USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Jamaica Plain > The confession of faith and covenant of the Mather Church, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, organized February 15, 1853 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 J221 1847542
M.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
C
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02954 1650
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https://archive.org/details/confessionoffait00unse 11
THE
CONFESSION OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THE
MATHER CHURCH, JAMAICA PLAIN,
MASSACHUSETTS.
ORGANIZED FEBRUARY 15, 1853.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
" One is your master, even CHRIST ; and all ye are brethren."
BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 1855.
1847542
HISTORICAL.
AT a meeting of several gentlemen, held May 6, 185:2, it was resolved to enter upon an effort to sustain public worship at Jamaica Plain, in connection with an Ortho- dox Congregational ministry. Upon application, the Village Hall was liberally granted them for that purpose by the town authorities ; and on May 26th, the first ser- mon was preached by Rev. THOMAS LAURIE, of West Roxbury. From that time, public worship was regularly maintained.
On the 20th of September, of the same year, Mr. SIMON J. HUMPHREY, a recent graduate of Andover Theological Seminary, was engaged to preach six months.
On the 6th of October, a Religious Society was formed and called the MATHER SOCIETY ; it was not, however, legally organized until November 29, 1853.
It seeming proper to form a church, on the 15th of February, 1853, a Council, representing ten churches, instituted the MATHER CHURCH.
After the close of Mr. Humphrey's engagement, the services of Mr. ALONZO H. QUINT, a graduate at Ando- ver in 1852, were engaged, with an agreement for a per- manent connection. On the 10th of July he commenced his regular work, though the official connection was deferred by mutual consent, until, on the 18th of No- vember, a unanimous call to the pastorate was accepted.
4
On the 27th of December, 1853, he was regularly ordained, according to Congregational usages, through a Council which met in the Baptist church, which was kindly offered for the occasion.
On the 24th of September, 1854, public service was held for the first time in the lecture-room connected with the church edifice then in process of erection.
1
RULES OF THE MATHER CHURCH.
I. This Church is independent in its organization and. the regulation of its affairs. It controls the admission, discipline and removal of its members, according only to the rules laid down in the Scriptures. ' It is amenable to no other ecclesiastical body ; but it will extend to other Evangelical Congregational Churches, and desires to receive from them, that fellowship, advice and assistance, which the law of Christ requires.
II. The permanent officers of the Church are Pastor and Deacons.
III. An annual meeting shall be held on or before the Tuesday following the second Sabbath in January, at a time to be fixed by the permanent officers, at which meet- ing there shall be chosen by ballot, a Clerk, Treasurer, Auditor, and two brethren, who, with the Pastor, Deacons and Clerk, shall constitute the Standing Committee.
IV. There shall be a Church meeting held once a month, at such regular time as the permanent officers shall select, for business, if any, and for devotional exer- cises. A special meeting may be called at any time, by the Pastor, Deacons, or Clerk, by a notice at any public religious meeting, or by seasonably notifying each resi- dent member of the Church. All business meetings shall be opened by prayer ; and, in the absence of the Pastor, the senior Deacon shall preside.
V. Persons offering themselves for admission to the Church, either by letter or profession, shall be examined
6
by the Standing Committee, who shall report their deci- sion, in writing, to the Church, which report shall be placed on file ; if there be no objection, on some succeed- ing Sabbath, at least two weeks before that of the com- munion, the names of such as the Committee shall have recommended, shall be propounded before the congrega- tion ; and at a subsequent meeting of the Church, the question shall be taken on their admission. If elected, they shall become members by publicly assenting to the Confession of Faith and adopting the Covenant, and by signing the Confession, Covenant and Rules ; but those who unite by letter shall be expected to assent only to that part of the Covenant which applies to this Church, in addition to the Confession of Faith.
VI. The Lord's Supper will be, administered once in two months.
VII. Members of this Church removing from the place, are required to apply, in writing, for dismission within "one year, or render a satisfactory reason for non-compli- ance; and it is the duty of the Standing Committee to write, every year, in January, to all members who have been absent one year. This Church also expects all who desire to commune with it, to join it within one year's residence.
VIII. No alteration shall be made in the Rules, the Confession of Faith, or the Covenant, except by vote of three-fourths of the brethren present, at a meeting regu- ยท larly called, such alterations having been submitted in writing at a previous meeting.
FORM OF RECEPTION.
[The persons who are to make a profession of their faith, will stand before the officiating clergyman, who makes the following address :]
DEARLY BELOVED :
You present yourselves in this public manner to confess Christ before men, and to enter into cove .. nant with God and with this Church.
God, angels and men, are witnesses to the deed. The profession which you now make, and the engage- ments into which you now enter, are of the most solemn moment ; they will be recorded on high ; they will be exhibited in your trial at the last day.
But let not your heart be troubled ; making them in humble reliance upon the Lord Jesus Christ, you will find his grace sufficient for you, even to the end.
As the ground of your love and hope, you acknowl- edge the following
CONFESSION OF FAITHI.
I. You believe in one God, a Spirit, infinite, eter- nal, unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holi-
5
ness, justice, goodness, and truth ; who created and governs the universe according to his own will and for his own glory.
II. You believe that God gave, through inspired men, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which are the only and perfect rule of our faith and practice.
III. You believe that God reveals himself in the Scriptures as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that these three are the one God, and in all divine attri- butes equal.
IV. You believe that man was created in the image of God ; that by disobedience he fell from that state ; and that, in consequence of the fall, mankind are by nature sinners against God, are under his wrath and curse, and are exposed to eternal misery.
V. You believe that " the Word " who in the beginning was with God and was God, from his infi- nite love became flesh in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the redemption of this lost race ; that by his sufferings and death he atoned for the sins of the whole world ; and that through him sal- vation is freely offered to all, on condition of repent- ance and faith.
VI. You believe that those who truly repent and believe in Christ, having been chosen in him before the foundation of the world, are regenerated by the direct and special power of the Holy Ghost accompa- nying the truth ; that they are pardoned and accounted as righteous in the sight of God only for the righteous- ness of Christ imputed unto them ; and that they
9
will be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
VII. You believe that every one who is regener- ated, is enabled and required to manifest the fruits of faith in a holy life ; that, loving God supremely, it is his duty to do God's will, by searching the Scriptures daily, by watching over his heart and life, by keeping the Sabbath holy, by attending conscientiously on public, social, family and private worship, by practic- ing godliness, sobriety, temperance, and brotherly kindness ; and that these are the essential and neces- sary fruits of belief in Christ.
VIII. You believe that God has established a visi- ble church, founded on the doctrines of Christ ; to which the terms of admission are, a change of heart and a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus ; that the sacraments of the church are Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; that Baptism is to be administered only to covenanting believers and their children ; and those only are entitled to the Lord's Supper who have made and continue their profession of faith, love and obedience.
IX. You believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust ; and a day of final judgment ; that the Lord Jesus will then render to every man according as his works shall be ; when the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.
In all these things, do you now publicly and sin- cerely profess your hearty belief ?
[Each candidate answers, "I do."]
THE NEWBERRY LIBRADV
10
So believing, you will now enter into covenant with God and this Church.
COVENANT.
In the presence of God, angels and men, you do now solemnly consecrate yourself, in an everlasting covenant, to the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. You dedicate yourself to the Father as your Sovereign, to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, to the Holy Ghost as your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide. You renounce all hope of eternal life through works of righteousness which you have done, and do put your entire trust for salvation in the blood of Jesus and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You do solemnly devote to the one living and true God all your faculties, powers and possessions, covenanting that you will be the Lord's forever ; engaging that, through the aid of the Holy Ghost, you will love him supremely and serve him faithfully; that you will seek above all things the honor and interests of his kingdom ; and that henceforth, denying ungodli- ness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world.
[Here the clergyman will ask those who join at this time by letter, to rise. When they have risen, he will ask, " Do you assent to the Confession of Faith which has been read ?"
Each candidate answers, "I do."
The clergyman will then address both classes :]
You do now heartily join yourself to this Church of Christ, and promise to submit to the regular admin-
11
istration of its government and discipline ; to observe conscientiously its special ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; to attend its religious meetings ; to give of your substance for its prosperity ; to labor with it for the conversion of sinful men ; to strive earnestly for its peace, growth in grace and purity ; to avoid every occasion for offence ; to exercise towards its members a spirit of meek, forgiving and faithful love.
Trusting in the grace of God, do you thus cove- nant and promise ?
[Each candidate answers, "I do."
Baptism will then be administered.
After which, they will be received as follows :]
We, therefore, the members of this Church, [here the Church will rise,] affectionately receive you to our common communion, and, in the name of Christ, declare you entitled to all its privileges. We heartily welcome you to the fellowship with us in the labors and blessings of the gospel. We engage, on our part, to watch over you with Christian tenderness and affection, and to promote, to the extent of our power, your growth in grace, your usefulness, and your hap- pincss. [The Church sits again.]
And now, beloved, remember that the vows of the Lord are upon you ; they can never be thrown off; they will follow you through life, to the bar of God, to the retributions of the world to come.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by
12
Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the pres- ence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever ! AMEN.
QUESTIONS.
The following Questions are affectionately recommended to the prayerful and frequent perusal of each member of this Church :
1. Are you in the practice of daily secret prayer ?
2. Are you in the practice of daily family prayer ? -
3. Do you daily, with a prayerful desire to improve in : Christian knowledge, read the word of God ?
4. Do you make it a matter of conscience to attend ' all the meetings for social worship appointed by the . Church, when the providence of God allows ?
5. Do you feel it your duty to do something every day to bring sinners to repentance ?
6. Do you pray every day, that God would bless his. : truth to the conviction and conversion of sinners ?
7. Do you do, conscientiously, what you can, by your pecuniary ability, to promote the kingdom of the Re- deemer ?
8. Are you doing anything to further the salvation of the rising generation, in Sabbath schools and Bible classes ?
9. Do you sincerely desire and pray for the salvation : of the children and youth committed to your care ?
10. Are you at peace with all who love Christ ?
11. Are you as tender of the reputation of a brother . as of your own ?
12. Will you keep your tongue from speaking evil of a . .
14
brother, and if, in anything you are displeased with him, will you follow the gospel rule, and tell him your feelings between him and yourself alone ?
13. Do you cultivate a spirit of Christian tenderness towards the failings and imperfections of your brethren ?
14. Do you make it a solemn matter of conscience never to visit any place of amusement or social pleasures on which you cannot first ask the divine blessing ?
15. Do you feel a readiness to forgive, and pray for your enemies ?
16. Do you labor daily to promote your own, and the sanctification of your brethren ?
17. Do you pray daily for the minister, and the officers of the church ?
18. Do you labor to keep your heart constantly alive to a sense of obligation to God, to all the friends of the Saviour, and to your perishing fellow creatures ?
19. Do you feel it to be your solemn duty, to conse- crate all you have and are to the Lord ?
20. Will you read these questions at least once every week, and pray God to search your heart in reference to the several points of Christian practice suggested by them ?
-
7
28444615.
n.G
THE'
RULES,
CONFESSION OF FAITH,
AND
COVENANT
OF
THE MATHER CHURCH
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Congregational. . ORGANIZED FEBRUARY 15, 1853
WITH A
LIST OF ITS MEMBERS
1860.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICA:O)
THE
RULES,
CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND COVENANT,
OF
THE MATHER CHURCH,
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts,
ORGANIZED FEBRUARY 15, 1853.
WITH A
LIST OF ITS MEMBERS.
"One is your master, even CHRIST ; and all ye are brethren."
SECOND EDITION. THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
BOSTON : PRESS OF E. L. BALCH, 34 SCHOOL STREET. 1860.
HISTORICAL.
Ar a meeting of several gentlemen, held May 6, 1852, it was resolved to enter upon an effort to sustain public worship at Jamaica Plain, in connection with an Orthodox Congrega- tional ministry. Upon application, the Village Hall was liberally granted them for that purpose by the town authori- ties ; and on May 26th, the first sermon was preached by Rev. THOMAS LAURIE, of West Roxbury. From that time, public worship was regularly maintained.
On the 20th of September, of the same year, Mr. SIMON J. HUMPHREY, a recent graduate of Andover Theological Seminary, was engaged to preach six months.
On the 6th of October, a Religious Society was formed, and called the MATHER SOCIETY ; it was not, however, legally organized until September 29, 1853.
It seeming proper to form a Church, on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1853, a Council, representing ten churches, instituted the MATHER CHURCH.
After the close of Mr. Humphrey's engagement, the ser- vices of Mr. ALONZO H. QUINT, a graduate of Andover Theological Seminary in 1852, were engaged, with an agree- ment for a permanent connection. On the 10th of July, 1853, he commenced his regular work, though the official connection was deferred by mutual consent, until, on the 18th of November, a unanimous call to the pastorate was accepted.
1
4
On the 27th of December, 1853, he was regularly ordained, according to Congregational usages, through a Council which met in the Baptist church, which was kindly offered for the occasion.
On the 24th of September, 1854, public service was held for the first time in the lecture-room connected with the church edifice then in process of erection.
On the 11th of December, 1855, Mr. J. Russell Bradford was chosen Deacon of the Church, who accepted the office, and entered upon its duties on the first Sabbath in January following.
On the 2d of January, 1856, the church edifice was dedi- cated to the public worship of God.
On the 13th of March, 1860, Mr. Henry T. Hogan was chosen Deacon, who signified the acceptance of that office.on the 13th of April following.
.
5
RULES OF THE MATHER CHURCH.
I. This Church is independent in its organization and the regulation of its affairs. It controls the admission, discipline, and removal of its members, according only to the rules laid down in the Scriptures. It is amenable to no other eccle- siastical body ; but it will extend to other Evangelical Con- gregational Churches, and desires to receive from them, that fellowship, advice, and assistance, which the law of Christ requires.
II. The permanent officers of the Church are Pastor and Deacons.
III. An annual meeting shall be held on or before the Tuesday following the second Sabbath in January, at a time to be fixed by the permanent officers, at which meeting there shall be chosen, by ballot, a Clerk, Treasurer, and Auditor ; and such number of brethren, as shall, with the Pastor, Deacons and Clerk, constitute a Standing Committee of seven.
IV. There shall be a Church meeting held once a month, at such regular time as the permanent officers shall select, for business, if any, and for devotional exercises. A special meeting may be called at any time, by the Pastor, Deacons, or Clerk, by a notice at any public religious meeting, or by seasonably notifying each resident member of the Church. All business meetings shall be opened by prayer ; and, in the absence of the Pastor, the senior Deacon present shall preside. No member of this Church, not habitually worship- ing with it, shall aet or vote in any of its business matters.
1*
6
V. Persons offering themselves for admission to the Church, either by letter or profession, shall be examined by the Stand- ing Committee, who shall report their opinion, in writing, to the Church, which report shall be placed on file ; if there be no objection, on some succeeding Sabbath, at least two weeks before that of the communion, the names of such as the Com- mittee shall have recommended, shall be propounded before the congregation ; and at a subsequent meeting of the Church, the question shall be taken on their admission. If the vote be favorable, they shall become members by publicly assent- ing to the Confession of Faith and adopting the Covenant, and by signing the Confession, Covenant and Rules ; but those who unite by letter shall be expected to assent only to that part of the Covenant which applies to this Church, in addition to the Confession of Faith.
VI. The Lord's Supper will be administered once in two months.
VII. Members of this Church removing from the place, are required to apply, in writing. for dismission, within one year, or render a satisfactory reason for non-compliance ; and it is the duty of the Standing Committee to write, every year, in January, to all members who have been absent one year. This Church also expects all who desire to commune with it, to join it within one year's residence.
VIII. No alteration shall be made in the Rules, the Con- fession of Faith, or the Covenant, except by vote of two- thirds of the brethren present, at a meeting regularly called, -such alterations having been submitted in writing at a pre- vious meeting.
7
FORM OF RECEPTION.
[The persons who are to make a profession of their faith, will stand in the centre aisle of the church, before the officiating cler- gyman, who makes the following address :]
DEARLY BELOVED :
You present yourselves in this public manner to confess Christ before men, and to enter into covenant with God and with this Church.
God, angels and men, are witnesses to the deed. The profession which you now make, and the engagements into which you now enter, are of the most solemn moment; they will be recorded on high ; they will be exhibited in your trial at the last day.
But let not your heart be troubled ; making them in humble reliance upon the Lord Jesus Christ, you will find his grace sufficient for you, even to the end.
As the ground of our love and hope, we acknowl- edge the following
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
I. We believe in one God, a Spirit, infinite, eter- nal, unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth ; who created and governs the universe according to his own will and for his own glory.
1 **
8
II. We believe that God gave, through inspired men, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments, which are the only and perfect rule of our faith and practice.
III. We believe that God reveals himself in the Scriptures as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that these three are the one God, and in all divine attributes equal.
IV. We believe that man was created in the image of God ; that by disobedience he fell from that state ; and that, in consequence of the fall, mankind are by nature sinners against God, are under his wrath and curse, and are exposed to eternal misery.
V. We believe that " the Word " who in the beginning was with God and was God, from his infinite love became flesh in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the redemption of this lost race ; that by his sufferings and death he made an atone- ment for the sins of the world; and that through him salvation is freely offered to all, on condition of repentance and faith.
VI. We believe that those who truly repent and believe in Christ, having been chosen in him before the foundation of the world, are regenerated by the special power of the Holy Ghost accompanying the truth ; that they are pardoned and accounted as righteous in the sight of God only for the righteous- ness of Christ imputed unto them; that they are adopted as children of God ; and that they will be kept by the power of God through faith unto salva- tion.
9
VII. We believe that every one who is regen- erated, is enabled and required to manifest the fruits of faith in a holy life ; that, loving God supremely, it is his duty to do God's will, by search- ing the Scriptures daily, by watching over his heart and life, by keeping the Sabbath holy, by attending conscientiously on public, social, family, and private, worship, by practicing godliness, sobriety, temper- ance, and brotherly kindness ; and that these are the essential and necessary fruits of faith in Christ.
VIII. We believe that God has established a visible Church, of which Jesus Christ is the only head; to which the terms of admission are, a change of heart and a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus ; that the sacraments of the Church are Bap- tism and the Lord's Supper ; that Baptism is to be administered only to covenanting believers and their children ; and those only are entitled to the Lord's Supper who have made and continue their profes- sion of faith, love and obedience.
IX. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust; and a day of final judgment ; that the Lord Jesus will then render to every man according as his works shall be ; when the wicked will go away into ever- lasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.
In these things, do You now profess your hearty belief ?
[Each candidate answers, "I do."]
So believing, you will now enter into covenant with God and with this Church.
THE NEWBERRY LIBE DV
10
COVENANT.
In the presence of God, angels and men, you do now solemnly consecrate yourself, in an everlasting covenant, to the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. You dedicate yourself to the Father as your Sovereign, to the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, to the Holy Ghost as your Sanctifier, Com- forter, and Guide. You renounce all hope of eter- nal life through works of righteousness which you have done, and do put your entire trust for salva- tion in the blood of Jesus and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You do solemnly devote to the one living and true God all your faculties, powers, and possessions, covenanting that you will be the Lord's forever ; engaging that, through the aid of the Holy Ghost, you will love him supremely and serve him faithfully ; that you will seek above all things the honor and interests of his kingdom ; and that hence- forth, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
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