USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Confession of faith, and form of church government, of the Fifth Universalist Church, in Boston > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Gc 974.402 B65box 1823859
M.C. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 8663
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/confessionoffait00univ
D 28441. 8.1
THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH,
AND FORM OF
CHURCH GOVERNMENT,
OF THE
FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,
5th
IN BOSTON
NEWBTARY LIBRERY : CHICAGO:
1823859
WHO ARE CHRISTIANS?
This important question is variously answered. Some believe that only those are christians who give a cordial assent to the doctrines of the trinity, total depravity and endless suffering. Others believe that to be christians, we must not only subscribe to these doctrines, but be baptized by immersion, and approve of the most fanatical and extrava- gant measures for the conversion of sinners. The Bible, however, gives no countenance to any of these opinions. It declares :-
1. That to be Christians, we must believe in Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of Sinners ; as a Teacher clothed with miraculous wis- dom and power, and as in all things divinely qualified to accomplish the salvation of mankind. [See Acts viii. 37; xvi. 31 ; John ix. 35 ; xi. 27 ; 1 Peter ii. 7.
2. The Bible declares, that in order to be Christians, we must love. God with all our hearts, and our neighbor as we love ourselves ; that we must have the spirit of Christ ; that our souls must feel the truth, and be able to cry Abba Father. [See Matt. v. 43, 44; Mark xii, 30- 33 ; John xiii. 35 ; xv. 12 ; Rom. viii. 2, 15 ; xiii. 10 ; Eph. iv. 3.]
3. The Bible also declares, that in order to be Christians, we must do as we would be done by ; be just in our dealings ; temperate in all things ; free from sinful indulgences ; kind to the poor, and faithful in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ, support public worship, and the various institutions of Religion. [See Matt. vii. 12; Mic. vi. 8 ; Gal. v. 23 ; Prov. vi. 16-19 ; 1 Cor. v. 7-11 ; Eph. iv. 25-32 ; v. 15 -28 ; vi. 1-9 ; Lev. xxiii 3 ; Heb. x. 24, 25 ; James i. 21-27.
Thus FAITH, EXPERIENCE and GOOD WORKS constitute a Chris- tian ; and all who can say - I believe in Jesus, feel his spirit in my heart, and keep his commandments, may safely conclude that they are the servants of God.
THE NEW BIRTH.
There are but few subjects on which there have been warmer dis- putes than the new birth. To be born again is supposed by many to be a change of nature ; but that such is not the case is evident -
1. Because there is no analogy between such a change and the nat- ural birth. The latter is the " coming forth to conscious existence," of something before unseen and unknown. Hence according to the analogies of nature, the former must be bringing into life and action what before was morally dead. It is neither the creation nor change of any faculty ; but simply bringing faculties already possessed, under the influence of truth.
2. The new birth is not a change of nature, because we are com- manded to repent and turn from sin. Now as we have no power to change our natures, and as God would not require impossibilities, the new birth must be simply a change of feeling, motive and principle of action.
[See 3d page of cover.].
THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH,
AND FORM OF
CHURCH GOVERNMENT,
OF THE
FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH,
IN BOSTON.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
BOSTON : . PRINTED BY MUDGE AND EVANS,
1843.
):
D 28441 .07
BOSTON. FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. The confession of faith, and form of church government, of the Fifth Universalist church, in. Boston. Boston, Mudge, 1843. 14p. .
"Names of members": p. [93-14.
1067
CHO - CAP
6
-- ...
FORM OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
ARTICLE 1. The Church shall hold an Annual Meeting, for the purpose of choosing its officers, and transacting such other business as may be brought before it, and deemed necessary to its prosperity, on the last Saturday evening of Sept.
ART. 2. The Officers of the Church shall con- sist of such a number of Deacons as shall be thought requisite; of a Clerk and Treasurer. These Officers shall be chosen annually, (by bal- lot) except the Deacons, who shall continue in office during the pleasure of the Church, or until they resign.
The duty of the Clerk shall be, to keep a true and faithful record of all the meetings and pro- ceedings of the Church; and also a list of all the members, male and female.
The duty of the Treasurer shall be, to take care of all the furniture of the Church-to receive the money collected on communion days; and to keep a regular account thereof.
4
The duty of the Deacons shall be, to furnish the table, and to assist in the celebration of the Lord's supper. It shall also be their duty to in- quire into, and relieve the wants of the poor of the Church and Society, as far as they may be enabled so to do, by collections taken for charita- ble purposes. The funds shall be appropriated to no other purpose except by a special vote of the Church, and the proposition so to appropriate shall lie over one month. .
ART. 3. Any person desiring to become a member of this Church, may make his or her re- quest known to the Pastor of the Society or to either of the Deacons, and he or she shall become a member, after having stood proposed as long as the Pastor and Deacons shall deem requisite, if approved by a majority of the members present, at any regular meeting of the Church.
ART. 4. It shall be the duty of the members of this church, if they know any reason why a person proposed for admission, should not become a member, to give notice of the fact as early as possible to the Pastor or one of the Deacons, after such person has been proposed.
ART. 5. Any member wishing to withdraw from this church, may make his or her request known in writing, and if such applicant is in good standing, an honorable discharge shall be granted, if not, fellowship shall be withdrawn.
-
-
5
ART. 6. If any member of this church becomes connected with another before withdrawing from this, such a person shall be disfellowshipped.
ART. 7. It shall be the duty of any member of this Church who may remove to any place where a regular Universalist Church exists, and who may expect not to return within a year, to carry and present to that Church a letter of re- commendation to communion. Any member re- moving to a place where no church exists may continue in fellowship by sending annually an account of his or her spiritual condition to this church. Any member not having removed from the City, neglecting to come to the communion table for six months in succession, shall thereby forfeit his or her membership, unless some satis- factory excuse can be given for such neglect.
ART. 8. It shall be the duty of the Church to deal with offending members according to the di- rections given by our Saviour, Matt. xviii. 15, 16, 17: and Luke xvii. 3. 4. The Church, however, disclaims all authority over obstinate offenders, except the mere withdrawal of fellowship.
ART. 9. Any of the foregoing articles of Church Government, may be altered, amended, or stricken out, or others may be annexed, if by two thirds of the members of the Church, it may be thought necessary. All proposed amendments shall be laid over one month.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
ADDRESS.
BELOVED FRIENDS :
The Lord Jesus Christ requires, not only that his followers should abstain from all sin, but that they should make a public profession of their faith, and enter into church relations with each other. In obedience to this regulation, you stand before this altar to make a solemn confession of your re- ligious faith, and take upon yourselves the sacred obligations of Christians. We believe that you have duly considered the nature of the professions you are about to make, and of the engagements into which you are about to enter. If faithful in their observance, God will smile upon you, and give you strength to do his will, and endure all the afflictions which he may appoint. Seek therefore, to be faithful even until death.
You will now attend to the
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
You believe in the existence of one God, who is the Creator of the Universe, and who possesses, not only infinite wisdom, power and goodness, but every possible perfection.
7
You believe in Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the Saviour of the world.
You believe in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as being a revelation from God, as containing rules for the regulation of our con- duct in all the relations and circumstances of life, and as declaring, not only the character and gov- ernment of God, but the final destiny of mankind.
You believe it to be the duty of Christians to meet together on the first day of the week, for public worship; to seek their advancement in knowledge and virtue by reading the scriptures and attending to all the means of grace-to ab- stain from intemperance, profaneness, lying and Sabbath breaking, and to imitate as far as possi- ble, the example of Jesus Christ.
All this you truly profess and believe.
[The ordinance of Baptism to be administered.]
You will now enter into covenant with God and with this Church.
COVENANT.
Having become members of the Church of Christ on earth, you solemnly promise before God and this assembly, that you will ever receive the instructions of the Christian Religion, and seek to govern yourselves by its doctrines and laws-that you will endeavour to improve in every virtue
8
which relates to God, your neighbor and your- selves; and that to this end, you will diligently and honestly search the Scriptures; be punctual in your attendance upon the services of the Sanc- tuary, keep the Sabbath day holy, have a constant watch over yourselves, and live in the fear of God.
This you profess and engage.
In consequence of these professions and prom- ises, we (the members of this Church,) affection- ately receive you to our communion, and declare you entitled to all its advantages. We welcome you to the blessings of the Gospel, and the privi- leges of the Lord's table, and we promise to seek your edification, and watch over you in love.
And now beloved brethren, let me entreat you to remember the vows which you have here made. God is a witness of the transactions of this day ; and may he give you strength to walk worthy of your good profession .- AMEN.
L
,
FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
REV. OTIS A. SKINNER, Pastor.
JAMES DENNISON,
OTIS MORTON, - Deacons.
GARDNER P. DRURY, -
BELA MARSH,
ROBERT W. HALL, Clerk.
THACHER BEAL, Treasurer.
NAMES OF MEMBERS.
Those maked thus [*] have died since the Church was formed.
MALES.
Allen, Ebenezer K. Caverly, Charles Adams, John Q. Cumings, Samuel C. Chamberlain, David Churchill, Charles
Beal, Thacher *Brickett, Haven S. K. Chandler, Charles N. Bodwell, Nathaniel
Carver, William J.
Cunningham, Joseph C.
Bryant, Jeremiah B. Baldwin, Josiah Bursley, Henry Brown, Aaron *Baker, Samuel Brigham, Nahum
Dennison, James Drury, Gardner P. *Davis, John M. Dolbeare, Edmund P. Jr. Davis, David C.
..
1823859
10
Edmands, Ephraim W. Norris, Peter R. Eddy, William H.
French, Jonathan Fisk, Jonathan Fifield, Calvin S. Farmer, John P.
Gamage, William Greene, David
Hills, George Hall, Milton
Houghton, Lamson Holland, Thomas H.
Hersey, Daniel Hall, Robert W.
Hellesen, Charles C. Howard, Nathaniel Haskins, Shiverick Hall, Barnabas
Hawkes, Joseph Hendley, James Hoyt, Adam
Josselyn, Daniel Jackson, Ezra S.
Kuch, Cristopher C.
Loring, Josiah *Lamson, Amos Longley, Alonzo C.
Marsh, Bela Morton, Otis Morton, Otis, Jr. Moulton, John H.
Nichols, William Neale, John Norris, Jacob
Pear, Edward
Peck, Oren
Rider, Francis W. Robbins, George W. Randolph, W. B.
3
Skinner, Otis A. Standish, Moses *Shackford, Issacher F.
Saunders, Kendall P. Stevenson, Benjamin V.
Sampson, Thomas P. Stearns, Asa Smith, Benton
Sampson, Martin
Smith, George
Stewart, Henry L.
Smith, Eli A, Simpson, Joseph G.
Tolman, William P. Tyler, William S.
Underwood, Nathan
Withington, Josiah Worster, John Wise, William M. Wise, Edward Webster, William P. Wentworth, Stephen Walcott, Aaron Waitt, W. B.
11
FEMALES.
Allen, Ruth L.
Bowman, Esther
Ayers, Dorinda
Bowman, Abby W. C.
Allen, Joanna
Auburn, Mary J.
Capen, Sophia
Atwood, Adeline S.
Caverly, Henrietta
Allen, Mary
Cate, Nancy
Allen, Agnes
Carney, Clari J.
Beal, Sarah E.
Churchill, Sarah
Bacall, Elizabeth
*Beal, Lydia
Currier, Elizabeth
Bacon, Abigail E.
Cook, Nancy
Bodge, Cordelia
Cunningham, Nancy
Brigham, Lucy
Carr, Maria
Blanchard, Hannah
Cowdin, Olive S.
Baker, Mary
Crockett, Sarah A.
Bailey, Abigail
Carl, Sophia W.
Baldwin, Jane
Carl, Harriet A.
Baker, Emeline
Coolidge, Sarah E.
Baker, Elizabeth
Crockett, Margaret
Burrille, Eliza J.
Cumings, Lucy W.
Bursley, Martha S. Beal, Eliza Ann
Corbett, Margaret
Bell, Joanna B.
*Carter, Eunice
Broaders, Elmira L.
Chamberlain, Emma
Berry, Sophia T.
Baker, Ann
Davis, Lucy M.
Burton, Matilda R.
Dennison, Mary
Bell, Abby B. F.
Drury, Abigail
Bowker, Lydia D.
Davis, Nancy
Brown, Jane D.
Davis, Priscilla S.
Bodwell, Mercy N.
Dillaway, Emeline G.
Beede, Sarah J.
Dunbar, Betsey
Brigham, Jane
Dudley, Parthana
Burton, Elizabeth C.
Davis, Euphemia Demeritt, Elvenia
Bowen, Susan
Coughland, Mary
4
Chandler, Thankful
Clemens, Abigail
12
Danforth, Betsey Delano, Juliet Drayton, Nancy
Edmands, Lucy Emery, Mehitable Easte, Eliza W. *Edwards, Mary E. Eaton, Mary C.
Eastman, Esther Emmons, Abby K. Eaton, M. L.
Farmer, Lydia B.
Fuller, Lucinda
Fisk, Rachel
Farrington, Adeline French, Hannah
F'ifield, Mary M.
Fifield, Mary Jane Fuller, Elizabeth Forbush, Susan Fillebrown, Ann Faxon, Mary D. Foote, Susan T. Farrar, Sarah T.
Gowan, Nancy Gleason, Elizabeth
Goodridge, Caroline A. Jones, Lucretia H. Garland, Jane S. *Gould Elizabeth Garland, Sarah Gardner, Sarah Griggs, Susan Maria Guild, Persis Greene, Thirsa Lamson, Sally Lincoln, Nancy Goodwin, Mary L.
Hills, Nancy Hooper, Eveline Hooper, Francis Ann *Howe, Susan *Holland, Harriet Hersey, Lydia G. Hawkes, Joanna
Hawkes, Abby
Hayden, Margaret
Hellesen, Relief
Hervey, Mary Hunnewell, Elizabeth
Hildreth, Emeline A.
Huntley, Mehitable
Humphrey, Lydia
Hale, Mary Ann
Hook, Clara Holt, Elizabeth A.
Holt, Emma D.
Hall, Sarah A. C.
Haraden, Eliza Ann
Howe, Sarah
Hoyt, Susan E.
Jackson, Maria Joy, Emeline B. Joy, Elizabeth B. Joy, Jenness L. Jenkins, Rebecca
Kimball, Matilda J. Kingsbury, Mary Kinney, Ann M. Knight, Lydia
13
Littlefield, Abigail H. Littlefield, Margaret Latham, Mary Jane Lawrence, Mary Ann Leonard, Phebe Luther, Mary Latham, Jennett L.
Lane, Theresa B.
Lawrence, Mary L. Loring, Cynthia C. Longley, Harriet L. Lemoyne, Betsey P.
Morgan, Caroline Morton, Persis
Morton, Hannah C.
Marsh, Mary B.
Mirick, Elizabeth
Moore, Caroline
Marrs, Dorcas
Moore, Harriet A. Mallard, Sarah C. Moore, L. W.
Norris, Lucinda Norris, Maria *Nickerson, Mary B. Nichols, Lucinda
Perkins, Martha L. Pear, Jane Peck, Eliza Pomroy, H. B. Peak, Sophia S. Pear, Sarah Ann Phelps, Julia A. Pottle, Sereni
Peasely, Jane Palmer, Hannah Z. Peters, Sarah J. Peck, Fanny M.
Rockwood, Adeline H. Reed, Mary
Robinson, Sarah D.
Randall, Judith
Reed, Mary E.
Skinner, Angela M.
Standish, Harriet
Stevenson, Abigail
Stevenson, Abigail E.
Sargeant Elizabeth
Spaulding, Sybil Sprague, Lydia
Stearns, Catharine
Spencer, Betsey
Simpson, Parmelia Smith, Sally, Sampson, Lucian Sprague, Maria L.
Sampson, Maria W. Stackpole, Rispah
Scott, Jane A. Starkweather, Almira A. *Smith, Julia Ann Smith, Mary Ann
Smith, Susannah Saunders, Martha
Tolman, Mary Ann Turner, Abby D. Thompson, Elizabeth Thayer, Ellen M.
.
14
Titus, Sylvia
Turner, Nancy I.
Tukey, Mary Jane Towne, Harriet
Trowbridge, Louisa
Walcott, Hannah L. Wise, Julia West, Phebe
Wilder, Eliza
Wise, Lucinda
Warner, Elizabeth
Underwood, Narcissa Underwood, Phebe
Webster, Nancy D.
Williams, Mary P. Webster, Mehitable
Withington, Harriet Withington, Eunice P. Worster, Nancy P. Wilson, Elizabeth P.
Wentworth, Martha West, Phebe C. Wright, Nancy N.
Wentworth, Lucy Ann
Wade, Dorcas
Whittier, Mary E.
White, Sarah
Wilson, Judith
3-OK
3. The new birth is not a change of nature, because produced by the Gospel-" Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God ;" [1 Peter, i. 23.] Now the word can enlight- en, redeem and purify, but it cannot change the essence or quality of any faculty.
4. The new birth is not a change of nature, because it is represent- ed as being synonymous with reconciliation, purifying, renewing in the spirit of the mind, turning to God - ceasing to do evil and learning to do well - following Christ - putting on the new man, &c. &c.
5. The new birth is not a change of nature, because all have the same nature - the converted and unconverted - all are subject to temp- tation -all are liable to be overcome by evil. The difference then, between the regenerate and unregenerate is not in their natures, but in their principles, the state of their hearts, their desires.
Hence to be born again, is to have the heart brought under the do- minion of the Gospel. Whoso loveth is born of God ; "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him," [John ii. 29.] " Whoso- ever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God," [1 John v, 1.] Such is the new birth, and it is what all must experience before they can enter the Kingdom of God, or know the joys of salvation.
In order to ascertain whether we are the subjects of this birth, we have only to ask -Do I love God ? Do I love all men ? Do I delight in worship ? Is it a pleasure to do the will of God ? If we can an- swer such questions in the affirmative, we have passed from death unto life, even though we may be unable to fix upon any moment when this great change was wrought.
BAPTISM.
Baptism is the application of water to a person, in the name of Jesus Christ. It is a sign by which we publicly own our faith in Christ, the purifying nature of his religion, its hallowing influence upon our hearts, and promise obedience to its solemn requisitions.
Universalists are not tenacious about the mode. Their ministers are willing to baptize by sprinkling or immersion, and always allow the candidate to obey the dictates of his own conscience.
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
The Lord's Supper was established by our Lord just before his cru- cifixion. It was designed to make Christians mindful of their Master, realize their obligations to him, imitate his example, and render them prayerful, watchful, kind, forgiving and holy.
It is an institution of great importance, and is binding upon all who have been made acquainted with the truth. The command, This do in remembrance of me, is a perpetual command, the same as that which requires us to love each other. The very object of the institution proves this ; for we cannot hope that men will love each other, after they have forgotten him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The
4
object of the institution then, shows the duty of observing it. If all should remember Christ, all should use the means he has appointed to make them remember him; one duty is as binding as the other. Let none say " We can keep him in remembrance without the use of the means under consideration," for all who speak thus, claim to be wiser than the Savior, and accuse him of providing means that are useless. Neither let any excuse themselves from going to the communion by saying - " They are unworthy to sit at the table of the Lord ;" for by so doing, they offer one wrong to justify another. If any are unworthy, it is their duty to become worthy. They should repent and turn to God. This every sinner who lives in Christendom can do. We are neither ma- chines nor totally depraved ; but are moral agents, and capable, by using the means God has furnished, of becoming true Christians. If we des- pise these means, and live in sin, it is right that we should suffer ; for we not only abuse our own powers, but disregard the favors of God.
Do you ask, What will render us worthy communicants ? I answer, The New Birth ; in other words, love to God and love to all men : a faith in Christ, which works by love, purifies the heart, and makes us keep the commandments, renders us worthy communicants.
Some absent themselves from the Lord's table, because they have never been instantaneously converted. But let such remember, that the Bible requires no change of this kind. It demands, not that we should be instantly converted, but that we should be converted. All therefore, who can say - I believe in Christ ; I lote God and man, and I seek to do right in all things, are Christians, have been convert- ed, and are worthy to sit at the table of Christ.
UNIVERSALISM.
Universalism is that system of religion which teaches, -1. That there is one God who is the Creator of all things, and possessed of every pos- sible perfection. 2. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to save a sinful world, by his instructions, example, death and resurrection. 3. That the Bible is a revelation from God, and is an authoritative guide in all the concerns of faith and practice. 4. That man is a moral agent, capable of choosing between good and evil, and a proper subject of rewards and punishments, 5. That as all his capacities are limited, the rewards conferred and the punishments inflicted must be finite ; and that therefore, none will be endlessly punished, and none endlessly re- warded, and that final salvation is entirely of Grace. 6. That punish- ment will be continued as long as man remains wicked ; that if any are wicked in the future world, they will be punished there, and that holiness is indispensable to salvation., 7. That vice is misery and virtue happiness ; that sinners are wretched and christians happy. 8. That all the services of religion are calculated to promote the moral and spiritual good of man. 9. That sin will finally be destroyed, and all men be made happy in Heaven, through Jesus Christ.
128441.17
7259
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.