When we join the church

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

Foreword 5

I. What the Church is 7

Foreword

This little volume is the outcome of a definitely expressed demand for such a book on the part of many ministers. It is prepared for boys and girls from twelve to eighteen years of age who are uniting with the church. It is especially intended as a study text to be put in the hands of the young people themselves, and to become a part of the personal library of religious books which every young Christian should be building.

The text sets forth first of all the Christian Church, its origin, growth, and achievements. Then comes the meaning of the church to its members, and the kind of loyalty they owe in return. Much is made of the church as a means through which to serve others, as well as a spiritual home in which to grow in religious experience and usefulness.

Eight out of the ten chapters have no denominational implications, but would be equally applicable to most, if not all, evangelical churches. The last two chapters deal directly with the history, organization, and achievements of the Methodist Church. The chapters are of convenient length for single lessons, and the questions for study and discussion at the end of each chapter will form convenient "teaching points" for the lesson.

r 6 FOREWORD

In the "Supplementary Material" at the end of the volume is to be found certain material relating to the doctrines, ritual, and membership requirements of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is to be used at the option of the minister or teacher of the class.

Grateful acknowledgments are here made to the scores of ministers who offered many helpful suggestions bearing on the plan and material for this volume.

Chapter I What The Church Is

So you are joining the church? Congratulations — both to you and the church! But may I ask to how many different organizations you already belong? Do you hold membership in some club, in a gang, or perhaps on an athletic team? Have you ever joined the Boy Scouts or the Camp Fire Girls, or any similar organization?

Joining the Church

You may say you do not "belong" to anything; that you have never joined any club or society. Yet it is quite certain that each of us does belong to a number of organizations. Some of these organization we never had to join — we were always members. Others we were obliged to join in a definite, formal way (perhaps with impressive ceremonies) before we could claim membership.

Organizations we do not join. — For example, we all belong to a certain family, and bear the name of Jones, Smith, Brown, or whatever it happens to be. Yet we never "joined" this family as we would join a club or a debating society. We simply were born into the family and found our membership awaiting us and bringing with it food, shelter, and care. Our membership was taken for granted when we arrived. This gave us the right to live in the home, enjoy its comforts, share its responsibilities, and call ourselves by the family name.

In much the same way each of us is a citizen of our country, of the State in which we live, and of the community, town, or city in which we have our home. There is no formal "joining" in obtaining our citizenship unless we came into this country as immigrants and had to be naturalized. Most of us were born into our citizenship as we were into our family.

It is somewhat different with the school. Though the State provides for our education, we must be enrolled formally as members of a particular school before we are entitled to its privileges. If we abuse the privileges of the school, our membership may be severed and we then no longer belong.

Joining the church an act of personal choice. — The church is one of the organizations which we must definitely join or unite with in order to have membership. You were not born into the church, but have decided to join it because you desire its help and feel an obligation to do your part in advancing its work. Deciding to unite with the church is one of the most important choices you have ever made, and taking upon you the vows of its membership is one of the most important acts of your life.

We do not think much of a,n American who does not have sufficient interest in the country of which he is a

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citizen to study its history and government. We expect one who is joining a club or society to inform himself about its rules, its purposes, and its methods of work. So also when we are joining the church. We desire to be intelligent in our membership. We wish to know something of the church's history, its enterprises, what it seeks to do for its members and what it expects of them in return. The purpose of this book is to give you this information about the church.

What is the Church?

What is this institution you are joining — just what is the church? One will say, "It is yonder building with a high spire." Another, "It is the place where people come on Sunday to worship and listen to the sermon." Still another, "It is where we go to Sunday school."

The church more than wood and stane. —

These answers are all true enough, but they do not tell the whole story. For you notice that they all speak of the place or the building. But the church is much more than this. Suppose the church building should be burned down, or destroyed by an earthquake. Is the church thereby destroyed? — Or does the real church still continue to exist even though the building is gone?

The church does much good in the world. Is it the building, then, that should be credited for the fine service rendered? In part, yes, for good buildings io WHEN WE JOIN THE CHURCH

and equipment always help. But, after all, the stone, the brick, and the wood have no life and power in themselves. It is only when the church building and equipment are wisely used that they become significant.

The real church. — A church is a group of people who love and follow Christ and who band themselves together for worship, fellowship, and service in his name. When Jesus said to Peter, "I will build my church," he was not speaking of the structure made of stone and mortar, but of his followers, the men and women, boys and girls who would join themselves together as a church to be workers in his cause. The most important thing about a church, therefore, is its members — whether they are true followers of Christ, trying to live as he would have them.

The church and a church. — It is also worth noticing the difference between the church and a church. In your particular town or city there may be several different churches. Perhaps the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Congregational Church, and the Presbyterian Church. Each of these is a church. Each has its own building, its membership of several scores or several hundreds as the case may be; each has its own minister, its own services, and each carries on its own individual work.

But besides the particular Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Congregational Church, and the Presbyterian Church in your town these denominations have churches in very many other places;

WHAT THE CHURCH IS n

hundreds and thousands of them in the aggregate. We may therefore speak of the Methodist church, the Baptist church, the Congregational church, or the Presbyterian church meaning all of the individual churches of these denominations thought of together.

The great Christian Church. — We may even speak of the church in a broader sense than this; for while there are many denominations, all of them are followers of Jesus Christ and each one is working for his cause. We may therefore think of all of the different churches together as the Christian Church. The church in this broad sense consists of all Christians, no matter to what denomination they may belong, nor in what country they may live.

There are more than five hundred millions of Christians in the world to-day — five times as many as all the people living in the United States. What a great church is this that you are joining! And what an inspiring thought that all these millions upon millions of people of all races and nations love the Christ whom we seek to serve.

Why We Have the Church

We have the church for the same reason that we have the state, the school, or the family — because there are certain things which people can do better in groups than by working alone as individuals.

Things we do better by working together. — To illustrate, it is better for the people of a city to unite in employing a police force, than for each one himself to undertake to protect his own life and property against lawless persons. It is easier for us to join together to support a government that will carry our mails, secure us justice, provide for our welfare and protection, and supply schools for our education than for each of us to undertake to do these things for himself. It is better for us and far more pleasant to grow up in a family group than it would be to have no home nor family where we belonged, but to be obliged to grow up independently and alone with none of the home relationships that are so dear to us.

So also when it comes to religion. In order to live the happiest and truest Christian life, we need to associate ourselves with others who are seeking to live as Christians. In order to receive the instruction we require for religious growth and development we need the preaching, the teaching, and the worship of the church. In order to do our part as Christians we must join with others in helping carry on the work which Jesus left for his followers to do — we must work through the church in deeds of kindness, mercy, and loving service.

While there may be those who live as Christians and do much good outside the church, such is the rare exception. It is as much of a mistake for one to try to be a Christian without belonging to the church as it would be for him to try to secure an education without the help of schools when schools are right at hand. The true Christian will no more try to get along without the church than a patriotic

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citizen would try to live without acknowledging his allegiance to his country.

We have the church, then, because we need it for ourselves; because it enables us to work with other Christians to do good to others; and because we believe that Jesus wants his followers banded together for fellowship, for personal growth and development in religion, and for service.

1. Make a list of the different organizations or social groups to which you belong without having had to join them; of those to which you belong through formally joining them.

2. How do you think uniting with the church compares in importance with joining other organizations to which many people belong.

3. Make a list of all the chief reasons or motives which decided you to join the church.

4. What reasons can you give showing why one should inform himself concerning the church when he becomes a member ?

5. With what different meanings is the word 1 'church' ' used? Of what does the real church consist?

6. Distinguish between the church and a church.

7. Give figures showing the size of the Christian Church in the world.

8. Explain reasons why we have the church.

9. Why do you think Christians should join the church.

10. Tell in your own words the most important thoughts you have gleaned from this lesson.

Chapter II The Church Of The Past

We always like to know where things come from. So we study the history of our nation and follow its development from colonial days on to the present. We learn how our State or city was founded and what names have been connected with its growth. We trace the lineage of our family back to its founders, and tell the story of their adventures and achievements.

In the same way every loyal member of the church wants to know where the church came from. What was its origin? Where and when did it begin? Surely, a great price has been paid for the religious freedom and the privileges we enjoy to-day. Surely, the history of the church is one of thrilling adventure, great deeds, and noble achievements.

All this is true, and readers of this little book hardly can hope to find a more thrilling story than the account of the Christian Church and its conquest of the world. All we can do at present, however, is to give a brief sketch of the origin of the church and note a few of its great achievements. You must go to other books for the fuller and more interesting story.

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Beginnings

Jesus was the real founder of the Christian Church; it grew immediately out of his work and bears the name of the Christ. It seems at first thought surprising, therefore, that Jesus himself did not organize a church. Nor did he give his followers instructions as to how it should be done. He expected and desired a church for his followers, but he left them to organize it.

The first Christian church. — The first group of Christians to form themselves into a church was the little company of about one hundred and twenty persons who were gathered at Jerusalem shortly after Jesus's ascension (Acts, chapter i). They met in an upper room of a house. The small congregation probably contained most of the followers left by the Master. Among them were Peter and John and James and others of the disciples. They all prayed together, and Peter preached to them and to the others assembled. On one day about three thousand were converted and joined the church.

In this way the church was started. The disciples and other followers of Jesus were on fire with love and enthusiasm. They persuaded their friends and neighbors; they taught, they preached; they prayed. Many were won to the church, not only in the region about Jerusalem but finally in pagan towns and cities as far away as Greece and Rome. From these centers the movement spread until the cause of Christ had won legions of followers.

Growth of the church. — As time went on, members flocked to the Christian Church by thousands, tens of thousands, millions! They came of different races and nations; they represented the rich and the poor, the high and the low. The church welcomed and served all classes; it adapted itself to all conditions and times, and fitted itself to the changing needs of different civilizations.

We can see now why Jesus did not need himself to establish any particular church — why it was perhaps better that he should not. His mission was more important. It was to put into men's lives a spirit of devotion and loyalty to himself and the cause for which he stood. Jesus met a few fishermen and other ordinary men and said to them, "Follow me." They obeyed, and as a result of their fellowship with the Master a new spirit entered their lives; they came to love him so completely that they were willing to serve him in any way, or even to die for him.

How Jesus prepared for the church. — It wfts this inner spirit of devotion which Jesus planted in the hearts of his followers that made them ready to build his church and carry on his life work. They knew that Jesus wanted them to band themselves together as a church. He had mentioned it to them. They understood that the cause for which Jesus died could not succeed unless his followers organized and went systematically at work to spread his gospel. So they began at once to establish a church and through it to spread the new gospel.

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The personal loyalty and love which Jesus awoke in the hearts of his followerers was far better than any sets of commands he could have given them about founding a church. The standards of life and conduct he set before the world were worth much more than any particular kind of church organization which he might have set up. Jesus knew if the hearts and lives of his followers were right the details of church organization and government would take care of themselves.

In this way the church was left free to adapt itself to different nations and races. It could be made to serve the people of the first century or of the twentieth century. It could meet the needs of the untutored natives of Africa or the cultured peoples of civilized countries. It could change as time went on, so that in any age it might be able best to honor its Founder and serve the world for which he died.

The Testing *f the Church

One of the best tests of a school, an army, or a business concern is the loyalty it inspires in those who belong to it — how much they are willing to sacrifice for their organization.

The church under persecution. — The history of the church is full of stories of high heroism. In the second and third centuries after Christ the cruel Roman emperors determined to destroy the church. They persecuted the Christians, often burning them to death or throwing them to wild beasts in the arena.

But the Christians stood firm. They were loyal to thei r Master and to the church. When Polycarp was brought to trial and commanded to curse the name of Jesus he answered, "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he has done me nothing but good; and how can I curse him, my Lord and Saviour!" For this he was burned to death.

Even the women did not escape. Vivia Perpetua was a Christian, beautiful and well educated. She was twenty-two years of age when she was brought to trial because she worshiped Christ instead of the Roman emperor. The one in authority said, "Take a pinch of incense and throw it into the flames in honor of Caesar, and worship him, and I will set you free." But Vivia Perpetua refused to save her life at such a price, and she was first thrown into the arena and then killed with a sword which she herself directed to her throat.

Very many such cases as these occurred during the earlier centuries. The history of the church has often been written in the blood of martyrs. The Christian Tertullian wrote to the Roman emperor: "Crucify us, rack us, crush us, stamp us under foot. The more ingenious your cruelty, the more numerous we are. The blood of Christians is the seed of the church." Surely, a church that can claim such heroism as this is worthy of our best loyalty. Surely, a Leader who can inspire such devotion should claim our fullest allegiance.

Criticizing the church. — You will find people now

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and then who are indifferent to the church. You will meet others who criticize it and find fault with its methods. You may even hear thoughtless or uninformed persons say that the church has little power, influence, or usefulness.

It may be granted that the church has made mistakes, just as all other organizations make mistakes. The church is not perfect, just as the government or our school system is not perfect. The church at times, when led by men who had lost the spirit of Jesus out of their lives, even has done harm. -At no time probably has the church lived up to as high a standard as it should or as its Founder would have it reach. All this is true just because the church is made up of human beings, who are themselves not perfect. The church is only as wise and as true and as helpful as are the men and women and the boys and girls who make up its membership. The church comes only as near being perfect as its members come to reaching the standard Jesus set for their lives.

The church's influence for good. — Let us admit all this. Yet it will not affect our loyalty to the church nor our devotion to the work it has to do. For God is still in his church and works through it to bless the world. With all its mistakes and imperfections the church is undoubtedly the greatest force in human history for the upbuilding of civilization and for teaching men how to live strong, fine lives. Take the church and its influence out of the world, and much that we prize most highly in our civilization would go with it. Take the church and its influence out of a community or a city, and you would not care to make it your home.

Theodore Roosevelt said: "The church is a mighty force in the nation for keeping people toned up to the high levels of thinking and acting. It has been the force behind the building of homes for orphans, unfortunates, deficient, demented, aged. It has kept the affairs of the Moral Governor before the people."

Why Different Denominations?

If it may be asked why there are so many different divisions in this great army, a question might be given in reply: Why do we have so many different nations? Why are they not united under one government? The answer is obvious. Separate nations have grown up because of differences in people, customs, traditions, and ideas as to governmental procedure. At the same time most governments exist for the common purpose to promote the welfare of the people.

One single denomination not possible. — So it is with the great Christian Church. Various sects have arisen because of differences in people, customs, creeds, and ideas as to church government. No doubt the number of denominations might profitably be reduced, yet it does not follow that it would be wise to have just one large church organization. The temptations of autocracy are too great under

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such conditions, nor would such a church best serve all the people who belong to it.

Growing spirit of unity. — The divisions within the Christian Church are, after all, largely external. "In the things which are essential the churches are deeply and gloriously united." They worked together practically as a unit in their service during the war. They are one in purpose to build up the Master's kingdom on earth. Year by year they are growing closer together even in external matters through the welding power of a common task. The challenge of a world with its supreme need of Christ is "closing up the ranks of God's militant hosts."

In the next chapter we shall read about some of the achievements of the church. In the meantime shall we not each loyally determine to do our best to help it fulfill its high mission in the world and so honor Him who founded it?

1 . What reasons can you give why we should come to know something of the past history of the church?

2. Read the story in Acts, chapter i, and tell about the first congregation of Christians after Jesus's death.

3. Tell the story of the spread of Christianity and the consequent growth of the church.

4. Why do you think Jesus himself did not establish a church?

5. What did Jesus do to prepare for the founding of his church?

6. What is one of the best tests of the loyalty we bear to any organization or cause?

7. Tell the story of some of the tests of loyalty met by the first Christians.

8. What attitude should one take about criticisms against the church?

9. Account for the various denominations of the church. What was said about the spirit of unity in the church?

10. Sum up the best points you have gathered from this chapter and the thinking you have done upon it.

Chapter III Great Achievements Of The Church

What has the church accomplished? In the centuries since its origin what has it done for the world? Has it proved worthy of its great Founder? Are its achievements such that today it has a claim on our loyalty and devotion? Do we owe it our service and support?

The Church has Developed the Spirit or Democracy

The early Christians greatly astonished the people around them by their spirit of brotherhood. Jesus had taught them that since they were all children of one Father they should look upon each other as members all of a great family. Distinctions of birth, rank, or wealth were to pass away. They were to "love one another even as I have loved you," the Master had told them. Brotherly helpfulness was to be the mark of the new society.

The brotherhood of the church. — This was a strange doctrine in those days of aristocratic nobles and haughty wealth on one hand and of oppressed poverty and cruel slavery on the other. But the peed of brotherhood which Jesus had planted grew,

2 3 and the church has become one of the greatest agencies for furthering the cause of democracy. It teaches that all men are created free and equal, and that God is no respecter of persons.

The democratic spirit of the church was well illustrated one day when a poor peasant was kneeling at the altar to receive the communion, and the Duke of Wellington came and knelt by his side. The peasant, embarrassed by having so famous a personage as his neighbor, started to rise. But Wellington drew him back, whispering, "We are all equals before the throne of God."

Why the church had a Reformation. — True, the church has at times in the past departed from the ideal of brotherhood and democracy given it by its Founder. During the Middle Ages selfish ambition took possession of the leaders of the church and they became very autocratic. Some of them became corrupt, and the power and influence of the church suffered a great decline.

Then came the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, led by Martin Luther as a protest against the wickedness and errors of the Roman Catholic Church. At the risk of his life Luther boldly proclaimed the equality of all men before God, and that salvation depends not on the pope or priest, as claimed by the Roman Catholic Church, but on each person's own relations with God. Luther even dared his enemies by nailing a copy of his arguments up on the door of the church at Wittenberg. When they

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GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS 25

brought him to trial he said, "Prove to me out of the Scriptures that I am wrong, and I submit."

The Reformation was the beginning of a new day, for it gave to the world the Protestant Church, one branch of which you are now joining. You and I are the heirs of many treasures of freedom which are ours because of the efforts and sacrifice of the church. Shall we not stand ready to do our part to advance still further through the work of the church the ideals of human brotherhood which Jesus committed to his followers?

The Church has Honored Woman and the Home

The best homes in the world are to be found in those lands where the Christian Church prevails. It is sad to relate that in many countries women have not had equal rights with men. They often have been looked down upon, left in ignorance and treated as slaves. The many beautiful pictures of the Madonna and her Child show the sacred place which the church gives to wifehood and motherhood. Wherever Christianity goes there wife and mother are terms of highest respect, womanhood is honored, and home is a place of love and companionship.

The church and womanhood. — What a contrast when we turn to lands where the Christian religion is unknown! Less than one per cent of the women of India can read or write. There real home life as we are accustomed to it is unknown except where Christianity has come in with its teachings; there women are degraded and looked upon as slaves. When a Christian missionary proposed to a Brahman that she would teach his wife to read, he laughed in scorn. "You can try/' he said, "but women have no brains. If you succeed in teaching my wife, I will bring you my cow that you may teach her to read!" Wherever motherhood is debased, there the home is unhappy and childhood neglected and oppressed.

The church, through its schools and other forms of work, is gradually improving the condition of women in non-Christian lands. The great hope of millions of women beyond the seas lies in the ideals for the home which are found in the Christian Church. As we prize our own homes and honor and love our mothers let us do our best to bring to the homes and womanhood of less favored peoples the religion which can free them from ignorance and oppression.

The Church has Increased Human Kindness and Sympathy

Jesus spent much of his time relieving sorrow and suffering. He taught that human life is very sacred and that God cares so much for each of us that even the very hairs of our head are numbered.