Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-11
TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON SATURDAY, MARCH Z, 1910.
For The Vermont Telegraph.
CHURCH DTsCIPLINE...No.I III.

CHURCH DEsCIPLINE...No. III.
In nv last, promised to present some
reasons for lax discipline in churches =
together with objections against prone,
order and punctuality in the exercise o
disciplinary power.
And first,-ministers, or pastors, are
supposed to have certain. authority given
them by Christ, in matters OF church or.
der and discipline and TO have an exten.
sive influence over the people Of their sol.
emn charge. And in order TO keep all
in their proper place, should be extensive
ly acquainted with their flock-that if GU,
Of the way they may be able to apply
successfully the proper remedy. Also
they should be thorough disciplinarians-
that is, acquainted with rules which Jesus
Christ has given for the purity and peace
the harmony and efficiency of the church.
Bafew however are thoroughly acqnain.
ed with the proper rules of church gov.
eminent and fewer still have moral
courage to apply, or have applied wha,
they do know is right.
Again,-lf ministers neg ect TO instruc,
The church into gospel discipline, they Of
course will have but few in their church.
IS who will supply their deficiencies
Hence ignorance an churches IS one cause
Of deficiency IN discipline. Ministers
must take hold OF this subject, as they do
OF others, and teach it to their respective
churches, until they will come up 10 BIZ
Die rules, AMI act as cheerfully in dealino
with or excluding member, as in receiv.
ing into the church. And brethren in
churches should turn their minds. especial.
ly 10 this subject, and enquire what is
their duty to God and his cause upon this
subject,-for if through ignorance, indo.
lence, fear, or any other cause, the reli-
gion of Christ suffers, an awful RESPONSE
billy must rest upon the church. 1t is
evident that reformation is necessary on
this subject in all our churches; and 10
effect II ministers must preach more upon
IL, and it will be done.
might say that there are many rea-
sons which cannot now be treated at
length, which hinder the fall and healthy
exercise Of church discipline. Let me
name them in short Neglect of minis
ter-tgnoranee an cAWrcAes-G false DEL
icaey--G pretended affection for individ-
uals-G disregard of the ultimate and
best good Of the church of Christ
Farther, will name few objections.
And first" We are all sinners and liza
bic TO err" Now suppose a physician
was TO act upon the same principle, ask
what must become Of his patient? The
physician says, when called to amputate
a limb, am lame, and cannot do it be-
cause am so. But carry the same OBJ
leclion into practice and the gospel could
never be preached TO nen, because minis
ters are themselves sinners Physician
heal myself" Hence we must wait IN
I'll we are glori6ed, and then we vii! call
men To repentance.
Second, So If we deal with, or exclude,
ior hcresy, we shall offend against the lib
erty of conscience" Now which is worst
IN point of expediency or regard to con.
science, 10 have the feelings Of the whole
church outraged and the truth slandered
or 10 injurethe feelings of an individual oil
udsafected member2
Third" We shall lose the friendship
eud wealth Vi TIC IICu, anu tnOSc VINO Ut
much for the church" Now let me ask
what kind Of religion is that which teach
IS US to halve the matter between Goo
and the devil-or in hope of gain TO sac.
rlhce the peace and purity Of Zion? L
IS not ours to calculate upon consequences
but to dc. our duty and leave the event ii
The hands of Him who hath all hearts il
bis power If Gods cause must sinh
under a faithful, fearless and prayerfu
discharge Of duty, let it go down, and le
ne go with il Like Gideon's arm,
the church may be reduced Iowa small
humber only to sustain the burden and
take the feid-yet God will honor those
WHO honor him, and make them mighty
amidst all their weakness.
Fourth" We shall make enemies O
our friends" Now all admit it to be du
yto receive persons into the church, wher
they give evidence of piety and are bap
lzed and on the same principle it is du
yto exclude or deal with them when the,
90 wrong. five act right liz either case
twill be to glorify God; and his glor,
will be as much advanced by the latter a
0y the former. And again, God will talk
care of his own cause and children,
hey only serve him. Fear not liltl
hock, it is your Fathers good pleasur
10 give you the kingdom"
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