USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Jamaica Plain > Brief history of the Jamaica-Plain Baptist Church, of West Roxbury : with the declaration of faith, the church covenant, and a list of the members, 1871 > Part 2
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we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by, grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. ii. 1-6). Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began (2 Tim. i. 9). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renew- ing of the Holy Ghost (Tit. iii. 5).
See also John xvi. 7-14; Ps. li. 10; John vi. 63 ; Acts xiii. 48; Rom. vi. 22, viii. 30, xi. 5-7; I Cor. ii. 10-12; Col. i. 11-13; 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14 ; Jas. ii. 5 ; I Pet. i. 2.
5. That nothing can separate true believers from the love of God, but they will be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation.
Tea, he loved the people : all his saints are in thy hand ; and they sat down at thy feet ; every one shall receive of thy words (Deut. xxxiii. 3). Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm ; for love is strong as death. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it (Cant. viii. 6, 7). All that the Father giveth me shall come to me (John vi. 37). I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all ; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (John x. 28-30). Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ( Phil. i. 6).
See also Ps. xxxvi. 23, 24, ciii. 17, cxxv. 1, 2; Prov. ii. 8; Isa. liv. 17 ; Jer. xxxii. 40 ; John iv. 14, xiii. 7, xvii. 2, 3, 11 ; Rom. viii. 31-39 ; Phil. i. 6; IIeb. vi. 17, IS; I Pet. i. 5 ; Jude 24.
6. That the only proper subjects of the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are professed believers ; and that Baptism is properly administered only by im-
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mersion, and is, by Scripture examples, a prerequisite to communion at the Lord's table.
Then went out to him all Judaa, &c., and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance ; and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our Father. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance ; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear : he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matt. iii. 5-12). Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt. xxviii. 19). Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins ; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls (Acts ii. 38, 41). But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women (Acts viii. 12). And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water ; and the eunuch said, See, here is water : what doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still ; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and he baptized him. And, when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more ; and he went on his way rejoicing (Acts viii. 36-39). And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water (Matt. iii. 16). And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized (John iii. 23). Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead (Col. ii. 12). The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us ; not the putting-away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God (I Pet. iii. 21).
See also Mark i. 5; Luke iii. 7, 8. 21 ; Matt. iii. 16; Acts ii. 44,
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viii. 12-39, X. 47, xvi. 14-34, xviii. 8; Rom. vi. 3, 4; John iii. 22, iv. 1 ; Eph. iv. 5; Gal. iii. 27 ; I Cor. xii. 13.
7. That the first day of the week, called the Lord's day, ought to be kept holy as the Christian's sabbath ; and that it is our indispensable duty to assemble ourselves together on that day, and to worship God in a public manner, by offering up our prayers and thanksgivings, by attending to the preached word and ordinances, and by singing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work (Gen. ii. 3). Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exod. xx. 8). And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ( Acts xx. 7). I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day (Rev. i. 10). Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works ; not forsaking the assembling of our- selves together, as the manner of some is (Heb. x. 24, 25). These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren ( Acts i. 14). Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. v. 19). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymps, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Col. iii. 16).
See also Exod. xvi. 23-30, xxxi. 13, 14; Lev. xix. 3, xxiii. 3 ; Deut. v. 12, 13; Isa. Ivi. 4-6, Iviii. 13 ; Ezek. xx. 12 ; Matt. xviii. 20; John XX. 19-29 ; Acts i. 13, 14, ii. I, xx. 7; I Cor. v. 4.
8. That there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust, and that Christ will come a second time to judge both the quick and the dead ; when those who die impenitent, and unreconciled to God, will be sen- tenced to endless misery, as the just desert of their sins ;
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and those who have been renewed by grace, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, will be completely delivered from the dominion of sin, and admitted into the holy and heavenly Jerusalem, with songs and ever- lasting joy. So shall they be ever with the Lord.
And though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God ; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me (Job xix. 26, 27). Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust ; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead (Isa. xxvi. 19). And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake ; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt ( Dan. xii. 2). I will ransom them from the power of the grave ; I will redeem them from death : O death ! I will be thy plagues ; O grave ! I will be thy destruction : repent- ance shall be hid from mine eyes (Hos. xiii. 14). When they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage ; but are as the angels which are in heaven (Mark xii. 25). Marvel not at this ; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the 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). And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal (Matt. xxv. 46). Behold, I show you a mystery : We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump ; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Cor. Xv. 51, 52). Who shall be punished with ever- lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (2 Thess. i. 9). And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the First-begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and domin- ion for ever and ever. Amen (Rev. i. 5, 6). And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which
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came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his tem- ple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev. vii. 14-17).
See also Ps. xxviii. 4, Ixii. 12 ; Ezek. xxxvii. 1-10; Mark xii. 26, 27 ; John vi. 39, 40, xi. 24, 25 ; AActs xxiv. 15 ; Rom. xiv. 10, 12 ; I Cor. iv. 5, v. 22 ; 2 Cor. v. 10 ; Phil. iii. 21 ; I Thess. iv. 14-17; Rev. xx. 12, xxii. 12 ; Isa. xxv. 8, xxxV. 10, 1x. 20.
CHURCH COVENANT.
As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of his Spirit to give ourselves up to him : so we do now solemnly covenant with each other, that, God enabling us, we will walk together in brotherly love ; that we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, as the case shall require ; that we will not for- sake the assembling of ourselves together, nor omit the great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and for others ; that we will participate in each other's joys, and en- deavor, with tenderness and sympathy, to bear each other's burdens and sorrows ; that we will earnestly endeavor to bring up such as may be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; that we will seek divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust ; that we will strive together for the support
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of a faithful evangelical ministry among us ; that we will endeavor. by example and effort, to win souls to Christ, and through life, amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
RULES OF CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND DISCIPLINE.
I. - OF CHURCH OFFICERS.
I. The spiritual officers of a church are, by Christ's appointment, a pastor and deacons ; whose duties are those which he has prescribed in the New Testament .*
2. The secular officers of this church shall be a mod- erator, clerk, and treasurer.
3. The Pastor, or, in his absence, any member whom the church may appoint, shall be Moderator in all busi- ness-meetings of the church ; and he shall preside at all times according to the rules which govern other deliber- ative bodies.
4. The Clerk shall keep a record of all business pro- ceedings of the church, to be read and approved at each subsequent meeting ; and he shall write all letters of the church, unless otherwise ordered.
* Acts vi. 1-4, xx. 28 ; Eph. iv. 11, 12 ; Phil. i. 1 ; 1 Tim. iii. 1-13 ; Tit i. 5-9.
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5. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all mon- eys of the church, according to their order, and shall render an account of his receipts and disbursements at the regular meetings of the church. At the monthly meeting in January, he shall render an annual account, audited by a committee appointed for the purpose, show- ing the aggregate receipts and disbursements for different benevolent objects the preceding year.
II. - OF MEMBERSHIP.
I. The church adopt, as a practice, that all candidates for baptism, after they have been approved by the stand- ing committee, shall be proposed at the regular monthly meeting ; when a special committee shall be appointed by the church on each case, whose examinations as to personal piety and moral character are expected to be particular and thorough, and, if satisfied, they shall so report to the church before the vote shall be taken on reception. If not satisfied, they shall have authority to postpone the appearance of the individual before the church.
2. In all cases of admission to membership, and re- moval from it by exclusion, the vote shall be taken by the members rising.
3. Letters of recommendation and dismission from other churches are to be presented to the pastor or deacons, and by them laid before the standing com- mittee, who shall inquire, in each case, into the religious history, occupation, residence, habits, &c., of the appli- cant ; and, if found to be satisfactory, the letter shall be presented to the church with a report, and when practi- cable the individuals shall be requested then, or at the
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first convenient opportunity, to relate to the church their religious experience.
III. - OF MEMBERS WHO REMOVE.
I. It shall be the duty of every member who may remove from Jamaica Plain to any place where there is a regular Baptist church, expecting to return within a year, to take and present to that church a letter of recom- mendation for occasional communion. It shall, moreover, be the duty of such member to give information of his or her residence and spiritual condition to this church on or before the first day of July in every year.
2. In case a member shall remove from the Plain, to be absent more than a year, it shall be the duty of such member to ask a letter of dismission to some regu- lar Baptist church in the neighborhood ; and, if there be none within a convenient distance, he or she shall give yearly notice to this church, as is required in the preceding rule.
3. Members departing from the faith of the gospel, violating any plain rule of morality, or neglecting their covenant obligations, shall be disciplined according to the rules laid down by Christ and his apostles .*
IV. - SABBATH SCHOOL ; COMMITTEES.
I. The church shall, at the regular monthly meeting in November of each year, elect a superintendent, assist- ant superintendent, treasurer, secretary, and librarians.
* Matt. xviii. 15-17; Luke xvii. 3, 4; Rom xvi. 17; I Cor v. 3-13; 2 Cor. ii. 5-8; Gal. vi. 1; 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14, 15; 1 Tim. v. 20; Tit. ili. 10, 11; James V. 19, 20 ; 2 John 10, 11.
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These officers shall be nominated by the teachers of the sabbath school, and shall serve for one year, commencing with the first sabbath in January. The church shall also elect, by hand vote, such number of teachers as the school may require, to be selected from a list which shall be presented by the superintendent. (See Rules of S. Sch.)
2. At the same meeting, a committee shall be ap. pointed to nominate committees for the ensuing year, as follows ; viz., A standing committee, a committee to con- duct the collections for benevolent purposes, an auditing committee, clerk, and treasurer, and report at the meet- ing in December following ; when the election for these several offices shall take place.
3. The Standing Committee shall consist of ten per- sons, two of whom shall retire each year. The pastor, deacons, and clerk shall be members ex officio. It shall be the duty of this committee to examine all candidates for membership, to make preliminary inquiries in cases of discipline, and, generally, to attend to such other busi- ness as relates to the welfare of the church.
4. A committee of five, with the church clerk, shall be appointed at the monthly church-meeting in June of each year, for revising the list of members : whose duty it shall be to report at the meeting in August.
5. All special committees shall be nominated by the pastor, unless otherwise ordered by the church. All committees are expected to report in writing.
V. - MEETINGS.
I. The monthly church-meeting shall be held on the Tuesday evening preceding the last sabbath in every month. All ordinary unfinished business (unless urgent
Rules of Church Organisation and Discipline. 29
reasons require earlier action) will lie over until the next monthly meeting.
2. A weekly prayer and conference meeting shall be held on Friday evenings ; and on the Friday evening previous to the first sabbath in each month it shall be a church-covenant meeting.
3. The missionary concert for prayer shall be held the first sabbath evening, and the sabbath-school concert on the third sabbath evening, in each month.
VI. - BENEVOLENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
I. The church have adopted the following system in conducting their benevolent efforts. Six collections are taken up during the year, embracing the objects speci- fied in the table below. A committee of five shall be appointed to have charge of these collections ; and it is expected, that, as far as possible, they will present each object in such way as they shall think best to all the members of the church and society : -
Education Cause .
January, February.
Tract and Publication Cause March, April.
Sabbath School May, June.
Church-building Fund
July, August.
Foreign Missions September, October.
Home Missions
November, December.
2. Other collections are regularly taken as follows : At the monthly concerts of prayer for foreign missions ; and after the Lord's supper, every month, for the poor of the church and other church-purposes.
All collections, for whatever objects, are required to be paid in full into the treasury of the church.
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Committees appointed by the church to superintend collections and subscriptions are required to report as soon as convenient to the church ; when the sums reported as raised shall be appropriated.
All collections made for the poor are dispensed by the deacons and accounted for in gross by the treasurer.
VII. - AMENDMENTS.
I. Any alteration in these Rules shall be proposed in writing at a regular church-meeting, and then not acted upon for one month.
2. A vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to effect any change.
HINTS RESPECTING THE DUTIES OF MEMBERS.
I. - TO THE CHURCH.
I. To cultivate personal piety, by daily study of the Scriptures, devout meditation, and secret prayer ; without which all other duties will either be neglected, or, if dis- charged at all, be performed in a manner affording little happiness to the individual, or benefit to the church. Prov. iv. 23 ; John v. 39; Josh. i. 8; Ps. i. 2; Matt. vi. 6 ; Ps. li. 10-13.
2. Not to forsake the assembling themselves together at all the meetings which the church may appoint, whether for preaching, prayer, or discipline. Heb. x. 25 ; Eph. vi. 18; Acts i. 14; Rom. xii. 12 ; Col. iv. 2.
3. To be particularly careful to be present at the administration of the Lord's supper. Luke xxii. 19; I Cor xi. 24-26.
4. Diligently to improve all opportunities for obtain- ing religious knowledge. Heb. v. 14; Hos. iv. 2; 2 Pet. i. 5, iii. 18.
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5. Firmly to sustain the authority of the church in the exercise of discipline. Matt. xviii. 17.
6. To contribute cheerfully to the necessary expenses of the church in the support of the ministry and the relief of the poor. I Cor. ix. 13, 14; I Tim. v. 18; Gal. vi. 6; I Cor. xvi. 1, 2 ; I John iii. 17.
7. To make every sacrifice needful to promote the spirituality, purity, peace, and increase of the church. Ps. cxxii. 6 ; James iii. 17 ; I Thess. v. 13.
II. - TO ONE ANOTHER.
I. To love one another, not in word only, but in deed and in truth. I John iii. 18.
2. In case of personal offence, to follow, without the slightest deviation, the course directed by our Saviour in Matt. xviii. 15-17. It may be justly inferred, that a similar course is desirable with respect to rumors preju- dicial to the character of any individual member. Prov. xxii. I, xviii. 8.
3. To embrace every suitable opportunity, especially when going to or coming from the assembly of the saints, to manifest affection by the methods usually practised among friends, fulfilling the spirit and intention of the command in Rom. xvi. 16, and I Pet. v. 14.
4. To visit the sick and afflicted. James i. 27.
5. Faithfully to exhort, warn, and encourage one an- other. Heb. iii. 13; I Thess. v. 14 ; Heb. x. 25.
6. To pray both for and with one another. Eph. vi. 18; James v. 16 ; Col. iv. 3.
III. - TO THE PASTOR.
I. To esteem him very highly in love, for his work's sake. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13 ; I Tim. v. 17.
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2. To pray for him daily, especially in the closet, - for his health, for his spiritual life, for his usefulness, and for his continuance in the pastoral relation. Heb. xiii. 7-18; 2 Cor. i. II ; 2 Thess. iii. 1, 2.
3. To receive his instructions, not with a critical, but an attentive and tender spirit ; seeking improvement rather than gratification. Eph. iv. 11, 12 ; I Pet. ii. 2, 3 ; James i. 21, 22.
4. To be ready at all times to aid him, as requested, in every good work ; and to bear forward, with discreet zeal, such measures as he may propose, and which shall tend to the good of the church or the community. I Pet. iv. 10, 11 ; Rom. xii. 6-9 ; Acts ii. 42-45 ; 2 Tim. iv. 16. 5. To provide amply and promptly for his temporal need, that he may be free from all unnecessary worldly care, and may give himself wholly to the ministry of the word and prayer. Phil. iv. 14-18; Gal. vi. 6; I Cor. ix. 11 ; Acts vi. 2, 4 ; Matt. x. 9, 10 ; Luke x. 7.
6. To guard carefully his reputation against slander or suspicion ; to make no unnecessary exposure of errors or weaknesses, but regard such, if observed, with candor and forbearance ; to place the most favorable construc- tion on things not understood. The same in respect to his family. Acts xxiii. 4, 5 ; I Cor. xvi. 10, 11 ; 3 John IO, II ; Gal. iv. 13, 14 ; Jude 10-16.
7. To avoid harassing him with idle tales, yet with- hold from him no information vitally affecting his character or usefulness. Lev. xix. 16; 2 Tim. iv. 15; I Cor. i. II.
8. To exact no undue share of his time or exertions, either by visiting him in hours of study without urgent cause, or requiring visits from him ; nor suspect him
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of partiality and inattention. Neh. vi. 3, 4; I Cor. xiii. 5.
IV. - TO THE FAMILY.
I. If head of a family, to maintain constantly family prayer. Jer. x. 25 ; Job i. 5.
2. To secure the attendance of all the members where the truth is faithfully preached, that they may be led thereby " to keep the way of the Lord." Gen. xvii. 19.
3. To instruct children carefully in the facts, doctrines, precepts, promises, and prophecies contained in the Word of God. 2 Tim. iii. 15 ; Prov. xix. 2 ; Eph. vi. 4.
4. To converse with their children on the goodness of God, their own sinfulness, and the only way of salvation ; and to take every pains to show them that religion is reasonable, and will make them happy. Deut. vi. 7 ; Ps. Ixxi. 24, CV. 2.
5. To promote the religious observance of the Lord's Day, not only by attendance on divine worship, but by avoiding worldly conversation. and encouraging that of a contrary character. Gen. ii. 2, 3 ; Exod. xx. 9-11 ; Isa. Iviii. 13, 14 ; Acts xx. 7 ; 2 Pet. i. 5-8.
6. If children, to be obedient to their parents in the Lord. Exod. xx. 12 ; Eph. vi. 1-3 ; Col. iii. 20.
7. If servants, to discharge their duties faithfully, heartily, respectfully, as unto the Lord. Eph. vi. 5-8 ; Col. iii. 22-25 ; I Pet. ii. 18.
V. - TO THE WORLD.
I. To make personal effort for the conversion of those to whom we are related, or with whom we are acquainted. James v. 20 ; Rom. ix. 1-3, x. I.
2. To watch for and judiciously to improve every suita-
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ble opportunity to speak a word in season, when engaged in the transactions of civil life, or when thrown, by jour- neying or other circumstances, into promiscuous company. Ps. cxlv. 11, 12.
3. To maintain strict integrity in all pecuniary trans- actions, and unimpeachable veracity and purity in conversation ; to exhibit a readiness to relieve the tem- poral wants of the unconverted ; to be courteous to all, and yet never to be so pliable as to be led into sinful compliances. Lev. xix. 35, 36 ; Prov. xi. 1 ; Col. iii. 9 ; Eph. v. 4 ; Gal. vi. 10 ; I Pet. iii. 8 ; Prov. i. 10.
4. To lend as effective aid as possible to the exten- sion, both at home and in foreign lands, of the preaching of the gospel, the distribution of the Bible, and of inter- esting and instructive books and tracts ; the instruction of the young in sabbath schools, ministerial education, and associations tending to promote mental and moral improvement ; thus to be truly fellow-workers together with God in the regeneration of the world. Rom. x. 15; Ps. xix. 7 ; Dan. xii. 4 : Isa. xxxiii. 6; Tit. ii. 14; Gal. iv. 18; 2 Cor. vi. I.
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