Brief history of the First Free Congregational Church, with the articles of faith, and covenant, ecclesiastical regulations, and a list of its members, 1840, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1840
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : Dow & Jackson
Number of Pages: 110


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Gc 974.402 B65bofi 1825684


M. L.


REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02954 1692


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015


https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryoffi00unse


928. 4.1. 2:1


BRIEF HISTORY


Ist.


OF THE


FIRST FREE CONGREGATIONAL


CHURCH,


WITH THE


Boston


ARTICLES OF FAITH, AND COVENANT,


ECCLESIASTICAL REGULATIONS,


AND A


NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO


List of its Members.


BOSTON: DOW & JACKSON, PRINTERS, 14 Devonshire Street. 1840.


1825684


1.


BOSTON. FIRST FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Brief history of the First free Congrega- tional church, with the articles of faith, and covenant, ecclesiastical regulations, and a list of its members. Boston, Dow, 1840.


48р .


1055


NL 36-2890


BRIEF HISTORY


OF THE


FIRST FREE CHURCH.


THE Free Church system, as pursued in the city of New York, and in other places, having proved eminently successful in advancing the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, it was deemed desirable, by several individuals, that it should be introduced into this city.


A meeting was consequently held, on the evening of June 2, 1835, " to inquire into the expediency of forming a free church." About sixty brethren were present, chiefly from Union, Pine-street, Salem, and Bowdoin-street churches-when it was voted that Ritchie Hall (the most commodious place which could then be obtained) should be opened every Sabbath for public worship. This meeting was adjourned to a subsequent evening, when a committee was ap- pointed to make arrangements for the organization of the church.


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The following PREAMBLE was adopted as the basis of the organization.


" Deeming it to be the duty of Christians in this city to make additional efforts for the salvation of the many thousands who are now shut out from the means of grace on the Sabbath : and having every reason to believe that the same course of measures which have been so successful in New York, would prove equally so here ; and furthermore, believing that the gospel plainly enjoins, as a duty, that the Church of Christ should at all times bear its unhesi- tating and decided testimony against every species and form of moral evil, we deem it incumbent on ourselves, as a Christian church, to be ever ready by our declarations, our discipline and our acts, to stand forth boldly in the cause of moral purity, and, in obe- dience to the injunction of the Apostle, " have no fel- lowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." We, the subscribers, hereby agree to associate tegether for the purpose of form- ing an orthodox Congregational Free Church in this city, to be conducted on similar principles with the Free Churches in New York-it being understood, that all persons who use or traffic in ardent spirit as a drink ; all who retain their connection with secret societies, which practise the taking of profane or un- lawful oaths-and all slaveholders, or those who are concerned in buying and selling slaves,-shall be ex-


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cluded from the communion table and the pulpit. Baptism to be administered by sprinkling or immer- sion, at the option of the candidate."


An adjourned meeting was held on Tuesday eve- ning, June 28th, when a covenant and code of by- laws were adopted, and signed by fifty-six individu- als, who, on the evening of July 16th, were publicly recognized as the "First Free Congregational Church in Boston," by an ecclesiastical council con- vened at the Essex-street church.


At one of the preliminary meetings before the church was formed, it was


Voted, That the abolition of slavery is a great be- nevolent object, and ought to be classed by all Chris- tians with Foreign Missions, Bible, Tract, Educa- tion, and other kindred Societies. But, while it is important that stated seasons should be devoted to the consideration of these subjects, the CHIEF object of a Christian church should be to co-operate with its pastor in the conversion of sinners.


After the church was organized, it was voted that the officiating clergyman, at seasons of cominunion, invite all persons present to commune, who are mem- bers of evangelical churches in regular standing, with the exception of,


1. Those who use or deal in ardent spirit as a drink.


2. Those who retain their connection with any se-


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cret society which practises the taking of profane or unlawful oaths.


3. Slaveholders, and those who are in any way concerned in buying and selling their fellow men.


The church worshipped, the first three years of its existence, in Congress and Amory Halls. During that period, 45 were added to it on profession, and 50 by letter from other churches. The corner-stone of the Chapel, in which it now worships, was laid Aug. 17,1837. The building was dedicated May 24, 1838, and opened for public worship on the Sabbath following. The Rev. CHARLES FITCH, from Hartford, was installed pastor of the church, May 24, 1836. He was dismissed Sept. 3d, 1838. The Rev. A. A. PHELPS was elected pastor December 4th, 1838, and installed July 24th, 1839.


FORM OF ADMISSION.


BELOVED FRIENDS,-You have presented your- selves before God, his people, and the world, to make a solemn profession of your religious faith, and to take upon you the bonds of the everlasting covenant. We trust you have well considered the nature of this transaction, the most solemn and momentous in which a mortal can ever engage, and that you are prepared, by divine grace, to give yourselves away, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ.


Having examined and assented to the articles of faith adopted by this church, you will now profess the same before these witnesses.


CONFESSION OF FAITH.


ART. I. You believe there is one, and but one, God a, the Creator b, Preserver c, and Governor d of the universe ; a Being self-existent e, independent, f and immutable g ; infinite in power h, knowledge i, wisdom j, holiness k, justice 2, goodness m, and truth n.


a The Lord is the true God, he is the living God, Jer. x. 10. See Is. xlv. 5; Neh. ix. 10; Mark xii. 32; 1 Cor. viii. 4.


b The Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth, Is. x1. 23. See Gen. i. 1, 27; ii. 3 ; Ps. cxlviii. 5; Rev. iv. 11.


c O thou preserver of inen, Job vii. 20. See Ps. xxxvi. 6; Neh. ix. 6.


d The kingdom is the Lord's; and he is the Governor among the nations, Ps. xxii. 28. See Rev. xix. 6; Dan. iv. 17; Ps. xlvii. 8; ciii. 99; cxlvi 10.


e And God said unto Moses, I am that Iam. And he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I am hath sent me unto you, Ex. iii. 14. See Rev. i. 4 ; Ps. Ixxxiii. 18.


f One God and Father of all, who is above all, Eph. iv. 6. Seo Acts xvii. 21, 25.


g The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, James i. 17. See Ps. xxxiii. 11.


Å The Lord God Omnipotent, Rev. xix. 6. Sec Gen. xvii. 1; Rev. iv. 8.


i God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things, 1 John iii. 20. See Ps. cxxxix. 1-6; 1 Chron. xxviii. 9.


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j To God only wise, Rom. xvi. 27.


k Who is like thee, glorious in holiness ? Ex. xv. 11.


/ Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments, Ps. cxix. 137. See Neli. ix. 32, 33.


m Thou art good, and doest good, Ps. cxix. 69.


n God is not a man, that he should lie ; neither the son of man, that he should repent ; hath he said, and shall he not do it ! or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ? Num. xxiii. 19.


ART. II. You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God a; that they contain a complete and harmo- nious system of truth b; and that they are a perfect rule of doctrinal belief and religious practice c.


a All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. iii. 16. See 2 Pet. j. 21 ; 1 Cor. ii. 13; Gal. i. 11, 12.


6 For whatsosver things were written aforetime, were written for our leafning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope, Rom. xv. 4. See Ps. cxix. 160; Ileb. i. 1 ; 2 Tim. ifi. 16 ; Rom. iii. 31.


c We have also a more sure word of prophecy ; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts, 2 Pet. i. 19. See Gal. i. 8; Rev. xxii. 18, 19 ; 1 John v. 9.


ART. III. You believe that God is revealed in the Scriptures as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost a ; and that these three are one b, and equal in all divine attributes c.


a Grace be unto you, and peace from God the Father, &c., Gal. i. 7. Unto the Son, he (the Father) saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, Heb. i. 8. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Sa- tan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost ?- Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God, Acts v. 3, 4.


& Go ye, therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the (one) name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Matt. xxviii. 19. Seo 2 Cor. xiii. 14 ; 1 Pet. i. 2.


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c Who (Christ) being in the form of God, thought it not robbe- ry to be equal with God, Phil. ii. 6.


The unity and equality of the three persons in the one Being, Jehovah, are taught in the Scriptures, not so much by direct asser- tion, as by the fact, that the same names, the same attributes, works, and worship are ascribed to each. Take e. g. what is said of Jesus Christ.


1. The names ascribed to him. (1.) God. John i. 1 ; xx. 28 ; Rom. ix. 5; Heb. i. 8; 1 John, v. xx. (2.) Jehovah. Compare Is. vi. 1-6, (the word rendered God in verses 3 and 5, is the same as is elsewhere tranlated Jehovah) with John x11. 40, 41.


2. Attributes (1.) Eternity. Compare Rev. i. 8, 11, and xxii. 13, with Is. xliv. 6, and xlviii. 12. (2.) Ommipotence. Compare John i. 3, and Heb. i. 3, 10, and Col. i. 15 -.- 17, with Jer. x. 10-16, and Is. xl. 21, 26, 28, and Acts xiv. 15. (3.) Omniscience. Compare Rev. ii. 23, and 1 Cor. iv. 4, 5, with Jer. xvii. 10; Acts, i. 24; John, ii. 24, 25; vi. 46; Matt. xi. 27. (4 ) Ommipresence. Matt. xviii. 20; xxviii. 20. (5.) Equality with God. Phil. ii. 5-8. 3. Works. (1.) Creation. See above, under Omnipotence. (2.) Miracles. Manner of speaking of them, and of performing them. Matt. vill. 26, 27; ix. 2, 25, 29; xiv. 31; xvii. IS; John, x. 15, 17, 19, 37, 38. Compare these with the following. Acts, iii. 6; iv. 7-10, 30; xvi. 18.


4. Worship. John, v. 23; xx. 23; Heb. i. 6; Phil. ii. 10, 11; Rom. x. 9-14; Rev. v. 8-14; Acts, vil. 59, 60; 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9; 1 Thess. iii. 11, 12; 2 Thess. ii. 16, 17 ; Rom. i. 7; Acts, i. 24. Compare with these, Acts, xii. 22, 23; xiv. 15; Rev. xix. 10; xxii. 8, 9.


Substantially the same course might be pursued, in order to prove the personality and deity of the Holy Ghost.


ART. IV. You believe that God made all things to show forth his own glorious perfections a ; that known unto him are all his works from the beginning; that he governs all things according to the counsel of his own will &; and that the principles and adminis- tration of his government are perfectly holy, just, and good c.


a This people have I formed for myself ; they shall show forth


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my praise. Is. xliii. 21. See Romans ix. 17, 22, 23; xi. 36; Rev. iv. 11; Prov. xvi. 4.


6 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure, Is. xlvi. 10. See Is. xiv. 24, 26, 27 ; Eph. i. 4, 5, 6, 9, 11.


c The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Ps. cxlv. 17. See Is. xxviii. 29 ; Rom. xi. 33.


ART. V. You believe that man was originally ho- ly, and that he fell from his happy state by sinning against God a ; that in consequence of the fall, b mankind are by nature destitute of holiness, and al- ienated from God c, and so continue until regenera- ted by the special influences of the Holy Spirit. d


a Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright ; but they have sought out many inventions, Ecc. vii. 29. Gen. i. 27. Gen. ii. 16, 17, and ifi. 1-24.


b Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed opon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom. v. 12. See verses 18, 19.


c And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins -; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as oth- ers, Eph. ñ. 1, 3. See Rom. vii. 18; vni. 7, 8; Gen. vi. 5; viii.21 ; Rom. iii. 9-18; John iii. 6; Ps. li. 5; Iviii. 3.


d Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John iii. 5; vi. 44, 45; 1 Cor. hi. 6, 7; 2 Thess. ii. 13; Tit. iii. 5.


ART. VI. You believe that the Son of God be- came incarnate a, and by his obedience, sufferings, and death, made a full atonement for sin, and thus opened a way for the salvation of all who believe on him b, and that such repentance as arises from su- preme love to God, and such faith in Jesus Christ as includes an affectionate submission to him, and reli-


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ance upon him for pardon and eternol life, are the indispensable conditions of salvation. c


a And withont controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, 1 Tim. iii. 16. The Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, John i. 1, 14. See Rom. ix. 5; Heb. ii. 16; 1 Tim. ii. 5; Phil. ii. 6, 7.


6 Whom (Christ) God hath set forth to be a propitiation (propi- tiatory or atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteonness for (justice in) the reinission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ;- to declare, I say, at this (pres- ent) time his righteousness ; that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus, Rom. iii. 25, 26. See Rom. v. 10; Is. liii. 5, 10, 11. Compare Lev. xvii. 11, and Heb. ix. 22; John, i. 16, 29; xiv. 6 ; Acts iv. 12; Eph. i. 7; 1 Tim. ii. 6; Heb. ii. 9; ix. 14, 15 ; 1 John ii. 2; Rev. v. 9; vii. 14.


c Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. Luke xiii. 3. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be dainned, Mark xvi. 15, 16. See Is. xiv. 22; Rev. xxii. 17.


ART. VII. You believe that the invitations of the Gospel are full and sincere, that all who will may come and partake of the water of life freely a ; but that mankind do of their own accord most freely and most wickedly refuse to comply with these conditions, so that none of them do come, unless drawn by the special influence of the Holy Spirit b.


a In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. John, vii. 37. See Rev. xxii. 17; 2 Pet. iii. 9.


b And ye will not come unto me that ye might have life, John, v. 40. See John, iii. 19; Rom. viii. 7; John, vii. 7.


ART. VIII. You believe the influences of the Ho- ly Spirit are not bestowed on account of any previ-


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ous merit in the sinner, but as the free gift of God a. But that these influences are ordinarily so connected with the careful use of means, as imposes the most solemn obligation to attend upon them, and renders hope of conversion in the neglect of means, or while living in sin, eminently presumptuous.


a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but ac- cording to his mercy be saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus iii. 5. See 2 Tun. i. 9.


ART. IX. You believe that all who obtain salva- tion through Christ were " chosen in him before the foundation of the world a." and that all who truly believe in him are justified on account of his right- eousness b, and will be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salvation c.


a According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, &c. Ephes. i. 4, 5. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctifi- cation of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 13; Romn. viii. 28, 30; ix. 11-16; xi. 5, 7; 2 Tim. i. 9; 1 Pct. 1, 2; Acts, xiii. 49; Eph. iii. 11.


b Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. iv. 25 ; v. 1; iii. 20.


c Who are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salva- vation. 1 Pet. i. 5. See John x. 27-29.


ART. X. You believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church, a-that the terms of membership are a credible profession of faith in Christ, and of that holiness which is wrought by the


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renewing grace of God b; and that habitual com- munion with God, and conscientious attendance upon public, family, and secret worship, and the habitual practice of righteousness, temperance, sobriety, sin- cerity, and truth, are essential to Christian charac- ter. c


a Take heed therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, Acts xx. 29. See 2 Tim. i. 19; Rev. i. 17 ; 1 Cor. i. 2.


b Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest, Acts, viii. 37. See Acts, ii. 41, 47; 1 Cor. i. 2; 2 Cor. ix. 13, "professed subjection," &c., 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10; vi. 12.


c The fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. Ephes. v. 9. See Gal. v. 22.


ART. XI. You believe that the sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lord's Sup- per ; baptism to be administered only to covenanting believers and their households a, and the Supper only to believers in regular standing and commun- ion with the church b.


a If thou beliovest with all thine heart thou mayest, Acts, viii. 47. See Mark, xvi. 15, 16 ; Acts, x. 47.


Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promises made unto the fathers, Rom. xv. 8. See Gen. xvii. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12. And this I say that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the ( Mo- saic) law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none efect. Know ye, therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the chil- dren of Abraham. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise, Gal. iii. 17; vii. 29. For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call, Acts, ii. 39. Suffer little children (so small that they were " brought," v. 15,)


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to come unto me, and FORBID them not; for of such is the king- dom of God, Luke, xviii. 16. See Rom. ix. 16-20; Jer. xxx. 20; 1 Cor. vii. 14; Acts, xvi. 33; 1 Cor. i. 16.


& Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils, 1 Cor. x 21. Sec 1 Cor. v. 6, 7, 13; vi. 14-16 ; xi. 27, 29; 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14, 15; Matt. vil. 6 ; P's. i. 16; Ex. xii. 48.


ART. XII. Finally, you believe that at death, if not before, the souls of believers are made perfectly holy, and do immediately pass into glory @ ; and that the souls of the wicked do, at death, pass immediate- ly to a state of punishment b ; that, at the end of the world, there will be a resurrection of the dead c, when all mankind will give to God an account of their conduct, and be judged according to what they have done d ; and the righteous, publicly acquitted, will enter into life eternal ; and the wicked publicly condemned, will go away into punishment that will never end e.


a To day shalt thou be with me in paradise, Luke, xxiii. 43. Also xvi. 22.


& The rich man died and was buried, and in hell ho lifted up his eyes, &c. Luke xvi. 19-31.


c Marvel not at this : for the hour is coming, in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation, John, v. 28, 29. See Job, xix. 26, 27; Acts xxiv. 15; xxvi. 8; 1 Cor. xv. 12-53; Matt. xxvii. 52; xxviii. 6; Phil. hi. 21 ; Dan. xii. 2.


d For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man ( Christ) whom he hath ordained, Acts, xvii. 31. See Rom. xiv. 10, 12 ; John, v. 22, 27. See Ecc. xii. 14; Matt. xii. 36, 37; 1 Cor. ir. 5; Rev. xx. 12, 13.


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e These shall go away into everlasting punishinent, but the righte- ous into life eternal, Matt. xxv. 46. See John, viii. 36; Matt. vii. 13; xxv. 30 ; xiii. 30, 40, 42, 49, 50 ; Mark iii. 29 ; Luke xvi. 22-26 ; 2 Thess. i. 9 ; Dan. xii. 2.


Thus you profess and believe ?


You will now enter into solemn covenant with God and this church.


COVENANT.


In the presence of God, his holy angels, and this assembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Je- hovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your God ; the object of your supreme affection, and your portion forever. You cordially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in all his mediatorial offices, Pro- phet, Priest, and King, as your only Savior, and the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide. You humbly and cheerfully devote your- selves to God in the everlasting covenant of his grace ; you consecrate all your powers and faculties to his service and glory ; and you promise, that through the assistance of his Spirit, you will cleave to him as your chief good ; that you will give dili- gent attendance to his word and ordinances, and as-


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semble with the people of God during the week as opportunity may afford ; particularly upon stated and occasional meetings of the church, for the purposes of instruction and devotion; and to discharge all those duties by which God may be glorified, the welfare and happiness of man promoted, the re- ligion of the Bible extended and established : and that henceforth, denying all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world.


You do now cordially join yourselves to this church of Christ, engaging to submit to the rules of ecclesiastical government and discipline, which it has adopted ; to strive earnestly for its peace, edification, and purity, and to walk with its members in love, faithfulness, circumspection, meekness, and sobriety.


This you severally profess and engage.


(The 'ordinance of baptism will now be administered.)


In consequence of these professions and engage- ments, we, the members of this church, (here the members of the church rise,) affectionately receive you to our communion, and in the name of Christ de- clare you entitled to all its privileges. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the gospel, and on our part engage to watch over you, and seek your edification, as long as you shall continue with us. And hereafter you can never withdraw from


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the watch and communion of saints, without a breach of covenant.


And now, beloved in the Lord, let it be impressed on your minds that you have entered into solemn obligations from which you can never escape. Wher- ever you go, these vows will be upon you ; they will follow you to the bar of God, and will abide upon you to eternity. You can never again be as you have been. You have unalterably committed your- selves, and henceforth you must be the servants of God. Hereafter the eyes of the world will be upon you, and as you demean yourselves, so will religion be honored or dishonored : if you walk worthily of your profession, you will be a credit and a comfort to us ; but if it be otherwise, it will be an occasion of grief and reproach.


But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things which accompany salvation, though . we thus speak. May the Lord guide and preserve you till death, and at last receive you and us to that blessed world where our love and joy shall be for- ever perfect. AMEN.


ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES & RULES.


In regard to our ecclesiatical government and dis- cipline, with our sister churches in this Common- wealth, we adopt the congregational form, as contain- ed in the platform of church discipline, gathered out of the word of God, and agreed upon by the elders und messengers of the churches assembled in the synod, at Cambridge, New England, A. D. 1646.


The following rules, agreeing substantially with the New England Platform, have been found useful and are adopted as the rules of this church.


I. RIGHTS OF THE CHURCH. This church is inde- pendent, so far as relates to its internal organization, and the regulation of its affairs. It is amenable to no other ecclesiastical body, except by its own con- sent, or according to regular and established congre- gational principles. With these exceptions, it con- trols the admission, discipline, and removal of its members, and election of its pastor, according to its own understanding of the word of God.


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II. CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHURCHES. This church will extend to other evangelical congregation- al churches, and receive from them that fellowship, advice, and assistance which the law of Christ re- quires. It will extend the usual rights of commun- ion, and practise the mutual transfer of members, according to its own convictions of duty. It holds it- self bound to regard the decisions of regular mutual councils, and to seek the promotion of peace with all the churches of our Lord.




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