Part 2. CHARACTERISTICS

2. Standard of Conduct

     So a church may hold a “popular” standard of conduct. Having discovered how people wish to live and expect to live, the denomination may require the surrender of no popular sin and demand no unpleasant duty.

     Or if a church in other days has held a reasonable conduct standard, little by little this may be broken down to meet the demands or the conduct of worldlings so that while the original standard and the present theoretical standard of life is one thing, the general membership makes little pretense of obedience to the denominational rules. In fact, good standards which are still the law may be so utterly lost that members hardly know the nature of their vows. A denomination which has no requirements, or none enforced, is likely to become popular, for people may join for social or other reasons. It is needless to say that soon the sinners are in the majority and in control. The drift away from God is then rapid and easy.

     On the other hand, a denomination may, following the admonition of Isaiah, “Lift up a standard for the people.” In so doing the church will certainly not try to enumerate all the things which ought not to be and all the things which ought to be in Christian life. If such were attempted the list would be too long. Also some things must be left to the individual conscience. But a church which wishes to remain Christian, with Christians in control, must take a position against popular sins. In so doing few sinners find a place in the membership. It is assumed that if people are willing to forego indulgence in popular sins they probably have an interest in spiritual things and may be real Christians.

     Also a written standard of conduct shows the collective judgment of the leaders of the church as to what things are evil, lead to evil, injure the soul welfare or hurt the influence of the Christian or the church. This known standard is better than to leave the statement of correct behavior merely to an individual preacher who might be extreme or neglectful or compromising. How good is a church standard of conduct for young Christians who are sincere but who need all the safeguards possible to help them to holy living!

     Having all these things in consideration, the Free Methodist Church had and has the choice between the loose standard which would make the church an easy place and a popular church home for sinners, or the positions which condemn acknowledged wrong and promote that which is right. This church has taken the latter course.

     Those wishing to become members of the Free Methodist Church are therefore asked to keep the “general rules” which are published in the Discipline. Some of these in substance are as follows:

     Abstinence from connection with secret societies. 1. This because such societies are divisive in character, tending to make divisions within the church and in her official bodies; 2. Because many of the oaths are abhorrent to a Christian man; 3. Because the lodge is always dominated by sinners and therefore membership is exactly contrary to the express command of Scripture; 4. Because no spiritual person can ever be comfortable in the social functions of the lodge; 5. Because the lodge is a competitor of the church for the loyalty of the individual, even offering, in some cases, salvation contrary to the terms of the gospel.

     Members are expected to abstain from what are known as sinful amusements, card-playing, dancing, movies, etc., etc. This because cards are the tools of professional gamblers, frequently associated with liquor, immorality and bloodshed, and having origin and character possibly and probably sacrilegious. Dancing because the dance as we know it is a sex dance, always tends to immorality, and is one of the great sources of immorality. The movies because the institution is dominated by conscienceless producers, because the actors as a class are world-famous for low standards of morals, because the movies directly promote gambling and Sabbath desecration, and indirectly are one of the major causes of crime. But the rule would cover all such things, for it reads, “The taking of such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

     Then there is the rule against “gold and costly apparel,” based upon i Timothy 2: 9, 10, I Peter 3: 3, 4, and all passages which deal with separation from the world. The reasonableness of God’s commands and the commands of the church is seen in the fact that professed Christians spend millions of dollars annually for such ornaments and that they minister to pride, a quality exactly opposite to humility, the Christian virtue.

     The use and the selling of liquor and tobacco are prohibited. Though professed Christians by the millions continually indulge in these things, their effects upon the material and financial welfare, the general family welfare, the body, the mind and soul are all too obvious and well-known to merit discussion in this brief section. The use of such things can be excused only with the remark, “Everybody does it,” which is not reason enough for one who is “in earnest to get to heaven.”

     The Christian Sabbath is to be used as a holy day, not as a holiday. It is not to be used for buying and selling, for the left-over or special work accumulated during the week, or for frolic. It is to be used for a ministry to others, for physical and mental rest, for religious instruction, and for divine service and worship.

     Reasonable attendance upon all means of grace according to the strength and opportunity of the individual is expected.

     Also it is expected that the members will give of their money and influence for the help of the church in carrying on the work of the Lord, and that with all faithfulness they will promote evangelism and missions.

     It is needless to say that those who have not the grace of God in their hearts will find these rules and standards irksome or impossible for them. But it is the experience of those who know the Lord that with joy they can for Jesus’ sake keep rules that are made for Christians only. Keeping the rules they can forget them while they enjoy full salvation.