EXAMPLE OF THE SAME SPIRIT WITH REGARD TO EVANGELISTS

EXAMPLE OF THE SAME SPIRIT WITH REGARD TO EVANGELISTS

After having secured the distinction of an official evangelist, in order to support the clerical principle, Mr. Wolff extols (page 43) the employment of those who have not received this charge by the imposition of hands. But why so? Because “they are employed at the present time.” They ought not to be called evangelists; because “we must carefully distinguish between what is a ministerial charge, and that which is only a testimony rendered to the gospel, voluntarily preached by a zealous and able Christian” (page 43). But alas! they are so called. This title, therefore, may still be preserved, provided that it is explained, and that one avoids a confusion which would be dangerous for the Church, between those who do the work, and those who are charged by men to do it. I say, those who do the work; for we must suppose that these men who evangelize thus approved, are sent of God. Hence, in our days we see many of these who are sent by men, but “they have not received the imposition of hands.” The whole thing, then, is to distinguish the clergy.