p. 166 | CHURCH MEMBERSHIP by A. H. Hulbert

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 25, 1868

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

By A. H. Hulbert

Permit me to say that among the many indications or rather proofs of our Christian growth, there are none which are more encouraging than the fact that members are so constantly being added to our churches. We hear the cheering intelligence, almost every week, that new members have been received by baptism, and the right hand of fellowship. Not that the simple act of uniting with the church in and of itself is of vital importance, but because it assures us of the sincerity and faith of those who make the public declaration of a determined purpose to serve the living God.

It is a lamentable fact that so many of the reliable Seventh-day Adventists of our country are not members of our churches; that while they are ready to co-operate in all the movements of a denominational nature, so few come up to celebrate those ordinances which commemorate Him who is our only hope of salvation and happiness in time and in eternity. The loose bands of society organization do not draw us together with that living sympathy which should bind Christians to each other. They do not furnish that spiritual nearness to each other and to God which should be the band of vital union in the church. They do not curb passion, and call forth the soul's purest love in humble, trusting prayer, like that sacred influence which springs from the souls of those who surround the communion table in memory of Jesus. Our denomination needs to clothe itself with the garment of devotion, earnest, Christian devotion, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. The names of those who are faithful to our cause, should be enrolled upon our church records as certainly as the names of soldiers are recorded on the muster roll; then our army would be in the ranks, and when the roll is called they would promptly answer.

I have frequently thought that those who dispense the word of life should give this subject their earnest attention, for the good which would result therefrom would be manifest in countless ways. The individuals themselves would feel an interest and freedom in religion which they never felt before, and if they live in accordance with their desires and promises, they will enjoy communion which will environ their lives with a sacred trust and unspeakable joy which the world cannot give nor take away. This blessed influence will be felt in the church, strengthening others; in the community, by their example of earnest Christian endeavor; in the entire denomination, by helping to quicken our religious life. Our brethren and sisters in the faith should feel that it is the noblest work of youth's bright morning, or of manhood's vigor, or of age's declining years, to consecrate every faculty of their being to the service of almighty God. Every true pleasure, every real joy, will become a more prolific source of enjoyment when we behold them in the true spiritual light of divine beneficence. As it adds to the happiness of the family to have all of its members share mutually the blessings of domestic reunion, so it adds to the glory of the church to have all of like-precious faith join in the spiritual family and share together the unspeakable gifts of spiritual communion with Jesus.

We want our men and women, whom we know to be good and true, to come to the front. Our forces should be armed with the sword of the Spirit, and shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and if there is any one condition in which we can the best become clothed with the panoply of salvation, it is in the membership of a church of true, prayerful Christians.

Yes, blessed Jesus, clothe us with salvation as with a garment, and grant that the time may speedily arrive when all of the scattered and lonely ones, who are waiting and watching for thy coming, may be gathered and become one body in Christ Jesus. And it is the earnest desire and prayer of your unworthy brother, that he may with you all be enabled by the assistance of God's Holy Spirit to overcome the world, and at last stand with you on Mount Zion with God's remnant people.

And may the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make us all perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.

A. H. Hulbert. Clayton Co., Minn.