CIRCULAR LETTER OF THE SPOON RIVER ASSOCIATION, 1877 ON CHURCH DISCIPLINE, If we, dear brethren, were not in the body, and liable to err, and to offend, there would be no necessity for exhortations to avoid them, nor for rules to correct and heal them; but the Law-giver hath said: "It is impossible but that offenses will come; but woe unto him by whom they come." - Luke xvii. 1. These solemn declarations from the lips of our Master, prove the vital importance of watchfulness, prayerfulness, and deep anxiety, on our part, that we offend not, lest the dreadful woe fall upon us. A preventive is better than a cure, and if we should so take heed to ourselves as to give no offense in anything, there would be no need of rules of discipline to deal with offenders, or to heal the wounds they have made. If we, as brethren, could keep our bodies under, and our tongues that they should speak no guile, we should realize that blessed truth: "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133: 1. Then would Zion, indeed, be a quiet habitation, and her peace would be as a river, and her righteousness as the waves of the sea! In the case of a private offense, an individual trespass, no rule of discipline should be adopted, nor course of dealing tolerated by the church, but that given by our Lord and Master in Matthew xviii. 15-18 inclusive. Every church member should be familiar with the letter and spirit of these important and wholesome directions of the Savior, deeply and prayerfully study them, and faithfully practice them. A departure from this rule, either in letter or spirit, by a church, ever has been, and ever will be, a source of trouble and disorder. In cases of public offenses, the sinning brother should be rebuked before all the church, that others also may fear. I. Tim. v. 20. In all cases of disorderly conduct in public, and of brethren being overtaken in a fault, those that are spiritual should restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; should exhort the disorderly brother to come before the church and confess his faults, and if he do so, he shall be forgiven, provided he repent. If a brother is under an evil report, so that the cause of God is suffering, the church should see to it without delay. If the accused be present, the church should call on him to say whether the report be true; but if he be absent, she should send a committee to notify him to attend and answer for himself. We should bear in mind that in all our dealing and labor with erring brethren, the object should be to reclaim, to restore, to convert from error, to save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins; therefore, we should, in meekness, instruct those that oppose themselves, that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, remembering that we, ourselves, are yet in the body, and may also be tempted. But not- withstanding this caution against harshness and severity against offenders, yet we are solemnly commanded to be faithful, to know no man after the flesh, that we should not clear the guilty, but to cut off a right hand, and pluck out a right eye, if it cannot be healed. If we suffer sin or disorder in a brother for fear of trouble, or wounds between brethren to remain unhealed for fear of un- pleasant feelings in the treatment of the case, it will generally result in infecting the whole body with the malady, the leprosy will spread, and we shall see what a great matter a little fire kindleth. We should all be watchful against starting the fire, and prompt in extinguishing it when it gets started. We should consider, with fear and trembling, the dreadful woe, pronounced by our righteous Judge, against him that offends one of the little ones that believes on Him, lest we be brought to feel the ponderous weight of the mill stone about our necks, and be cast into the deep waters of trouble. To prevent trouble, let the ministry preach Jesus as the only way to God, and faithfully reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine, and shun profane and vain babblings, and un-revealed mysteries. Let the churches continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Let them keep the ordinances of the gospel as they were ordained by Christ and his apostles, and keep their houses in gospel order. Let us, dear brethren and sisters, daily watch and pray, and try to keep in subjection the members of our body, and walk in all the holy commandments of the Lord, blameless, and there will be but little need of any further church discipline; for what can harm you if ye be followers of that which is good. Be not discouraged; our enemies shall not always mock, for the Lord will yet visit Zion, and cause her to arise. Let us hope that our God will soon cause us to revive as the corn and grow as the vine. Let us not be weary in well-doing, for, in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. Elder Isaac N. Vanmeter, Moderator |