LETTER VI.

MR. EDITOR,

In continuation, I think it needful to examine into this act of laying on of hands of the apostles and elders, because not only the Church of Rome, and the Church of England, but many denominations of Dissenters observe this practice, and would thereby appear severally to lay claim to apostolic succession; at least all parties lay claim to one portion or another of apostolic power. Which ever sect or party can show that they possess the same power as was possessed by the apostles, will be entitled to our credit, and confidence, and approbation. But I see nothing in a bishop of the Church of Rome or England, or a presbyter, elder, minister or pastor of the several denominations of dissenters, LAYING ON OF HANDS for any supposed purpose, unless they can at the time shew me that something results from it. James in his epistle very pointedly addresses such persons, when he says, "Shew me thy

faith without (or as it reads more properly in some copies, by thy works) thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works," ii. 18. The fact was, in the days of the apostles they manifested plainly to the people that they were the true servants or ministers of God, by the miracles or works which followed all that they said, preached, or did; and in this epistle, James is testing those persons who, as false prophets or false spirits, arose that they might deceive many, and he says, Wilt thou know, O vain man! that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" That is the open, visible, act or work of Abraham, was an open, visible justification to all parties who should hear of it, that Abraham had faith; and in like manner the apostles demonstrated their faith, by the works which they were enabled to perform. Thus Peter when he came to Lydda, "found a man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years and was sick of the palsy, and Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole! arise and make thy bed: and he arose immediately, and all that dwelt in Lydda SAW HIM and turned to the Lord," Acts ix. 34. Now might Peter say to any false spirit or vain man, Shew me thy faith by thy works; in this I shew thee my faith by my works! This applies with equal force to the laying on of hands; if there be no visible result from this, what is it more than James' illustration, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things

which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? even so faith if it hath not works is dead, being alone," verse 15. The meaning of which is obvious-it is saying and not doing. A man may say he hath faith; shew it me, says James, by thy works and not by talking. A man may say, I am an apostle, a minister, a pastor, or deacon; shew it me by thy works. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils, speak with tongues, take up serpents, drink some deadly thing without hurt, LAY HANDS ON THE SICK THAT THEY MAY RECOVER; but if the sick should not recover, nor any visible result follow from this act, it is like saying to a hungry, destitute, naked brother or sister, depart in peace, be ye warmed or filled: the hungry brother would remain as hungry as ever, and the laying on the hands of an elder, minister, priest, or deacon, without the power, would leave the sick person as sick as ever, nay instead of recovering he might die under the operation. Our Lord directed John when writing to the church at Ephesus to say, “I know thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars," Rev. ii. 2; and the Lord thus warned his disciples of the scribes and pharisees, who sit in Moses' seat, "Do not ye after their works, for they SAY AND DO NOT," Matt. xxiii. 3.

But the apostles had the power and did lay on hands, not only for the purpose of healing the sick, but for the purpose of imparting the Holy Ghost, and the gifts with the signs following; and this power belonged solely to them. Some were evangelists or preachers, but they could not exercise this power,

which was the prerogative of the apostles only: there is no instance in the scriptures, of any one on whom the apostles had laid hands, and communicated the gifts of the Spirit, communicating this to others: I do not forget what Paul said to Timothy, "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also," 2 Tim. ii. 2. I may hereafter deal with this in connection with another subject, but this does not affect my present statement, that none but apostles had the power by the laying on of hands, of communicating the Holy Ghost, and the gifts with the signs following. Paul does say to Timothy, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, BY THE PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS," 2 Tim. i. 6. Timothy did receive this power from Paul, but in no place is it said, that Timothy had power to impart or give the Holy Ghost, or the gifts with the signs following. That this exclusively belonged to the apostles, will I trust appear clear from a reference to the testimony of the scriptures; and that it will also be most important in considering the subject of apostolic succession, will I think appear plain to all persons interested therein. In Acts viii. 4—7, it is stated, that they" that were scattered abroad, went every where preaching the word; then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them, and the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did, for unclean spirits crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed; and many

taken with palsies, and that were lame were healed." And Simon the sorcerer continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. I beg to call attention to the peculiar features of this case: Philip was a DEACON chosen by the twelve (see Acts vi. 2), of him and the rest it is stated that they were full of the Holy Ghost, and being chosen, they set them before the apostles; and when they they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Of Stephen one of the deacons it is written, that he "full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." Stephen was one of the seven deacons, Philip was another; the twelve had laid hands on them, and if Stephen was enabled to do great wonders and miracles, we see that Philip, another deacon, in this eighth chapter of the Acts when at Samaria, did miracles and signs which the people heard and saw. These deacons were not apostles, and did not possess apostolic power, but the power they did possess, they had received from the apostles by the laying on of hands, so that "Stephen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people,' and when called upon to make his defence before the council, they "looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel," Acts vi. 15.

This that occurred at Samaria is remarkable, and sets before our minds the supreme power of the apostles; for although it is quite manifest that these deacons had the gift of miracles in signs and wonders by the laying on of the apostles' hands, yet were they inferior to the apostles; they had gifts, but it is written (1 Cor. xii. 4), " There are diversities of gifts,"

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