Preface to the Book of Church Order

Section 2 : The Preliminary Principles
Paragraph 6 : On the Election of Officers

6. That, though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of their investiture and institution, yet the election of the persons to the exercise of this authority, in any particular society, is in that society.

Footnoe: I Timothy 3; Acts 6:3. [as per M4GA, Appendix J, p. 203]

BACKGROUND & COMPARISON:
PCA 1973, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, page 128
That, though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of their investiture and institution, yet the election of the persons to the exercise of this authority, in any particular society, is in that society.

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text, Preface, Preliminary Principles, paragraph 2
That, though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of their investiture and institution, yet the election of the persons to the exercise of this authority, in any particular society, is in that society.

1866 PCUS draft, paragraph 6:
That, though the character, qualifications and authority of church officers, are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of their investiture and institution, yet the election of the persons to the exercise of this authority, in any particular congregation, is in the people thereof.

[Note: The Preliminary Principles appeared solely in the 1866 draft of the PCUS Form of Government, as reported and published in The Christian Observer, vol. 45, nos. 40 & 41 (4 Oct. & 11 Oct. 1866). Inclusion of the Principles was rejected when the PCUS Assembly met in 1867.]

COMMENTARY:
Hodge, J. Aspinwall, What Is Presbyterian Law? (Philadelphia, 1882, pp. 26) :
VI. What is the sixth principle?
"The election of persons to the exercise of this authority, in any particular society, is in that society."
What officers can be appointed in the church?
"The character, qualifications and authority of church officers, are laid down in the Holy Scriptures, as well as the proper method of their investiture and institution."
By whom are officers to be chosen?
The right of election belongs to those over whom the authority is to be exercised. Pastors, Ruling Elders and Deacons must be elected by the particular churches in which they hold office.[1]
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[1] Form of Government [PCUSA], chs. xiii., xiv., xv.