties, till habit and the experience of spiritual benefit shall have led, not simply to cordial concurrence.

X

PREFACE.

but to strong attachment. It would greatly conduce to the popularity, utility, and perpetuity of the whole district organization. While true piety would constitute its soul and marrow, this would serve as bones and sinews to the entire fabric. The efficient management of this matter will not require the addition of a single particle to the machinery. The contribution will be paid at the same time as the weekly penny ; and the disbursements will form part of the monthly business. The district economy will thus serve two objects — both of the first importance — and both congruous and coincident.

This subject claims the serious attention of the Congregational ministry, not simply as an instrument of spiritual good, but also as a duty which they owe to their flocks in relation to temporalities, and as a measure of ecclesiastical policy. The Bishop of Winchester, in his primary charge, thus pathetically and profoundly lays down the principle, when, in speaking of the Christian pastor, the prelate says — He must grudge no teaching which may tend to build up his people in their most holy faith, and withhold no good office which may minister to their earthly well-being. He will not think the name of temporal guardian, protector, and friend of his people, ill assorted with that of spiritual guide, so that he may smooth the ruggedness of their earthly path, and carry them on with him through the working of their natural affection, in the way that leads to eternal Hie/' The working clergy are extensively alive to the importance of this great principle, and, like Oberlin, they are carrying it out with much effect ; many of them are, with great success, employ-

PREFACE.

xi ing the frame-work of economical prudence to bind the affections of the muhitude to the horns of the national altars.*

The writer, with respectful deference, submits his views — views maturely formed and long cherished, whatever may be their imperfections — to the judgment of the servants, in general, of the Most High God, which shew unto men the way of salvation," and, in particular, to the British and American Congregational churches, with their bishops and deacons, in the humble hope, and -with the earnest prayer, that they may subserve the labours of the pastorship, and so contribute to the advancement of the divine glory by diffusing the Gospel of mercy among our home population.

* This subject amply merits separate discussion — meanwhile we would refer to Dr. Thomson's *' Cure," &c. ; to Seymour's Sermon preached in the parish church of Stratford-upon-Avon, to the Becher and Victoria Clubs, with its excellent Appendix; to the publications of Mr Becher, of Southwell, with his evidence before the Poor Law Commissioners; to Pratt and Tamlyn's wi'itings on the subject; to Ansell on Friendly Societies ; Norman's Statement, &c.

Contents

CHAPTER L

ON THE NECESSITY OF INCREASED EFFORTS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL.

Sect. Page.

Chapter II. On The Value And Necessity Of Lay Agency In Evangelical Operations

I. The Test and Measure of Value 53

II. The Origin and Evil of English Prejudice against Lay-

Agency 56

III. The Change of Public Feeling relative to Lay Agency.. 61 xiv

CONTENTS.

Chapter III. On The Renefits Which Have Resulted From Lay Agency In

GREAT BRITAIN, AND IN FOREIGN PARTS.

Sect. Page.

I. The Benefits of Lay Agency in England 71

II. The Benefits of Lay Agency in Scotland 80

III. The Benefits of Lay Agency in Wales 87

IV. The Benefits which have resulted from Lay Agency in

Foreign Parts 92

Chapter IV. On The Evils Incident To Lay Agency, With Their Causes

I. The Evils incident to Lay Agency 1 09

II. The Causes of the Evils incident to Lay Agency 118

Chapter V

ON THE PREPARATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES FOR EVANGELICAL EXERTION.

I. The Necessity of Scripture Knowledge. 135

II. Instruction in Congregational Principles 140

III. Mutual Knowledge and Aflfection among the Members of

Chuiches 145

IV. Congregational Statistics 148

CHAPTER VL

GENERAL VIEWS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHURCH UNION, CONGREGA- TIONAL CLASSIFICATION, DISTRICT DIVISION OF CHURCHES, AND LAY HELPERS.

I. The Importance of Church Union 151

II. The Importance of Congregational Classification 157

III. The District Division of Churches and Congregations. . . . 164

IV. Lay Helpers to the Pastorship 176

CONTENTS,

XV

Chapter VII. On The Several Departments Of Lay Agency

Sect. I^age.

I. The Governing Principle of each Department of Lay

Agency 180

II. The Church the First Department 188

III. The Children of the Church the Second Department 205

IV. The Congregation the Third Department 229

V. The Population, in the Vicinage of Chapels in Towns and

Cities, the Fourth Department 258

VL The Village Population the Fifth Department 274

Chapter VIII. On The Several Classes Of Lay Agents

I. The Governing Principle relative to Agents • , . , 286

II. Visiters and Tract Distributors ^97

III. Sabbath School Teachers 300

IV. Catechists and their Functions 327

V. Domestic Expositors and Helpers 335

VL Lay Preachers 336

Chapter IX

ON THE HARMONY OF THE PRECEDING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE PRAC- TICE OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCHES, AND WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND CONSTITUTION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

I. The Properties of the Congregational Principle 342

II. The Practice of the Primitive Churches 345

III. The Province of Churches in relation to Evangelical

Agency S5l

IV. Pastoral Duties and Prerogatives relative to Evangelical

-Agency 354 xvi

CONTENTS.

Chapter X

CONSIDERATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE CHURCHES OF THE CONGREGATIONAL BODY, WITH THEIR BISHOPS AND DEACONS.

Sect. Page.

I. The present position of the Congregational Churches of

England 362

11. The Duty which Congregational Churches owe to their

Principles 375

III. The Duty of Congregational Churches to their Country 389

Chapter I. On The Necessity Of Increased Efforts To Spread The Gospel

Great Britain is, at the present time, the principal instructor of heathen nations in the doctrines of Christianity, while itself but very imperfectly christianized. It is happily true, that the religion of Jesus Christ has spread through the country, and occupied a multitude of impregnable fortresses ; but still it can only be considered in the light of a strong invader, whose position is one of peril and conflict, not of conquest and repose. A right apprehension of its real state will serve at once to reveal the duty of the faithful, and to point out the proper method of its performance. To diffuse the blessings of the " common salvation" is the common duty of the whole church of God ; should we, therefore, address ourselves more especially and emphatically to one denomination, yet we must be understood as virtually speaking to the entire body of British Christians.

B

NECESSITY OF INCREASED EFFORT.

A cori'ect and faithful exhibition of the true state of religion and morals in our country, and of the times which are passing over us, will demonstrate the peculiarly pressing necessity of increased efforts, on the part of Congregational churches, to propagate the Gospel on every hand, and by every means. While the principal ground of that necessity is, doubtless, the command of Christ, and the spiritual condition of the emph-e ; yet there are collateral circumstances and considerations which ought to receive their due weight, and which, if any thing could add to the urgency resulting from the doleful cry of perishing millions, must supply fresh and further stimulus to those efforts.

The successful prosecution of missionary enterprise abroad, imperatively demands the extension and invigoration of our home Christianity. The root of the missionary vine, whose branches have already stretched over so many lands, and which must one day envelope our globe, is planted in England. It consists of the home churches ; and it requires and demands an immense annual augmentation of sustenance and nourishment, without which its extending boughs in foreign climes must speedily wither, and ultimately die. The cause of our home population is, therefore, in the highest sense, the cause of the heathen ; and he who does most to promote the salvation of his country, is the best benefactor of missions to the Gentiles. Whatever leads to the establishment of new churches, or the increase of small churches, or the revival of slumbering churches, is a primary step towards the conversion of the world.

The land is full of strange appearances. A spirit has

COLLATERAL CONSIDERATIONS.

gone forth among the estabhshed churches of the empire, wholly unknown in the days of our fathers, and as yet hardly familiar to ourselves. Much that has been spoken and written, of late years, and more that has been done, have been ominous of objects decidedly adverse to the maintenance of the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. To this we must add the fact, that the Roman CathoHcs are every where secretly or openly at work to regain their lost possessions and dominion, and advancing to power and influence, with giant strides, in a course of wise and well-directed action ; while, to say the least, a fountain of Popish sympathy has burst forth in the very heart of the church of England,* by which the man of SIN has been avowedly refreshed as with new wine. These facts may well suffice to arouse from their slumber the Non-conformists of England. They assuredly indicate the commencement of a mingled and a mighty conflict — a conflict in certain quarters for a withering ecclesiastical monopoly, a towering and crushing supremacy, and some-

* The Dissenters of England have not been more distinguished as the bulwark of her civil and religious freedom, than as the conservators of her theological truth. Their latter function, it is to be feared, is one of a permanent character. The Church Catechism, Creeds, and Articles, have done right little in preserving for her a pure administration of the word of God in the parochial pulpits. Eminent churchmen of other times have neither been insensible to their obligation, nor ashamed to confess it. The following is the honest testimony of the celebrated Dr. Edwards: —

" If we would open our eyes, we should see that we are beholden to the Dissenters for the continuance of a great part of our theological principles ; for if the high churchmen had no checks, they would have brought in Popery before this time, by their overvaluing pomp and ceremony in divine worship. So that if there had been no Dissenters, the

church of England had been long since ruined Preacher, vol. ii. p. 133.

B 2 thing more, which, unless the Independents awake, must, sooner or later, involve them in a dire, though not doubtful, struggle for existence as an ecclesiastical body.

There are other concomitants, however, of a more encouraging character, which ought to exert a powerful influence on the minds of the pastors and churches of the Congregational body. The Wesleyan Methodists, who have never slept one hour since the memorable era when they sprang into existence, Ifave waked up into new and stronger life ; and they are preparing, by efforts of labour and of liberality, which do them honour, for still higher achievements in the Gospel field, both at home and abroad. The legitimate tendency of these deeds is to provoke their Non-conformist brethren to love and to good w^orks. Then there are the principal denominations of Presbyterian dissenters in Scotland, who have taken a position and assumed an attitude wholly new. These most intelligent and well-organized bodies are united as one man in defence of the great fundamental principle of Christ's kingdom, and, together with the Independents, are making such a stand against the rapacious and intolerant arrogance of a dominant church, as Dissent never before made in any age, or in any country. These bodies are acting in such harmony, with such wisdom and energy, that they have fairly baffled both the power and the policy of the established clergy, and compelled them to resort to the very principle, which has been by them so fiercely repudiated, — the voluntary support of their adherents,— as the only available method of extending and supporting their system. All this, however, is to be considered only as a means to a higher and still nobler end — the present

COLLATERAL CONSIDERATIONS.

diffusion of truth, and the ultimate promotion of unity among ah that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

There is already much to report from Scotland on both these subjects ; and yet, unless appearances, full of promise, shall prove deceitful, the matter of such report is only the first fruits of an abundant harvest.

It is, therefore, time, on every ground, for the Dissenters of England seriously to look at these facts and phenomena. It is indispensable that, as a body, they take into consideration the alarming state of their country, in those things which appertain to salvation. They are required also, as a preliminary measure, to ponder the spiritual condition of their own denomination, which, with all its excellence, demands increased preparation for usefulness. A denomination cannot impart what it does not possess ; 801 army chiefly or largely composed of invalids, constitute but a feeble defence of an invaded empire, and are still less capable of acting themselves the part of invaders, and rolling over it the tide of conquest. The day is, therefore, come for a searching inquiry into the real spiritual character of their existing fellowships, the ecclesiastical posture of their children, and the state and claims of their congregations, as preparatory to aggressive movements ; for their attitude must no longer continue to be one of mere defence. They are summoned to embark in a general war of aggression on the kingdom of darkness, error, and wretchedness, that they may do all that in them lies to fill the land with light, truth, and love.

We must, therefore, proceed to inquire into the duty of the Congregational body of the British empire, as result-, ing from the spiritual condition of their country ; th^

NECESSITY OF INCREASED EFFORT.

character of the instramentahty best adapted to promote its welfare ; the preparation necessary to the successful employment of that instrumentahty ; the various departments of evangelical labour ; the different classes of Christian agency ; the objections which may be raised to the proposed system ; and the peculiar duties of the Congregational body of England and Wales, arising from their position, their principles, and their relations.

The state of England is, on every account, entitled to priority of investigation ; and, in prosecuting that enquiry, our attention must be first directed to the metropolis.

Section I. Of The State Of Morals In The Metropolis

London is of itself a great kingdom. — It is the seat of government, of law, of learning, and of the arts. — It is the resort and place of partial residence of the wealth and rank of the whole empire. — It is likewise the first commercial and manufacturing city on the face of the earth, with a population in and about it approaching to two millions of souls, and with a yearly rental exceeding seven millions, sterling. London, therefore, considered absolutely and by itself, with respect to its spiritual condition, supplies a theme of overwhelming interest ; but, when viewed in relation to the provinces of England, to the rest of the empire, to the nations of Europe, and to

MORALS IN THE METROPOLIS.

the whole earth, it acquires an importance which exceeds all human calculation or comprehension. This vast city exerts an influence throughout the entire civilized world ; nor is that influence wholly unfelt in the most distant cHmes, and barbarous regions. — Here are assembled men of all nations, peoples, kindreds, and tongues. It is calculated that not less than 120,000 strangers are continually present, on a stay of greater or less duration ; that 20,000 daily enter it, and that 20,000 daily depart. London is the great meeting place of the human family, and the vestibule of the world. From the river Tham.es men may find a way to every spot of the habitable globe. On these and other grounds, therefore, the greatest imaginable importance attaches to the moral and spiritual condition of the British metropolis. Whatever be its qualities, they cannot be confined to itself. It is a fountain, whose waters, whether sweet or bitter, are ever bursting forth from their mighty caverns, and rolling on, in resistless torrents, to the ends of the earth. Its situation is w^iolly peculiar, and its improvement is closely related to the improvement of the whole Vv^orld. The attention of Congregational churches, therefore, ought to be intensely directed to the spiritual condition of the capital.

It is necessary to classify the population, while w^e proceed to examine their state, into the lower, middle, and higher orders. The lower classes, on several accounts, claim precedence — they constitute the majority, and the multitude, compared with whom the other classes are but a handful. Investigation will develope a state of things amongst these immortal masses, which may make the ears

NECESSITY OF INCREASED EFFORT.

of the hearer to tingle, — which will convict the Christian churches of the capital of the most culpable neglect of duty, and shew the awful necessity of immediately adopting all practicable methods of rescuing its lost myriads from perdition. The source of all sin is ignorance of God, which prevails among these classes to an extent not easily to be credited by those who have had little or limited experience among them. Of the immense majority, it may be most truly said, that " God is not in all their thoughts." If they could be selected and separated into a city by themselves, they would present a population as blind, corrupt, and brutish, as could be furnished from any city of the heathen world — they are seared in conscience, almost divested of moral sense, and sunk into all but hopeless degradation. — They are in all respects " earthly, sensual, devilish," without God, and without hope in the world.

A leading test of piety is respect for the Lord's day. An application of this test to the lower classes of London will conduct us to distressing conclusions. With not a few it is a hard day of worldly business, and with most a laborious day of sinful pleasure. It is an undeniable fact, that, to immense throngs, it is their chief weekly market-day ; and, oh, what scenes such markets exhibit ! What sights of poverty and misery ! What sounds of obscenity, profanity, impiety ! The most retired streets and lower markets are crowded ; the gin-shops are full, and their doors surrounded with small groups of men, women, and children, their infatuated, faithful customers. Thus one section of the populace commences the day, but how is it terminated ? Who shall describe the afternoon and evening of a London sabbath, when the weather is fine or favourable ? Who shall depict the aspect of the river Thames, of Greenwich-park and Blackheath, of Kennington-common aad of Vauxhall, of Richmond,, of Kennington, of the parks and the palace vicinities, of Primrose-hill, of Hampstead-heath, of Highgate-hill, of Hackney-fields, of the railway-stations, and of the whole hive of suburban receptacles of both sexes and of every age ? The city is then an ocean of life, pouring its living floods in every direction all the afternoon, until the evening, when the tides recede, wave upon wave, till midnight, towards their original fountain. What hosts of ungodly men are here ! These innumerable throngs regard the first day of the week as a mere holiday ; it never for a moment enters their miads to connect it with its object, the resurrection of the Son of God. We must not lightly pass over the London tea gardens — but who can describe them? The provincial reader can hardly form an estimate of these innumerable synagogues of satan. These haunts carry on their most profitable traffic in the afternoon and evening of the Lord's day. It is a mistalce to suppose that the only or chief beverage distributed there, is the juice of the tea leaf. Mr. Twells, when examined before the parliamentary committee on drunkenness, gave his evidence as follows, concerning the White Conduit House,. Islington : — " It is difficult to convey an idea of the enormities that are going forward in a house of this kind ; occasionally there are 4,000 or 5,000 persons there at a time. I once made it an object of curiosity to go. I am not now clear, but I think there were between 4,000 and 5,000 persons on a Sunday evening-— at

b3

NECESSITY OF INCREASED EFFORT.

that time it was an evening — they were entirely occupied drinking spirits and beer. They called them tea gardens, but I do not suppose you would have found a dozen parties at tea; — they were smoking and drinking, exceedingly respectable as far as their dress went — every part of the house and gardens was crowded to excess.'* These are .the Sabbath schools of iniquity for London youth of both sexes. Schools, alas, everywhere flourishing, and filHng the land with adepts in crime, and accomplished contemners of all that is good.

In the absence of piety amongst the bulk of the lower classes, shall we look for morals? If we do, the search will end in disappointment. The first of the virtues, and the foundation of all character, is truth, which is " fallen in the streets," — and, hence, it is no marvel if " equity cannot enter." Wherever interest or passion is concerned, truth is readily sacrificed, and language is used simply as an instrument for attaining an object. On this point the best teacher is experience, and he who knows most of those classes, will put the least confidence in their testimony. But when truth has fled, her sister, honesty, will never tarry long behind, and theft, accordingly, prevails among them to an awful extent — an extent limited only by opportunities. This vice is more intelligible and calculable than falsehood, and, in some respects, more easily ascertained. The police offices of the metropolis painfully illustrate this point, and indeed the whole question of popular morahty. The multitudes of professional thieves that infest the capital, would sufiice to people a city of large dimensions ; and the total sum of their annual depredations v/ould constitute a princely