USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Manual of the Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, L.I. > Part 2
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5. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS .- No member can be deprived of Church privileges except by regular process. The presentation of complaints may be first made to the Examining Committee, who shall, upon suf- ficient cause, prefer charges to the whole Church ; or the complainant may present his complaint in person to the Church. When a member is accused, he shall be seasonably furnished with a copy of the com- plaint, and shall have a full hearing.
6. CENSURES .- The censures inflicted on offenders are, private reproof, public admonition, suspension or excommunication, according to the aggravation of the offence ; and in case of excommunication, notice thereof shall be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath.
7. INFANT BAPTISM .- On the Sabbath next succeeding cach Com- munion season, an opportunity will be given for Christian parents to present their infant children for the ordinance of Baptism. It is expected of parents that they will present, in writing, their own names, together with the full name of each child, and the date of its
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birth, that the same may be entered by the Clerk on the records of the Church. Children are entitled to Baptism, where either parent is a member of a Christian Church.
8. DEATHS TO BE RECORDED .- In case of the death of any mem- ber, or baptized child of this Church, it shall be the duty of any surviving member of the family to notify the Clerk. And if none of the family or immediate relatives of the deceased are members of this Church, then it shall be the duty of any member of this church acquainted with the facts, to inform the Clerk of the same, in writing, that it may be entered upon the Records.
9. MONTHLY CONCERT .- The Monthly Concert of Prayer for Missions shall be held in the Lecture Room, on the first Monday evening of each month. The funds collected at these meetings shall be equally divided between the Am. Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and the Am. Home Missionary Society, unless otherwise directed at the annual business meeting.
10. THANKSGIVING COLLECTION .- A collection shall be taken up after the sermon on Thanksgiving Day, for the benefit of the poor in the congregation, to be distributed by the Deacons.
11. OFFICERS .- The stated Officers of the Church shall be the Pastor or Pastors, Deacons, Examining Committee, Music Committee, Clerk, and Treasurer.
12. DUTIES OF DEACONS .- It shall be the duty of the Deacons to assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper, to distribute the charities of the Church, and in the absence, or at the request of the Pastor, to provide a supply for the Pulpit and the Lecture Room.
13. DEACONS HOW CHOSEN .- In 1848 two Deacons shall be chosen for three years, two for two years, and two for one year ; and at each subsequent annual meeting, two shall be chosen for three years; and at the expiration of their terms of office, they shall be ineligible for one year.
14. EXAMINING COMMITTEE .- The Examining Committee shall consist of the Pastor, and Deacons (who shall be members ex-officio), and six brethren. In 1848 two members shall be chosen for three years, two for two years, and two for one year ; and at each subsequent annual meeting two members shall be chosen for three years; and at
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the expiration of their terms of office they shall be ineligible for one year. Members of the Church are entitled to be present at and to participate in the examination of candidates.
15. MUSIC COMMITTEE. The Music Committee shall consist of six brethren, who shall be chosen for the same length of time and under the same limitations as the Deacons and the Examining Committee. They shall have power to appoint suitable persons to conduct the Music of the Church ; make all necessary arrangements to furnish a well disciplined Choir ; and also for the practical develop- ment of musical talent in the congregation. The Pastor, also, shall be, ex-officio, a member of this Committee.
16. DUTIES OF CLERK .- It shall be the duty of the stated Clerk to record the doings of the Church at its business meetings; also to keep the Covenant, Confession of Faith, Form of Admission, Ecele- siastical Principles and Rules, recorded in a place by themselves ; and a chronological list of its members, with the times of their admission, dismission, or deatlı, so far as he can ascertain the same. He shall also record the names of the children baptized, with the date thereof, the date of the birth, and the names of the parents; and at the annual meeting present a written Report on the state of the Church and its history during the previous year, including an account of the members received and dismissed.
17. TERMS OF OFFICE .- The terms of office of the Deacons, Examining Committee, Music Committee, Clerk, and Treasurer, shall expire on the first day of January.
18. VACANCIES .- Vacancies in any of the offices occurring between the annual meetings, may be filled at any regular business meeting, notice of the intention to fill such vacancies having been given from the pulpit on the previous Sabbath.
19. OFFICERS HOW ELECTED .- All Officers shall be elected by ballot, without nomination ; and all elections shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the members, of lawful age, present and voting.
. 20. LORD'S SUPPER .- The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first Sabbaths of January, March, May, July, September and November.
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21. PRAYER MEETINGS .- This Church will meet for prayer and conference every Sabbath afternoon ; and the brother presiding shall appoint another brother to preside the next Sabbath afternoon. There will also be a Prayer-Meeting on Friday evening, conducted by the Pastor, or in his absence by one of the brethren.
22. BUSINESS MEETING .- A business meeting of the Church shall be held, after the religious services, on the Friday evening next preceding the first Sabbath in each month ; but at the meeting next before the Communion, no business but the reception and dismission of members shall be transacted, unless by general consent.
23. SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING .- The Clerk, on the written requisition of any seven male members, of lawful age, shall call a special business meeting, by causing a notice to be read from the pulpit.
24. WHEN BUSINESS CAN BE TRANSACTED .- No business shall be transacted except at meetings regularly organized; and full minutes shall be taken of every such meeting, and entered by the Clerk on the Records.
25. MODERATOR .- At each business meeting a Moderator shall be chosen.
26. MEETINGS OPENED WITH PRAYER .- All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer.
27. ACTION ON RESOLUTIONS .- No resolution shall be considered at the same meeting at which it is offered, if any objection is made thereto, but shall be reduced to writing by the mover, and referred to the next business meeting. The objection may be overruled, however, by three-fourths of the members present.
28. ANNUAL MEETING .- A Meeting for the choice of Officers, and for other business, shall be held annually on the second Thursday evening of December, at which the Clerk shall present a written Report on the state of the Church, and its history during the previous year, including an account of the members received and dismissed; and a report shall also be presented by the Treasurer, and his accounts duly audited.
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And the following shall be the Order of Business :
1. Annual Reports.
2. Proposed Amendments to the Ecclesiastical Rules, &c.
3. Election of Officers.
4. Resolutions and other business.
29. MONTHLY COLLECTIONS .- A Collection shall be taken up in the Church on the last Sabbath of each monthr, both morning and evening, for the following benevolent objects :
January. AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL UNION. L. S. BENEDICT, T. C. FANNING, GEO. G. SPENCER, Committee.
February. CHURCH EXTENSION FUND. H. C. BOWEN, A. STUDWELL, JAMES FREELAND,
March. HOME MISSIONARY CAUSE. S. P. CHURCH, J. T. HOWARD, E. D. GOODENOW, 66
April. CITY TRACT SOCIETY. C. A. AVERY, J. E. CORNING, WM. A. BEECHER, "
May. SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY. THOS. HALE, SAMUEL BOYD, DR. J. W. SMITH, 66
June. TEMPERANCE CAUSE. EDWARD CORNING, A. FITZGERALD, J. I. PERRY,
July.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH EDUCATION FUND. J. T. CONKLIN, GEO. II. DAY, CORNELIUS SMITH,
August. HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS. THos. S. EELS, JOS. H. LADD, WM. H. PRICHARD,
September.
WESTERN COLLEGES. L. EAMES, E. A. NICHOLS, WM. H. BIGELOW,
October.
FOREIGN MISSIONS. D. BURGESS, T. H. SANFORD, A. B. DAVENPORT.
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November.
SABBATH-SCHOOL CAUSE. HI. E. MORRILL, WARREN GREEN, GEO. A. BELL,
December.
CITY BIBLE SOCIETY. R. W. ROPES, A. D. WHEELOCK, C. WIL.BUR.
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30. ELECTION OF TREASURER OF THE BENEVOLENT FUND, AND COMMITTEES .- The Treasurer and the several Committees shall be chosen yearly, at the annual business meeting.
31. DUTIES OF BENEVOLENT FUND COMMITTEES .- No money shall be paid by the Treasurer to any object, except on the written order of at least two members of the Committee, and then only to the Society or cause for which said money was collected. It is expected that the Committees chosen to act in behalf of each object will make personal solicitation throughout the congregation, within the month named, and use all proper means to obtain a liberal subscription and collection.
The Confession of Faith, Covenant, Form of Admission, or Ecclesiastical Principles and Rules shall not be altered, except by a vote of two-thirds of those male members of lawful age, present and voting at any annual meeting; nor shall such alteration be considered, unless a notice containing the substance thereof shall have been given in writing, at a previous business meeting.
BASIS OF UNION
BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIETY.
1. The Society shall hold the property, and receive the income, and make all pecuniary engagements, appropriations and payments.
2. In calling a Pastor, the Society and Church will act as concur- rent bodies-a majority of each being necessary to constitute a call ; the Church nominating, and the Society confirming or rejecting the nomination.
3. The Church will provide for the supply of the pulpit when there is no settled Pastor; make the necessary arrangements for singing, and in general, for the orderly celebration of religious wor- ship : and the Society will liquidate all reasonable expenses thereby incurred.
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MEETINGS.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY for the election of Trustees, and other business, will be held on Thursday evening fol- lowing the first Sabbath in January.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
1. Reading the call of the Meeting, duly certified by the Pastor or other Officer of the Church.
2. Treasurer's Report.
3. Election of Trustees and other Officers.
4. Appointment of Auditor for the ensuing year.
5. Other Business.
MISCELLANEOUS. ·
Weekly Services.
PREACHING, Sabbath morning and evening.
PRAYER-MEETING, Sabbath afternoon, in the Lecture Room. LECTURE, on Wednesday evening.
PRAYER-MEETING, on Friday evening.
Inquiry Meetings .
Meetings for religious conversation with the Pastor occur by special appointment.
Social Circle.
A Social Meeting will be held, ordinarily in the Social Circle Parlors, every other Tuesday evening, the special object of which is to pro- mote acquaintance, sympathy and friendship, throughout the Church and congregation.
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Application for Church Membership.
Those wishing to join the Church, either by Letter or on profession of their faith, are invited to meet the Examining Committee in person, at their appointed sessions, notice of which will be publicly given.
Prayer Meetings.
The Sabbath afternoon Prayer-Meetings are conducted by the brethren of the Church, one of whom will preside, whose duty it shall be to appoint another brother to preside at the next meeting. At these meetings the members of the Church are invited to take a part, to express their feelings in regard to their own experience, to provoke each other to more faithfulness in the cause of Christ, and to influence the Church, as a body, to a higher standard of piety and benevolence.
The Friday evening Prayer-Meeting will be under the special charge of the Pastor.
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MANUAL FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
WHEN the appointed time for the meeting arrives, the stated Clerk will call the Church to order, and, a Moderator being nominated, will put the question upon the choice. If the stated Clerk should not be present (or there is no such officer), any member may rise in his place, nominate a Moderator, and put the question ; and a Clerk pro tem. should then be chosen. If the meeting be adjourned to another day, the same Officers preside again, for an adjourmnent is but a continuance of the same meeting.
All the decisions of the presiding Officers are subject to revision by the Church.
Every motion must be made in writing, if required by any mem- ber; and, when seconded, must be read by the Moderator, and submitted to the consideration of the Church. Until this motion is disposed of, all subsequent propositions must be made by way of amendment to it. An amendment may go to the exclusion, addition, or substitution of words or sentences; indeed, a motion to amend by striking out all the words after the word resolved, and substituting an entirely new proposition upon the same subject, is in order. Until some vote has been taken on a resolution or an amendment to it, it may be withdrawn by the mover.
There are certain motions which are termed " privileged," which may be made at any time : such are the motions to postpone in- definitely, to refer to a Committee, to lay on the table (which means to lay aside for the present), to postpone to a future time fixed, and to adjourn. All these motions may be debated except the last. When a member is speaking, no motion can be made but with his consent.
When any motion is before the Church, every member has a right to express his views concerning it; and while doing so, the Mode- rator is bound. to confine him in his remarks to the point under consideration, and also to protect him against all interruption, except to call him to order if he violate the rules of courtesy or of debate : but after the matter of order is adjusted, he has a right to go on to the end of his remarks.
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The proposition last made is always the proposition under consideration, and the first to be voted on; so that when several amendments or propositions are before the meeting, the order in which they are to be voted upon is usually the reverse of the order in which they were made. If several sums are proposed, the largest is to be first put to vote; if several times, the longest; and as to the numbers generally, the largest.
When a motion is put to vote, it should be first clearly stated from the Chair, so that there may be no possible misunderstanding about it. Then the moderator says : " As many as are in favor of this resolu - tion, will please to say aye," or " lift up their hands," or "rise," as the custom of the Church may be ; then, " As many as are against this resolution," or " as are of a different opinion, will please to say no," or " lift up their hands," or " rise." Then the Moderator declares the result by saying-" It is a vote," or " it is not a vote." If any member thinks the Moderator in error, or that an accurate count would change the result, he has a right to demand it immediately ; in which case the question must be put again, and the vote carefully counted. After the question is put to vote, there can be no debate, and no new proposition made, until the voting is finished. After the vote is taken, any member who voted in the majority, may, during the same meeting, move a reconsideration ; which motion opens the subject again for debate ; and if the vote to reconsider is adopted, the whole matter stands just as it did before the reconsidered vote was taken.
Questions of order are to be decided by the Moderator ; but if any member thinks the decision incorrect, he can appeal to the meeting ; and the decision on that appeal will be final.
When the report of a Committee is presented, it will of course be put on file. A vote to accept, and adopt, is an expression of con- currence with the views of the Committee.
When a member has a motion to make, or wishes to speak on a pending motion, he must rise and address himself respectfully to the Moderator.
A member who has a motion to make, may preface it with such remarks as explain his design ; but, with this exception, speaking is out of order, unless some definite proposition has been submitted and is under consideration.
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DIGEST OF THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE
IN RELATION TO
Ecclesiastical Organizations, Elections, &r.
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES AT THE ORIGINAL FORMATION OF A SOCIETY.
1. Public notice must be given, where the congregation statedly worships, at least fifteen days before the said organization and election, and on two successive Sabbaths.
2. Two members of the congregation, to be nominated by a majority of the members present, shall preside at the election, receive the ballots of the electors, and be the judges of the qualification of such electors; and after the election, they shall certify, under their hands and seals, the names of the persons elected as Trustees, the corporate name adopted, and have the same acknowledged and recorded in the County Clerk's office.
3. Only male persons of lawful age are entitled to vote.
4. No person who has not statedly worshipped with the congrega- tion, or been considered a member, can vote.
5. Not less than three, nor more than nine persons shall be elected as Trustees.
NOTE .- At the organization of any Society, it is better in all ordinary cases to elect the full number of NINE TRUSTEES, as the statute of this State (New York) makes no provision for any increase of the original number, although it provides for reducing the number to not less than three.
6. A plurality of votes shall decide the election.
SEAL OF THE TRUSTEES.
The Trustees shall have and use a connon Seal, which may be altered or renewed at pleasure.
POWER. OF THE TRUSTEES.
1. They shall take and hold possession of all the property of the Society, both real and personal.
2. In their corporate name they can sue and be sued.
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3. They have power to repair and alter their places of worship, and, if necessary, to erect a new edifice, and also to purchase or build a dwelling-house for the Pastor.
4. They may make rules for managing the temporal affairs of the Society.
5. May dispose of the income of the Society according to their judgment.
6. Shall regulate the prices, and order the renting of pews.
7. Shall appoint a Clerk and Treasurer of the Board, who may be removed at pleasure.
MEETINGS OF TRUSTEES.
Any two of the Trustees shall have power to call a special meeting of the Board. .
A majority of the whole number of Trustees only shall have power to attend to business at any meeting lawfully convened.
TRUSTEES TO BE DIVIDED INTO CLASSES.
The Trustees first chosen at the organization of any religious Society, shall be divided into three classes, to the intent that one-third of the members of the Board shall vacate their office at the end of each year.
After the first election, all 'Trustees shall hold their office for the term of three years.
NOTICE OF NEW ELECTIONS OF TRUSTEES.
The Trustees, or a majority of them, shall, at least one month before the expiration of the office of any of the Trustees, notify the same in writing to the Minister, or in case of his death or absence, to the Deacons, specifying the names of those whose term will expire; and the said Minister or Deacons shall give fifteen days' notice to the congregation, on two successive Sabbaths, of a new election, which election shall be held at least six days before such vacancies shall occur.
Any two members present, appointed by the Society, may preside at the election.
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DEATH OF TRUSTEES, REMOVAL, &c.
All vacancies by death, removal, or refusal to act, shall be filled in the same manner, and with the same publie notice given, as at the regular elections.
VOTERS, AFTER THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION OF ANY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
No person belonging to the Society shall be entitled to vote at any election succeeding the first, until he shall have been a stated attend- ant on Divine Worship at least one year before such election, and shall have contributed to the support of said Society, according to the usages and customs thereof.
The Clerk of the Board of Trustees shall keep a register of the names of the legal voters, and shall at all elections decide upon their qualifications.
MINISTER'S SALARY.
The Trustees shall not have power to fix upon the sum to be paid the Minister for his support, but the same shall be determined by a majority of legal voters at a meeting to be called for that purpose.
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF TRUSTEES.
The Society may reduce the number of their Trusteesat any annual meeting, provided said mmaber be not less than three.
ANNUAL MEETING.
It shall be lawful for any Society, at its stated Annual meeting, to alter and fix the time for the next Ammal meeting and election of Trustees.
RENTING OF PEWS.
The Pews in the Church will be publicly rented every year, on the Tuesday evening next following the first Sabbath in the month of January. Such as are not then taken may be had at any time subsequent, on application to either of the Trustees or the Sexton. No Pew will be reserved for the occupant of the previous year. Payment will be expected semi-annually, in advance.
Those unable to rent Pews will be provided with seats free, on application to either of the Trustees.
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A Brief Account of Congregationalism.
As the Nature and Constitution of Congregational Churches are often misunderstood, and sometimes misrepresented, it has been thought best to subjoin a brief account of their origin, organization and principles. For convenience, they are arranged under a few principal heads.
I. DEFINITION OF A CHURCH .- A Christian Church is a voluntary association of professed believers in Christ, united by solemn covenant for the public worship of God, for the enjoyment of Chris- tian ordinances, and for mutual aid and enconragement in all Christian duties.
II. OF THE NAME, CONGREGATIONAL .- The names of all sects are of modern origin. The terms Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and Congregational, were alike unknown in ancient times. Then, the disciples of Christ were simply styled Christians, or the Christian Church. But in process of time, as differences of opinion arose respecting the doctrines or organization of the Church, it became necessary to distinguish those respective differences by some name. The names now in use were consequently adopted.
The Congregational Churches of this country were founded by the first English colonists, who, being driven by religious persecution to seek an asylum on these shores, landed in New-England in the early part of the seventeenth century. The term Congregational was applied to them, because all ecclesiastical power resides in the congre- gated body, or members of the Church, and not in the Officers. Their system was framed entirely from the Bible, by men learned therein, who felt a strong sense of obligation to ascertain how the primitive Churches were constituted, and to follow their pattern. It is believed that the Congregational plan which they adopted does correspond, in all essential features, with that of the Apostolic or New Testament Churches. Some evidence of this may be found in the following particulars.
Congregationalism discards all needless forms and mystical or unmeaning rites, with everything like ostentation or display in religious services, and requires a simple, direct worship, with as few
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ceremonies as will comport with propriety. It prohibits all dominion and lordship in the Church, and all subjection of one portion of the houschold of faith to the control of another. It permits no invidious distinctions between the Clergy, and no privileged orders among the laity. All are brethren, and members alike of Christ's family. That pride of place, and insolence of rank, too often exhibited by ecclesiastical dignitaries, is thus avoided.
III. OFFICERS, THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES. -- The Officers of a Congregational Church are of two orders only-Pastors and Deacons. [ In the New Testament, Pastors are styled Bishops and Elders, the three words being synonymous. | It is usual, however, to appoint occasional or standing Committees, to cooperate with the Pastors and · Deacons in examining applicants for membership, and generally, in performing such duties as the Church may assign to them.
The Pastor possesses, by virtue of his office, no more power than any other brother in the Church. Yet, there is no want of respect for his persou or office. flis influence in the Church and congrega- tion is secured, not by official prerogatives, but by his own moral worth and consistent ministerial deportment.
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