Page:The church manual (Church of the Brethren 1916).djvu/23

22 a practice in the church as a means to an end. The end desired is that all the members may be in unity and peace, so that they may participate in the Communion services in a worthy manner. 1 Cor. 2: 27.

The visit is made by the deacons of the church, it being part of their official duty. Ministers have the liberty to make, or assist in making, the visit if they think it best that they should do so, especially in cases where deacons have had no experience in this kind of church work. In cases of necessity, lay-members may also be called upon to assist in the visit.

The design of the visit is to determine the spiritual condition of the members, and if there is any trouble existing in the minds of any in regard to their faith, or any trouble between member and member, it is the duty of those making the visit to inquire into the nature of such troubles, and, as far as possible, assist in having them satisfactorily adjusted and removed. If this cannot be done, they must be reported to the church.