This word is found once in the Bible, and only applied to the name of the Lord—(Ps. cxi, 9)—"Holy and reverend is his name."
Now, to take this name, and give it to any man, appears to me to be not only idolatry, but also taking the name of the Lord our God in vain, if not even blasphemy. We read of a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy. Rev. xvii, 3. And does not this mean some who apply to themselves the names of the Most High?
Though ministers, or elders, or any other officers in the church, or in the state, should be honored and respected according to their station and worth, yet I would most respectfully and most earnestly request all Protestants to leave this species of idolatry entirely to those who love to worship "His Holiness" the Pope of Rome, their "Right Reverend Father in God," with other such "names of blasphemy!"
If our New Testament was filled up with the Rev. Dr. Matthew, the Rev. Dr. Mark, the Rev. Luke, the Rev. John, the Rev. Peter, the Rev. Paul, the Rev. Titus, &c., as full as some religious books and newspapers are, I would not object to giving such "flattering titles unto man." See Job. xxxii, 21, 22.
Again, if our blessed Saviour refused to be called "Good Master," because that title belonged only to God, (Mark x, 17,) and if one who showed many things to John, said to him, "See thou do it not," when John was about to worship him, (Rev. xxii, 8, 9,) then ought not every minister or elder to refuse to be called Reverend, because that title belongs only to God?
Would it not be as well, and as proper, for religious writers and editors to omit the "Rev.," and insert Eld., when speaking of religious ministers? As for myself, I should think it as right, and as proper, to bow down and pray to any man as to call him Reverend.—Sab. Rec.