CALL. .1 term often used in reference to various theological and ecclesiastical subjects. (1) The command or invitation to believe in Jesus Christ is desiimatell the call of God, or the GoRpr/ call. Calvinistic theologians make a distinction between a general call and a special or cffectua/ call. The former is addressed. they say, to all to whom the word of God conies; but is insufficient of itself to induce any man to the act of faith, and requires for its effi cacy that it be accompanied by the special and irresistible grace of the Holy Spirit. They are careful, however, to state that the general or out ward calling by the word always precedes and ac companies the special and effectual calling of the Spirit. The notion of an inward call by the Spirit of God in the soul, unconnected with out ward calling by the word, belongs not to Calvin istic, but to mystic theology. (2) A call to office in the Church, and particularly to the ministry of the Gospel, is regarded by Christians generally as proceeding from God; and the Church of England requires of candidates for ordi nation an express profession that they trust they are so moved of the Holy Ghost. (3) A call by
the people who are to be under the pastoral care of a minister has been generally regarded in the Christian Church necessary to the establish ment of the pastoral relation. In established churches the matter has been complicated by patronage rights. Often in the Church of Eng land the local congregation has had no voice whatever in the call of its minister. In Scot land the question has given rise to some of the principal ecclesiastical divisions. In the Estab lished Church the formal acceptance of the nomi nated minister by the people was always pro fessedly sought. The 'Free' Churches of Eng land and Scotland, however, have alone secured the true supremacy of the congregation. In America, almost all denominations professedly give the call of the minister entirely into the hands of the local church or congregation ; and where not professedly, even there it is actually so placed in most bodies, and the tendency is every day stronger toward the complete auton omy of the local body in this matter. See PRES BYTERIANISM ; CONGREGATIONALISM ; METHODISM ; CHURCHES.