Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-03-04
For the Vermont Telegraph.
CHURCH DIscIPLINE.--No. II.

Hthal We WllhuIaW yourselves Aon S'1iy I'll
brolher that walketh disorderly, and not W
after the tradition which he received of u.s." Il
Now conclude this refers 10 the church as O
= body, as well as to individuals. All :
churches have, or oughtto have some arti-
Gle Of covenant by which we may know
when an individual has forfeited his stand
inc in the church, or exposed himself TO
eproof, that suitable measures may be used
Gar his recovery from his sin, or his exclus-
ion from the body. Now the apostolic rules
,ocognize difference in the desert of DIFF
cs,ent crimes. The first which calls for
onr special attention is the case given in
The 18th chapter of Matthew" Moreover,
# thy brother offend thee, 90 and tell him
bis fault between thee and him alone. If
he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy
brother. But if he will not hear thee, then
take with thee one or two more, tina, in the
mouth Of two or three witnesses every
word may be established" &c. BY this we
see the case 10 be one of private or per-
soual character. Nor can a similar case
assume public character until the first two
steps have been taken, first alone, secondly
before witnesses. Then it may come be-
fore the church. In the mean time however,
the laboring brother should Keep his traret
viLh the church, and if either refuses 10 60
c,,vord lei il be him who has offended,
and has not acknowledged his wrong
Neither should church take cognizance OF
apy private case, until the offended brother
or sister has done his or her duty, and II
thew should present case let them be re-
mked aud Iabored with for disobedience TO
the rule
The second case TO be noticed is, when
brother or sister is guilty of breach OF
,oyenant-for instance, breaking the Sab
ch. intemperance, lying, tattling, dishon
esy. covetousness, &c. All such call TO
me immediate notice Of the church, and !
: uyd application Of the divine rule. II
!. such instances my opinion is that instea
Of appointing committees, and one allie
another the person should be called befor
Il the church, with necessary evidences
Witnesses Of his guilt or innocence, as tn
case may be, and there and then tried Q
al The church. And If satisfaction
!, nined let all the church have the oene
Of il and If not let the 1Dhole body vii
draw themselves from the dsorderly wa'k'
GHave no fellowship with the untrui'l
works Of darkness, but ratherreprove then
See also Cor vi: 9 10. Now If God "
admit no such persons into his kingdo
we should be careful not to give them
lowship in the church on earth, tor II
only cause Us and the church TO be
spoken of. Again Nor should difficult
be prolonged Till party is raised IN
church. There is false delicacy in NJ
W all our churches about discipline.
may and ought as individuals heartily
forgive those that err. But the rule
order of Chrisps house must be more
garded than personal feeling; and ye
are on the other hand to regard the iol
ing rule Brethren, if man be overl
in a fault, We which are spiritual re-
such an one in the spirit Of meekness,
sidering myself lest thou also De Temp
GAL vi: /.
The third case is where brother Of
ter commits a sin which requires lmme
exclusion: as for instance, the case
eest, or fornicaiion, or adultery. See
Wis. In this case no confession y
answer the demands of justice an
good report Of the church oil God
person guilty of such heaven -darn
God.provokirg sin should be kept
church day or an hour. Christians
, IN. cease all communication with such pc
pre-. only 10 reprove them for their sins
&c. how have written unto you, not I
- company, il any man that Is called
or be fornicalor, or coret0us, or an
Tor, or a rdiler, or drunkdrd, or an
tioner--wiih such an one no not to c
Cor. v: IL. "Therefore put ava
INK o among yourselves that wicked per
amin 18th verse.
10 sui Fourth case oil hcresy.-lt may
CO adificult "a k 10 define heresy. BIZ
pose whatever contradicts or usu
place Of any cardinal doctrines OF
les. ele--as for instance imputed righte
's sasf dePravity OF the heart, deity of G
- 'piration OF the Scriptures, &c.
nal or falling away may be called
counts man tha, is hereto after the
ali and ,sSoad edmonton REJECT = lhu
mis- re-. IN these slater days" there is mu
u'a'O Wood and siubble" in the churc