ADMISSION OF MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1878

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Among the most solemn and marked events in a person's religious experience should be his conversion, baptism, and admission into the church of Christ. Indeed, if these are a reality, they are the most solemn events in all one's spiritual life. They mark the point where a soul breaks away from darkness into light, where it turns from Satan to God, from a path that leads to hell to the one which leads to eternal glory. Here the soul is born anew, and all its relations and motives are changed. If a person at this time is soundly converted to God, he always looks back upon these events with the deepest interest, and with pleasure. If, on the other hand, his conversion is not deep and genuine, he soon comes to regret these steps, and they are a source of sorrow to him in all after life. Hence it seems very proper that great care should be exercised over this sacred and important work.

The minister in charge of the work is the one who always gives tone to these solemn events. Candidates are passive in his hands, and do as he directs. Therefore, the minister should study the subject carefully, and in the fear of God take that course that will be productive of the greatest good.

Seventh-day Adventists have not been very formal in any of their worship. This is not to be regretted in most cases, yet in some respects it is. In the matter of receiving members for baptism and admission into the church, in many instances we think a great improvement might be made. Indeed, we have heard the most of our leading brethren express regret at the little care that is taken in this solemn matter. At the camp-meetings this is particularly the case; we are always in a hurry, with a great many things to do. Baptism generally comes about the last thing, when there is the greatest hurry. Persons do not decide to seek the Lord until about the last day. What is done must be done quickly or not at all. There is no organized church there to formally receive them; hence frequently persons come forward, rise up and speak once or twice, express a desire to be baptized, and immediately are taken to the water and baptized, with very little examination. Perhaps this is unavoidable in most cases, yet it is to be regretted. But there is no reason why a different course may not be pursued at home in our churches.

Then there is another thing to be considered,—the way persons are admitted into the church. Generally, some brother makes a motion to receive them, and they are accepted by a rising vote, and this is all. They make no promises, no pledge, nor is there anything done particularly to impress them with the solemnity of the act. This subject came up at the Minnesota camp-meeting last spring, and was discussed at some length. There it was suggested that it would be a great improvement to have more form and ceremony on receiving members into the church.

When we came to Bowling Green, we resolved to carry out these impressions. We held meetings here over a week. At different times persons came forward to seek the Lord. We took down their names, and then made it convenient to talk with them. Finally, on the Sabbath about twenty-five came forward. We took all their names, and ascertained that most of them wished baptism and admission into the church. Their names were then read before all the brethren, with a request that if any one had any objections to any of these persons, or had any advice to give them or suggestions to make in regard to them, that they would come to us privately and talk it over. We requested that the parents of all those under age should talk with us about their children, and talk with the children themselves. We stated that these cases would be taken up the next day. This gave us a good opportunity to find out the character and standing of each candidate.

The next day we got all the candidates together alone, and carefully examined each one as to his convictions of sin, determination to bear his part in family devotions, meetings of the church, and expenses of the cause; to lay aside all jewelry and extravagance of dress, abstain from parties of pleasure, the use of tobacco, etc. This gave us a good opportunity to advise young persons about obedience to their parents, older ones about flirtation, and companions about family duties. Furthermore, by this course, brethren were free to come to us in private and express their views on different persons, which they would not do in public. The result was that several were advised to wait awhile, for various reasons.

Then we gave out that on Sunday evening those who were accepted would be publicly received into the church before they were baptized the next day. Our church was crowded to its utmost capacity. About twenty persons, old and young, were to be admitted. The front seats were vacated, and each one came forward as his name was read. Then, as each case had been thoroughly examined, all were voted into the church unanimously. We then invited them to stand upon their feet, and taking each by the hand, set before them the solemnity of the step they were taking, committed them to the grace of God, and extended to them the right hand of fellowship in behalf of the church. The house was as still as a funeral, and it was one of the most solemn and touching scenes we have witnessed in a long time. Tears flowed freely, and we believe that the Spirit of God witnessed to this beautiful ceremony. After all had thus been received, we knelt down and had a sweet season of prayer for them.

We felt so well pleased with this way of admitting members that we think we shall ever follow it in the future. We are satisfied that it will make an impression upon candidates concerning the solemn step they are taking, and their duty to God and the church, which will be a help to them in after life.

D. M. CANRIGHT.