CHAPTER III.

CHURCH-MEMBERSHIP.

SEC. I.-RECEIVING MEMBERS.

1. It is the duty of the pastor to receive members. The right of preaching the gospel is the primary one in the ministry; closely connected with this is that of administering the sacraments. The command to go and disciple all nations, implies bringing the converts into the Church. When a missionary goes forth and makes converts under this commission, where there is no Church-not even a single member -how are they to be received into the Church, unless by him who was instrumental in their conversion? They cannot admit themselves, and unless he does it, it cannot be done at all. The sacrament of baptism, the door of entrance into the visible Church, is administered by him; and Christ has set his ministry to keep that door, opening it to the worthy, and closing it against the impenitent.*

*Analysis of Church Government, p. 47.

2. Though membership in the Church should never depend upon the result of a vote, the laity may be brought into advisory coöperation in admitting suitable persons; and a prudent minister will avail himself of their judgment and counsel, where he has them at hand. The pastor is not simply the agent or executive of the Church committed to his care; but while he may not be compelled, against his own convictions, to baptize a man, Christian expediency suggests a liberal course of proceeding in this matter, and the general practice is in accordance with it. It has seldom been known in this Church that an application for membership has been disposed of in a manner contrary to the judgment of the Society or the leaders' meeting.

Glory be to God, all our Societies throughout the world have been raised, under grace, by our ministers and preachers! . . . We would sooner go again into the highways and hedges and form new societies, as at first, than we would give up a privilege so essential to the ministerial office and to the revival of the work of God." Besides, the command of our Lord, (Matt. xxviii. 19,) 'Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them,' etc., is addressed to pastors only, to his disciples, and through them to all his ministering servants, to the end of the world. But if ministers are to be the judges of the proper subjects of baptism, which is the grand initiatory ordinance into the visible Church, how

much more should they have a right to determine whom they will take under their own care, or whom God has given them out of the world by the preaching of the word. Thus it is evident that both Scripture and reason do, in the clearest manner, make the privilege or power now under consideration, essential to the gospel ministry." (Coke and Asbury, Notes on Discipline, pp. 75, 76.)

3. "When persons offer themselves for Churchmembership," the law does not require that the preacher in charge immediately "receive them into the Church." Often this would be highly inexpedient. They are candidates for membership while inquiry is made into their spiritual condition, their acquaintance with, and willingness to keep, the rules of the Church, and also into the genuineness of their faith. "Six months on trial," as a prerequisite of membership, and the return in the annual statistics of a certain class as "probationers," were abolished by the General Conference in 1866; but this does not dispense with the observance of those precautions necessary to "prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the Church." No one can demand to be brought at once, upon application, "before the congregation," and formally invested with all the privileges of Church-membership-though there might be

occasions when the preacher in charge could safely and properly do this.

Generally it will be found to work well for the preacher in charge to receive candidates for Churchmembership frequently, reserving their formal reception to special seasons-as quarterly-meetings, Churchmeetings, love-feasts, or set days of celebrating the Communion. In the meantime, all diligence should be used in the examination, instruction, and preparation of the candidates for the vows and relations they are to assume. During the candidacy for membership, be it longer or shorter, opportunity is given for making known objections and impediments. There is a right of challenge in the very act of bringing a candidate before the congregation in order to his reception; and any member who has not had previous opportunity, if he knows impediment to his admission, ought then to declare it. This, however, would not throw the matter into a public debate, or imply a settlement by a majority vote. When impediment is alleged, the reception should be postponed, and such measures be adopted as will secure the peace and purity of the Church.

SEC. II.-REMOVALS-CERTIFICATES.

1. Every member in good standing, removing to another station or circuit, is entitled to a certificate from the pastor, by which his membership may be removed also. If the pastor withhold the certificate on the ground of complaints

or charges against the member, he must proceed to an investigation of the case, according to rule. If the member is willing and ready to be tried, the preacher is guilty of maladministration unless he proceeds with the trial.

In 1860 a member applied to his pastor for a certificate." It did not appear that he intended to remove his membership to another circuit or station, and he declined to say what use he intended to make of the certificate. Whereupon the pastor declined to give it. The Presiding Elder overruled the pastor's decision. The case coming before the Bishop presiding over the Conference, he sustained the pastor.

2. The preacher in charge must furnish the certificate. The class-leader is not authorized to do it, even in the pastor's absence.

3. It is not optional with a preacher in charge of one society within this Church, whether he will receive the certificate of a member residing within his limits, duly drawn up and signed by the pastor of another society. The Church is one, and the certificate must be honored wherever presented. If it is known that the person presenting the certificate has been guilty of immorality or crime, it would be no bar. The certificate should be received, and the person be, in due form, put upon his trial.

4. The Discipline does not define any time