Untitled article by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 27.

The Church. No. 12.

By Editor

IT has been, and still shall be, our aim in these articles to impress upon the minds of the readers the importance of church relations. Most of the difficulties which arise in our churches are owing to the loose ideas of church membership which have so largely obtained in the world. Reflecting upon this subject we are convinced that something may be done to increase respect for this relation, by observing greater care in the reception of members.

Many of our churches receive members on the day of application. Some (as our church in Oakland) lay over all applications for one week, to give the members an opportunity to make inquiries, and to satisfy themselves as to the propriety of receiving the applicant. But this is not satisfactory, as it frequently happens that the circumstances are such that inquiry or examination is almost impossible, especially where the church is large. And this delay of a week has not been practiced much, if any, in the case of application by letter, as such applicants are considered as being already church members, only transferring their membership from one church to another. But letters do not always give full and satisfactory information, and it is sometimes the case that hasty action has proved disastrous to the individuals and to the peace of the church. We consider it proper therefore to consider this subject, and offer such suggestions as, we believe, will greatly if not entirely remedy the difficulties.

1. Let all applications be laid over for at least one week. The reason for not making applications by letter exceptions to this rule is this: Many persons leave their churches and are absent weeks, months, sometimes a year or more, before they call for a letter. Of course in all such cases a traveling letter should be taken, to be renewed every three months at the holder's request; but in most cases no such letter is called for. The church which gives a letter to a member after a long absence can give no satisfactory assurance that the walk of the absent member has been orderly during that time. A cloud always rests over the reception of a member under such circumstances. To give assurance to the church,

2. In all cases let a judicious and competent committee be appointed to examine applicants. If a letter is presented, the committee should carefully examine the circumstances under which the letter was received. And they should also examine the applicant himself, in regard to his conversion to the truth and to God, to his soundness in the faith, and to his walk since leaving his own church, or, what would be better, during the entire period of his membership. If the application is upon profession of faith, the committee should become satisfied that the applicant is in the faith; that he loves the truth, and has a sufficient understanding of it to justify his being received; especially of those points which have a direct practical bearing on the life. In a word, they should ascertain if he is ready for church membership; if he has a proper sense of its importance, and the responsibility which it imposes; if he is fully resolved to fulfill the duties of a church member, and to seek the peace and prosperity of the church, and to consecrate himself to the cause and work of God.

3. The committee should make a full report of the case; if they cannot obtain all the information they desire in one week, let them report that fact on the coming Sabbath, and ask to be continued. If the report is satisfactory, then,

4. Let the applicant appear before the congregation and state distinctly his desire and determination, and such points in his experience as he may see fit.

5. Open the way for inquiries by the officers or members of the church; as far as possible bring all to feel that it is a matter in which each has a deep interest; that a responsibility rests upon each to help the applicant, to extend the membership of the church, and to be careful to guard its interests, its peace, and prosperity.

6. All members should be received by a rising vote. It is more emphatic, more forcible to the mind, than a vote by raising the hand.

7. Let the officiating officer, or pastor, or elder of the church, in behalf of the church, give to the applicant the right hand of fellowship. At the close of the meeting it would be in place for the members, or at least some of them, to meet the newly received one with words of welcome and congratulation. We say "at the close of the meeting," because we hold it highly advisable to

8. Avoid all appearance of parade or formal show. There is great danger of mere formality in church observances. They should be hearty and spontaneous. It has been observed that "there is only a step between the sublime and the ridiculous;" even so there may be but a step between the sacred and solemn, and the formal and trifling. And, unfortunately for the interests of Christianity, that step is frequently taken in some denominations. Formality and show are mistaken for reverence; the form is completely substituted for the power. Let it never be so amongst us. Precise rules and forms of action for all cases, or what has been ironically styled "church etiquette," are fatal to spirituality and heartfelt, spontaneous service. But by mature reflection we are convinced that the rules or suggestions herein given may be the means of more deeply impressing upon our members the importance and responsibility of church membership, and keep out troubles from our midst which are difficult to put out when once they have been permitted to enter.

There is another point of discipline upon which we feel it our duty to speak; and to which we call the earnest attention of all our churches, hoping that action may be induced thereon. There was a resolution once passed, that a member who absents himself a certain number of times from quarterly meeting, and does not report, thereby forfeits his membership, and shall have his name erased from the record. The practice of this resolution has quite largely fallen into disuse, because the brethren are generally satisfied that its adoption was a serious mistake. But, unfortunately, its influence is not lost where the church would fain discard it. It needs but very little reflection to convince any one that this resolution, if strictly followed, is subversive of a high regard for the responsibilities of church membership, and is not only a loose method of administering discipline, but it really frustrates discipline.

We have said, and we fully believe, that no church can afford to have its members drop away and the church have no certain knowledge of their declension and of the reasons of their fall. And we have also said and believe that church relations "cannot be disregarded or thrown aside at the pleasure of any man or any community of men. The will of their Author must be consulted. Except according to his own word they cannot be dissolved by any means." But this resolution virtually enables any one to sever his connection with the church by simple neglect. And if the church shall make an effort to properly administer discipline for this neglect, it is met with the reply: "You have nothing to do in my case; you have no right to take any steps to deal with me, for, according to your rules, I am no longer a member of your church. Your rule requires that my name be dropped from the roll." It does not seem possible that either the negligent member or the church at large can retain any just sense of the binding obligation and importance of church membership where this rule is followed.

It may be queried, why thus publicly point out its weakness or evil tendency if it has fallen into disuse? It is because it places in the hands of the negligent or the perverse the power to dissolve their church relations and to frustrate discipline at their will. Laws are not repealed by a failure to observe them. The church may think it inexpedient to observe this rule, but that does not deprive a disaffected member of the privilege of taking advantage of it. There are often found restless ones who would fain cast aside their allegiance to the church on slight provocation, or even for no reason at all. The church cannot afford to open a way for any such action. The Head of the church has laid down rules, and it is not a matter of option whether or not they shall be followed.

A foreigner is not obliged to come to our shores and to swear allegiance to our Government. But having come, and having been naturalized, he cannot throw off the duties and responsibilities of citizenship by merely neglecting to obey the laws of our Government, or by refusing to recognize its authority. In such case he must be dealt with as an offender; his course is injurious to society, subversive of justice and of order and government. But much more is that individual an offender who takes upon him the vows of allegiance to the Most High, and unites himself to the visible body of Christ, and is accepted of the Lord as his servant, as a member of the "church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," and who yet lightly regards all his obligations, spurns his God-given privileges, and does despite to the spirit of grace by whom these privileges were prepared and conferred. And if the officers of an earthly Government justly suffer impeachment and punishment for neglect or refusal to deal with offenders, much more shall the officers and members of the Lord's household be worthy of punishment, if they neglect to follow and to enforce the laws which he has laid down for their observance. We write with some sense of the importance of these things, with the earnest prayer that our churches and all their members may feel that church membership imposes obligations too solemn and confers privileges too sacred to be treated with neglect or lightness.