History of Presbyteriantism

Superior officers, in choosing subordinates, should select those who are best qualified. This is, how— ever, very often overlooked. It too often happens that superiors choose subordinates whom they can most efficiently use to carry out their own political ends. The principal qualification demanded in the subordinate is that he be a strenuous supporter of their party. But let us see how far this is in accordance with Scripture.

Jethro said to Moses, “Moreover thou shalt pro- vide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens, and thou shalt judge the people with just judg- ment.” We have here the character of rulers most admirably described. They are to be able men, qualified for their office. It is in direct opposition to the teachings of the great lawgiver of Israel to install into an office a man who is unqualified to discharge the duties of that office. Such an appoint— ment would only degrade the office. Officers both in church and state should be men who fear God. \Ve have already said that rulers ought to be men of piety, and here we have clear proof of it. They are to be men of truth. They must be distinguished by strict veracity. N0 deceit must be practiced by them. They are to be haters of covetousness. Should avaricious persons be appointed to the posi— tion of rulers, they would be in great danger of enriching themselves at the public expense. And

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