USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Confession of faith, covenant, standing rules, and members, of the Central Congregational Church, in Middleborough, Mass. : organized March 25, 1847 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 M584 mic
Gc 974.402 M584mic 1851588
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
C
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01114 9041
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/confessionoffait00unse_9
CONFESSION OF FAITH,
COVENANT,
1
STANDING RULES, AND MEMBERS,
OF THE
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
IN
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS., ·
ORGANIZED
MARCH 25, 1847.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
WELL-SPRING PRESS,-A. J. WRIGHT, PRINTER. 1850.
1851588
1:
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D MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS. CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL 284457 CHURCH.
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.5 Confesson of faith, covenant, standing rules, and members, of the Central Congrega- tional church, in Middleborough, Mass., organized March 25, 1847. [Middleborough]A. J. Wright, 1850. 15p.
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SHELF CARO
NL 40-822
: 084457.5
The following signs are indicative of Deaths, Excommunica- tions, Suspensions, and Dismissions : * Death. Ex. Excommunication. S. Suspension. t Dismission.
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Jol ANT
Central Congregational Church.
FORM OF ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH.
BELOVED FRIENDS,-
You now present yourselves before God, and these witnesses, to make a solemn confession of your religious faith, and to enter into covenant with Christ and His Church.
If you are sincerely desirous to be the Lord's, He will make you strong by His power, and wise by His wisdom and give you grace, faithfully to per- form the duties which you are about to assume.
Since sound doctrine is essential to the prosperity of a Church, and the right living of each member thereof, you will now attend to the reading of our Confession of Faith.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
ART. I. We believe, that there is only one liv- ing and true God (1), the Creator of all things ; and that in the Godhead, there are three Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (2) ; and that these three are one true, eternal God, the same in sub-
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stance, equal in power and glory (3) ; although distinguished by their personal properties (4).
(1) Deut. vi : 4. Jer. = : 10. (2) 1 John v : 7. Mat. xxviii : 19. 2 Cor. xiii : 14. John xv : 26. Col. ii : 2, 3. (3) John i : 1. Heb. i : 8, 10. 1 John v : 20. Rom. ix : 5. Tit. ii: 13. Acts xx: 28. Jude 25. Rev. i : 8, and ii. 23. Isa. ix : 6, and vi : 3-5. comp. John xii . 41. Phip. ii: 6. John x: 30. Col. i: 16, 17. Mat. xviii : 20. Acts vii : 59. 1 Tim. iii : 16. 1 John iii : 16. Acts v : 3, 4. 2 Cor. iii : 17. (4) Mat. xxviii : 19. 2 Cor. xiii : 14. John xv : 26. Gal. iv : 6.
ART. II. We believe, that the holy Scriptures, contained in the Old and New Testaments, were given by inspiration of God (1) to be the rule of faith and practice (2).
(1) 1 Tim. iii : 16. 2 Peter i : 21. Heb. i : 1. 1 Pet. i. 11. (2) Isa. viii : 20. Acts xvii : 11. Ps. xix : 7, 8, and cxix : 130. Jer. viii : 9. Mark vii : 7,8. Gal. i : 8, 9. Rev. xxii : 18, 19. John xvii : 17.
ART. III. We believe, that God has made all things for himself (1)-that known unto him are all his works from the beginning (2)-that he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (3) ; and that his laws, and the principles and administra- tion of his government are perfectly holy, just and good (4).
(1) Prov. xvi : 4. Isa. xliii : 7. Rom. xi : 36. Col. j: 16. Rev. iv : 11. (2) Acts xv : 18. Job xxxvi : 4. 2 Chro. xvi : 9. Ps. cxxxix : 4, and cxlvii : 5. Prov.
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xv : 3. Jer. xvii : 10. John ii : 21, 25. Col. ii : 3. (3) Eph. i: 11. Dan. iv: 35. Ps. xxxiii : 11. Phip. ii : 13. Luke xxii : 22. Acts ii. 23, and iv : 27, 28. Isa. xiv : 24, 27. Gen. xlv : 5, 7, and 1: 20. Acts xvii : 26. Isa. xliv : 24-28, and xlvi : 0-11, and x : 6-16. Luke x : 21. Rom. ix : 15-23, and xi: 36. Jude 4. (4) Ps. xevii : 2, and lxxxix : 14, and xlv : 6, 7, and xcix : 4. Gen. xviii : 25. Heb. i. 8, 9. Ps. cxix : 97. Rom. vii ; 12. Rev. xv : 3, and xix : 2. Deut. xxxii : 4.
ART. IV. We believe, that God created man in his own image, perfectly holy (1) ; and that he fell from that happy state by transgressing the divine command (2) ; and in consequence of the first apos- tacy, all men, previous to regeneration, are destitute of holiness, unreconciled to God, and under con- demnation (3).
(1) Gen. i : 26, 27. Eccl. vii : 29. Col. iii : 10. (2) Gen. ii : 19, and iii : 3,6. (3) Rom. v : 12-19. 1 Cor. xv : 21, 22. Gen. vi : 5, 11-13, and viii : 21. Job xiv : 4, and xv : 16. Ps. xiv : 1-3, and li : 5, and liii : 3, and Iviii : 3. Isa. i : 5, 6, and liii : 6. Jer. ii : 13, and xvii : 9. Ezek. xxxvii : 1-6. Mat. xii: 34. John iii: 6. Rom. i : 29-32, and iii : 10-18, and viii : 5-8, and vii : 18. Eph. ii: 1-3. Col. ii : 13.
ART. V. We believe, that the Son of God has, by his obedience, sufferings and death, made an adequate atonement for sin (1) ; and that all, who are saved, will be wholly indebted to the sovereign grace of God through his atonement (2).
(1) Mat. xxvi : 28. Rom. viii : 32. 1 Cor. vi: 20. [1*]
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1 Pet. i : 18, 19. 2 Cor. v : 14, 15. Gal. iii : 13. Eph i: 7. Heb. ii . 9. 1 Tim. ii: 6. Acts xx : 28. Rom. iii : 24, and v : 6, 8. 1 Cor. iii : 11, and v : 7, and xv : 3. 1 Peter iii : 18. Isa. liii : 3-10. (2) Eph. ii : 5, 8. Tit. ii : 11. Rom. viii: 28-39, and xi: 6. John i: 16. Gal. i: 15. 2 Thes. ii: 16. 2 Tim. i: 9. 1 Cor. xv : 10. Zec. iv : 7.
ART. VI. We believe, that such provision is made in the gospel, that whosoever will, may take of the water of life freely (1) ; yet that sinners will not come to Jesus Christ (2), except they are made willing by the special regenerating influences of the Spirit of God (3).
(1) Rev. xxi : 6, and xxii : 17. Luke xiv : 17. Mat. xi : 28. Isa. lv : 1. John iv. 10, and vi: 35, and vii: 37. (2) John iii : 19, and v : 40. Mat. xxii: 3, 5, 6. Luke xiv : 18-20, and xix : 14. Ezek. xxxiii : 11. Prov. i: 24-32. (3) Ps. cx: 3. Johni: 13, and iii : 3, 5, 6. 1 John iv : 7. Tit. iii : 5. 2 Cor. v : 17. Gal. vi: 15. Eph. ii : 1. Col. ii: 12, 13.
ART. VII. We believe, that for those who are ordained to eternal life (1), who alone will believe in Jesus Christ (2), there is no condemnation ; but they will be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (3).
(1) Acts xiii : 48. Rom. viii : 28-30. 33, and ix : 11. and xi : 5, 7, 28. Eph. i : 4, 5, 11. Mat. xxiv : 22, 21, 31. Mark xiii : 20, 22, 27. Luke xviii : 7. 1 Thes. i : 4. 2 Thes. ii : 13. 2 Tim. i: 9. Tit. i: 1. 1 Pet. i: 2. 2 Pet. i: 10. (2) Eph. i: 11. Rom. xi: 7. John
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vi: 44, 65. (3) 1 Pet. i: 5. Rom. viii: 1. John iv : 14, and vi : 27, and x : 26-29. Prov. iv : 18. 1 Thes. v : 9. Philp. i: 6. 1 Cor. i : 8. Job xvii : 9. John vi: 35, 39, 40, 54-58. IIeb. x : 39.
ART. VIII. We believe, that the qualification for admission into the church of Christ, is in the sight of God real piety and in the sight of man ap- parent piety (1) ; and that all who are in regular standing in the church of Christ, have a right to all the ordinances of his house and baptism for their children (2).
(1) Acts viii : 37, and ii : 41, 47, and x : 47. Rom. x : 10. 2 Cor. vi : 14-18. 1 Cor. i: 2. Ps. 1: 16. 1 Cor. xi : 28, 29. (2) Luke xxii : 17-19. Acts xvi: 15, 33. 1 Cor. i. 16. Luke xviii : 15, 16. Acts ii: 39. Rom. iv : 11, and xi : 17-24.
ART. IX. We believe, that every church has authority from the great Head of the church, to ad- minister censures upon members who walk disord- erly ; and that they are not required to refer their decisions to any other earthly tribunal (1).
(1) Mat. xviii : 15-18. 1 Cor. v : 4, 5, 7-13. 2 Cor. ii : 6. 2 Thes. iii : 6.
ART. X. We believe, that secret and family prayer (1),-reading of the scriptures (2),-a re- ligious observance of the Sabbath (3), a punctual attendance on the public worship of God, and such appointments of the church for prayer and confer- ence meetings, as are in accordance with the Script-
S
ures, are important privileges and duties of pro- fessed Christians (4) ; and that a holy life is the best evidence we can give of piety (5).
(1) Mat. vi : 6, and xiv : 23, and xxvi : 36. Gen. xxiv : 63, and xxxii : 21-29. Acts x: 9, 30. Dan. vi: 10. Ps. lv : 17. Jer. x: 25. Eph. vi: 18. 1 Tim. ii : 8. Ps. Ixxiii : 28. (2) John v : 39. Acts xvii: 11. Isa. viii : 20, and xxxiv. 16. Luke xvi: 29. (3) Gen. ii : 2, 3. Ex. xx : 8-11, and xxxi : 13-17. Deut. v : 12 -14. Isa. lvi : 2, and Iviii : 13, 14, Nehe. xiii : 17, 18. Luke xxiii : 56, and xxiv : 33, 36. John xx: 19, 26. Mark ii : 27, 28. (4) Heb. x : 25. Acts xx : 7. 1 Cor. xiv : 23. John xx: 19, 26. Mat. xviii : 20. Acts i : 13, 14, and ii : 1, 42, 46, and xvi : 13, 16. 1 Cor. v : 4, and xi : 17, 18, 20, and xvi: 2. Heb. iii: 13. Ps. lv . 14, and Ixiii : 2, and Ixviii : 24-26, and Ixxiii : 17, and cl : 1. Mal. iii : 16, 17. (5) John xiv : 15, 21, 23, 24, and xv : 10, 14. 1 John i : 6, 8, and ii : 4, 9, and iv : 20. James ii : 14-18.
ART. XI. We believe, that at the second coming of Christ, there will be a general resurrection of the bodies, both of the just and unjust (1) ; when all mankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive a sentence of just and final retri- bution, according to the deeds done in the body (2) ; and that the wicked will then go away into ever- lasting punishment, but the righteous into life eter- nal.(3).
(1) Job xix : 26. Dan. xii : 2. Mat. xxii : 29-32. John v : 28, 29. 1 Cor. xv : 20, 21, 51, 52. Acts iv : 2, and xxiv : 15. (2) Ps. i: 5, and ix : 7. Mat. xii:
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36, and xvi : 27, and xxiv : 30, 31. Acts x : 42. Rom. ii : 5-11, and xiv : 10-12. 2 Cor. v : 10. 2 Pet. ili : 7. Jude xiv : 15. Rev. xx : 12, 13, and xxii : 12. (3) Mat. xxv : 30, 46, and xiii : 49, 50. John v : 29. Luke iii : 9, 17, and xiii : 26-28. Mat. xii : 31, 32. Mark iii : 29. 1 Pet. iv : 18. 2 Pet. ii : 1, 3, 4, 9, 12.
Thus you do, each of you, profess to believe.
[Here Baptism is to be administered to such as have not been baptized.]
You will now publicly enter into covenant with God, and with this church.
COVENANT.
You do now in the most solemn manner, in the presence of the heart-searching God, of angels and men, avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God.
You give up yourself, your time, talents, and all you have to the Lord. You resolve, by the help of divine grace, to cleave to God and our Lord Jesus Christ in a way of gospel obedience. You propose to make the holy Scriptures, at all times, the rule of your faith and practice, so far, as by the grace of God, you shall be enabled to understand them.
You do also, by a solemn covenant, give up your- self to this church according to the will of God, promising to walk with us in the holy communion and ordinances of the gospel, willingly subjecting yourself to the watch and discipline of this church,
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and engaging to watch over your fellow members with love, care and faithfulness for our mutual edi- fication.
To this, do you consent ?
We do then, [here the members of the church will rise] cheerfully, receive you into full communion with us, and promise, by the grace of God, to treat you as a member of Christ's body, faithfully and affectionately to watch over you, and always to be ready by our counsel and prayers to promote your spiritual interest.
And we depend on having your prayers for us, that we may have grace to perform with fidelity this engagement, and that all of us may be found faithful even unto death, and then join the church triumphant in glory and be in the immediate pres- ence of our Lord forever and ever. Amen.
REGULAR MEETINGS AND STANDING RULES OF THIS CHURCH.
1. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is to be administered on the first Sabbath in January, March, May, July, September and November ; the prepar- atory lecture shall be given on Saturday evening preceding each communion.
2. There shall be meetings for the transaction of any business which may come before the Church, once in two months ; and these meetings shall al-
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ternate with those of the preparatory lecture, viz : on the Saturday evening preceding the first Sab- bath in February, April, June, August, October, and December.
3. The expenses of the Church (including those occasioned by the Pastor and Delegate when attend- ing ecclesiastical councils,) are to be defrayed by a contribution of the Church : and all monies so raised shall be kept by the Senior Deacon, and an annual report of Receipts and Expenditures shall be made by him, at the business meeting in February .*
4. Candidates for admission to the Church shall have given to them a copy of the Articles and the Covenant-shall be examined upon the same, as well as upon their experimental belief, at some meet- ing of the church, and if approved, be propounded for admission two weeks before reception to the communion. Persons received by letter from other churches, shall signify their assent to our Articles and Covenant, and be admitted by a vote of the Church.
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5. Members of this Church removing to other places, are required to take certificates of member- ship; and if they remain more than a year, to take letters of dismission to some other church, unless satisfactory reasons be given ; and members of other churches residing among us more than a year, will be expected to remove their church relations to us, unless there be special reasons for delay.
* No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except by vote of the church.
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NAMES OF MEMBERS.
Date of Admission. 1S17. March, Cornelius Burgess,
Mrs. Milissa Burgess, Mrs. Betsy T. Burgess, Horatio G. Wood, Mrs. Abigail W. Wood, Miss Emily T. Wood, Adoniram J. Cushman, Mrs. Ann S. Cushman, Consider Robbins,
Mrs. Ruth Reed,
James D. Wilder,
Mrs. Bathsheba Wilder,
James Warren,
Mrs. Margaret Warren,
Mrs. Mary Dunham,
Nathan Perkins, Jr.
John Perkins,
Mrs. Ann S. Perkins,
Ebenezer Pickens,
Mrs. Mary B. Pickens,
Mrs. Abigail S. Pickens,
Nathan King, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Washburn,
Olivia A. Hitchcock,
Caroline M. McCloud,
" Frelove P. Rounseville,
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1847. March, * Mrs. Betsy Thomas, Aug. 26. 1949.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wood, Miss Eleanor B. Wood, Mrs. Almira Goddard, Miss Sarah Jackson, Mrs. Zilpha M. Clarke, [1950. *Miss Hope Wrightington, Jan. 4, *Mrs. Lucy C. Wood, Sept. 26, 1848 Mrs. Ellen Wood,
Sept. 5, Nov. 7, 1848.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitmore,
May 5,
Joseph Sampson, Mrs. Harriet Eaton,
Mrs. Maria L. Harlow,
Mrs. Lucy Bourne,
1849.
Sept. 3,
Branch Harlow,
Andrew J. Pickens,
James M. Pickens,
Nov. 4,
Perry A. Wilber,
Henry D. Bassett,
Edward Burt, Mrs. Elizabeth Burt,
Henry Arnold, Mrs. Elizabeth Arnold, Miss Sarah Lane,
1850.
Jan. 6,
John McCloud, Nathan Dunbar, Mrs. Betsy Dunbar, Mrs. Betsy Wilber.
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1850. Jan. 6, Miss Eveline H. Wilder, Miss Harriet Rounseville, Mrs. Mary C. Thacher, Miss Lauretta W. Wing, :ch 3, Elijah Burgess, Isaac D. Bump, Mrs. Juliana Bump,
Miss Elizabeth Cushman, Miss Emily F. Perkins,
Mrs. Almira E. Perkins, Mrs. Sarah A. Tucker,
May 5,
George Back, George Washburn,
George H. Shaw, Mrs. Ann Maria A. Shaw,
Mrs. Lydia E. Shaw, Foster A. Harlow, Rufus K. Harlow,
Mrs. Lurany Harlow,
Miss Elizabeth S. Harlow,
Miss Harriet W. Burgess,
Noah C. Perkins,
Mrs. Mary Allen Perkins, John Sidwell, Mrs. Zilpha Ann Rich,
Miss Eliza Ann S. Morton,
Mrs. Maria Adeline Davis, Mrs. Harriet N. Dean.
D 2844572
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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