W. H. THURSTON by W. H. Thurston

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1902

W. H. THURSTON

By W. H. Thurston

Reform.

THERE are some things practiced among us which ought not so to be, and I wish to call attention to one or two, and ask our brethren to consider them.

It is quite common in organizing new churches to take in any Sabbath-keepers there, or adjacent to the place of organization, regardless of any previous membership or letters of recommendation. It should be evident to any one that before individuals are received into the church, new or old, those in charge should ascertain whether they are members elsewhere, and if so, letters of recommendation should be produced. I now have in mind a sister who was taken into a newly organized church without word or comment, who still holds her membership at another place. She is in good standing, but she should not hold her membership in two churches at the same time.

The Lord tells us that we should not be slothful in business. Another common thing is for some leader, board, or teacher desiring a certain laborer from some other State, to write directly to the individual and get him or her, as the case may be, all stirred up over the matter, perhaps, before saying or writing anything to the president of the Conference regarding the matter.

If any State Conference or Union Conference desires a laborer from any other Conference, the president of the Conference should be interviewed before anything is said or written to the individual. It is self-evident that this is the proper method to pursue, but it is a lamentable fact that this method is often reversed. Why not reform in this as well as in other things? Why not be reformers in deed and in truth? Why not be right, and do right, and be keepers of the golden rule? Why not?