Why Be an Active Church Member?

WHY BE AN ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBER? By Mrs. R. A. A. Rees It is a common thing for the thinking person today, reveling in his emancipation from the ignorant and fear-producing supersti- tions of the past, to renounce allegiance to any and all creeds. What are ceremony, convention, creed — but shackles binding free thought and restraining free action? And we of the West especially, we want to live our own lives, think our own thoughts, be individuals. What says our spokesman, Joaquin Miller? "Room! room to turn round in, to breathe and be free. To grow to be giants, to sail as at sea, With the speed of the wind, on a steed with his mane To the wind, without pathway or route, or a rein." Truly we must respond with our whole being to the spirit of these lives. We could scarcely feel that we had fully lived without sensing from time to time this exultation in life. Yet, practically, we could not hope to "grow to be giants," if we went "without pathway or route or a rein." Our human intelligence would lead us to take heed from those who had preceded us into the great unknown region. We would not lose life or limb by venturing unprepared into danger. Certainly, says the free thinker, we may rely on the church to teach us moral principles for guidance in our lives, but it is not necessary: those things we have learned long ago at home and at school. Granted, but do we not, as human beings, need to be continually reminded of our duties? Doubtless, replies the free thinker, but again, the church is not necessary. There are books and books these days. Sermons can be read at home or heard over the radio. I believe in being honest, and helping the poor when I can. That is my religion. Why do I need to trouble myself about the Church and wear myself out attending meetings? Besides scientists disagree with theologians. I am not sure there is a true Church. Are not these last statements reasonable and true? Do they not justify us in thinking our own thoughts by our own firesides and giving the churches the "go by?" Yes, certainly, if there be no resur- rection, if this life be all. Since we are flesh and bone, the question is ever before us, and will not let us alone. While our years increase, the question confronts us oftener and oftener. The church offers us the best that other men have thought on this subject besides the words of "prophets, seers, and revelators," and says, "Come, let us worship to- gether." The free thinker has answered: I have my own opinions on this subject, I love to be free, and I stand as good a chance of happi- ness in the hereafter as anyone else.

1030 IMPROVEMENT ERA He therefore stays at home. He thinks his own thoughts till he has no more to think. He may think he will "grow to be a giant," but by losing contact with other men's highest thoughts, like one who does not travel abroad and see real "giants," he comes under the delusion that he himself is "a giant," while in reality he is a dwarfed individual. Not accustoming himself to the exchange of thoughts with others, he fails to develop his powers to the utmost. Shakespeare says: "No man is lord of anything — Tho' in and of himself there may be much consisting — Till he communicate his parts to others; Nor doth he of himself know them for aught Till he behold them formed in the applause Where they're extended; who, like arch, revcrbrates The voice again, or, like a gate of steel Fronting the sun, receives and renders back His figure and his beat." The greatest projects in human welfare were begun by the churches, or are now to be found in church activities, such as social uplift and charity work. To share in these is to draw out and to build up the abilities of the individual, to educate him actually. Ben Jonson says: "Why dost thou careless lie, Buried in ease and sloth? Knowledge that sleeps, doth die, And this security, Is the common moth That eats on wits and arts, and that Destroys them both." It is true, active church membership calls us from our firesides, and drags us from the indifference and stultification of our own narrow conceptions into the field of labor. Church membership demands more or less giving of ourselves. "He who would find his life must lose it," says the greatest church founder. Paradoxical as this may seem, it is nevertheless true, and it is no miracle that it is true. As we put forth effort, we develop and learn. Religious inaction, like inaction of any kind, produces corresponding weakness, leading to decay. The moral and spiritual in life needs to be quickened that there may be a fulness, not an abortive or dwarfed condition. The non-church member, in thinking he will be free, is rather more like a barnacle, remaining attached to his own old framework, and never learning to be a free swimmer in the sea, by moving among his fellow creatures. He does not partake of the cup of communion sitting beside another as weak as himself; he does not feel the thrill of sympathy and kinship that would be given him by the bond of common faith and hope as witnessed by the cup. He gets out of touch with humanity, and it may be that a fellow mortal might be needy, to whom he would never be able to give worth-while assistance because he can not rightly sympathize with one whose better self is unknown to him.

WHY BE AN ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBER? 1031 No, there is no great perfection or accomplishment in isolation. The value of concerted action and organization is a heritage from the past. Each person can find a church, if he has not already done so, to the basic principles of which he can honestly subscribe. We are not hampered in our freedom merely because we find others who agree with us. Because our thoughts are our own, it does not follow that no one else has the same thoughts. We unite with others in believing that there is a great purpose in earthly life, and we hope for a life here- after. To this we can add a number of other basic principles which we in common with a group believe. We do not surrender our in- dividuality by joining a church; we merely unite with others whose views in the large are our own. In addition to the personal development, human sympathy, and opportunity for accomplishment that the non-church member fails to get, think what one of the intellectual type foregoes by denying him- self the church. He associates with his fellow men in everyday life, sees them struggling for a livelihood, dressed up at social functions, or in competition at school. When does he share their highest thoughts and see them at their best? When does he feel that human beings are nearer to gods, and less like mere animals? Certainly, in church, where the purpose, however, for it fails of perfect attainment, is not- withstanding to worship and think seriously about life. Here are spoken some, at least, of the greatest thoughts of mankind; here may be heard the most sublime in music and song; here is the best in art, and here we may mingle with the best of the earth. Wilson, Roosevelt, Bryan — all came here for solace and help, not ashamed to acknowledge they believed in Christ. Yet, says one, such and such a church does not give development, this other is not inspirational, etc. My answer is, there is some church that will give you what you desire. Find it, and join it. "Redeem the time; what thou hast lost in slumber, What thou hast wasted in creating fears, Shall never be atoned for in number And gathering weight of the eternal years. Redeem the time; the hours are sweeping o'er thee Like flying stars; and thy blank years may stand In sad, reproachful, spectral hosts before thee In haunting shadows o'er the sunless land." Salt Lake City Fret Not Do not fret about the past, Live each day as if the last, Be contented with thy lot, Trust in God and murmur not. James Hayton.