Elder G. Beebe & Son: We do not wish to burden you with these questions, but we really need instruction. We are a little church, of which I am a member; we were formed about one year ago. We have no preacher or deacons; regarding deacons, we wish for instruction. We have been trying to get a presbytery to come and ordain deacons for us. I think it is the practice here among our churches to ordain deacons by a presbytery.
I see in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES of April 15th, that you think the deacons may be ordained by the action of the church, or by the vote of the church. We want a deacon, and one proper instruction, as we are young and ignorant, and make this appeal to your more mature judgment on the subject. Allow me to trouble you further, as it may be the last time. If the person we desire should serve us as a deacon has a wife who is not a member of the church, does this disqualify him from being a deacon? We wish to know whether their role given in 1 Timothy III. 11 requires of the deacon's wife that she shall be a professor or not, and do the requisitions supply to her if she is not a professor of religion? Brethren Beebe, if not too much trouble, please let us know your mind on the subject through our family paper, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and you will greatly oblige one and feel truly as the least sheep in all the flock. If I could only know that I am a sheep, even an astray one, I would be better satisfied.
U. J. BELL.