When the chastising hand of God is laid heavily upon a nation, a family, an individual, or a church, it becomes the afflicted to ask, Is there not cause? When the troubles abounded on pious Job, he said unto God, Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me? and when the Lord made a breach upon Uzzah, the reason is assigned, no doubt as an answer to some enquiring souls, who were deeply affected with the Lord’s hand. David finding the cause of the breach was that of acting contrary to the orders which had been previously given, in reference to the persons bearing the ark (1 Chronicles, xv, 13) The Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we did not seek him after the due order. And it is an awful circumstance recorded in the New Testament, that, the sad disorders and conduct of the Church at Corinth, was resented by the great Head of the Church on many of its members (see 1 Cor. xi, 30). It has pleased the Lord to make an awful breach amongst us, as a Church; the removal and long reproach of your minister, the troubles and disgrace of the congregation, the affliction of mind, body, and circumstances of the Church at large, must be viewed as the rod of a Father, chastising and correcting, reproving and calling to consideration. As an individual, I trust the Lord has convinced me of the sad occasion of these afflictions, and having granted me the assurance of his pardoning mercy, I feel it my duty to call the attention and exertion of the deacons and managers, the church and congregation, to lay this important matter to heart; and knowing the cause, to endeavour to remove it. The Lord Jesus is jealous of his honour, and whatever sullies or tarnishes that glory, he will resent it in some way or other.
It has been a source of grief to many pious, grace-taught, and conscientious persons, that there is so great a neglect of the order of the gospel amongst us, as professing to believe in, and love the Lard Jesus, by the teaching of his Spirit—permit me to say, that this is a reason why the Lord has thus so deeply afflicted us. I have been constantly preaching the word, as far as I was taught, and helped, to the Lord’s people amongst us, for some years: God has given his testimony to the word of his grace, and there has been an assembling in his house, a submission to the ordinance of baptism, by the majority, and a constant attendance at the Lord’s table. This was well as far as it went; but it is necessary to stand complete in the whole will of God, and to act in all things, consistent with the rules laid down in his word. The precepts of the New Testament are the laws of Christ, as king in Zion, and they must form our rule of conduct in the Church, and in the world. A wilful neglect of this rule, is an insult upon the Saviour, and he will resent such conduct in his own People. Let us therefore search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord.
I have frequently endeavored to rectify the error into which we have fallen, viz. The neglect of Church order. Some years ago, I published a pamphlet, entitled “The Nature of a Gospel Church,” with the covenant into which all the members were to enter, upon their admission to the Lord’s table. But, alas! this has scarcely ever been noticed since: it was approved of, but never practised. I hope, at a future day, to revise that little book, and add the following Articles, which appear to me to be important, to the founding and establishing the Church in future, and for the glory of the Saviour; but till we are settled again, as a congregation, I take this opportunity of sending you what I humbly conceive to be the Spirit’s mind, concerning the well-being of the Church of Christ. These Articles, I pray the God of all grace, to enable us constantly to observe, with the rules laid down in the members covenant, and the confession of faith there published.
The Articles, I hope, will be punctually attended to. I know your concern of mind on this subject, and have no doubt, by prayer and perseverance, but the Lord will succeed our humble attempt to glorify his holy name.—Christian love to Mrs. F.
I remain, your’s truly, in gospel bonds,
Ruhamah.
Rules of the Ruhamah Society.
1.—That as many Deacons be chosen, as the circumstances of the Church may require: that they may be men taught of God, and good moral characters, and who are Baptists, both in Principle and Practice.
2.—That the Deacons shall be chosen by Lot, or by a Majority of the Members, at a public Meeting of the Church, when every Member shall be entitled to a Vote, except those who are under Church censure: such cannot be admitted to vote, till fully restored.
3.—That the Minister shall make it a particular point of conscience, to point out the work of Deacons, in the faithful discharge of their office.