ORGANIZATION or ORGANISM

There never was a great movement in this world without a leader; and in the nature of things it is impossible that there should be. As nature bestows upon men a variety of gifts, it follows that some have clearer views of what best advances the interests of any cause than others. And the best good of all interested in any given object will be attained by intelligently following the counsels of those best qualified to guide. There never could be real union of counsel and action without the judgment of some person who was regarded of importance and especial weight While the minds of men are so various and contradictory, and while the counsels of some would lead to destruction, success will be apt to attend that movement which closely follows the suggestions of those whom experience teaches give intelligent and judicious advice.

A true leader represents and embodies the views and will of those who follow his counsels. His success is their success. The difference between the true leader and the tyrant is this: While the latter exercises influence and authority to gratify his own wishes or caprice, the former labors for the good of those he represents and to carry into effect their wishes.

Never can much be accomplished in any movement until those interested become settled in their minds that the one of their choice is worthy of their confidence and support. Confusion will mark their counsels, and their strength will be wasted in laboring to no purpose, or in opposite directions. Efficiency is the result of wise leadership. All therefore who are interested in the success of any cause are interested in the success of the ones they have chosen to lead out. They represent the united interests of all. And in supporting them they are really supporting their own cause.

An intelligent support of leaders is best obtained when confidence is founded on past faithfulness, and sufficient evidence of fitness, or by reliable evidence of God's special selection. And when all these are combined, the evidence in the case is overwhelming. When plans are laid, somebody must lay them, and carry them into effect; and it is self-evident to all that those should do this who give most evidence of fitness. And the success of all interested will be most likely obtained by a careful attention to the counsel of such.

It is fully believed that the facts of history and the declarations of God's word show the truthfulness of the above principles. The Bible authorizes the existence of human governments. And what are governments but an application of these principles among mankind? What should an army be without a leader? What would a government be if all concerned in its administration were of equal authority. What would it accomplish if all were captains, equal in authority? The whole economy of God, as brought to view in the Bible and in the universe, recognizes this principle. There is not a single important movement spoken of in Scripture but that some person was chosen in it, to lead out. Noah, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Jepthah, Samson, Gideon, Deborah, David, the different kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, and many others in the Old Testament might be mentioned, while John the Baptist and Christ's apostles furnish examples in the New. And in every great religious movement since their time, God's providence has plainly shown the fact of his selection of proper instruments to accomplish his work We are free to grant that these have been weak, fallible men, with human infirmities. But this matters not so long as we have plain evidence that God chooses to work by such means.

An objection may be raised here that the spirit and genius of the New Testament are against this idea because our Saviour says, "But be ye not called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in Heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant; and whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted;" Matthew 23:8-12; and because it is repeatedly stated that Christ is the "head of the church." We are as ready to grant the full force of these statements as any. But such a view of them should be taken as will harmonize with other scriptures and with Christ's own appointment.

There is a plain rebuke here to man worship, and seeking for ourselves honors and titles of men which is so natural to the human heart. Man is nothing, only as God honors him. And the one He honors is the one who will labor most and sacrifice most, in His cause. It is not for us to seek place and position for our own aggrandizement. This we are forbidden to do. Christ is the head of all His people. His life must be our example. His Spirit must be our guide. He is the one we must follow. No man must pretend to take His place, or take honors to himself which belong to Christ.

But does it follow from this that there is no authority in the Christian church? that all are exactly upon a level so far as position is concerned? Has Christ forbidden the church to assign to those best qualified to guide and direct any office of authority or influence? Let His word decide this point. "And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples; and of them he chose twelve, whom also he called apostles." Luke 6:13. When He sent them out, He gave them especial instructions and authority. As He closed His charge to them, He said, "He that receiveth you receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent me." Matt. 10:40

The word apostle signifies "one sent with commands or a message."- Greenfield. In the ministry of Christ, He saw fit to choose just twelve. But the office was not confined to just those persons originally chosen, for upon the apostasy of Judas, Matthias was set apart to fill the vacancy. "And the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Acts 1:26. Neither was the office confined to just twelve, for Paul and Barnabas are expressly called apostles.

They were first solemnly set apart to the work, the inspired record says, "Which, when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes and ran in among the people," &c. Acts 14:14. Paul is many times called an apostle. Christ Himself is called an apostle. "Consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." Heb. 3:1. And in the original, others are called so. "Yet I supposed it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger." Phil. 2:25. The word messenger in the original is "apostolos," the very word from which apostle is translated. Paul therefore called him an apostle. When Titus and the "brother whose praise was in all the churches," and others, were sent to Corinth to attend to things there, Paul speaks of them as follows: "Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you; or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ." 2 Cor. 8:23. Read connection. In the Greek, the word messenger is the one from which the word apostle is always translated.

From these plain facts, it will readily be seen there is no warrant for confining this office to just those twelve persons originally chosen. As the term signifies "one sent with a message," it seems properly to refer to those specially raised up, and sent out by the providence or Spirit of God, to act a leading part in his work. It is evidently the highest office in the church for in Paul's enumeration of the gifts, he says, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of beatings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. 12:28. When he says, "first apostles," he must refer to authority or position. Neither is there any intimation that these were designed to continue but a brief period. On the contrary, the connection plainly intimates they were designed to continue with the church. And in Eph. 4:11, Paul expressly states that apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers, were placed in the church for one and the same object, to continue the same length of time.

While we are therefore willing to freely admit that Christ is "head of the church," we must also conclude that some men are placed higher in authority in the church than others.

There seems to have been a special precedence existing even among the apostles themselves. Peter, James, and John were often the special companions of the Saviour himself, and shared most in his special counsels. And Paul, who reckoned himself not a whit behind the chiefest apostles, did, on a certain occasion, think it best to lay matters before these principal men. "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain.... They who seemed to be somewhat, in conference added nothing to me. But when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles;) and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Gal.2:1-9.

Some interesting facts are here stated bearing on this question. Paul, though a special instrument raised up by miracle, thought it advisable to consult with these highest in authority among the circumcision, lest he had "run in vain." But these "pillars" in the church, led by the same Spirit, which led Paul, perceived that God, in His providence, had specially appointed and qualified him for his work among the Gentiles. God had given Peter a special position in the work among the Jews. He had all he could do there. So He raised up Paul for another special position. Here was no conflict. Each was to work in his special sphere. But some were higher in position than others, and that by God's appointment. God carries on His work upon the same general principles in all ages. And we have every reason to believe that he has raised up special instruments all the way down to the present time to carry on His work. Luther, Wesley, William Miller, and others, we believe were such. Yet Christ is head of His people at the same time. He works through these agents, and leads them to exert a strong influence upon others; and thus far more is accomplished for man's salvation than could be were none especially led by Him.

But if there are those who still think no man is ever authorized to exert any authority in the Christian church, and that all stand upon a level, let them carefully consider the following scriptures: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Heb. 13:17. The word in the Greek rendered, rule, Greenfield defines to mean, to "lead the way, to be over, i.e., have authority over, be leader, chief; to preside, govern, rule." Obedience is to be rendered to such, and submission. "Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honor," &c. 1 Tim. 5:17. Here the word rendered, rule, Mr. Greenfield says means, to set over, to appoint with authority. In giving directions to Timothy and Titus, two gospel ministers, the apostle Paul defines their duty as follows: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear." 1 Tim. 5:20. "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,... preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. "Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." Titus 1:13 and 2:15. These scriptures are sufficient to show that there is authority placed upon some in the Christian church, if human language can show anything. Those who object to this must object to the Bible, for these passages are quoted from that book. This authority is not contrary to the leadership of Christ, but by His direct appointment, and can only be exercised by those who are appointed by His direction, and who live in harmony with His Spirit. When they cease to do this, none are under obligation to obey them.

While it is thus necessary, and in accordance with Christ's appointment, that certain ones should exercise authority and influence in the church in ordinary times, there are occasions when God evidently designs to accomplish a special work, and to this end raises up special agencies to carry out His design. The natural tendency of humanity is downward, and during the six thousand years of man's history while the great controversy with sin has been going on, there have been different epochs in which God has seen fit to make a special manifestation of His power for the purpose of causing His truth to take more effect upon the hearts of men. These epochs have been after long periods of backsliding and settling down in the public mind, until some of the great principles of God's government were lost sight of. Then the Lord raised up agencies and prepared them to go forth and give the message to the people which was necessary that this truth perish not from the earth. The preaching of Noah, the leading out of Israel by Moses, the work of Elijah, and several of the prophets, the preparing of the way by John the Baptist, the work of the apostles, and other reform movements since the Dark Ages, are illustrations of these special movements of God. These come in the time of religious declension, and are always unpopular. Through them the loyalty of man to his Creator is tested. He shows by his conduct whether he loves the down-trodden truth of God most, or the approbation of the world.

The responsibility of leading out in such a work is great, not to say fearful. Nothing short of special instruction by the Spirit of God can qualify feeble man to do it. When God calls a person to this position, and the one called works with His counsel, it is no small thing to hinder him in his work. Doing so really works against God, who has made him His agent. We must acknowledge this to be true, or deny that God ever does work by special agencies. In carrying forward such movements, perfect union among those in leading positions is most important to success. Without it, success is next to impossible.

Satan and all his allies will do their utmost to hinder God's special work, and in no way can he work more successfully than by hindering and discouraging those who have a leading part to act. These being weak and fallible men, are exposed to his temptations, and only can overcome them by walking in the counsel of God. When they fully do this, God's arm will support them, and those not willing to receive their testimony, or, standing in the way of their work, will certainly bring upon themselves the frown of God.

One illustration from the Bible will suffice. The case of Moses is in point, because we have a particular account of his trials and life, and because the apostle Paul tells us the conduct of Israel toward him is an ensample or type of those upon whom the ends of the world come. He was specially prepared for his ministry by his experience in exile until he had learned humility and how to walk with God. In every instance when that people murmured against him (and they were many), it was counted as murmuring against God. Why? Simply because God had chosen him and instructed him. He chose to lead his mind, and talked with him. They had evidence of this, and yet in every trial they complained of Moses. I think there is not a single instance on record, where the people complained directly of God, but only of His servant.

This principle is seen to be the same in all ages when we admit that God has chosen to raise up any special agent to accomplish His work. Even wicked Saul, when placed in his position by the providence of God, David dared not to harm. The Lord had placed him there. David had no right to injure him, though the prophet Samuel had anointed David himself to be king. The meekness and respect of David toward wicked Saul, because of his position, is not only one of the most beautiful traits of his character, but clearly shows our duty to respect God's appointments.