St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-06-08
Rehaions ReadinR.
correspondence with Absent
Members.
by REV. A. W. BOWER, EAST PORTLAND,
OREGON.

From our churches in the cast null
titudeS go to the west every year.
These settle in various parts, some
within easy reach of a church of their
own order; others where there are
churches of another denomination :
while others still 20 into places where
there are no churches or religious ser
vices. I'm a large number of instances,
these persons are entire strangers IN
the places where they settle. Leaving
pleasant associations and agreeable ad-
ustmcnts in eastern churches, and be
ing situated in new and untried rela-
tions. they experience what we may
term church hOmcsickness. They may
visit a church of their own name, but
they feel strange, institute cOmparl-
sons. draw contrasts, are dltiident about
making themselves known, and in some
instances become Indifferent. Then
they neglect, first, church duties and
privileges, then family and personal
devotion, and so fall into that cOndi-
ton from which it is impossible to
arouse them. In instances where such
members settle in regions having no
church of their choice, or worse, i'll
ItldftS W lttlt Nllflt - ilp 'llhis-li az 81
the way into neglect is easier and
shorter. We cannot know how many
have allowed themselves to he wasted
in these regions of moral restitution
and thus become lost, so far rs positive
Christian influence Is concerned, both
to their former church associations
and to the new fields in which they are
living.
LAYING aside all thought of the per
soual duty of these parties, let us STOP
to inquire whether the churches, east
OF west. who allow their members Ia
90 forth from them. and he thus lost.
are entirely clear of responsibility III
the matter. Can they, on this point
rest satisfied that nothing can be done
To save these absent members from
Straying or that something may not
bc done to keep them alive and active
in the cause of Christi submit thai
the obligations imposed by the cove
nants of our churches extend to thes,
eases. Are we not of the family %
God And shall not the household, Ol
that part of it that remains, send it,
love and its messages to the member,
who are far from the hearth-fire, amid
let us send these scattered member,
letters bearing assurances of our love
and Christian watchful care. Let III
not forget one Of Christ's little ones on
among the mountains. or on the prair-
les of the great west, so long as thai
one is member of any one of ON
churches.
We find reason for doing this: first
in the situation and feelings of :
stranger in IA strange place. If there i,
Il time when, above all others, specia
need is realized of the helpful influence
to hc derived from the fellowship %
the church. it is when a member find.
himself land family in circumstance,
altogether new and untricd. There i,
then call for as much of the familiar
love of the old associations as may fine
conveyance thro Ugh the channels %
correspondence. This will serve t.
keep the old fires alive i'm those new re-
lations, and aid in forming adjustment,
by which the old life will he continued
under new conditions. \ second reason
for doing this may be found in the sit
uation and feeling of those who remain
ut home in the fellowship of the church
A mother does not throw off all SENSE
of care when a son or daughter gOe.
away from home. The love and the
information of home affairs follow in Il
constantly flowing current. Paul's cor
rcspondcncc with the churches. and
theirs with him proceeded from the
promptingS of that love which binds
individual believers into churches the
family of God. We need Il better real
ization of the fact that those member,
who are away, have more abundant ne
ccs>ity of food from the table at home
An occasional dish sent in the form Ot
Il letter would he an act of obedience
to the dictates of Christian motherly
or brotherly, or sistcrly affection.
Home Missionary