USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Manual of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. > Part 2
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There have been a large number of conversions at the Bethel every year since its connection with Plymouth Church.
THE MAYFLOWER MISSION.
This Mission was originated under the name of "Navy Mission," and was known by that title mutil several months after its formal adop- tion by Plymouth Church. Its name was changed to the " Plymonth Mission," in November, 1873, and to the " Mayflower Mission of Ply- mouth Church," on May 1, 1874.
It was established in the vicinity of the Navy Yard in 1844. Soon afterwards and until June, 18?1, it occupied a building in Front street, corner of Green lane. In 1867 it was adopted by the Church of the Pilgrims, which, however, abandoned it in the Spring of 1870. From that time until January, 1871, it was sustained independently by a few of its faithful teachers.
At the annual meeting of the Society of Plymouth Church in Jan- uary, 1871, the mission was adopted by this church. In May of the same year the building of the Third Presbyterian Church in Jay street (between Sands and High Streets) was purchased for its nse for the sum of $12,000, and in June it was occupied by the mission. During the spring of 1822, the Trustees expended about $13,000 in alterations, which made the building one of the best adapted and most attrac- tive for the purpose to be found in the city. This property is also wholly free from incumbrance, and no debt attaches to the mission in any form.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
The Superintendents in charge of the mission since its adoption by this church have been Messrs. C. A. Van Wagoner, S. F. Strong, George A. Bell and HI. B. White. Mr. Bell took charge in February, 1872, and Mr. White in April, 1873.
The school is in a prosperous condition, having already attained a membership of 700, with an average attendance of 500. The actual at- tendance on January 4th, 1874, was 499.
A reading room has been opened, well supplied with papers and magazines.
THE MEMORIAL FUND.
In October, 1872, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Pastor's settle- ment over the church was celebrated by a week of prayer and praise, after which, as an expression of gratitude for the Divine favor which had brought the church through so many prosperous and blessed years, a fund of abont $40,000 was subscribed, which was placed in charge of a corporation, called "The Plymouth Memorial Fund Association," of which the Pastor of this church, the trustees of the society, and the su- perintendents of the two mission schools are ex-officio directors. The income of this fund is to be devoted to defraying the current expenses of the Bethel Mission and the Mayflower Mission, when the church shall not be able from its own income to meet those expenses, and thus to secure the maintenance of these institutions.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL ..
ANNUAL PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH.
ADMISSIONS.
DATE.
On Profession.
By Letter.
Total.
Dismiss'ns. Deaths, &e
Net Increase.
Total at close of year.
1847.
1
56
57
1
56
56
1848.
56
9.4
150
146
202
1849.
50
86
136
11
125
327
1850.
48
56
99
17
82
409
1851.
33
55
88
61
470
1852.
102
59
161
133
603
1853.
33
46
79
40
39
642
1854.
18
43
61
51
10
652
1855.
48
52
100
33
67
719
1856.
19
63
82
40
42
761
1857
88
44
132
30
102
863
1858.
369
73
442
6.4
378
1,241
1859,
20
43
63
27
36
1,277
1860.
36
47
83
35
48
1,868
1862.
97
134
43
91
1,159
1863.
43
13
56
38
18
1,477
1864
42
40
82
29
4
58
1,530
1865.
57
50
107
55
52
1,582
1866.
126
57
183
89
04
1,676
1867.
64
39
103
57
46
1,722
1868.
76
54
130
1869.
98
15
138
63
75
1,851
1870.
126
46
122
ST
85
1,936
1871.
156
51
207
17
130
2,066
1872.
135
62
197
111
2,177
1873.
82
126
208
122
2,299
2,040
1,489
3,529
1.230
2,299
2,299
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*. * In 1854, 1858 and 1866, the register was carefully revised, and many members' names stricken off, who had in fact left or died long before. This accounts for the ap- parent excess in the number of dismissals in those over other years.
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-
54
1,726
52
79
36
43
1,320
1861.
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16
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
RECORD OF ADMISSIONS.
A Table showing the number of persons rec ived into the Church at each Communion Season.
1817. . June
,21
1854. . January.
7
9
11/11 1
i:
11. 11 !11
1.
11
11
March
1
May.
30
15
July.
6.
2.1
1856. . January
24
March
6.
6
May
1.
18
July. .
3
10
November
1
10
185℃. . January
6.
10
March.
5.
May
.53.
20
July ..
21.
8
November. . 6
3
10
March.
13.
May ..
163
25
June
136
21
November.
8
15
July.
36
1
1852. . January
6.
8
November.
.. 11
6
March.
20
7
May.
48.
12
June.
23
11
July.
11
September.
2.
3
November.
6.
13
November.
.. 3.
18
1860. . January
6.
14
March.
12
15
May.
2
2
May.
5.
3
July. .
3.
8
November. .. 10.
13
On Profession. By Letter.
1
1:1
November.
1849. . January
6.
March.
32.
28
May
9.
20
July.
2
8
September
4
November.
1.
0
1850. . January.
4.
16
March.
9.
12
May.
3.
4
July.
6.
November.
21.
17
1851. . January
6.
12
1858. January.
10.
March .. 7 13
May.
9
July.
3.
8
1859. . January
3
11
March.
4
8
1853. . January.
8
10
March.
7.
12
July .
8
November.
. 7
13
1861. . January .. .1% 9
--
On Profession. By Letter.
11
17
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
On Profession. By Letter.
On Profession. By Letter.
1861. . March 4. 9 1867. . November .. 6. 6
May. .
9.
.18
1868. . January
9.
6
July. .
5.
4
March.
6.
9
November.
2.
7
May
49.
20
July.
6.
11
November. 6. 8
1869. . January 11. 6
March.
15.
13
May
52
13
July.
6.
3
November.
9.
10
1870. . January
19
6
March.
20.
8
May.
74
23
July
6.
2
November
7
7
July. .
7
2
November.
2
6
1871. . January
20.
12
March.
16.
9
May
108.
16
July.
2
8
6
November
2.
15
1866. . January
9.
10
March
6.
13
May.
73.
17
July
20.
20
November.
8.
4
October.
3.
1873. . January
15.
92
1867. . January
12.
10
March ..
4.
7
May ..
.23.
8
July.
...
19.
6
September
2
March
6.
3
May
52.
23
July.
3.
4
November.
6.
4
1874. . January.
9.
12
March. .
13.
6
1862. . January 7 2
March. .
9.
5
May.
65.
20
July.
15.
9
November.
1.
1
1863. . January. 15. 7
March. .
.10
1
May . .
18.
1864. . Jannary 11 12
March.
3.
10
May.
19.
10
1865. . January.
2.
9
March.
6.
7
May
35.
18
July.
12.
1
November.
10
14.
1872. . January
12
March.
6.
3
May
.96.
28
July.
11
15
November. .15. 6
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
[The Articles of Faith, having been revised by a Special Committee, were adopted by the church on the 17th of April, 1848, by a unanimous vote.]
1. We believe in the existence of One Ever-living and True God, Sov- ereign and Unchangeable, Infinite in Power, Wisdom and Goodness.
2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be in- spired of God, to contain a revelation of his will, and to be the au. thoritative rule of faith and practice.
3. We believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are re- vealed in the Scriptures as existing, in respect to attributes, character and office, as three Persons, equally Divine; while in other respects they are united, and are, in a proper sense, One God.
4. We believe that our First Parents were created upright, that they fell from their original state by disobedience, and that all their pos- terity are not only prone to sin, but do become sinful and guilty before God.
5. We believe that God so loved the world that he gave his only be- gotten Son to die for it; that Christ appeared in the flesh; that he set forth a perfect example of obedience; that he purely taught the truths needful for our salvation; that he suffered in our stead, the just for the unjust; that he died to atone for our sins, and to purify us therefrom; and that he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he ever liveth to make intercession for us.
6 We believe that God offers full forgiveness and everlasting life to all who will heartily repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; while those who do not believe, but persevere in sin, shall finally perish.
7. We believe in the resurrection of all the dead, in a final and general Judgment, upon the awards of which the wicked shall go into ever- lasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.
[Until January 7, 1870, the assent of members joining on profession was required to these articles ; but an amendment was then passed dispensing with this requirement. ]
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
FORM OF ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH.
[The persons about to unite with the church upon a profession of faith will take their places in front of the pulpit.]
ADDRESS BY THE PASTOR.
You have separated yourselves from this congregation, dear friends, to perform one of the most momentous and yet joyful acts of yom life. You will never cease to feel the effect of the dedication which you now make. Should you eling affectionately to that Redeemer whom you are now about openly to avouch, you will ever rejoice that. you were brought to this hour; but if your soul shall draw back, and you shall put Christ to an open shame, this deed and this hour shall be everlasting witnesses against you.
You have been deeply convinced of your personal sinfulness; you have heartily repented thereof; you have believed in the forgiving love of Jesus Christ; you have dedicated your heart and life to him; that dedication you are about to renew in the presence of God and this congregation. Yet, be not cast down. Though we have thought it. meet to admonish you, it is with a calm and cheerful hope that He, who in love has called you, will never leave nor forsake you until you shall stand in Zion and before God.
COVENANT.
Do you now avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God, Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier ? Renouncing the dominion of this world over you, do you consecrate your whole soul and body to the service of God ? Do yon receive his word as the rule of your life, and, by his grace assisting you, will you persevere in this . consecration unto the end ?
[The ordinance of Baptism, if not previously received, will here be administered. ]
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
COVENANT WITH THE CHURCH.
[Here those who unite by letter will rise in their places. ]
Do you solemnly covenant and agree to study the peace, purity and liberty of this church, to love and watch over its members as your brethren, to receive from them all needful care uninten 11 ublic worship labor tops
11
ial God you shall inne among us ?
[The members of the Church will here rise.]
We, then, the members of this Church, do joyfully and cordially receive you into our number. We promise to bear with you, to love, to edify, and by all means in our power to advance you in the Divine life. AMEN.
21
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANAUL.
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
I. ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES.
RULE 1. Independence .- This church is an independent ecclesiasti- cal body; and, in matters of doctrine, order and discipline, is amenable to no other orgamzation.
RULE 2. Fellowship with other Churches .- This church will extend to other evangelical churches, and receive from them, that fellowship, ad- vice, and assistance, which the laws of Christ require.
II. MEMBERSHIP.
RULE 3. Admission .- Application for church membership, either by letter or upon profession, must be made to the Examining Committee; but all members of the church are entitled to participate in the exam- ination. Those applicants who are approved by the Committee must be propounded to the church and congregation on the Sunday imne- diately preceding the communion. The church shall pass upon the names so propounded, at the next business meeting, and the persons accepted become members upon giving their public assent to the Cove- nants of the Church.
RULE 4. Discipline .- Members cannot be censured except by the pro- cess herein stated:
1. Complaints must be made in writing, either to the Examining Committee or to the whole church.
2. If the complaint is made to the Examining Committee, the facts must first be investigated by it, so far as to determine whether there is reasonable probability that the charges can be sustained by proof.
3. If the complaint is made to the church, it may order a sim- ilar investigation by the Examining Committee, or by a special committee, before deciding to proceed.
4. If the Examining Committee or the church decides to pro-
22
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
ceed with the case, the Clerk of the church must use due diligence to forward a copy of the complaint to the accused, and, if prac- ticable, to give him personal notice of the time and place of hearing.
5. The accused must in all cases, when a trial is had, have a full opportunity to be heard in his own defence.
6. The church may refer any case of discipline to a committee, to hear the evidence, and report its opinion on the whole case, or any part thereof.
7. When a complaint is made to the Examining Committee, the accused, at his first appearance, may require the committee to submit to the church the question, whether the complaint shall be taken out of the committee for trial; and the committee cannot proceed meantime.
8. Proceedings before the Examining Committee shall be kept private until otherwise ordered by the church ; and the com- mittee, unless the complaint is sustained, or unless it desires in- structions, or unless a report is ordered by vote of the church, shall make no report upon the case.
9. No member of a committee can vote upon its final report in a case of discipline, unless he has heard or read the evidence aud arguments in the case, except by consent of both the complainant and the accused.
10. If the evidence has been taken by a committee, the church is not bound to hear evidence on either side.
11. Final censure can be inflicted only by the church, and by the concurrence of two-thirds of all present and voting.
RULE 5. Censures .- The censures which may be inflicted on offend- ing members are, according to the aggravation of the offence, either (1) private reproof, (2) public admonition, (3) suspension, or (4) excom- munication. In cases of excommunication, notice thereof must be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath.
RULE 6. Dismission .- It is expected that members, on removing from the city, or to other churches in the city, will ask for letters of dismission and recommendation. A request for such a letter must be announced at the weekly prayer-meeting; and if no objection is made to the Clerk, he must issue a letter accordingly, and strike the name of the member dismissed from the roll of the church.
If objection is made, the matter must be submitted to the Examining Committee.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
RULE 7. Dropping Members .- Members may be dropped from the roll of the church, with or without notice to them, as may be deemed just, by a two-thirds vote of the church, upon the recommendation of the Examining Committee, either upon their own application, or, in case they have abandoned their connection with the church by prolonged absence or otherwise, upon the application of any other person.
RULE 8. Deaths to be Recorded .- In case of the death of any member of the church, it shall be the duty of any surviving member of the fam- ily to notify the Clerk. And if none of the family or immediate rela- tives of the deceased are members of this church, then it shall be the duty of any member of the church, acquainted with the facts, to in- form the Clerk of the same in writing, that it may be entered upon the records.
III. ORDINANCES.
RULE 9. Communion .- The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated (muless otherwise directed by the church), on the first Sunday of January, March, May, July, September and November, at the church, also on the last Sunday evening of the same months at the Bethel, and on the first Sunday evening of February, April, June, August, October and December, at the Mayflower Mission.
RULE 10. Infant Baptism .- Baptism shall be administered at the ' church to infant children of believing parents on the first suitable Sun- day morning, and at the Bethel and Mayflower Missions on the first suitable Sunday afternoon, after their respective communions. Parents must furnish to the Clerk, in writing, a statement of their own names, the full name of each child presented for baptism, and the date of its birth, which shall be entered on the records of the church. Children over ten years of age are not admissible to baptism, except npon profession of their faith.
IV. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND MISSIONS.
RULE 11. Schools .- The schools and missions under the care of the church are the Plymouth Sunday School, the Bethel Mission, and the Mayflower Mission.
RULE 12. How Managed .- The affairs of each of the schools and mis- sions shall be managed by its teachers, subject to the control of the church.
RULE 13. Membership of Officers .- The principal Superintendent, and
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مد خنة
24
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
a majority of the whole number of teachers and officers of each school or mission, must be members of Plymouth Church.
.
Rum 14. Annual Reports .- The Superintendent of each school or mission must furnish to the Clerk of the church, on or before the first day of December in each year, a report of its work during the previous year, and of its condition at the date of such report.
V. MEETINGS.
Rune 15. Prayer Meetings .-- This church will meet for prayer and conference, in the lecture-room, every Friday evening. The meeting shall be conducted by the Pastor, or, in his absence, by one of the brethren. Meetings for prayer and conference shall also be held at the Bethel Mission every Tuesday evening, and at the Mayflower Mission every Wednesday evening, unless otherwise ordered by the teachers. These meetings shall be conducted by the respective superintendents of the missions, or by brethren appointed by them.
RULE 16. Business Meetings .- A regular business meeting of the church shall be held after the close of the prayer meeting, on the Friday evening next preceding the first Sunday in each month; but at the meeting next before the communion at the church no business other than the reception and dismission of members shall be transacted, ex- cept by manimous consent.
Runk 17. Special Meetings .- The Pastor or Clerk may, of his own motion, and the Clerk must, on the written requisition of any seven members of full age, call a special business meeting of the church, by causing a notice to be read from the pulpit, or, where the only business to be transacted is the appointment of delegates to a council, by a notice given in the lecture-room.
RULE 18. Annual Meeting .- A meeting of the church for the choice of officers, and transaction of other business, shall be held annually on the second Friday evening of December, at which the Clerk and Music Committee must present their reports, and the Treasurer must present his accounts duly audited.
Runk 19. General Provisions. - No business can be transacted except at meetings regularly organized, and with at least seven members pres- ent ; nor can any business other than the reading of the reports be transacted at the annual meeting, unless at least twenty members have been present at some stage of the meeting. " But the action of a meet-
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25
PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
ing irregularly convened, or without a quorum, may be ratified at a subsequent regular meeting competent to act upon the subject.
RULE 20. Moderator .- At each business meeting a moderator must be elected.
RULE 21. Prayer .- All meetings for business must be opened with prayer.
RULE 22. Resolutions .- Resolutions cannot be voted upon at the same meeting at which they are offered, if any objection is made to a vote being taken, but must, in that case, be reduced to writing and laid over to the next business meeting, except in the case of resolutions offered at the annual meeting.
RULE 23. Rules of Order .- Business shall be transacted at the annual meeting in the following order :
1. Reading the minutes ;
2. Annual reports of the Clerk, Treasurer and Music Com- mittee ;
3. Election of officers ;
4. Proposed amendments to these Rules, the Articles of Faith, Covenants or Form of Admission ;
5. Other business.
In all other respects, business meetings shall be regulated by the Manual or settled usage of the church, and, in cases not provided for thereby, by Cushing's Manual.
VI. OFFICERS.
RULE 24. Officers .- The stated officers of the church are a Pastor, a Pastoral Helper, nine Deacons, six Deaconesses, an Examining Com- mittee, a Music Committee, a Committee on Church Work, a Clerk, an Assistant Clerk, a Treasurer, and two Anditors.
RULE 25. Pastor .- The choice of a Pastor must be made at a meeting specially called for that purpose, by notice from the pulpit, on two sue cessive Sundays, and is subject to the approval of the society.
RULE 26. Deacons .- The Board of Deacons shall consist of the Pastor, the Pastoral Helper, and the Clerk (er-officio), nine Deacons, and six Deaconesses. Four Deacons and two Deaconesses shall be chosen at each annual meeting, for three years from the next first of January ; and at the expiration of their terms of office they shall be ineligible for one year.
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
RULE 27. Examining Committee .- The Examining Committee shall consist of the Pastor, the Pastoral Helper and the Clerk (or-officio), and six brethren, two of whom shall be chosen at each annual meeting, for three years from the next first of January ; and at the expiration of their terms of office, they shall be ineligible for one year.
RULE 28. Musie Committee .- The Music Committee shall consist of the Pastor (er-officio) and six members, two of whom shall be chosen at each annual meeting, for three years from the next first of January ; and at the expiration of their terms of office they shall be ineligible for one year.
RULES 29. Committee on Church Work .- The Committee on Church Work shall consist of the Pastor (ex-officio), and six other members, to be annually nominated by the Pastor, and approved by the church, whose terms of office shall expire on the last day of December, in the year of their appointment. One member must always be a deacon, and one a trustee of the society.
RULE: 30. Other Officers .- The Clerks, Treasurer and Auditors shall be chosen at the annual meeting, for one year from the Sunday follow- ing their election.
RULE 31. Mode of Election .- All the officers (except the Committee on Church Work) must be chosen by ballot, unless otherwise ordered by unanimous consent. A majority of all the members present and voting shall be necessary to a choice.
RULE 32. Vacancies. -- Vacancies in any of the offices (except the Pas- torate), occurring between the annual meetings, may be filled for the im- expired terms at any regular business meeting : notice of the election having been given from the pulpit on the preceding Sunday. And va- cancies may be filled at the annual meeting, without notice.
RULE 33. Duties of Deacons .- It is the peenliar duty of the Deacons to assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper. It is the peculiar duty of the Deaconesses to visit the sick and poor among the women and children of the church and congregation. It is the duty of the Board of Deacons :
1. To distribute the charities of the church to its poor ;
2. To have a general oversight of the collections for benevolent objects ;
3. In the absence or at the request of the Pastor, to provide a supply for the pulpit and lecture room ;
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PLYMOUTH CHURCH MANUAL.
4. To submit at each annual meeting an estimate of the fund required for charitable purposes during the ensuing year, together with a statement of the number of persons who have been relieved, and of the amount expended, during the last year.
5. To make all needful provision for the meetings of the church, and to superintend all its affairs not actually in charge of other officers of the church.
RULE 34. Duties of Examining Committee .- It is the duty of the Examining Committee to investigate applications for reception into, or dismission from the church, and accusations made against its members, and also to keep a vigilant watch over the membership in general. The Committee must annually, at its first meeting in January, appoint a Clerk, who mmust keep full records of its acts, and especially of the ex- amination of candidates, and must furnish the Pastor with a list of persons proponnded for admission to the church on the Sunday morning next preceding the communion.
RULE 35. Music Committee .- It is the duty of the Music Committee to appoint suitable persons to conduct the music of the church, and to make all necessary arrangements to furnish a well disciplined choir, and for the practical development of musical talent in the congregation. It must annually, at its first meeting in January, appoint a Clerk, who must keep full records of its acts, and report in writing to the church at the annual meeting.
RULE 36. Church Work Committer .- It is the duty of the Committee on Church Work to see that the rules of the church are complied with in all its schools, missions and societies, that adequate provision is made for their wants, and that the spiritual and moral work of the church in these directions is faithfully carried on. The Committee shall also dili- gently endeavor to promote harmony and co-operation among all the branches of the church, and to keep all its members interested in the common work, so that none may be left to labor without the sympathy and encouragement of their brethren. They shall make a full report to. the Clerk of the church on or before the first day of December in each year.
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