COMMUNICATION FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
DEAR BRO. WHITE: Perhaps duty calls for a word from me at this point of time. I am trying to make straight paths for my feet lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. I believe the time has come when something must be done to secure the unity of the church. I am with the church in relation to legal organization. The position taken by Bro. Phelps and some others would annihilate every note, bond and deed, and make a perfect Babylon of our business transactions. Bro. P. has bought a nice 40 of land, and nothing but a good, lawful deed, signed and sealed, would answer his purpose. We should be anxious to secure the same blessings to the church that we secure to ourselves. Come, Bro. P., step back into our ranks again. Bro. White, there seems to be a little discrepancy among us respecting the appointment of church officers. Some in organizing a church ordain a deacon, and some a deacon and elder—an elder to see to the spiritual wants of the church, and a deacon to attend to the business affairs connected with the church. I think the last position is scriptural. It is important for us to understand each other perfectly on this point. I hope some one will write on this question that we may act in harmony. I am in favor of everything in the shape of order calculated to secure the unity of the church, and not opposed to the Bible. We have seen Babylon enough, and now we hope to be delivered. Bro. White says, Let our preachers carry the papers. This I understand to be in harmony with the word. I wish to notice another point. How shall we prevent improper persons from joining the church. Let none be received into the church we are not acquainted with, until they are recommended by letter or some other way. Members moving from one church to another, if in good standing, should have a letter of recommendation from the church to which they belong. I have learned one thing to my satisfaction, and that is, there is but little use to raise up churches unless we can take care of them. And in order to take care of them more strict discipline must be enforced. Let the standard be raised. I think I see the necessity of having perfect order. If we expect to enter a perfect heaven we must be drilled here. Let the truth be proclaimed by our preachers in such a manner that when people come out they will come out straight. There are many who profess to embrace the truth that are not more than half converted. Let us have good evidence that converts are dead before we bury them. P. S. I wish to correct a wrong idea. Some have thought that I influenced the church in Pennsylvania to strike against organization. Not one word have I said, not one line have I written, to my knowledge, to influence them in that direction. If anything from me has affected them, it was my silence. If so, I regret it.