USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > Confession of faith, covenant, standing rules, and members of the Trinitarian Church, New Bedford, Mass > Part 1
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M. L .:
REIMMUNE MIETTRICAL GENEALOUT COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 6339
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/confessionoffait00unse 10
THE
CONFESSION OF FAITHI,
COVENANT,
STANDING RULES,
AND
MEMBERS,
OF THE
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICA : O
Trinitarian Church,
IN NEW-BEDFORD. mars
NEW-BEDFORD : EVENING BULLETIN PRESS. 18.16.
27 1700
1851349
TRINITARIAN CHURCH,
IN NEW-BEDFORD.
This Church was Organized Nov. 15, 1831.
PASTORS:
REV. JAMES AUSTIN ROBERTS,
Installed November 14, 1832. Dismissed July 31, 1844.
REV. GEORGE LEWIS PRENTISS, Ordained April 9, 1815.
DEACONS:
JOSHUA BARKER,
*FREDERICK READ,
Chosen June 21, 1233.
SCHARLES COGGESHALL,
SIMEON BAILEY.
(GILBERT RICHMOND, Chosen Feb. 5, 1842. REUBEN NYE,
*Dead. @Dismissed.
£
5 CONFESSION OF FAITII.
WE BELIEVE that there is one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ;(1) infinite in Ilis perfections, and un- changeable in Ilis purposes ; (2) the Creator, Preserver and Governor of the Universe, who made all things for Him- self, and governs them all according to ITis holy Will ; (3) that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, giv- en by inspiration of God, constitute our only perfect rule of faith and practice ;(+) that man was created holy but be- came sinful by transgressing the Divine Will ;(5) that all mankind in consequence of the fall, are by nature sinners, destitute of holiness, and justly exposed to the wrath of God ;(G) and that the Lord Jesus Christ has, by Ilis suffer- ings and death, made an atonement for Sin, sufficient for the whole world, so that whosoever will, may come, and take the water of life freely.(7)
WE BELIEVE also, that regeneration by the special influ- ences of the Holy Spirit is indispensable to salvation ;(8) that all who are thus born again of the Spirit, will be par- doned, justified, preserved in the way of holiness, and finally admitted to heaven, through the mercy of God in Jesus Christ ;(9) that none but those who give Scriptural
(1.) Deut. 6: 4. 1 Cor. 8: 6. Eph. 4: 6. 1 John 5: 7, 20. Matt. 28: 19. 2 Cor. 13: 14. John 1: 1-13, 14. Rom. 9: 5. Phil. 2: 6. Heb. 1: 2, 3, 8 -- 12. 1 Tim. 3: 16. Rev. 4:8.
(2.) Deut. 32: 4 Exod. 34: 6. 1 Tim. 1 : 17 .- 6: 15, 16. Mal 3: 6. Acts 15: 18. James 1: 17. 1 Pet. 1 : 2. Rom. 8 : 29, 30.
(3 ) Neh. 9: 6. Ps. 83: 18. 104: 2-5. 8: 3. 19: 1,2. Dan. 4: 34, 35. Acts 17: 28. Rev. 4: 11. Prov. 16: 4. Rom, 9: 15-24. 11: 36. Acts 2: 23 .! Jer. 17: 10.
(4.) 2 Tim. 3: 15-17. 2 Pet. 1 : 21. Ps. 197-9. Isa. 8 : 20. Acts 17: 11. Rev. 22: 18, 19.
(5,) Gen. 1: 27. Eccl. 7 : 20. Rom. 5: 12.
(6.) Rom. 5: 12, 10. 3: 9-20. 2: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9. 6: 3. Gal. 3: 10. James 2: 10. (7.) Matt. 26; 23. Jobn 1; 20. 3; 6, 36. Isa. 53 ; 3-6. 55; 1,3. Acts 4; 12. Rom. 3; 21-26. 1 John 2; 1, 2. Mark 16 ; 15, 16. Matt. 11; 23. Rev. 22 ; 17.
(8) Jolin 3; 3,5-7. Rom. 8; 5-8. Eph. 2 ; 1, 6. Col. 2; 13. 2 Cor. 5; 17. John 1; 11-13. 5; 10. 6; 44-46, 65. Tit. 3; 5, 6. 2 Thes. 2; 13. 1 Pet. 1 ; %
(9.) Ps. 37; 23, 21. John 4; 14. 6; 35, 39. 10; 27-20. Rom. 8; 1, 29, 30. Mark 16; 16. 1 Cor. 1 ; 8. 10; 13. Phil. 1; 6. 2 Thes. 3, 3. Heb. 10; 38, 39. 6; 4 -6,9. Tit. 3; 5, 6. Eph. 2; 8-18. 1 John 4; 10. Rev. 1 ; 5,6. 5; 9.
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evidence of being penitent believers in Jesus, should be admitted to his visible church ;(10) that the Ordinances of the New Testament are Baptism, and the Lord's Sup- per ; (11) that only believers in regular church standing can rightfully partake of the latter, and only these and their households can rightfully be admitted to the former ; (12) that there will be at the end of time an universal resur- rection and final judgment ;(13) when the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.(14)
(10 ) Mark 16; 16, with Acts 2; 47. Ps. 50; 16. 1 Cor. 1 ; 2. 2 Cor. 1 ; 1. (11.) Matt. 23; 19. Acts 2; 41. Matt. 26: 26, 30. 1 Cor. 11 ; 23-26. (12.) Acts 2; 41-47. 1 Cor. 11; 27-9. Luke 18; 15, 16. Acts 2, 39 .- 16; 15, 33. 1 Cor. 1; 16. 7; 14.
(13 ) Dan. 12; 2. John 5 ; £8, 99. I Cor 15; 13, 22. Eccl. 12; 14. Matt. 25; 31-33. Acts 17 ; 31. 10; 41. Rom. 14; 10, 122.
(14.) Matt. 25; 46. 2 Thess. 1 9. Rev. 20; 12-4. 14; 10, 11. Mark 9; 47,48.
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THE COVENANT.
BELOVED IN THE LORD :
Humbly acknowledging and bewailing your past sins, in repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, you do now, in the presence of God and these witnesses, solemnly profess the Name of Christ -and renouncing the world and the lusts thereof, do cov- enant to walk henceforth in newness of life, setting your affection on things Above, not on things on the earth.
In sole dependence upon Christ's Spirit and Promise, you also bind yourself to a faithful and persevering per- formance of the several duties you owe to God, to your neighbor and yourself; taking the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Rule of your Faith and Practice, and aiming, in whatever you do, to do all to the glory of God.
You further promise to walk in the order and fellow- ship of this Church ; to attend diligently upon the inin- istry of the Word and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; to submit to the discipline of Christ's House and, finally, to strive together with us for the faith and furtherance of the Gospel.
This you profess, covenant and engage, by the help of Divine Grace, steadfastly to perform.
( The ordinance of Baptism when requisite, is here administered )
I then, in the presence of God and these witnesses, pronounce you a member of this Branch of Christ's visi- ble Church :
And We, the Brethren thereof, do receive you to our Christian Communion, { regarding you as members of the same body, and welcoming you to a Fellowship in the same Grace and Hope of the Gospel with us. promising to watch over you in love, and commending you unto Him, who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy. AMEN.
ZIZA 700 THIT
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GOVERNMENT AND STANDING RULES OF THIS CHURCH.
I. RIGHTS OF THE CHURCHI.
This Church claims the right of self-government, and holds itself amenable to no other Ecclesiastical Body, ex- cept by its own consent, in accordance with the establish- ed usage of Congregational Churches.
II. OFFICERS.
The permanent Officers of this Church shall be a Pastor or Pastors, who shall be considered er-officio a member of the Church, and Deacons, who shall be chosen by its Members, to perform the duties usually appertaining to their offices.
III. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS.
Every candidate for admission to this Church will be expected to give satisfactory evidence of personal piety, and assent to its faith and Covenant. Candidates, after having been examined by the Pastor and Deacons-who shall constitute a Standing Committee for this purpose- shall be publicly propounded, except in extraordinary cases, one week before being received to Communion, and the question of admission shall be taken by vote at a busi- ness meeting of the Church.
IV. CONNECTION WITH OTHER CHURCHES.
This Church will, in ordinary cases, abide by the de- cisions of mutual Councils, and extend to other Churches the usual reciprocities of fellowship, advice and transfer of Members. It will grant recommendations and dismis- sions according to Congregational usages ; but expects its members, on removing from this town, either to transfer their Church relation within one year, or to assign the rea- sons of the further delay. And the relation of no mem- ber will be considered as dissolved until a certificate of his, or her, reception into the Body of some other Evan-
9
gelical Church shall have been received. This Church will admit members of other Churches, resident among us, to occasional communion, not longer than one year, without satisfactory reasons given for delaying to transfer their relation. It will also give recommendations and dis- missions to any Evangelical Church, if requested in a proper spirit and manner ; but all other ways of withdraw- ing from its Communion and care, will be deemed irregu- lar and censurable.
V. SEASONS OF COMMUNION.
THE LORD'S SUPPER, preceded by a preparatory devo- tional service, shall be celebrated on the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
VI. CENSURABLE OFFENCES.
Any immoral conduct, breach of covenant, repeated absence without cause from the Communion, or denial of any fundamental doctrines held by this Church, and pro- fessed by its members at the time of their admission.
VII. EVIDENCE.
The confession of the accused, the concurrence of two credible witnesses, or circumstantial evidence to the same amount, shall be requisite for conviction.
VIII. CENSURES.
These, consisting of admonition, suspension or excom- munication, are in each case, to be administered by spe- cial vote of the Church, on the principle of making the reparation co-extensive with the injury done by the offen- der.
IX. PROCESS OF DISCIPLINE.
Offences strictly personal and private, should be im- mediately settled, according to the direction of our Saviour in the 18th chapter of Matthew ; but for public and noto- rious offenees, members may, without any previous admo- nition in private, be disciplined in such way, as the Church
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shall think proper. In all cases however, the following rules are to be observed :
1. No individual shall bring an accusation before the Church, without having given the accused previous notice, and an opportunity to satisfy his brethren without any fur- ther steps of discipline.
2. No member shall, without his consent, be tried during the same meeting, at which charges are preferred against him.
3. The accused shall be furnished with a copy of the charges against him, and be entitled to a fair investiga- tion and defence.
4. The accuser, others personally implicated, and any member who may have expressed a previous opinion on a case pending before the Church, shall be excluded from voting in such cases.
5. It will be deemed censurable for one member to re- port disciplinable offences of another, without having pre- viously taken the steps prescribed by the Gospel, to reclaim him.
X. MEETINGS.
The regular meetings of the Church shall be :
1. A mecting for religious exercises on some evening of each week, except in special cases.
2. A meeting for business on the Monday evening fol- lowing the first Sabbath in January. At this meeting a statement shall be made in writing, by the Pastor, or one of the Deacons, of the number of persons received into the Church during the year, by letter or profession ; of the number dismissed, deceased or in any way disciplined ; of the number baptized; of the whole number of the Church, male and female ; of the names of members of the Church, who may have removed from the place; of the condition of the Sabbath School ; of the state of reli- gion during the year, and other objects of general religious interest : all of which statements shall be entered upon the records. There shall also be a Business Meeting on
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the first Monday Evening of the months of April, July and October.
3. The Monthly Concert of Prayer for the Conver- sion of the World on the evening of the first Sunday or Monday of each month.
4. A Season of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer on the last day of the year.
XI. RELIGIOUS CHARITIES.
This Church, regarding it as an essential part of Christian duty (besides " remembering the Poor " among themselves) to aid in the spread of the Gospel, both at home and abroad, have selected as more especially worthy of being the almoners of their religious charities the fol- lowing Societies; on whose behalf collections shall be annually made in such manner as the Church may deter- mine at their regular business meeting in January or April, viz :
The AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOR- EIGN MISSIONS.
The AMERICAN HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.
The AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY.
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sabine M
MEMBERS.
When Admitted. 1 Names. I Admitted by | Remarks.
1831-Nov'r. 13. Almy John C.
Almy Sylvia Burgess Phineas) Burgess Betsey Bailey Simcon
Dismissed. Do. Do.
Bailey Ellen Jones Billings Eliza Bain William
Dead.'
Barker Joshua
Barker Aurelia
Dead.
Barker Clarissa'S !!
Barker Pensa S. Barker Engenia
Briggs David
Dismissed. Do. Do
Briggs Anna Chaddock Hannah Coggeshall Charles Coggeshall Avis Cole Henrietta
Carver James Carver Eliza
Dismissed. Do.
Clark Benjamin
Clark Jane Anu
Colvin Adeline
Carver Susan S.
Dunbar Sarah P.
Doane Hope Freeman Elizabeth Gibbs Robert Gibbs Anna B.
Dismissed. Do.
Gibbs Hannah Gibbs Louisa Foster
Gage! Joshua E. Gage Julia Ann
Hawes Nancy B.
Hathaway Nathaniel Hathaway Lucy
Howland Nancy
Dead.
Kendrick Alfred
Kendrick Abigail
Kendrick Abby H.
Dead.
Dismissed.
Dismissed.
Kendrick Henry C. Keith Almira Mckenzie Phebe Mckenzie Nancy Palmer Richard A. Palmer Avis
Read;Frederick
!
Dismissed. Do.
Dismissed.
Do.
Dead. Dismissed. Do.
Dead.
Dismissed.
14
When Admitted . 1 Names [ Admitted by | Remarks.
Read Sarah
Read Sarah
------
Remington Thomas
Sherman Charles P.
Thompson Benj. Jr.
Dismissed.
Tobey Eliza
Do. . .
Tobey Caroline
Do.
Taylor Mary
Do.
Taber Harriet
Cut off.
Washburn Massena
Withby Samuel
Withby Avis
1832-Nov'r. 3. Carver Lemuel Carver
Do.
1833 -- Feb'y 1. Horton Mary Aun
Do.
Dismissed. Dead.
July 5. Smith Joseph Sargent Jolin
Do
Dismissed.
Aug. 30. Fuller Lois
Hall Hannah
Letter. Do.
" 29. Cowdry Hester
Profession.
1834-Jan'y 31.
Mayhew ElizabethMI Do.
Fisher
Letter. Profession. Do.
Dismissed. Do.
Stevens Sarah
Do.
Smith An
Do.
Do.
Doane Ann
Do.
Dead.
Manchester Mary
Do.
Lawton Polly
Do.
Sisson Louisa Do.
Do.
Tripp Lorinda
Do.
Mayhew Nathaniel Do.
Feild Selina Do.
Do.
1835-Jan'y. 2. Saha Mary
Doane James
Letter.
Dismissed.
Barker Sarah
Do.
May 1. Caushing Martha
Do.
Dismissed.
July - Nickerson Thomas
Do. Profession.
1836-Feb'y. 5. Leonard Alfred
Leonard Rebecca
Letter.
Wilcox Jane
Pease James
Dismissed.
Chaddock Meletiah Russell Maria
Aug. 5. Hussey Maria
Macomber Julia A.
Dec. 2. Nicol Lilias 1837-March 3. Hathaway Joseph
Profession. Do. Do
Dismissed.
Letter.
Dead. Dismissed.
May 23. Gibbs Hannah
Coggeshall Eliza
Dismissed. Do.
Dec. 5. Tripp Benjamin
Haskell Deborah
Do.
Dismissed. Do. Cut off.
Profession.
Nov'r. 1. Roberts Sarah G.
Letter.
Dismissed. Do.
Do.
Dead. Cut off.
Profession. Do. Letter. Do.
15
When Admitted.
Names. | Admitted by |
Remarks.
Hathaway Lucy
Do.
Oct. 30. Hlaskell Silvia Dec. 1. Collins
Do.
Do
Dismissed.
1838-April 5. Read Alexander
Do
Read Sarah
Do.
June 1. Almy Sylvia Coggeshall Marsia
Do.
Dismissed.
1839-Aug. 2. Mayhew Isabella Oct. 4. Um.t Sarah
1840-Jan'y. 31. Smith Daniel
Profession.
June 4. Coleman Ile zekiah
Do.
Coggeshall Jomm HI.
Do.
Hussey William F.
Do.
Hall Isaac D.
Do
Marsh
Letter.
Mayhew Julius S.
Profession.
Hathaway Susan
Letter.
Hathaway Susan
Profession.
July 6. Sampson Rinth
1841-Fely. 5. Edwards William G. Edwards Emeline Waite
Do.
Dismissed.
April 30. Young Milwood
Young Margaret
Do
June 4. Field Sarah
Profession.
Webb Harriet
Do.
Aiden Lydia H.
Do
Dismissed.
Richmond Elizabeth
Letter. Do.
Do.
Aug. 1. Richmond Nathaniel Profession.
Richmond Catharine
Do.
Do.
Freeman Isaac
Letter.
Howland Harriet C
Do.
Crocker Caroline
Do.
Nye Betsey M.
Profession.
Freeman Rachel L. Do.
Ingrahamn Abby
Do.
Mckenzie Daniel Do.
Fussell Jonathan Do
Nye Reuben .סת
Nye Ann Maria Do.
Kendrick Franklin Do
Kendrick Emily W. Do
Richmond Mary A.
Do.
Bailey Rebecca
Do
Adams Alfred
Do.
Gibbs Elizabeth E. Do
Sept. 30. Sampson Z. Silsby
Do
Kendrick Caroline B. Webb Iliram Do
Do
Dead.
1842-Feby. 5. Morton Hepsibeth |Letter.
:
Richmond Gilbert
Do.
Do
Letter.
Do.
Profession.
Letter.
Do.
Dead.
Dismissed.
Do.
16
When Admitted. 1 Names.
! Admitted by. |
Remarks.
|Richmond Rebecca
Profession.
---
Bailey Mary
Do.
:Coleman Hezekiah
Do
Tompkins
Do.
Roberts Samuel
Profession. Dead.
Clapp Jane
Letter.
Dismissed.
Blackmer Nancy
Do.
Finkill Agnes
Do.
Hillman Mary
Profession.
June 5. Lumbard Amelia Do.
Finkill John
Do.
Ricketson Cecelia
Do.
Bodfish Deborah
Do.
1843-Aug. 3. Dyer Sarah
Letter.
Disimssed.
Barker Anna Norton John D.
Do.
Do.
Dismissed.
1844-March 23. Mentz Catharine B.
Do.
1845-March 2.| Mace Lorenzo A.
Do
July 31. Allen Robert
Do.
Aug. 21. Patterson Anua
Do
Sept. 17. Shaw Mary L.
Do
Oct. 9. Waldo Mebitable
Do
" 16. Parsons Caroline
Do
Nov'r. 19 Doane Ilarriet T.
Do
29 Crossman Elizabeth
Do.
Kasson John Adam
Do.
Dec. 29. Prentiss Elizabeth
Do.
1846-April 1. Beauvais J. Arthur
Do.
April 6. Randall Martha
Do.
NOTE -On page 8, Art. 11, for " a member," read " members of the Church," &c.
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