In all existing Presbyterian churches a primary element is the representation of congregations in presbyteries, etc., by their delegated elders, of whom the "minister," or preaching elder, is always one; and this system of representation is advocated partly on the general ground of the unity of the church, and partly on the special ground of the example of the church in the apostolic age (Acts xv.). The affairs of particular congregations are managed by a court, styled in Scotland the kirk-session, consisting of the minister, or ministers, if there are more than one, and the other elders, the minister or one of the ministers presiding, but each member having equal power and vote. From the decisions of this court an appeal lies to the presbytery, which is usually constituted of the ministers of a certain number of his congregations and one " ruling elder" from each congregation. Further appeals may be taken to synods and general assemblies., in churches so large that for convenience the presbyteries of a district are grouped into a "provincial synod," and all the provincial synods are subordinated to a general assembly; but in respect of this, there arc considerable diversities, and the "supreme" church court, whether sydod or general amcm-b!y,is variously constituted by direct representation of each congregation, of each presbytery, or of each provincial synod. Nor are diversities of tins kind regarded as in the least degree affecting the principle of Presbyterianism.
Presbyterian 'churches generally recognize an order of dolt-oils (q.v.) as existing in the church, with power only over its secular affairs; but in many Presbyterian churches this office is merged in that of the elder, and all functions are exercised by the members of the kirk-session. A tendency to revive the distinct office of deacon, has, however, been
recently manifested iu sonic of the Presbyterian churches.
Soule Presbyterians maintain the divine right of presbytery, as the one system of church government authorized by the word of God; others only maintain that Presbyterianism is cowri,stent with the word of God ; whilst many mnintain that the Presbyterian system, whatever its imperfections as existing any where. is, of all systems that have ever existed in the church, the most agreeable to the principles of church government which may be deduced from Scripture.
Presbyterianism, variously modified, is the form of church government subsisting is many Protestant churches, but is more perfectly developed in Britain and America. In Britain it prevails chiefly in Scotland, although on the revolution in the 17th c. it was for a very short time in the ascendant in England also. The coitsidorial system of the continent of Europe (see CONSISTORY), cannot, in any of its modifications, be regarded as essentially Presbyterian, although in sonic respects it approaches to Presbyterianism. The French consistorial system is more nearly Presbyterian than the German, and is not perfectly so only from the pressure of the civil power. In other churches, also, as well as in the Protestant church of France, Presbyterianism is more or less modified by the relations of the church to the state.