Your ShelfYour Projects

Question

20%

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 24, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 21.

Read the full edition

Question.

I wish to be informed through the Review, by the highest authority, what proportion of the members of a church at a Quarterly Meeting, or any meeting called for that purpose, are sufficient to exclude a member of said church from fellowship. S. PIERCE.

RESPONSE.

In regard to the above question we would state, that, withdrawing from a member must require just the reverse course to that followed in receiving a member. The reception of members requires a unanimous vote, unless opposition to their reception comes from those who are subjects of labor, or under the censure of the church. It must be the reverse of this to expel a member. That is, it shall be a unanimous vote, unless the opposition comes from those who are subjects of labor, under the censure of the church, or especially implicated or connected with the matter of trial.
In withdrawing from a member, it is proper also to have the matter, if possible, attended to where the church is located to which said member belongs. The meeting for the purpose of dealing with such member should be thoroughly notified to the church. Those assembling in response to such notice, are sufficient to constitute a quorum to act. Those notified who can, and yet do not attend, are considered as virtually acquiescing with the doings of the members assembled. GEN. CONF. COM.