The Original 1883 (First Edition) of
The Ecclesial Guide

14. -- Absence of the Spirit's Appointments.

In the apostolic ecclesias, the Spirit of God, by the hand of the apostles, or other Spirit-endowed person, nominated and appointed such special brethren, in virtue of which appointments, the rest of the body were bound to yield a ready submission to the rule and authority so established. Such ruling brethren were appointed to permanent office. Under this institution, the brethren were saved the trouble of election, and the confusion more or less incident in our times to the absence of authority. In our day, until the Spirit speaks again, we can have no such privilege; and it is worse than useless to profess a possession we lack. Our wisdom lies in recognising the true nature of our case, and making the most of the unprivileged circumstances of a time succeeding to a long period of divine absence and eclesial chaos.