The politician contemplated, no doubt, that by becoming a church member he would secure the suffrages and the influence of a large portion of the members of that church to which he attached himself.  The merchant by the same manoeuvre, expected to sell more goods; and the physician was aware that it would afford him an excellent opportunity to brother and sister himself into a better practice.  The lawyer expected to get large fees from avaricious and contentious church litigants.  For church members will engage in lawsuits, the authority of John Wesley, and the still higher authority of St. Paul to the contrary, notwithstanding.  The mechanic too, must have the patronage and influence of the church.  Neighbor B., over the way, is a regular church member in good standing; and I must become one too, in order to compete with him in business.  Dear me, says the farmer to his beloved spouse, don’t you see that we are raising a large and promising family of children; and we must make them respectable.  How, my dear, says the good lady; by dressing our daughters in silks, and our sons in broadcloth?  No, no, says the close-fisted farmer, there is a cheaper and readier way to accomplish it; though I have no objection to seeing the children decently clothed.  Have you not observed that all the respectable families in this neighborhood are Methodist, Presbyterians, or Baptists, (as the case may be,) and in order to become respectable, we too must go and join the church.  These are the corrupt, the impure, the abominable motives, which too often lead men to attach themselves to churches; and these are the considerations which are too often presented to non-professors by ministers, as well as private members.  I regret to say it—­I blush while I record it:  I have frequently seen professors of religion approach non-professors with all the sanctimoniousness which they could possibly assume, and abruptly address them in the following words:  “Come, my friend, you must be religious; you must get religion and join the church.”  The poor sinner objected—­difficulties interposed—­he could not, at least at the present time; begs leave to be excused until a more convenient season.  “Well, but—­come my friend, you may find it greatly to your advantage.  We are numerous, we are respectable, we are influential, we can aid you in your business, and elevate your character in society.”  This is no fancy sketch, I have seen it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, a thousand times; and I beg those who honor this work with a perusal, to reflect for one moment, and I think that they can call to mind similar circumstances.  I am loathe to wound the feelings of any one, but a practice so well calculated to corrupt the church of Christ, so contrary to the spirit of Christianity, must and shall be exposed.  It is thus that men are frequently drawn into churches, by appeals to the worst passions and propensities that characterize the human heart.  By appeals to their cupidity! their love of fame! their love of power!  By touching the mainspring or the root of all evil—­love of money!  What can be expected of those on whom such unhallowed means are brought to bear?  They were begotten by unrighteousness, “conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity.”  No wonder churches are corrupt.