The making of a Christian consists in a continued course of education, training and character forming.

While it may be accepted that it is an innermost desire, followed by obligations, that makes one a member of the Church, yet in a truer sense, a person is not a Christian unless they lives up to their obligations.

Keeping this in mind, you have to realize that as an organization Churches have “Members” and it has “Christians” and the two are not the same.

The Christian goes into deeper research about Jesus Christ and the more extensive knowledge of His hidden art and mysteries.

The philosophy of Jesus Christ, when discovered and then accepted and practiced, provides simple but profound solutions to the problems of human relationships.

Jesus Christ is a way of living to the Christian who is interested enough to appraise and value the wealth that is his by virtue of what Jesus Christ did for us.

The best-informed Christian is the Christian who reads and studies about Jesus Christ. He reads and learns to understand the "Volume of the Sacred Law” of his religion and he also should read and study the "Volume of the Sacred Laws” of other religions.

For to be able to have some understanding of what others believe, you have to have some knowledge of what it is that they believe. It is with this knowledge and understanding that a True Christian is able to find common grounds to come together with others, in Love, Peace, and Unity for the good of all mankind with any good person of any race, creed, or religion.

Christianity accepts people, found to be worthy, regardless of religious convictions. An essential requirement is a belief in the existence of God and Jesus Christ.

Christianity is not an insurance or beneficial society. It is not organized for profit. However, the charity and services rendered are beyond measure. It teaches the Golden Rule. It seeks to make good people better through its firm belief in the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Immortality of the Soul.

The tenets of Christianity are ethical principles that are acceptable to all good people. It teaches tolerance toward all mankind. It is known throughout the world. Christianity proudly proclaims that it consists of people bound together by bonds of Brotherly Love and Affection. It seeks no advantage for its Members through business or politics. Christianity is not a forum for discussions on partisan affairs.

At our Altars, without any vanity or pretense, we assemble for work and fellowship and to learn to love and cherish one another. By so doing, we bring light out of darkness, beauty out of drabness, exaltation out of despair--to the end that every Member's life may become more radiant and meaningful.

A Christian believes that Faith is the foundation of justice, the bond of amity, and the chief support of society. We live by Faith: We walk by Faith; by Faith we have a continued hope in the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ; by Faith we believe we will be justified, accepted and finally saved.

A Christian believes that Hope is the anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and center into that within the veil; let a firm reliance on the Almighty’s faithfulness animate his endeavors, and teach us to fix our Hopes within the limits of His promises.

A Christian believes that Charity is the brightest gem that can adorn our Christianity profession. Happy is the person who has sowed in their breast the seeds of benevolence; the produce thereof is love and peace. The objects of true charity among Christians are merit and virtue in distress, persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes in their journey through life, industrious people who, from unavoidable accidents, have fallen into ruin. Widows left destitute by lack of husbands’ support. Orphans in tender years, needing a father’s care. The aged, whose strength is exhausted, and who are thereby renderedunable to procure for themselves that substance necessary to nourish their declining years. This is CHARITY, the keystone of our Christian institution.

The principal tenets of our profession are threefold, including the inculcation and practice of those truly commendable virtues, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

By the exercise of Brotherly Love a Christians learns to regard the whole human race as one family the high, the low, the rich, the poor who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principle Christianity unites men of every Country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might other wise have remained at a perpetual distance.

To relieve the Distressed is a duty incumbent on all people, but particularly on Christians, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.

To be good people and true is the first lesson we are taught in Christianity. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each other’s welfare and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity.

In my very short overview of what a Christian is I hope that I have cleared up some of the misconceptions that are out there about Christianity.

Now I will move on to what is a Member. A member is hopefully a future Christian. No one came into this world as an adult and no one comes into the Church as a Christian. It is the hope of every Christian that by their example they will lead the Members around them to also advance in Christianity to become the future Christians of our Church.

If all of us are not what you think we should be, just remember that, God is not through with us yet”, and that someday all of us will be just what, God wants us to be”.

No person can live according to the principles and teachings of Ancient Christianity and do anything, knowingly and willingly, that is contrary to moral and upright principles. Christianity frowns on every wrongful act and admonishes the right actions between each of us and the world at large. Christianity is and should always be a guide to our actions.

Christianity is kindness in the home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, fairness in work, pity and concern for the unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another and, above all, reverence and love for God. Christianity is many things but, most of all:

Rev. Byron E. Hams, DD
Hariam’s Esoteric Ministry

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