Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-10-04
From the Family Newspaper.
N nurIEs OF CHURCH MEMBERS.

l.
;s 70 be hosed are not SO numerous as lt'a'
they may not be specified but should II
he undertaken 10 enumerate the sins ot sucn
rs make no prctcnsons to holy living, the
Accomplishment Of the task might well be
considered hopeless for the natural or un-
renewed person is as prone TO evil, as the
sparks are 10 fly upwards. The latter class
of persons, are not, however, universally
guilty of fragrant crimes, III consequence
of the restraints Of true religion on society
being under the con,rol of public opinion.
Bu,the ,tue christian is Influenced oy high'
or tnntii,yes. 90 far as motives, can have any
influence, TO walk circuu,spectly, setting a
GOOD example, than the man OF the world
however enlightened by human education
can possibly be; therefore, better conduct
is and ought 10 be expected from them, than
from such us are iactuated by no higher
motive, than TO stand the test of pubic
opinion. An old writer aud divine. John
Elayei, has cnumcraied some of the sins
most incident in church members. which !
have thoasiit proper to copy, with his re-
marks, with the hope that it may have the
effect TO put them to determination, and
under proper restraint. .- -.
I. The frs, and more general sin OF
church members, is defect in their care
and circumspcction to prevent all just o.
f.nces 20 them that are without; forbidden,
. Col. iv5. By careless disregard OF this
rule, We harden the wicked IN their s'iIs,
bring guilt upon ourselves, and r'prodch
upon the name and vays of God.
II. The second and more Paricular sin
of some church members, is ldlcness and
{ neplec, Off civil callings against tue
express rule,2 Thsss. Iii. ii. II. This
brings poverty on themselves aud SANDER
GIN religion.
iii. The third sin is tale bearing, and
revealing the secrets Of families and persons;
whence many sirfcs arise, to the c1ol'ng
and quenching Of mutual love; express.
" forbidden, Leu. XIX. l6, and l I'm. v.
I3. -~- -.
w.. The fourth sin is an easy creduIiy
of private whispers, and rash cenSures
there upon. This we ought not to do against
the meanest member, 2 Cor. xii. 90 much
less against church officers, Tim. v. l9.
Thus strikes a, the bond Of peace.
v. Their fifth sin is in their neglect OF
Gods ordinances upon slight diversions,
when they are neither disabled by works OF
necessity or mercy: contrary TO Heb. X.
25. Trivial occasions should divert no
christians from attending upon Gods oidi-
nanceS.
vi. The six h sin Is Il defect in zeal for
Gods ordinances, manifest in their dllatory
attendance; contrary to Fsalm cxxii. 1,
und unsuitable to their first practice. Gat.
iv. Is.
VII. The seventh sin is irreverence, and
want of SERIOUSNESS under ordinances; con.
,rary TO Psalm lxxxix. 7. And this is man
ifest in vain attires, l Cor. x. 10; and
unseemly postuves and gestures, EceAes. v.
VIII. Tie eighth sin rcprovable in
them, is the neglect Of giving and tuklng
due reproofs from each other contrary to
Leo. xix. II. And Christ's own rule. Mat
xviii. Is. And SO for taking reproof,
Psalm cxli. 5.
TX. The ninth sin, is, mutual strf', and
animositrs, not seasonablv aud prudently
composed among themselves, bu, scanda.
!ously exposed to the view Of the world
contrary to the Apostles rule, Cor. vi.
S, 6.
X. Their tenth sin. is, the privateness OF
their spirits, ceDteriug TO much in their own
concerns expressly condemned, PML J..
81. Andcontrary TO scripture example,
Cor. XII. %.
"Dmies enioined on Christians in the Scrip |
.ure; in the conscientious discharge
.chereof they reeeiue signal fruits Of
Cots farOur."
I. Their first duty is, to be often TO.
gc,hcr in acts of Christian communion,
Mat. iii. Is. Such meetings for prayer,
repe,ition Of sermon Christian Conference,
greatly conduce to mutual ed'6cation
which is the principal intention Of Christian
fellowship. Eph. iv. Is, l6.
IL. Their second duty, is, TO follow and
back the grea, design of the gospel Into
the ,oorld, l1hscin assist the public min.
is;ry, by IL lie and prudent helping
on tte convsiS Bf the carnal AID careless
world, PHI. iv. 3, Rom. XIV. 80.
TIL. Their third duty, is, humble conde.
seen ion to the infrmlles Of the weaker
brethren, and denying themselves in wha,
they can without sin. that they give them
no offence, Rom. XIV. ], 2.
Nv. Their fourth duty, is, TO be exceed.
ing lender of the church's unity, both in
Judgment. love, and practice, avoiding (as
much as may be, and as for as the gospel
rule allows) all causes and occasions of
H.: a.i sanarn,inn Rom WI Il nnd