We are creatures of extremes, and are apt either to unduly emphasize and distort a truth or to ignore it altogether. Perhaps in nothing is this more clearly seen than in the subject we are about to consider.

The doctrine of succession-call it apostolic, presbyterian, or by some other name,-is one of the most fruitful sources of error. Under its plea, in Rome, all sorts of unscriptural and disgraceful errors are maintained; and, with well-nigh every one, antiquity is supposed to guarantee accuracy, and to be an assurance of orthodoxy. Let us always remember that sin is ancient; that error began in the garden of Eden. Time then can never give sanction to what is unscriptural.

It is hardly necessary to more than mention a few of the errors which are supported by "them of old time," as illustrations of this. The sacrilegious service of the mass has come down unaltered through centuries. The same may be said of the priesthood of Rome and the papacy. A long line of popes- with certain very troublesome breaks to those who rest the Church upon this foundation-reaches back into the very early centuries of the Christian era. Coming to doctrine, "the Galatian heresy"-of law keeping, observances of days and times-is as old as Paul, and still shows signs of vigor for evil.

Time then cannot make true that which is false. But let us look a moment at the opposite extreme. There are some who despise antiquity and who, like the Athenians are always ready "either to tell or to hear some new thing." Such persons dwell upon individual responsibility, and even where they do not go into extreme of error, seem to be always in danger of drifting. Thank God for many who, while they have this tendency, hold fast to the divine truth in the great fundamentals of that most holy faith which was ‘’ once for all delivered to the saints." But with these there will often be an instability in matters of great importance, which renders them unfit to be "pillars" in a true and scriptural sense.

Now is it not true that God’s way lies between these two extremes? We are not blindly to follow the past as though time had made a groove for faith to run in; nor are we to set up to be new lights, as though Christianity did not exist before our time. Surely we are not to guarantee the permanency of error, by following the fathers blindly; we are to test everything by the word of God. But we are to remember that in all times of His church’s history, God has had a witnessing people; that even when Elijah-like (alas how unlike Elijah in other respects) men may have said, "I, even I only am left," God has had His seven thousand. Beloved, does it not thrill our hearts as we think we are joined in faith and testimony with an innumerable number of God’s elect in every time and place? Linked with Christ we are, indwelt by the Spirit too, but by virtue of this very fact linked with the whole Church as well. But this is not quite our subject.

With the establishment of Christianity at Pentecost and during the days of the apostles, God gave to His newly formed Church a body of divine truth- "all things pertaining to life and godliness." That truth covers every phase of divine life in the Church. We may divide it roughly into three parts-doctrine, order, and practice. Of course, it is not our purpose to go fully into things; to do so would be to write a treatise upon Christianity. But at the beginning God, by the Holy Spirit, through inspired men, gave a mass of precious truth, as to Himself, as to Christ, -His person and work; as to salvation and all connected with it. At the same time and in the same way, He gave principles and details of conduct becoming those who belong to His Church’; and He established a Church with ministry and order in which the truth and walk were to be exhibited. We might also add that all this was connected with all His previous dispensations, in such a way as to harmonize most perfectly, and to manifest the holiness and wisdom of all His ways.

Thus in a most important sense the "apostles and prophets," having laid the foundation, have passed away. We have none now save in the "living oracles" they have left us, our guide for all time. Neither can there be, in the sense of gift or authority, any such thing as apostolic succession.

But apostolic truth remains, and apostolic order and practice, and it is of this that we wish to speak, laying a word upon our consciences. Paul, Barnabas, Peter, John; Timothy, Titus, Stephanas-all these and countless others of faith and devotedness, have passed away. The whole fabric of divine truth- under God the Holy Ghost – was in their hands. They were to teach it, to maintain its order, to exhibit its fruits. Long since have they gone to their rest, but the Church remains. Others were brought in to continue the testimony which was intrusted to them. These also have "fallen asleep;" and so through the centuries this priceless heritage has passed until at the present time it is in our hands. That which Paul stood for is now in our hands. The responsibility has been transmitted until it has reached us. The very fact that we are Christians necessitates this. Would we free ourselves from this?

We need not look around, near or far away, to find those to whom this trust has also been committed. Each of us for ourselves has it laid upon us to hold fast, to maintain the very truth for which Paul contended. Does not this solemnize? If we are unfaithful, we cannot think of others as being true, the responsibility rests upon us. But let us apply briefly in the way we have already indicated.

We are entrusted with all the doctrines of God’s word, to know, confess and teach them. They are contained in their perfection in the word of God, but they are there for us. What diligence this means in study. What Christian dare leave his Bible closed, or but grasp a few of its simpler truths? We are to learn them all, and to be able to contend earnestly for the faith. If anything could accentuate the importance of this, it would be the almost universal departure of the professing Church from the truths of Scripture. Nay, that very Scripture is being questioned and treated as a merely human production. May each of us ask ourselves, What am I doing toward holding, and maintaining God’s truth in this time of error?

But we look at another phase of this question. A divine order was established for the Church in its administration upon earth. Divine directions were given as to reception, discipline, ministry, worship- in fact no true activity of Christian testimony was omitted or unprovided for. Here again we are brought to face our responsibility. It has not lessened since the apostles’ time. In one sense, as ruin and weakness-all foreseen by the Spirit of God- have come in, greater care, we might almost say, is required in the administration of. Church order. The word of God is to be searched as to its teachings upon this point, every indication is to be carefully noted, and we in a sense of weakness, are to take up the solemn load.

We are convinced that this is all too little realized by the vast bulk of the Lord’s people. Self is so prominent in our thoughts, our own interests are so central, that we are apt to forget what is due to God, and the simple path of obedience in which we are to walk.

Is it said, So few walk that path? Then an added responsibility is laid upon those who are willing, in all their feebleness but in reliance upon unfailing grace, to walk it alone if need be. Who that thinks of this can fail to tremble, and to confess, as Daniel, our own and our fellows’ sins?

Closely connected with this is the testimony before the world with which we are entrusted. Let us think of the saints of that early Church, and its unfaltering testimony; spite of mockery, temptation, yea blood it stood firm for Christ. Their testimony is ours, beloved brethren. How are we maintaining it? Apply the question to a hundred details, of private and corporate responsibility. Our walk before the world, our business and our home life, our conversation-these and all else are to be measured by the standard. As we think of those devoted ones, torn by beasts or tossed into the flames, with songs of triumphant joy on their lips, does not the blush of shame tingle the cheek? We are not called to cruel mockings and scourgings, but to bear a little discomfort, to endure a little scorn; and how do we meet it? Alas!

Take the preaching of the gospel. If Paul was entrusted with its message, are not. we also? if necessity was laid upon him, are we free? Are we less debtors than he?

How this thought of the same responsibility should move us. A child moves about his father’s possessions, little thinking that some day they will be his to administer. His father dies, and he, come to years of maturity, must take up, not only the comforts and honors, but the care of that inheritance. So is it with us. The men of faith, from Abel down, have lived, witnessed, and died. Here are we, in their place, with all their responsibility upon us. God help us to feel and meet it.