“I CAN'T GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.”
So said a lady who had recently been admitted by letter into the membership of a large church, to the pastor. “I am very sorry, my sister, was the reply; the members are generally considered quite friendly, and there is much pleasant social intercourse among them. Do you speak to them?” “I do not like to speak first. It was so very different in the first church I joined.” “Where you passed the days of your childhood and youth, you were, of course, more widely known; and your baptism was a more direct appeal to the Christian sympathies and affections of the church. Do you attend the prayer-meetings?” “No; I have not been yet.” “The best place to form acquaintances among the members is at prayer-meetings. The Sabbath congregations are so large, and so many strangers attend, that members can scarcely become acquainted with one another, if they meet only there. But if you are in regular attendance at the prayer-meeting, you will soon be recognized and welcomed. Have you been to the Dorcas Society?” “Oh, no; I do not like to go where all are strangers to me.” “But how are they to become acquainted with you, if you do not give them an opportunity? I hope you have visited the Sabbath-school.” “No; I should like to take a class, but have been waiting for an invitation.” “My dear friend, do you not perceive that you are far more to blame for remaining a comparative stranger among us than the members of the church generally can be? You are waiting for advances from those to whom you give scarcely an opportunity for friendly intercourse. You give them no reason to think that you desire an acquaintanceship. Now, my advice to you is, attend the more familiar meetings of the church, manifest an interest in its spirituality and prosperity, kindly recognize any whom you know to be members, dispense with the worldly courtesy which requires a formal introduction to the disciples of Jesus. If they remain indifferent to you, the blame will then be with them.”—Watchman and Reflector. Applicable in other climes.