The first Council of Arles in the South of France was held a.d. 314, in consequence of an appeal of the Donatists to Constantine the Great, against the decision of a Roman Council of 313, consisting of three Gallican and fifteen Italian bishops under the lead of Pope Melchiades. This is the first instance of an appeal of a Christian party to the secular power, and it turned out unfavorably to the Donatists who afterwards became enemies of the government. The Council of Arles was the first called by Constantine and the forerunner of the Council of Nicaea. Augustin calls it even universal, but it was only Western at best. It consisted of thirty-three bishops from Gaul, Sicily, Italy (exclusive of the Pope Sylvester, who, however, was represented by two presbyters and two deacons), North Africa, and Britain (three, from York, London, and probably from Caerleon on Usk), besides thirteen presbyters and twenty-three deacons. It excommunicated Donatus and passed twenty-two canons concerning Easter (which should be held on one and the same day), against the non-residence of clergy, against participation in races and gladiatorial fights (to be punished by excommunication), against the rebaptism of heretics, and on other matters of discipline. Clergymen who could be proven to have delivered sacred books or utensils in persecution (the traditores) should be deposed, but their official acts were to be held valid. The assistance of at least three bishops was required at ordination. (from here)
This is the discussion for today…. This is the time in which as sect of the Church appealed to the Government for help. It didn’t end up well for them.
On the way to Church yesterday morning, I was listening to XM-14 (Track 14) for their Sunday Morning 3 hours of Bluegrass Gospel. The Flatt and Scruggs version of ‘Let the Church Roll on’ came on and make the trip that much more delightful. (If you have a problem getting up for Church on Sunday morning, and for reason you are not happy when you enter into the house of God, well you have problems.)
Below are the lyrics and two versions (there are multiple, from the funny to the serious, with difference choruses which I am sure can be updated and changed as needed. What struck, first, was the insistence of the Church doing what it had to in order to move on. Now, from Church history we can see the regression of the Church from the true Faith as it started to compromise a bit here or a bit there. Besides the doctrinal deviations, it started to accept traditors back into the ranks which led to the ‘Donatist’ heresy. Forgetting, or perhaps not having developed the ‘Tradition’ yet of Matthew 10.33 which reads,
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Instead of doing what Paul did, and make those out that cause division, or remove those that are heretics or bring in confusion or openly sin, the ancient ‘leaders’ sought only compromise and reconciliation. Instead of being rigorous in defending the Faith, they softened the ‘Thou shall nots’ (OT and NT) into mere suggestions.
The song, clearly a Negro spiritual, is a poignant reminder that the Church will roll on, march forward, with or without people who who would use her as a cloak of sin.
LET THE CHURCH ROLL ON
Let the church roll on, my Lawd,
Let the church roll on, my Lawd.
You can put the devil out, my Lawd,
Let the church roll on.
If tha’s preachers in the church, my Lawd,
An’ they’re not livin’ right, my Lawd,
Jes’ turn the preachers out, my Lawd,
An’ let the church roll on.
If tha’s members in the church, my Lawd,
An’ they’re not livin’ right, my Lawd,
You can put the members out, my lawd,
An’ let the church roll on.
If tha’s liars in the church, my lawd,
An’ they’re not livin’ right, my Lawd,
You can put the liars out, my Lawd,
An’ let the church roll on.
If tha’s sinnuhs in the church, my Lawd,
An’ they’re not livin’ right, my Lawd,
Jes’ put the sinnuhs out, my Lawd,
An’ let the church roll on.
@religion @Negro spiritual.
“A favorite shouting song.” Pp. 100-101, Mary Allen Grissom, 1930 (1969 Dover), “The Negro Sings a New Heaven.” Printed with music.
Let The Church Roll On
Let the church roll on (oh my lord)
Let the church roll on (oh my lord)
Let the church roll on (oh my lord)
Let the church roll on
There’s a deacon in the church (oh my lord)
And he won’t do right (oh my lord)
What shall we do (oh my lord)
Turn him out and kick him out
And let the church roll on
There a drunkards in the church (oh my lord)
And he won’t do right (oh my lord)
What shall we do, take the liquor pour it out
And let the church roll on
There’s women in the church (oh my lord)
Got paint on their face (oh my lord)
What shall we do take some water and wash it off
And let the church roll on
If you notice the last verse of the Bluegrass version. We are holiness of course, unless you had any doubt, and it is interesting to hear verses like this every once in a while.
Mahalia Jackson
Cleophus Robinson
The Church, no matter the people that come and go, no matter the war waged against her, will roll on. Individual congregations might not, individual people may not, but the Church of Jesus Christ, firmly rooted in the true Doctrine, will never loose ground. The Mormons, and others, would have us understand for some centuries, the Church was buried in history, or had completely left the earth altogether only to be restored by some mystical (and usually criminal) prophet. Yet, we know that death or hell will never previal against her, and that sin will never destroy her. She will roll on. Even when it looks like she is on her last leg and cannot stand anymore, she is as strong as ever.
But, we do have to do cleaning every now and then, and some standing as well, especially against those that would seek to lead so many astray.
