it is most likely that in the apostolic age when there was but “one lord, one faith, and one baptism,” and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church, and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. in that sense, “baptism was the door into the church.” now, it is different; and while the churches are desirous of receiving members, they are wary and cautious that they do not receive unworthy persons. the churches therefore have candidates come before them, make their statement, give their “experience,” and then their reception is decided by a vote of the members. and while they cannot become members without baptism, yet it is the vote of the body which admits them to its fellowship on receiving baptism.

[p. 23] there are three classes of candidates, and modes of reception to membership.

1. by baptism.—the church having listened to the religious experience of the candidate, and being satisfied with the same, and with his christian deportment, votes to receive him to its fellowship, “on being baptized.”

2. by letter.—the candidate presents a letter of dismission and recommendation from some other baptist church with which he has been connected, for the purpose of transferring his membership to this. the church, being satisfied, votes to receive him into fellowship.

3. by experience.—persons having been baptized, but for some reason being without membership in any church, wish to be received. they, giving satisfactory evidence of christian character, and substantial agreement in matters of faith and practice, are received by vote, as in other cases.

note 1.—persons cannot be received to membership on the credit of letters from other denominations. such letters are, however, accepted, as certificates of christian character, and of church standing.

note 2.—while the churches do not require candidates to sign any creed, confession, or articles of faith, yet they do expect a substantial agreement in [p. 24] matters of faith and practice on their part as essential both to the comfort of the individual, and the harmony of the body.

note 3.—should any member object to the reception of a candidate, such reception should be deferred, in order to consider the reasons for the objection. objections judged groundless or unreasonable should not prevent the reception of a suitable candidate; yet no one should be received except by a unanimous or nearly unanimous vote.

note 4.—it is customary for candidates, after their experience or letters have been presented, to retire while the church deliberates and acts upon their case.

note 5.—any member in good standing, is entitled, at any time, to a letter of dismission, in the usual form, with which to unite with another church of the same faith and order.

note 6.—letters are usually made valid for six months only, during which time they must be used, if used at all. but if held longer, they may be renewed by the church, if satisfactory reasons are given for their non-use.

note 7.—each one receiving a letter is still a member of the church, and under its watchcare and discipline, until his letter is actually received by another church.

note 8.—letters cannot be given to members for the purpose of uniting with churches with which we are not in fellowship. but any member is entitled, at any time, to receive a certificate of standing, and christian character.

note 9.—no member can withdraw from the church, or have his name dropped, or at his own request be excluded from the fellowship of the body without due process of discipline.

note 10.—nor can a member have a letter voted and forced upon him without his wish and consent. [p. 25] such would be a virtual expulsion from the body. if worthy to receive a letter, he cannot be forced out of the church against his will.

note 11.—members living remote from the church are expected to unite with some baptist church near their residence; or give satisfactory reasons for not doing so. when they cannot so unite, they are expected to report themselves to the church at least once each year, and contribute to its support, till they cease to be members.

note 12.—letters of dismission may be revoked, at any time before being used, if, in the judgment of the church, there be sufficient cause for such action.

note 13.—church fellowship will be withdrawn from members who unite with other denominations; because, however excellent their character, or sincere their intentions, they have broken covenant with the church, and by such act have placed themselves beyond the limits of its fellowship.

note 14.—persons excluded from other churches are not to be received to membership, except after the most careful investigation of all the facts in the case, and not unless it be manifest that the exclusion was unjustifiable, and that the church excluding persistently refuses to do justice to the excluded member.

note 15.—a letter is usually asked for and addressed to the particular church. this is proper, but not always necessary. it may in certain cases be asked for, and given “to the church of the same faith and order.” or if directed to one, it may be presented to, and received by another.

note 16.—it is expected that all pecuniary liability to the church will be canceled, and all personal difficulties in the church will be settled by a member, should such exist, before he shall receive a letter of dismission.

note 17.—each member, without exception, is expected to fill his place in the church, by attendance [p. 26] on its appointments, as providence may allow, and also to contribute of his means for the pecuniary support of the body, according to his ability. if in either of these respects he fails, and refuses, he becomes a covenant-breaker, and is subject to the discipline of the body.

note 18.—persons excluded from the church may be again received to its fellowship on satisfactory evidence of fitness. this is called reception by restoration, and is usually so entered on the records, and in associational reports.

note 19.—it is neither a christian nor an honorable course for a church to grant an unworthy member a valid letter, and send him to another church as one in good and regular standing, in order to be rid of a disturber of the peace, or to avoid the trouble of a course of discipline.

note 20.—no church is obliged to receive a person to membership, simply because he brings a valid letter from another church. each church is to be sole judge of the qualifications of persons to be received to its fellowship.