The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-12-27
IF WE'RE a CHURCH MEMBER,

and what he would do If he were
minister. Almost every man in tn
church land some women) thinks h
could greatly improve upon his pas
tor If he were only minister. TIL
view may not be an uncharitable one
and likely it is never openly express
ed-the church member simpl.
wants minister after his own hear
-one of whom he can be proud, ant
of whom every one will speak well
The church members ideal of min
lister and every, one. has his ideal, il
very proper3sprt of fellow--toc
good for earth; In fact, and conse.
quently unfit farshsaYen. For be il
known untosail that dwell hereabouts
that man WHO too, coed Tor this
world viii have nd business. iii the
kingdom above. ~
Maybe your miafsssr Does aot suit
you-hare you considered the other
side Of sthe problem as to what the
minister may think Yof syoutd Yof
may be quite as Improper In Mis- eyes ~
as he Is in yours Some church
members are not ideal Christiansain-
deed, some Of them are SO indiffer-
emit that they present but the merest
resemblance to what a good Christ
ian ought to be. And as church
members, there are those who are
even more reprehensible.
Now, the question has occurred to
me, What would / be and what
would do if were church mem
ber?"
In the first place, would not be
a church member without very posi-
tive convictions that it is divine in
stitution and that ] was willing to
consecrate my life to its service and
WELD my influence to advancing it's
interests.
II L WOlC a ChuiSH LlChlUCi L WOuIu
be as loyal to my church as to my
home. i'll were a church member
no mere social function or pleasure
trip should keep me away from my
church when it was open for worship |
Or business appertaining thereto.
If I.were church member would
not stay away from church on the
Sabbath day to entertain friends who
cared nothing for the church nor the
Sabbath.
If ! were @ church member I
would not entangle myself with
friends who did not respect my reli-
gion, for such a friend will turn tur-
tie when you need him most.
If / were member of the church
would not go to all the shows, thea
tres and entertainments and then say
was too cid or feeble to attend the
midweek meetings and the Sabbath
evening service.
If / were church member /
would not go to my place of business
through the heat and through the
cold and stay away from the church
because of those things.
II were church member and had
lost interest in religion to the ex
tent that j never went into the house
of the Lord | would take an hour to
think the whole matter of my duty
and privilege through, i'll decided
that did not want the church in my
life ] would sever my connection
with 1t and refuse to go through this
world wearing false garb.
If were church member I
would endeavor to ascertain what my {
church stood for, then would be as S
oval to her as the stars. Or If l l
'ound that Twas not in harmony with S
is ideals, then | would try to find I
,lace that met the needs of my spirit a
lal nature, and there | would abide c
Until the Lord called NE to heaven. +
If were church member =
would either work at it or quit. The
'est of my time and thought, the +"
Irst of the increase of my business
nd at least 10 per cent of my in
ONE should go to the support of the y
.ord's work in those places and
hose objects that appealed to me as "
making the best investment. y
IT ! were church member | !,
vculd not criticise my fellow Christ
ms, it matters not how inconsistent q,
hey might be. but would go to them
/ the spirit of the Master Tin love-
nd beg them to be more careful,
knowing that the time is short"
If were church member l s,
0uld tell my minister of my own h.
'oubles If there were a possibility h,
lat he could help me! | would let FL
her people do the same If thew so 60