USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > Burlington > Hand book of the First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa > Part 4
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This invitation is as cordially extended to the members of the Church, who may feel their need of personal instruction in rela- tion to the truth, or their duty. The better the Pastor under- stands the mind, and the wants of his people, the better prepared he will be to preach to their edification.
THE ELDERS.
These officers share with the Pastor the spiritual oversight of the Church. Let the members of the congregation freely apply to them for any needed advice or aid. " Is any sick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him." Jas., 5: 14. Do not complain or wonder that you are not visited, if you take no care to inform the officers of the Church when sick- ' ness or affliction makes you wish for their presence.
THE DEACONS.
The oversight and relief of those in the congregation who are destitute, or in want, belongs to the Deacons as their official work. Let every case needing their attention be reported to them with the utmost promptness and care against mistakes. They will be glad to give proper attention.
Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to min- ister. Mat., 20:28.
FUNERALS should not be on the Sabbath, if it is possible to avoid it. They distract attention from the regular services, and inter- fere with the proper observance of the day. Besides, the time and strength of the Pastor are fully taxed on that day.
CERTIFICATES.
When any member is about to remove from our bounds he should, before going, notify the Session, and secure a letter of dis- mission to the Church in the place where he expects to reside. This letter should be handed in to the Pastor or Session of the Church as soon as possible after reaching his destination. Mem- bership and responsibility in one Church do not terminate until the person is actually received by another. Certificates of dis- mission are good only for one year from date, except as provided in the Book of Discipline. ch. xi., 2.
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
When a member expects to sojourn only temporarily in a place the Session will furnish a letter of Credence and Introduction, to facilitate Christian acquaintance and occasional communion.
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him ; who, when he was come, HELPED THEM MUCH which had believed through grace. Acts, 18:27.
THE SERVICE OF PRAISE.
Singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Colossians, 3 : 16.
1. We believe in Congregational Singing, as saith the Scripture: "Let the people praise Thee, O God; let ALL the people praise Thee. Psalm, 67 : 5. The office of the Choir is, not to sing to, or for the people, but to help the people to sing.
2. A full supply of books is very necessary to good congrega- tional singing. Procure books for your children, and encourage them to sing.
3. " It is proper that we cultivate some knowledge of the rules of music, that we may praise God in a becoming manner with our voices, as well as with our hearts." Directory for Worship, iv., 2. Be ready to commence with the first word, and sing with the un- derstanding.
4. Be careful that the stranger who sits near you is provided with a book. "Be courteous." 1 Pet. 3 : 8.
Worshippers will find great profit in the habitual use of the Bi- ble for reference during the Services. We hope that every pew will be supplied with Bibles as well as with hymn-books.
By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God con- tinually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Heb., 13:15.
THE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING.
HOW TO HAVE A GOOD MEETING.
1. Always be there, unless hindered by a providence that would keep you from a business or social engagement.
2. Sit as near the desk as you can get; and close together.
3. Enter heartily into all the services. Sing fervently. Join in every prayer. Be ready to take part in the services, without wait- ing for your neighbor.
4. When you speak, face those present as much as possible, and speak so that all can hear.
5. Think, read, talk and pray over the subject appointed for the meeting, during the week previous.
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6. Then, stick to the point before the meeting, and have a point to your words, and be brief.
7. Beware' of long prayers. Two or three minutes is time enough. Often let two or three prayers follow in succession.
8. Ask for something ; give thanks for something; have a point in your prayer.
9. If you have a special object of desire, ask others to join with you in seeking it. "If two of you shall agree." Matt., 18:19. Hand requests for prayer to the Pastor, before the meeting.
10. When you have received the answer do not fail to acknowl- edge it. Answers to prayer encourage others and strengthen faith.
11. Come with your mind made up beforehand to take part in the meeting, and to do it promptly when the opportunity is given.
12. Bring some unconverted person with you, and during the meeting pray that the services may be blessed to him.
13. The prayer meeting is not complete without the children, any more than the family circle. Bring them and give them a part to do.
14. Come in the spirit of prayer. Those meetings have been the best that have been preceded by the most prayer.
15. Expect the presence of Jesus in the meeting.
16. Greet one another cordially after the meeting is over. Especially take the strangers present by the hand, and while the warmth of meeting is upon you, speak a word for Jesus.
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. 1 John, 5:15.
HOW NOT TO HAVE A GOOD PRAYER MEETING.
1. Don't go. If you must go, go only when there is no possible excuse for staying away. A lecture, the minstrels or a party should always have the preference.
2. Take a seat as close to the door as possible. It has the ap- pearance of modesty.
3. Always wait for somebody else to speak first.
4. Talk about something else than the topic for the evening. It gives variety.
5. Make the same prayer every time; people can be more devo- tional when they know what is coming.
6. Turn your face from the people, and speak in a low voice. It teaches people to be attentive.
7. Let there be many long pauses. It makes the meeting sol- emn, very.
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
8. Never prepare your thoughts beforehand. This looks too much like dictating to the Spirit.
9. If the Pastor asks for a short prayer, or a few remarks, take all the time you can. Personal liberty must not be interfered with.
10. Take no interest in the singing.
11. It saves time to put on your overcoat during the Benedic- tion. Get away as fast as you can, and if you can avoid speaking to any one so much the better. Conversation is apt to dissipate the impressions made.
A faithful observance of these rules has never been known to fail to secure a spiritual temperature of zero.
THE COTTAGE PRAYER MEETING.
HINTS TO THOSE CONDUCTING THEM.
And in every house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts, 5 : 42.
" Anybody can speak or pray when a meeting has become lively, interesting and warm. Blessed is the man who dares to take hold of the COLD END of a prayer meeting."-DR. R. C. MATTHEWS.
1. Never disappoint the people by a failure to be present at the appointed time. No matter what the weather is, let it be under- stood that you will be on hand.
2. Begin promptly at the time set, and do not keep the meeting over an hour.
3. Have your hymns selected beforehand, so that you can an- nounce them promptly. Do not read through a familiar hymn, but simply announce the number and the first line.
4. The Scripture read should contain the subject you have pre- pared for the meeting, and should not be over ten to fifteen verses.
5. Let the opening prayer and remarks of the leader be short, right to the point, and strike the key note for the meeting.
6. Encourage those present to take part by repeating Scripture bearing on the subject, by remarks, by requests for prayer, and by prayer.
7. See that the remarks are brief, and to the point. Beware of all controversy and debate.
8. Aim to make the services as cheerful and informal as possible.
9. When the time is up, close the meeting. If it has been very interesting so much the better ; close it, and keep up the interest.
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10. After the meeting try to secure a few words of personal conversation with those present, especially with any who appeared to be interested.
11. Large meetings are not essential to success. Do not be dis- couraged if only " two or three are gathered together."
If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God. But let him ask in faith. James, 1:5-6.
RELIGIOUS PAPERS.
EVERY FAMILY in our congregation ought to have at least one of our Church Papers. Intelligent Christians are in great de- mand. They are secured by the use of the means. As Christians we must be informed about the progress of the Church, and in particular, about our own branch of it. We must keep abreast of the religious thought of the day, and in sympathy with the great Christian movements of our times. Our young people must be trained in the theory and practical workings of our Church, and prepared to take their places as active and intelligent members of it. Besides, our families must be furnished with fresh, attrac- tive, healthful reading matter.
All these ends are admirably met by our various Presbyterian family and religious papers.
No investment will bring you a better return for the outlay than a subscription for one or more of the following papers. Price, from sixty cents to three dollars. The Church Treasurer, Mr. C. H. Whiting, will forward subscriptions for those who desire it.
PRESBYTERIAN PAPERS.
The Interior, of Chicago; the Herald and Presbyter, Cincinnati; the Banner, Pittsburg; the Presbyterian, and the Presbyterian at Work, Philadelphia; the Evangelist, New York, and the Rocky Mountain Presbyterian, Denver, Col .; the Foreign Missionary, and Woman's Work for Woman (monthly), Presbyterian Board of Publication.
UNDENOMINATIONAL PAPERS.
The Sunday School Times, Philadelphia; the New York Observer ; the Illustrated Christian Weekly, and the Christian at Work. New York.
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First Presbyterian Church, Burlington, Iowa.
Whatsoever things are Pure, whatsoever things are Lovely, whatso- ever things are of Good report;, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8.
A WAY TO DO GOOD.
Please save your papers, and when you have read them, give them to the committee of the Working Band on Tract Distribu- tion, who will make good use of them. If convenient, you may bring papers you have read to the Church, and leave them on the Librarian's table as you enter. The committee will then take charge of them.
CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members, one of another. Romans, 12 : 5.
· Most of us, in the West, understand what it is to be a stranger, in a strange land. We have felt the helpfulness of the friendly greeting, and the warm pressure of the hand. As a Church, we want to know one another as brethren, and we want to make the strangers who come among us, feel at once that they are in the midst of friends.
To promote this result, a VESTIBULE COMMITTEE of two mem- bers, one from the Session and one from the congregation, is ap- pointed monthly by the Session. It is the duty of this committee to meet strangers who may come to our Church, or Prayer meet- ings, and to show them all possible friendly attention and Chris- tian courtesy.
It is, also, the special duty of the committee of the WORKING BAND, No. 7, to look after strangers and new families in our city, and to introduce them to the acquaintance of the Church. A so- cial meeting, held on the Wednesday evening next after the Com- munion, is designed to promote the spirit of unity and friendship and to bring the old and the new members of the Church and con- gregation into closer acquaintance.
Let every Christian family be watchful and prompt to visit new families coming into your neighborhood; and if they are of our denomination, or have no church connection, bring them with you to Sunday School and Church, and introduce them to the Pastor and Elders.
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COMMITTEES OF THE WORKING BAND.
1. THE CHURCH PRAYER MEETING-W. E. Blake.
2. COTTAGE PRAYER MEETINGS-C. H. Whiting.
3. THE CHURCHI AND MISSION S. SCHOOLS-J. R. Nelson.
4. TRACT DISTRIBUTION & BIBLE READING-J. V. Bean. 5. YOUNG MEN-L. S. Skinner.
6. THE SICK AND IN TROUBLE-T. McCosh.
7. STRANGERS AND NEW FAMILIES-Mrs. S. L. Blake. 8. FINANCES-Lewis Raynolds.
Only the Chairman of each Committee is named. The work of each committee is suggested by the name.
In what way are you, Reader, willing to work for Christ and your fellow men ?
DEAR FRIEND :- This Hand-Book is for your use. Will you not use it carefully ? Make yourself familiar with the workings of our Church. Learn the names, and the faces, of the members. Pray for them all. Strive to be helpful to them all , as you have opportunity. Abound in good works; that you may glorify Him who has bought you with His blood.
COUNT NOT YOURSELF TO HAVE APPEIIENDED; BUT THIS ONE THING DO, FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND REACHING FORTH UNTO THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEFORE, PRESS TOWARD THE MARK, FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGII CALL- ING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
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