THE GOSPEL MESSENGER—MAY 1889

PERSONALITIES AND HOME TROUBLES

We have on hand a few letters from highly esteemed brethren which would be published through the GOSPEL MESSENGER as they designed were it not for the person­alities contained in them concerning local troubles among brethren, churches and Associations.

Such troubles, contentions and strivings among brethren in any particular locality, are not likely to be healed or removed by publishing them abroad.

Every question of dispute among brethren has two sides to it, else it ceases to be a question at all; and the disputants when they write for publication to inform their brethren abroad about their home troubles, say they give a candid and fair statement of the case in all its most prominent features, and yet the version given by one often conflicts in some essential particular with that given by another.

This, no doubt, is often owing to the different con­struction well-meaning brethren place upon the same thing; or it may be from not properly understanding one another. In either case, it is desirable to put the most favorable construction upon these differences without imputing evil motives to any. As a general rule, the nearer home troubles can be kept at home the more easily will they be settled. And it is rather risky for those at a distance who know nothing of these local troubles, except by hear say, to have anything to do in publishing them abroad. Solomon tells us that “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife.”—Prov. xx. And again he saith, “He that passeth by and meddleth not with strife that belongeth not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears” Prov. xxvii. 17.

For many years past there has been a growing impression and conviction on our mind, that every grievance among brethren that mars their correspond­ence or church fellowship, if it cannot be settled between themselves, should be submitted to their respective churches of which they are members, and to which they are amenable for their doctrine and order. “Tell it to the church,” is the command of Christ. And there is no authority to tell it anywhere else; neither is there any other tribunal that has jurisdiction in the ease. The church is to judge those within her own borders in all matters pertaining to membership and fellowship, and, as church members, “We must all appear before this Judgment seat of Christ to receive such things as are appointed in the law of Christ for us, according to that we have done, whether good or bad.”—l Cor. v. 12, and 2 Cor. v. 10.

For individual members, whether at home or abroad, to assume the jurisdiction of the church of Christ, to judge and expel members from communion and fellow­ship, is certainly assuming more than is authorized by the word of God. It is setting a dangerous example, and instead of healing sores or settling troubles it will “increase unto more ungodliness” and more strife.— 2 Tim. ii. 16.—M.