USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > West Roxbury > Articles of faith and covenant of the South Evangelical Church, West Roxbury, Massachusetts November 1853 > Part 1
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4.402 266W 53275
M. L'
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 5653
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ARTICLES OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
auth Cunungelirnl
Churrl,
WEST ROXBURY, MASS.
NOVEMBER, 1853.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
BOSTON: PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 1853.
1
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RULES ADOPTED BY THE CHURCH.
1. This church adopts the Congregational form of government and discipline, as contained, substan- tially, in the " Cambridge Platform of church dis- cipline gathered out of the Word of God, and agreed upon by the elders and messengers of the churches assembled in A. D. 1646."'
2. The officers of this church shall be a Pastor and Deacons, who, with others annually appointed for that purpose, shall constitute the examining committee ; a clerk, and such other committees as may from time to time be required. .)
3. The election of these officers shall be by ballot.
4. The examining committee shall report upon the state of the church during the year, at the annual meeting on the last Monday in December ; and at the same meeting the clerk and the commit- tees shall be chosen for the ensuing year.
5. The Lord's Supper shall be administered on
Se-De-L'DO
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the afternoon of the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September and November.
6. Besides the regular services of the Sabbath, this church deems it the duty of its members, unless prevented by the manifest providence of God, to be regular and prompt in their attendance at the preparatory lecture, the regular weekly prayer meeting, the monthly concert of prayer for the conversion of the world, and such other meet- ings as may from time to time be appointed. It also deems it the duty of every head of a family daily to assemble its members for the reading of the Word of God and prayer.
7. Persons seeking admission into this church, must be approved by the examining committee, before they are propounded to the church. On the second Sabbath after, if no objection is made, or being made is not sustained by the church, they shall be publicly announced to the congregation ; and at the close of the next preparatory lecture, if nothing occurs requiring further delay, the question shall be taken on their admission. The candidates elected shall become members by signing the Articles of Faith and Covenant ; and those who have not previously been members of evangelical churches, shall publicly assent to them before the congregation.
8. Members of the church removing from the place, shall apply for dismission within one year
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after their removal, or render to the church suffi- cient reasons for this neglect.
9. In regard to the use of intoxicating liquors, dancing, theatrical exhibitions, and things of a like nature, this church expects its members to be without offence ; as those who have renounced a world whose friendship is enmity with God, and are seeking to prepare themselves and others for an inheritance among them which are sanctified.
10. No alterations shall be made in the Articles of Faith, Covenant, or Rules, except at a regular meeting of the church, and by a vote of three- fourths of the members present ; the alterations having been proposed in writing at a previous meeting.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
ADDRESS.
DEARLY BELOVED :
You have presented yourselves before God, and this assembly, to make a profession of your religious faith, and take upon you everlasting obli- gations. These professions and engagements are of the most solemn moment. They are heard on high. They will be exhibited on your trial at the last day. Yet, let not your heart be troubled. If you make them in humble dependence on Christ, you will find his grace sufficient for you, even to the end.
The following you acknowledge as your
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
ARTICLE I .- You believe there is but one God, and that he is possessed of all possible perfections, each of which is infinite, eternal and unchange- able.
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ARTICLE II. - You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by holy men of God, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that they are the infallible and perfect rule of our faith and practice.
ARTICLE III .- You believe that God is revealed in the Scriptures as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; that these three are the one God, and in all the divine attributes are equal.
ARTICLE IV .- You believe that the purposes of God are eternal and immutable ; that he created all things for his own glory ; and that, after the coun- sel of his most wise and holy will, he governs all worlds and events.
ARTICLE V .- You believe that man was created holy ; that he fell from that state of holiness by sinning against God ; and that through his fall, all men are by nature destitute of holiness; dead in trespasses and sins.
ARTICLE VI .- You believe that Jesus Christ is both God and man ; that by his sufferings and death he made a full atonement for sin ; and that, through him, salvation is freely offered to all, on condition of repentance and faith.
ARTICLE VII .- You believe that all, who exer- cise saving faith in Christ, were chosen in him before the foundation of the world ; that they are
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regenerated by the special influence of the Holy Spirit, justified on account of the righteousness of Christ, and will be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.
ARTICLE VIII .- You believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church, the terms of admission to which are a public profession of faith in Him, sustained by credible evidence of its sanctifying power in the heart and life ; and that of that church the Lord Jesus Christ is the sole Lawgiver and Head.
ARTICLE IX .- You believe that the only Sacra- ments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; that Baptism is to be administered only to covenanting believers and their households ; and the Lord's Supper to members of the church in regular standing.
ARTICLE X .- You believe that there will be a resurrection of all the dead, when Jesus Christ will judge the world in righteousness ; and that the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.
You heartily profess and believe all these things .*
You will now enter into covenant with God and with this church.
. Here the candidate. will give a visible token of assent.
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THE COVENANT.
In the presence of God and this assembly, you now solemnly avow the Lord Jehovah to be your . God and your portion forever. You sincerely ded- icate yourself (-selves) to God the Father, as your chief good ; to the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour ; and to the Holy Spirit, as your Sanctifier. You truly devote to God all your powers, faculties, and possessions ; surrendering all to his sovereign disposal, and covenanting to use all for his kingdom and glory. You promise that you will give daily attention to the Scriptures as the rule of your life ; that you will give diligent attention to prayer ; that you will faithfully observe the Sabbath and the ordinances of divine worship ; and that, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will aim, by divine grace, to adorn the doctrine of God, your Saviour, in all things.
You also do now cordially join yourself (selves) to this church of Christ, and engage to submit to the regular administration of it government and discipline, to strive earnestly for its peace, edifica- tion and purity, and walk with its members in the gospel order and fellowship.
Trusting in the grace of God, do you thus cov- enant and engage ? * ·
[The ordinance of Baptism will here be administered to such as have not been baptized.]
* Here the candidate will give a visible token of assent.
THE. NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHIC
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In consequence of these professions and engage- ments, we, [here the church will rise,] the members of this church, in the name of Christ, affectionately receive you to our communion and all its visible privileges. We welcome you to fellowship with us in the blessings of the gospel, and on our part engage to watch over you with Christian affection as long as you continue with us. And now, be- loved in the Lord, let it not be forgotten that you can never withdraw from the covenant which has Wherever you go, these now been confirmed.
vows will be upon you ; they will follow you to the bar of God ; they will bind you forever. Here- after the eyes of the world will be upon you ; and as you live, so will your Saviour be honored or wounded in the house of his friends. "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 perfect 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 for ever and ever. AMEN."
SOUTH EVANGELICAL CHURCH, WEST ROXBURY.
The church was organized June 11, 1835, as the SPRING STREET CHURCH. The present name was adopted Oct. 28, 1853.
PASTORS. Rev. CHRISTOPHER MARSH, installed May 17, 1837 - dismissed December 11, 1850. Rev. THOMAS LAURIE, installed May 7, 1851.
DEACONS.
ENOCH FLAGG, elected Feb. 28, 1839-resigned 1840. WILLIAM WISWALL. elected Feb. 28, 1839. MICHAEL WHITTEMORE, Jr., elected March 16, 1843.
Those marked with a star (*) are deceased ; those with an obelisk (t) are dismissed to other churches ; (e) excommunicated.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
JUNE 11, 1835.
t Rev. C. Marsh, Church in Cumbridgeport.
t Mrs. Lucy G. Marsh, Salem Street Church, Boston.
Mr. Peter Hobart, Park Street do. do.
t Mrs. Betsey Hobart, do.
do.
do.
· Samuel Gould, M. D., First Church, Dedham. Mrs. Esther Gould, do.
Miss Elizabeth Gould, do. do.
Miss Sarah K. Gould,
do.
Miss Mary Ann Gould,
do.
do .
12
Mr. Paul Draper, First Church, Dedham.
* Mrs. Nancy M. Draper, do. do.
t Mr. Augustus B. Keen, clo. do.
t Mrs. Prudence Keen, do.
do.
* Widow Mary Whiting, do. do.
t Miss Julia Ann Griggs, do. do.
Mrs. Rachel A. Eveleth, do. do.
t Mr. Aaron Cass, do.
do.
t Mrs. Hannah A. Cass, Baptist Church, Baldwin Place, Boston. Mrs. Rachel Richards. Miss Hannah D. Richards.
t Mrs. Margaret B. Whittemore. Mrs. Betsey Whittemore.
* Miss Augusta A. Whittemore.
. Mrs. Ruth Griggs.
t Mrs. Mehitable Adams.
JULY 26, 1835.
Mr. William Wiswall, First Church, Newton.
Mrs. Abigail Wiswall, do. do.
* Widow Elizabeth Lyon.
* Mr. Edward Richards.
e Mr. Benjamin G. Draper.
Nov. 1, 1835.
Mrs. Elizabeth Esty.
Mrs. Harriet Keith.
. Miss Mary Hobart.
JULY 3, 1836.
Widow Lavinia Draper. Mrs. Sarah Craft. Mr. John L. Chenery.
Nov. 6, 1836.
t Mr. John Leland, First Church, Amherst.
t Mrs. Lydia Leland, do. do.
t Miss Maria H. Leland, do do.
t Miss Ann L. Leland, do. do.
t Miss Minerva HI. Leland, do. do.
t Mr. Stephen Bailey, South Church, do.
t Mrs. Olive Bailey, do. do.
t Mrs. Mary A. Mahan, Salem Street Church, Boston.
MARCH 5, 1837.
· Miss Sarah Lynd.
t Miss Priscilla Demoranville.
t Miss Sarah B. Reed, First Church, Amherst.
0
13
MAY 14, 1837.
t Miss Abigail Proctor, Church, Henniker, N. H. Mr. Henry P. Eveleth.
Mr. Edward P. W. Esty.
Mr. John Morrill.
Mrs. Catharine Harvey.
Miss Elizabeth Ann Upham. [Mrs. Kingsbury.]
t Mr. George Y. White, Church, Bethel, Vt.
DEC. 31, 1837.
Mrs. Anna C. Upham. [Mrs. Stetson.]
t Miss Lucy Mayo.
t Miss Susan Hobart.
1 Miss Elizabeth P. Marsh.
t Miss Phobe F. Marsh.
* Miss Caroline F. C. Richards.
-
MARCH 4, 1838.
Mr. Amos Esty. Mrs. Harriet Esty.
JULY 1, 1838.
t Mr. Enoch Flagg, First Church, Amherst.
t Mrs. Betsey Flagg, do. do.
t Miss Elizabeth Hull, do. do.
Mrs. Experience Woodward.
JAN. 6, 1839.
t Mrs. Mercy Powers.
* Mrs. Joanna N. Wason, Church, Candia, N. H.
MARCH 1, 1840.
Mrs. Lucinda J. Hartshorn, Church, South Dedham. t Mrs. Nancy Morgan, Church, Ludlow, It.
MAY 3, 1840.
t Miss Mary Wilson, First Church, Lowell.
t Mr. Benjamin Cass.
t Mrs. Roxana Cass.
e Mr. Chauncey Jordan. Mrs. Sarah Jordan.
t Mr. Emanuel S. Morgan. Mrs. Clementina Mason.
Mrs. Hannah Draper.
t Miss Charlotte W. Baker. Miss Augusta Draper. [Mrs. C. Woodward.] Miss Amanda Draper.
2
1
14
JULY 5, 1840.
Mr. Eleazer Thayer. t Miss Lydia L. Smith. [Mrs. Kidder.] SEPT. 6, 1840.
e Mrs. Mary Curtis.
Nov. 1, 1841.
Mrs. Emeline Chapin, Church, Whitinsville, Ms.
MARCH 6, 1842.
Mr. Michael Whittemore, Jr.
MAY 1, 1842.
Mr. Caleb Craft. Mrs. Sarah Hutchins.
Mrs. Betsey T. Davis.
JULY 3, 1842.
t Mrs. Catharine Adams.
JANUARY, 1843.
Mr. John Titterton.
MAY, 1843.
Mrs. Lydia Clifford, Methodist Church, Newton Upper Falls. * Mr. Caleb Parker. SEPTEMBER, 1843.
Mr. Simon Clifford. * Widow Mary Jones.
SEPTEMBER, 1844. Mrs. Maria Smith, First Church, Dedham. JULY, 1845.
Mr. John W. Kingsbury, First Church, Newton. JANUARY, 1846. Mrs. Sarah Ann Wason, Church, Raymond, N. II. MAY, 1846.
· Mr. Christopher Curtis. JANUARY, 1847. t Mrs. Sarah Davis, Methodist Church, Boston. Miss Martha Ann Woodward. MARCH, 1847.
t Miss Ruth Wilson. t Miss Maria M. A. Marsh.
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DECEMBER, 1847. Miss Catharine Harvey, Methodist Church, Boston.
JULY, 1848. Mr. Artemas Wiswall.
+ Mr. Henry M. Wiswall.
NOVEMBER, 1849.
Miss Sarah Jane Jordan.
JULY, 1850.
Mrs. Cordelia Town.
Ост. 31, 1851.
Mr. Andrew S. March, Eliot Church, Roxbury.
Mrs. Anne E. March,
do.
do.
Mr. Maxwell Lowry,
do.
do.
Mrs. Jane Lowry, Presbyterian Church, Boston.
Mr. Francis D. Ellis, Broadway Church, Chelsea.
Mrs. Sarah F. Ellis, do. do.
Miss Sarah F. Ellis, do. do.
t George Faulkner, M. D., First Church, Cambridge. Miss Abigail Proctor, Village Church, Dorchester. Rev. Thomas Laurie, Church in Theological Seminary, Andover. Mrs. Ellen A. Laurie, Church, South Hadley.
APRIL 30, 1852.
Mr. Jesse R. Warner, Pine Street Church, Boston.
Mrs. Jane D. Warner,
do.
do.
Miss Abbie W. Ellis, Broadway Church, Chelsea.
SEPT. 3, 1852.
* Miss Abby M. Wiswall.
MARCH 4, 1853.
Mrs. Lucy Ann Monroe, Third Church, Portland, Me.
Mrs. Sarah E. Stockman, Eliot Church, Roxbury.
Mrs. Helen G. Perkins, Church of the Pilgrims, Boston.
t Miss Mary T. Hutchings. [Mrs. Studley.] Mr. Edward W. Hutchings.
Mrs. Emily E. Hutchings.
Nov. 4, 1853.
Mr. Willard F. Lethbridge, Church of the Pilgrims, Boston. Mr. Charles F. Rand, Central Church, Boston. Mrs. Mary B. Rand, do. do. Mr. John Merrill, First Church, Cambridgeport. Mrs. Maria B. Merrill, do. do. Mrs. Mary S. Westcott, Esser Street Church, Boston.
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SUMMARY. NOVEMBER, 1853.
Received by letter,
68
" profession,
67 .
Whole number,
135
Deceased,
· 15
Dismissed,
46
Males,
41
Females,
94
Excommunicated,
3
Present members, . ·
71
17
PRESENT MEMBERS.
Chapin, Emeline. Chenery, John L. Clifford, Simon. Clifford, Lydia. Craft, Caleb. Craft, Sarah.
Davis, Betsey T. Draper, Hannah. Draper, Lavinia. Draper, Amanda.
Ellis, Francis D. Ellis, Mrs. Sarah F.
Ellis, Miss Sarah F.
Ellis, Abbie W.
Esty, Amos.
Esty, Harriet. Esty, Edward P. W. Esty, Elizabeth. Eveleth, Henry P. Eveleth, Rachel A.
Gould, Esther. Gould, Elizabeth. Gould, Sarah K. Gould, Mary Ann.
Hartshorn, Lucinda J.
Harvey, Mrs. Catharine. Harvey, Miss Catharine. Hutchins, Sarah. Hutchings, Edward W. Hutchings, Emily E.
Jordan, Sarah. Jordan, Sarah J.
Keith, Harriet. Kingsbury, J. W. Kingsbury, Elizabeth Ann.
Laurie, Thomas. Laurie, Ellen A. Lethbridge, Willard F. Lowry, Maxwell. Lowry, Jane.
March, Andrew S. March, Ann Elizabeth.
Mason, Clementina.
Merrill, John.
Merrill, Maria B.
Monroe, Lucy Ann.
Morrill, John.
Perkins, Helen G. Proctor, Abigail.
Rand, Charles F. Rand, Mary B. Richards, Rachel. Richards, Hannah D.
Smith, Maria. Stetson, Anna C. Stockman, Sarah E.
Thayer, Eleazer. Titterton, John. Town, Cordelia.
Warner, Jesse K. Warner, Jane P. Wason, Sarah Ann.
Westcott, Mary Smith. Whittemore, Michael, Jr.
Whittemore, Betsey. Wiswall, William. Wiswall, Abigail. Wiswall, Artemas. Woodward, Experience.
Woodward, Martha Ann. Woodward, Augusta.
D 2844 987.9
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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