USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Manual of the Union Park Congregational Church and Society, of Chicago, Illinois ; containing articles of faith and covenant, standing rules, basis of union between the church and society, officers and members of the church and society, etc > Part 2
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By Prof.
;April 6
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Mrs. Elizabeth Ross Hicks
By Letter June 19
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Mrs. Harriet C. Whittlesey Wagner
By Prof.
July 30
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By Letter Sept. 21
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F. E. MeBride .
Mrs. Elizabeth F. Dimock Mrs. Muy Chapin Litten
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TERM OF MEMBERSHIP.
V'rs. Mos Days.
UNION PARK CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH
ARTICLES OF FAITH AND COVENANT.
THE CREED OF THE CHURCH.
1. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who is of one sub- stance with the Father, by whom all things were made;
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who is sent from the Father and Son, and who together with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified.
2. We believe that the providence of God, by which he exe- entes his eternal purposes in the government of the world, is in and over all events; yet so that the freedom and responsibility of man are not impaired, and sin is the act of the creature alone.
3. We believe that man was made in the image of God, that he might know, love and obey God, and enjoy him forever; that on first parents by disobedience fell under the righteous condemna- tion of God; and that all men are so alienated from God that there is no salvation from the guilt and power of sin except through God's redeeming grace.
1. We believe that God would have all men return to him; that to this end he has made himself known, not only through the works of nature, the course of his providence, and the consciences of men, but also through supernatural revelations made especially to a chosen people, and, above all, when the fullness of time was come, through Jesus Christ his Son
5. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments are the record of God's revelation of himself in the work of redemption; that they were written by men under the special ghid- ance of the Holy Spirit; that they are able to make wise unto salvation, and that they constitute the authoritative standard by which religions teaching and human condnet are to be regulated an l judged.
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6. We believe that the love of God to sinful men has found its highest expression in the redemptive work of his Son, who be- came man, uniting his divine nature with our human nature in one person; who was tempted like other men, yet without sin; who by his humiliation, his holy obedience, his sufferings, his death on the cross and his resurrection, became a perfect Redeemer; whose sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and sufficient ground of forgiveness and of reconciliation with him.
7. We believe that Jesus Christ, after he had risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, as the one mediator between God and man, he carries forward his work of saving men; that he sends the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, and to lead them to repentance and faith; and that those who through renewing grace turn to righteousness, and trust in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, receive for his sake the forgiveness of their sins, and are made the children of God.
8. We believe that those who are thus regenerated and justi- tied, grow in sanctified character through fellowship with Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the truth; that a holy life is the fruit and evidence of saving faith; and that the believer's hope of continuance in such a life is in the preserv- ing grace of God.
9. We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the kingdom of God, the reign of truth and love, righteousness and peace; that to Jesus Christ, the head of this kingdom, Christians are directly responsible in faith and conduct; and that to him all have immediate access, without mediatorial or priestly intervention.
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10. We believe that the Church of Christ, invisible and spir- itual, comprises all true believers, whose duty it is to associate themselves in churches for the maintenance of worship, for the promotion of spiritual growth and fellowship, and for the con- version of men; that these churches, under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures and in the fellowship with one another, may determine- each for itself-their organization, statements of belief pl forms of worship; may appoint and set apart their own
UNION PARK CONGREGATIONAL, CHURCH
ministers, and should co-operate in the work which Christ has committed to them for the furtherance of the gospel throughont the world.
11. We believe in the observance of the Lord's Day, as a day of holy rest and worship; in the ministry of the word, and in the two sacraments, which Christ has appointed for his church . Baptism, to be administered to believers and their children, as the sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and of the imparta- tion of the Holy Spirit; and the Lord's Supper, as a symbol of his atoning death, a seal of its efficacy, and a means whereby he con- firms and strengthens the spiritual union and communion of believers with himself.
12. We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of Christ over all the earth; in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in the final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment and everlasting life.
FORM OF ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP.
" What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people."
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, which is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, which is in heaven."
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the month confession is made unto salvation."
Dearly beloved, called of God to be his children through Jesus Christ our Lord, you are here, that in the presence of God and his people, you may enter into the fellowship and communion of liis Church. Yon do truly repent of your sins; you heartily receive Jesus Christ as your crucified Savior and risen Lord; you consecrate yourselves unto God and your life to his service; you accept his Word as your law, and his Spirit as your Comforter and Guide; and trusting in his grace to confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, you promise to do God's holy will, and to
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walk with this Church in the truth and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accepting, according to the measure of your understanding of it, the system of Christian truth held by the churches of our faith and order, and by this church into whose fellowship you now enter, you join with ancient saints, with the church through- ont the world, and with us, your fellow believers, in humbly and heartily confessing your faith in the Gospel, saying :
I BELIEVE in God the FATHER Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ; his only Son, om Lord, who was conceived by the HOLY GHOST, born of the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontins Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried ; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the HOLY GHOST; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body ; and the life everlasting. Amen.
(Baptism will here be administered to those who have not re- ceived it in infancy.)
BAPTISMAL PRAYER.
( Those received by letter will now rise.)
Confessing the Lord whom we unitedly worship, you do now renew your self-consecration, and join with us cordially in this, our Christian faith and covenant.
( The members of this Church will now rise in their places.)
We welcome you into our fellowship. We promise to watch over yon with Christian love. God grant that, loving and being loved, serving and being served, blessing and being blessed, we may be prepared, while we dwell together on earth, for the per- fect communion of the saints in heaven.
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfeet in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
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STANDING RULES.
1. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.
1. The essential officers of this Church shall be a Pastor and Deacons, as provided for in the Scriptures. The Deacons shall be four or more in number.
2. For the further ordering of its affairs the Church shall also appoint a Standing Committee, and a Clerk, who shall also be Treasurer.
3. To the Pastor pertains the preaching of the Gospel, the administering of the Sacraments, the conducting of public religious services, and the general spiritual oversight of the Church. He shall also, if present, act as Moderator in all business meetings.
4. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to act as spiritual help- ers of the Pastor, to prepare for and assist in the celebration of the Lord's Supper; to receive and distribute the charities of the Church, and, in the absence of the Pastor, to provide for the conducting of the social religious meetings, and preside in the business meetings; and whenever there is no settled Pastor or stated provision for preaching, the supply of the pulpit shall rest with the Deacons. They shall make an annual report of their doings, embodying therein suggestions touching the spiritual condition and wants of the Church. They shall be elected for a term of six years, aud shall be so divided into classes that not more than one-third the number shall be elected at the same time.
5. The Standing Committee of the Church shall consist of the Pastor and Deacons and four or more members, to be chosen annually. They shall examine all the candidates for admission to the Church, previous to the more public examination by the Church, and advise as to their further examination. They shall receive all complaints against members of the Church, and if, after investigation, they be deemed of sufficient importance, shall report
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the same to the Church for further action. They shall aiso trans- act such other business as shall be assigned them, from time to time, by vote of the Church.
6. It shall be the duty of the Clerk and Treasurer :
First-As Clerk, to keep a faithful record of all the doings of the Church; to keep a list of all the members of the Church; showing the time and mode of their admission and of their dis- mission; to keep a list of all children baptized, with the names of both parents; and to present, at each annual meeting of the Church, a full statistical report of the Church for the year pre- ceding.
Second-As Treasurer, to receive all moneys belonging to the Church, and to disburse the same in accordance with the special purpose for which the funds are raised; and to present at each annual meeting of the Church a complete and full account of all his receipts and expenditures dining the year preceding, with proper vouchers therefor. He shall be elected annually.
7. All officers of the Church, except the Pastor, shall continue to serve until their successors are duly elected, unless excused by vote of the Church.
II. REGULAR AND SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS.
1. The Annual Business Meeting of the Church shall be held on the first Wednesday evening after the second Tuesday in December of each year, and the order of business shall be as follows: 1. Prayer. 2. Reports of Officers -- Deacons' report, Clerk's report, Treasurer's report, report of S. S. Superintend- ents, report of Standing Committee. 3. Election of officers. 1. Miscellaneous business.
2. A regular business meeting of the Church shall be held upon the first Wednesday evening of each month, at such hour as the Pastor may select; but special business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the Church.
3. Every member of the Church in regular standing shall be entitled to vote on all questions coming before it for decision, and in all elections.
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4. The election of all the stated officers of the Church shall be by ballot.
5. A majority of all votes cast shall be sufficient to determine all questions presented.
6. Whenever any vacancies in the stated offices of the Church shall occur between the annual meetings, they may be filled at any regular business meeting of the Church, provided a notice shall have been given one week previously.
III. CONTRIBUTIONS.
1. The Church shall adopt, at each annual meeting, a scheme of objects for which collections shall be taken during the year, and the Pastor shall present, or canse to be presented, these objects, each in its proper time.
2. Other objects may be presented for contributions whenever it shall be deemed advisable by the Pastor and a majority of the Deacons, determined upon in conference, as a Board of Pastor and Deacons.
IV. ADMISSIONS AND DISMISSIONS.
1. All persons desirous of making a profession of religion and uniting with this Church, shall be examined at a regular Church meeting, and the names of such as are approved by vote of the Church shall be publicly propounded at least one week previous to the time of their admission, and they shall become members by publicly adopting our Articles of Faith, entering into cove- nant, and receiving the sacrament of baptism, if they have not been before baptized.
2. Members of other churches desiring to unite with us shall deliver the proper testimonial to some officer of the Church, who shall canse the same to be presented to the Church, and if, after assenting to our Articles of Faith, the Church shall vote to receive them, they, having been publicly announced at least one week, previous to Communion, shall become members by publicly enter- ing into covenant with this Church.
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3. It shall be the duty of any member who may know of any reason why a candidate for admission should not be received into the Church to make such reason known to the Pastor or Deacons, and if they deem it sufficient ground for the rejection of such candidate, he may afterwards make it known to the Church.
4. Any member of this Church desiring a letter of dismission from this, and of recommendation to any other Church, shall make known his request to the Pastor or to some one of the Deacons, who shall present it at the next business meeting; aud the letter, being granted by vote of the Church, shall be in fornt as determined by the Church, and shall be prepared and signed by the Clerk. Such person shall, however, be deemed a member of this Church until proper notice of the use of the letter of dismis- sion is received from the Church to which the letter has been presented.
5. Members removing beyond our bounds, and neglecting for more than one year to ask such letters, or to assign satisfactory reasons for such negket, mas receive letters certifying to their good standing only up to their time of leaving
6. Letters may be granted to any other Evangelical Church besides those of our own Order.
7. Any person withdrawing from this Church, without asking for a letter of dismission, and miting with another Church, shall be considered as having acted in a disorderly manner, and a minute to that effect shall be entered upon the records.
V. CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
1. Every member shall be entitled to all the privileges of this Church, unless forfeited by misconduct, and when thus forfeited he can be deprived of them only by the processes herein pro- vided.
2. It shall be the duty of every member of this Church, on becoming acquainted with the fact that any disciplinable offense has been committed, immediately to seek to have the cause of complaint removed, the direction given in Matt. xviii., 15-17, being his guide. If his personal efforts fail, he shall then make
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his complaints to the Standing Committee, who, if the cause be deemed sufficient, shall prefer charges before the whole Church, and in case the Committee refuses so to do, the complainant may, nevertheless, if he insist upon the charges, present his complaint in person to the Church.
3. When any member is accused before the Church, he shall be seasonably furnished with a copy of the complaint against him, with the names of the witnesses who may be called to testify against him, and he shall be allowed a full hearing, ten days' notice, in writing, of the time and place of such hearing having first been given the accused. But while the trial is pending he shall be expected to abstain from participating in the Lord's Supper.
4. This Church regards as censurable offenses, all immoral conduct, breach of expressed covenant vows, neglect of acknowl- edged religions duties, and avowed disbelief of the fundemental doctrines of the Gospel.
5. The censures inflicted on offenders shall be private reproof, public admonition, temporary suspension from church privileges, public withdrawal of fellowship, and excommunication, according to the aggravation of the offense; and in case of excommunica- tion or publie withdrawal of fellowship, notice thereof shall be given from the pulpit, on the Sabbath, with the reasons therefor.
6. In cases of peculiar delicacy, in which a public trial would be offensive to decency and good morals, the proceeding may be begin, and the trial conducted before the Standing Committee. 'The Committee shall report the substance of the case, only, to the Church, and their finding as to the guilt of the accused party, and what action of the Church they recommend. Upon their report the Church may proceed to discipline, according to the aggravation of the offense.
7. In cases where the facts constituting a disciplinable offense are public and notorious, or in which a member of this Church shall have been adjudged guilty of criminal or immoral conduct in a court of justice, or shall have escaped conviction on a techni- cality not affecting his moral guilt, the Standing Committee may begin proceeding of discipline, informally, and if, upon full and
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impartial investigation, they see good canse for so doing, they may present the case to the Church for its summary discipline, according to the aggravation of the offense. In acting upon such cases neither the Committee nor the Church shall be bound by the formalities of ecclesiastical procedure for ordinary cases of dis- cipline.
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8. Whenever any member of this Church, in good and regular standing, shall, in writing, request that his relations with the Church be dissolved, the Standing Committee shall investigate the matter and inquire into the reasons for such a request, and if there be no immoral condnet chargeable against such member, and faithful efforts to reclaim him have proved ineffectual, the Church may, upon recommendation of the Standing Committee, drop his name from the roll without censure.
VI: STATED RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
1. The Church shall hold its Sabbath services at the usnal hours of morning and evening service.
2. A Church prayer meeting shall be held upon Wednesday evening of each week.
3. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be administered upon the first Sabbaths of January, March, May, July, Septem- ber and November. Preparatory services shall be held at such times as the Pastor may deem most suitable. In connection with each communion service a special collection shall be taken to aid the poor of the Church and for other purposes.
4. A monthly concert of prayer for the conversion of the world shall be observed upon the first Wednesday evening after the first Sabbath of each month, at the close of which a collection shall be taken for missionary purposes.
VII. SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
It shall be the duty of the Church to organize and maintain, within its bounds, Sabbath-schools where religions instruction can be given to all classes. The Superintendents of these schools shall make reports to the Church, at its annual meeting, of the condition and the wants of their respective schools.
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VIII. COUNCILS.
In cases of difficulty in the Church which cannot otherwise be adjusted, or between the Pastor and the Church, or when a mem- ber shall feel aggrieved by the action of the Church, also in the settlement and dismission of a Pastor, resort shall be had to advisory councils, according to the approved usage of Congre- gational churches.
IX. ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS.
1. These rules may be altered or amended at any regular business meeting of the Church, notice of the proposed change having been given publicly at least one month previously, and also announced the Sabbath next preceding the meeting.
2. No change shall be made in the Articles of Faith or Cove- nant or in the Church polity, except by a vote of three-fourths of the members present, at an annual meeting, or a meeting specially called therefor, by a notice four weeks previously, from the pulpit, on the Sabbath; nor shall such alteration be consid- ered unless a notice containing the substance thereof shall have been given in writing at the previous regular meeting; nor shall such change, when made, be binding on the consciences or rights of the non-consenting minority, provided they present a written protest within one month after said action.
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BASIS OF UNION BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
ARTICLE I. In general, all the spiritual interests and arrange- ments connected with public worship shall be under the exclusive control of the Church, and all the financial and other secular interests and arrangements of the congregation shall be under the exclusive control of the Society. The Society shall hold the property, receive the income, and make all pecuniary engagements, appropriations and payments.
ART. II. In calling a Pastor, the Church and Society will act as concurrent bodies, a majority of each being necessary to consti- tute a call, the Church nominating and the Society confirming or rejecting the nomination.
ART. III. Whenever there is no settled Pastor or other stated provision for preaching, the supply of the pulpit shall rest with the Deacons.
ART. IV. The arrangements for sacred music shall be made by the Deacons of the Church jointly with the Trustees of the Society.
ART. V. The appointment of the Sexton and of his salary shall belong to the Society.
ART. VI. The Pastor shall have liberty to use the church edifice at his discretion, to promote the spiritual interests of the Church and congregation; and the Church may also use the same for any meetings of a spiritual nature; but for all other purposes the control of the building shall be with the Society or its Trus- tees, who shall, however, not allow it to be used for unworthy or improper purposes, nor put it to any use which interferes with the arrangements of the Church and of its Pastor.
ART. VII. The Basis of Union, when mutually adopted by a separate vote of the Church and of the Society, can be altered or rescinded, in whole or in part, only in the same way.
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CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY.
ARTICLE I. This Society shall be called the "UNION PARK CONGREGATIONAL, SOCIETY OF CHICAGO," and all persons of law- ful age, being lessees of any pew, or part thereof, in the Church, shall be deemed members of the Society, and entitled to vote and eligible to office.
ART. II. There shall be annually elected five Trustees, who shall hold the property and manage the pecuniary affairs of the Society according to the laws of this State. They shall be subject to a directing vote of the Society, and shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage or transfer real estate without specific authority by vote of the Society. They shall make an annual report of their doings to the Society at its annual meeting, and shall embody in their report such recommendations as they may see fit to make touching the affairs of the Society and with reference to the oper- ations of the ensuing year.
ART. III. There shall be annually elected a Treasurer, who shall collect and receive all money's due the Society, and pay out the same only on the written order of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He shall make to the Society an annual report in writing, duly audited.
ART. IV. A clerk shall be annually elected, who shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Society, and who, with the Chair- man of the Board of Trustees, shall constitute the Board of Auditors.
ART. V. The annual meeting for the election of officers and the transaction of other appropriate business shall be held on the second Tuesday of December in each year, but vacancies may be filled at any special meeting of the Society.
ART. VI. Special meetings may be called by the Board of Trustees or by any ten members of the Society, such call being in writing, and being read publicly at least one Sabbath previous
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