Question on Church Order.
By Editor
THE following letter came to us from a distant State. We believe it may prove of interest to many:— "I have been much pleased with your articles on the organization and discipline of the church. But there is one thing that you have not brought out yet; I ask some information on the point, upon which we have had some trouble. About five years ago, two men requested baptism at camp-meeting, and it was thought they intended to join the church on their return home; but they did not. One of them moved to — [another State], and is not a very good representative of the cause. At our last camp-meeting, three young ladies were baptized, and on coming home they also refused to connect themselves with the church. We had quite a discussion on the matter at quarterly meeting; but they did not join, nor did they give any reason for their refusal. What shall or what can be done in such cases? Will you give us some information how to deal with such cases?" We think we can give information suitable to the subject, but not such as will help in "such cases." 1. We may not have mentioned just such circumstances, but we did explicitly lay down principles which, if regarded, will prevent all trouble of this kind. In No. 15 of our articles on "The Church," will be found the following paragraph:— "An individual is not a member by a vote of the church, without baptism; neither is he a member by baptism, without a vote of the church. And to baptize a person with the understanding that he shall be voted into the church at some future time, is irregular. Baptism being an initiatory rite, must be under the control of that authority which accepts and rejects members, and not under the control of a minister, the pastor, or the officers of the church. The church alone can authorize the elder or pastor to administer baptism." 2. We have also called attention to Paul's declaration that ministers are "the messengers of the churches." 2 Cor. 8:23. When a minister connects himself with a church or Conference, he places himself under obligation to conform to the rules of that church or Conference. But if he does not wish to conform to such rules—if he covets a larger liberty than they allow—it is evidently his privilege to separate himself from that body, and go where he can find the liberty he covets. We are supposing that the customs of such church are not contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures. And if he is the messenger of the church, then it is his duty to accept the counsel of the church. There is no such thing as "an independent man" in the church of Christ. Not that one should be lord over another, but that all should "be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility." 1 Peter 5:5. This saves the minister from having to act solely on his own responsibility, and from moving according to his own unassisted judgment. And whenever we find an individual who feels restive under such Scriptural restraint, he is sure to be one who needs restraining. The man of broad mind, and large views, and extensive Christian experience, will rejoice at the privilege of counseling with his brethren. 3. As a minister cannot receive members into the church, that being an act of the church itself, of course he can have no authority to administer that rite which inducts members into the church—baptism—except that which is conferred by the church. Hence, if he administers baptism to any person expecting him to unite with a certain church, without consulting that church, his action is clearly irregular. And we have before remarked that we know of no such order as baptizing a person who has not avowed his intention to become a member of a church in such action. The only apparent exception to the rule which calls for the action of the church before baptism is administered, is in the case of organizing new churches. And this exception is only apparent. As was remarked on that subject, they who have perfect confidence in each other should become the nucleus of the brotherhood; and, of course, the consent of these should be obtained before any are baptized. The practice, common with some, of baptizing all applicants without regard to the contemplated organization, is fraught with mischievous results. We do not know why a minister should not be as careful whom he baptizes before church organization in a given place as he is afterward. Much reproach has been brought upon the cause in many places by ill-advised action in this respect. Some denominations never organize or constitute a church except a council of brethren or representatives of other churches be called. We must commend their prudence; and though it might seem to work against the progress of the cause in some cases, we can call to mind many instances where much confusion and reproach might have been averted by such precaution. 4. We have now gone somewhat beyond the question, but not beyond the subject to which the question relates. And our reply to the last query, namely, What can be done in such a case, is, that nothing can be done. An error thus committed can never be remedied. It is impossible to compel a person to unite with a church, but it is possible to require that a person who desires baptism shall receive the rite as initiatory to church membership. If baptism be administered without regard to church membership, the church is thereafter powerless to act. She has been robbed of her prerogative, if the individual so baptized chooses to assert his independence in the matter. But to so assert his independence of the will of the church is contrary to the gospel plan; it is contrary to the direct injunctions of the Scriptures. And any person thus acting shows a great lack of that617spirit of humility which the gospel requires; he shows his utter disregard of the order which the gospel establishes; and therefore he plainly shows that he is altogether unfit to receive baptism. Instead of benefiting such by complying with their request to be baptized, they are deeply injured; perhaps irretrievably injured by being settled down into a deception. The conclusion of the whole matter is this: let no one receive baptism unless it be administered according to the express will of the church; let no request for baptism be accepted unless it come in the form of a request for church membership. By following this rule, all trouble on the subject must be averted.