p. 116 | ORGANIZATION by O. Nichols

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 28, 1860

ORGANIZATION.

By O. Nichols

DEAR BRO. SMITH: I read from the Review that at the tent-meeting in Fairfield, Iowa, a church was "organized" by adopting articles of faith "from the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice," subscribing to the same, and sur-naming themselves "The church of the living God."

Now after a consideration of the objects of church organization, that it is for the advancement of the cause of truth, and the last message of mercy for the world—and the objections that have been so much urged against it—I am impressed that it is right. I cannot see in this case that any righteous principle is transgressed, nor that it will have an immoral tendency, so long as the church strictly adhere to the principles of "the law and the testimony" for their faith and practice.

The subscribing to articles of faith unto the Lord, and making themselves a name is referred to by Isaiah xliv, 5. "One shall say I am the Lord's ; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Order was an established principle with the apostle Paul.

A legalized organization seems to be expedient for the church to hold their property legally, such as meeting-houses, office of publication and press, money invested in the cause &c.

But many are startled, and say "this is making the church with Babylon, and partakers of her fornication. We think not. Babylon is an apostate church. Compare the figurative terms, "Whore, harlot, whoredom, fornication" which represent Babylon, Rev. xvii, with Eze. xvi, 15–35; xxiii, 2–45; Hos. iv; Jer. iii, 1–14; Isa. lvii, 3–8; Nahum iii, 4. From these references it will be seen that Babylon's "fornication" has no reference at all to the church conforming to the laws of the civil government for the regulation of temporal concerns, but otherwise, "spiritual fornications" signify expressly acts of apostasy, " the departure from "the law and the testimony," and the worship of Jehovah, to an unlawful connection with idolatrous sects, or false religious sects of every kind.

We will present a few Bible reasons in favor of Christians' availing themselves of such civil laws and provisions as will favor the cause of truth and their temporal concerns.

1. The church of God was permanently subjected to the authority of the governments of the world in their captivity to Babylon, from which they have never been free.

2. The civil powers were ordained by God, and Christians were commanded by the apostles of Christ to submit themselves unto them "to every good work." Peter charged the holy people to "submit to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake." Rom. xiii : Titus iii, 1 ; 1 Pet. ii, 13–15. Paul availed himself of the privilege of a Roman citizen, and appealed unto Cæsar to avoid the judgments of the Jews. Ezra would not act independently of the king of Babylon, when he went up to Jerusalem to restore the law and the worship of God. Although "the hand of the Lord was upon him" in this mission, yet Ezra applied to the king for lawful authority, and he "granted him all his request." Ezra vii. For these reasons we think it right for the church to avail themselves of the civil powers when practicable for the cause of truth.

O. NICHOLS.

Dorchester, Mass.