The history of the Broadway tabernacle church, from its organization in 1840 to the close of 1900, including factors influencing its formation, Part 20

Author: Ward, Susan Hayes, 1838- nn
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: New York [The Trow print]
Number of Pages: 408


USA > New York > New York City > The history of the Broadway tabernacle church, from its organization in 1840 to the close of 1900, including factors influencing its formation > Part 20


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29


FOREIGN MISSIONARIES.


Dr. Nahabed Abdalian, Dr. Charles L. Bliss, Dr. Burt N. Bridgman, Miss Caroline E. Bush, Mrs. Margaret Chandler, Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick, Rev. Sidney L. Gulick, Deacon Henry C. Hall, Mr. George Lawrence, Rev. William Edwin Locke, Rev. Theodore S. Pond, Rev. Barnabas Root, Dr. Ida Salmon Stapleton, Deacon Matthew Starr, Rev. James B. Thompson.


WORKERS IN CITY AND HOME MISSIONS.


William F. Barnard, Rev. Amzi Camp, Rev. Samuel Col- cord, Rev. Ephraem Menachem Epstein, Rev. Charles L. Hall, Mrs. Emma Calhoun Hall, Rev. George Jackson, Rev. Ed- ward Pratt, Rev. John A. Seymour.


OFFICERS OF MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.


Rev. Milton Badger, D.D.,* Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society; Rev. Walter M. Barrows, D.D., * Member of the society though not of the church.


204


THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY


Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society; Rev. Charles P. Bush, D.D.,* District Secretary of the American Board; Norman A. Calkins, LL.D., Treasurer of the Congre- gational Union; Rev. A. H. Clapp, D.D., Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society and Treasurer of the Congregational Home Missionary Society; Rev. L. H. Cobb, D.D., Secretary of the Congregational Church Building So- ciety ; Rev. Edward W. Gilman, D.D., Secretary of the Ameri- can Bible Society ; General O. O. Howard, President of the Congregational Home Missionary Society; Miss Delia E. Emerson, Secretary of Woman's Bureau, American Missionary Association; Deacon Henry W. Hubbard, Treasurer of the American Missionary Association; Rev. Ray Palmer, D.D., Secretary of the Congregational Union; Rev. Absalom Peters, D.D., Secretary of the Home Missionary Society ; Miss Ellen C. Parsons, Editor for the Presbyterian Women's Boards; Rev. Henry A. Stimson, President of the Congregational Church Building Society ; Rev. William M. Taylor, D.D., President of the American Missionary Association and of the Congrega- tional Union; Mr. Langdon S. Ward, Treasurer of the American Board.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF BENEVOLENT BOARDS AND INSTITUTIONS.


Deacon Austin Abbott, Charles Abernethy, Mrs. Charles Abernethy, Rev. Samuel Colcord, Mrs. R. A. Dorman, George S. Edgell, William C. Gilman, Mrs. Hamilton S. Gordon, Mrs. Horace Green, A. S. Hatch, Deacon Samuel Holmes, General O. O. Howard, Mrs. Henry C. Houghton, Caleb C. Knevals, Deacon William C. Lambert, James T. Leavitt, Charles L. Mead, Francis A. Palmer, Thomas Ritter, Mrs. Marshall O. (Caroline D.) Roberts, Deacon William Henry Smith, Miss Lucy M. Spelman, Lucien C. Warner, John H. Washburn, William Ives Washburn.


A synopsis of the benevolences of the church is given be-


* Member of the society, though not of the church.


205


HISTORY OF THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH


low. An itemized account of the first thirty years cannot be obtained.


BENEVOLENCES OF THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH, 1840-1900.


American Board.


Home Missions.


American Mis- sionary As- sociation.


Church Building.


Church Ex- tension.


1846-1871.


1872-1880


$26,030.12


$18,767.25


$5,417.52


$2,398.49


1881-1890


33,405.02


67,416.44 50,760.82


$5,994.54 18,171.52 22,670.66


10,705.50


10,740.98


1891-1900.


43,187.17


10,490.04


14,393.32


Totals


$ 102,622.31


$136,944.51


$46,836.72


$26,613.06


$27,442.79


Education.


Bethany.


Deacons' Fund.


Hospitals.


Seamen.


1846-1871.


1872-1880


$3,805.44


$35,406.82


$18,955.29


$466.51


$4,627.77


1881-1890


5,495.78


84,588.63


15,697.74


11,496.79


4,548.96


1891-1900.


5,808.90


49,512.21


9,121.05


10,077.29


1,406.26


Totals


$15,110.12


.$169,507.66


$43,774.08


$22,040.59


$10,582.99


City Charities. Miscellaneous.


Totals.


1846-1871 ..


$350,000.00


Benevolences of the Church,


$1,090,293.61


1872-1880


$10,610.93


$13,307.61


161,487.85


1881-1890.


16,444.01


21,815.06


313,784.32


1891-1900


5,180.41


26,528.26


265,021.44


Individual Gifts (partial list),


1,008,925.00


Totals.


$32,235.35


$61,650.93


$1,090,293.61


Grand total, $2,099,218.61


THE GIFTS OF A FEW MEN.


Presbyterian Hospital


$2,000


Manhattan Church


2,500


Berea College


3,050


Yale Seminary


3,955


Young Women's Christian Association 4,555


Woman's Hospital


5,000


206


THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY


Home for Aged Ministers' Families


$15,000


Stamford, Conn. 20,000


College in Ohio.


25,000


Young Men's Christian Association.


35,800


Eddytown, N. Y.


70,000


Western Colleges


100,000


Bedford, N. Y.


100,000


Boys' Club, Fall River, Mass


100,000


Oberlin College


132,065


New York City


150,000


Francis Asbury Palmer Fund


240,000


Total


$1,008,925


In the book exhibit were books and pamphlets by William F. Barnard, Clarence W. Bowen, Rev. L. H. Cobb, Rev. Sam- uel Colcord, Martin H. Early, Augustus Gaylord, President Daniel Coit Gilman, Sidney H. Gulick, David Hale, Rev. Charles L. Hall, Mrs. Henry Clay Hall, Professor A. D. F. Hamlin, Chester Holcombe, Dr. Henry C. Houghton, General O. O. Howard, Mrs. Holloway, Rev. Charles E. Jefferson, Lewis S. Judd, Miss Ellen C. Parsons, Dr. William H. Porter, Dr. George T. Stevens, Rev. H. A. Stimson, Dr. W. L. Stow- ell, Rev. William M. Taylor, Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, Dr. William H. Thomson, Miss Hetta L. H. Ward, Miss Susan Hayes Ward, Dr. Lucien C. Warner, John H. Washburn, Mrs. John H. Washburn, William Ives Washburn.


In the picture gallery the faces of the following men were to be seen, some of them in oil, some of them in crayon, some of them in steel engravings, and many of them in photo- graphs-of many of them there were pictures taken in dif- ferent periods in life:


PASTORS.


Rev. E. W. Andrews, Rev. J. P. Thompson, D.D., Rev. W. M. Taylor, D.D., Rev. H. A. Stimson, D.D., Rev. C. E. Jef- ferson, D.D.


207


HISTORY OF THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH


DEACONS.


Henry Whittlesey, Samuel Holmes, Israel Minor, H. C. Hall, William H. Smith, W. G. Lambert, Dr. William H. Thomson, Austin Abbott, Samuel Pitts, Thomas W. Whitte- more, John H. Washburn, H. W. Hubbard, Dr. H. C. Hough- ton, Charles Whittemore, Augustus Gaylord, Dr. L. C. War- ner, Charles L. Mead, R. A. Dorman.


TRUSTEES.


Charles Abernethy, Nathaniel Fisher, Cornelius N. Bliss, M. C. D. Borden, Caleb B. Knevals, Levi M. Bates, Joel E. Fisher, Irving R. Fisher, William Ives Washburn, Charles Stewart Smith.


TREASURER.


CLERK.


William B. Holmes.


E. F. Browning.


MEMBERS OF CHURCH COMMITTEE.


Seth W. Benedict, General O. O. Howard, Rev. A. H. Clapp, D.D., William Allen, David Hale.


SEXTON.


F. S. Boyd.


To project and carry out an extensive and elaborate cele- bration requires much time and strength and labor, and the jubilee could never have been so successfully carried through had it not been for a host of willing and enthusiastic workers. The church owes a debt of gratitude not only to the mem- bers of the various committees, but also to many others, both men and women, who, though not members of a committee, carried out with alacrity and ability the plans which the com- mittee had suggested.


208


Sirtieth Anniversary Celebration of the


Broadway Tabernacle Church


heb. Charles E. Jefferson, Pastor


1840


1900


January 16 to Januarp 23 1901


Wednesday Evening


JANUARY 16, 1901


8 O'CLOCK IN THE CHAPEL


Reminiscences


THE PASTOR PRESIDING


The Old Tabernacle DEACON CHARLES WHITTEMORE


Memories of Early Times MR. WILLIAM B. HOLMES


The Early Pastors DEACON RICHARD A. DORMAN


The Old Struggles and Victories DEACON JOHN H. WASHBURN


The Old Friends


DEACON WILLIAM H. THOMSON


Friday Evening


JANUARY 18, 1901


8 O'CLOCK IN THE CHURCH PARLORS


Reception


THE PASTOR AND HIS WIFE, THE TRUSTEES AND THEIR WIVES, AND THE DEACONS AND THEIR WIVES WILL RECEIVE


Music by Orchestra


Remarks


REV. WILLIAM J. PECK, for Non-Resident Members MR. CHARLES STEWART SMITH, - for Former Members MR. JAMES TALCOTT,


REV. FRANK E. RAMSDELL, for the Churches in Manhattan


REV. J. B. McLEOD, for the Churches in Brooklyn


Refreshments


Sunday Morning


JANUARY 20, 1901


11 O'CLOCK IN THE AUDITORIUM


Public Worship


30


Organ Prelude


Doxology


Congregation Standing


Invocation


. REV. C. J. RYDER


Anthem "All Thy works praise Thee, O Lord " Hawley


Responsive Reading


REV. WASHINGTON CHOATE


Hymn


Congregation Standing


Scripture


.


REV. C. C. CREEGAN


Prayer


.


REV. J. B. CLARKE


Response


By the Choir


Offering


Anthem


"How Beautiful Upon the Mountains" Dayas


Historical Sermon


. By the Pastor


Hymn


.


Congregation Standing


Prayer and Benediction


. REV. A. F. BEARD


Organ Postlude


Sunday Afternoon JANUARY 20, 1901


3.30 O'CLOCK IN THE AUDITORIUM


Bible School Celebration Tabernacle and Bethany Schools Uniting


MR. HARRIS H. HAYDEN, SUPT., PRESIDING 1


Hymn "When Morning Gilds the Skies"


Scripture Reading


REV. N. M. PRATT


Hymn "Soldiers of the Cross"


Prayer


.


MR. R. A. DORMAN


Hymn "O God Accept Our Hearts this Day "


Historical Paper .


MRS. ANNIE FISHER STREBEIGH


Hymn "Forward ! Be Our Watchword"


Paper "Work with the Little People"


MRS. D. S. PILLSBURY


Solo


MRS. BESSIE CHITTENDEN RICHARDS


Address .


REV. F. B. RICHARDS


Hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers"


Introductions and Messages


Hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"


Sunday Evening


JANUARY 20, 1901


7 O'CLOCK IN THE CHURCH PARLORS


D. D. S. C. C. meeting


MR. J. R. ELLENWOOD, PRES., PRESIDING


Hymn


Devotional Exercises


Greeting by the Pastor


REV. CHARLES E. JEFFERSON


"Our Society " from 1893=95


MR. C. L. THORNE


MISS MARIE S. POOLE


Soprano Solo


" In Heavenly Love Abiding" A. Lassen


MRS. W. J. FINCH


"Our Society " from 1896=97


MR. E. V. BLADEN


MRS. O. FLORENCE


Hymn


"Our Society" from 1898-1901


MR. W. J. FINCH


MR. J. R. ELLENWOOD


The Church and "Our Society "


DEACON H. W. HUBBARD


Prayer


REV. GEORGE A. GORDON


Mizpah


All Uniting


Sunday Evening JANUARY 20, 1901


8 O'CLOCK IN THE AUDITORIUM


Fellowship Meeting


THE PASTOR PRESIDING


Organ Prelude


Doxology


Invocation


REV. ARTHUR J. WYMAN


Hymn


Scripture REV. GEORGE A. GORDON


Prayer


·


REV. L. HENRY COBB


Anthem


"O Lord, Thou Art Great"


Coombs


Addresses REV. HENRY A. STIMSON


REV. MARVIN R. VINCENT REV. DAVID H. GREER REV. EDWARD JUDSON


REV. J. M. BUCKLEY


Hymn


Prayer and Benediction REV. GEORGE N. BOARDMAN


Tuesday Morning


JANUARY 22, 1901


10.30 O'CLOCK IN THE CHURCH PARLORS


Meeting of The Society for Women's Work


MRS. HAMILTON S. GORDON, PRES., PRESIDING


The Home Missionary Society MRS. WILLIAM S. SEAMANS


The Foreign Missionary Society


MISS ELIZABETH R. FISHER


The Helping Hand . MRS. HAMILTON S. GORDON


The Sewing School


MISS MARY S. JANES


The Kindergarten


·


. MRS. THOMAS A. FAIR


Letter from Miss Bush


READ BY MRS. EDWARD W. PEET


Tuesday Evening


JANUARY 22, 1901


8 O'CLOCK IN THE AUDITORIUM


Denominational Meeting


THE PASTOR PRESIDING


Organ Prelude


Doxology


Invocation


.


. REV. WILLIAM T. WILLIAMS


Hymn


Scripture


.


. REV. WILLIAM H. KEPHART


Prayer


.


.


.


REV. F. B. MAKEPEACE


Anthem


Address "The Congregationalism of Yesterday" REV. AMORY H. BRADFORD


Address "The Congregationalism of To-day"


GENERAL O. O. HOWARD


Address "The Congregationalism of To-morrow"


Hymn


REV. JOSIAH STRONG


Prayer and Benediction


.


REV. HENRY M. BROWN


Wednesday Evening


JANUARY 23, 1901


RECEPTION AT 6 O'CLOCK, DINNER SERVED AT 6.30 O'CLOCK IN THE CHURCH PARLORS


Church Banquet


THE PASTOR PRESIDING


After-Dinner Speeches


The Tabernacle of the Past


HON. CORNELIUS N. BLISS MR. HENRY W. HUBBARD


DR. LUCIEN C. WARNER DR. HENRY C. HOUGHTON MR. WILLIAM IVES WASHBURN


The Tabernacle of the Future


MR. IRVING GAYLORD MR. HARRIS H. HAYDEN MR. THOMAS S. HOPE SIMPSON COL. WILLIAM G. BATES PROF. A. D. F. HAMLIN


NOTE :- Owing to the limited accommodations of the Church Parlors only present members of the Tabernacle can be admitted to the banquet.


Church Crhibit


On Monday and Tuesday


JANUARY 21ST AND 22D


FROM 10 A.M. TO 10 P.M.


T HERE will be in the Church Parlors an Exhibit of historical charts, showing the benevolences of the Tabernacle, books written and published by members of the Church, and also photographs, en- gravings and paintings of the Pastors and Trustees and Deacons who have served the Church within the last sixty years. To this exhibit the general public is cordially invited.


Committees


General Committee PASTOR, CHAIRMAN


CORNELIUS N. BLISS IRVING R. FISHER


WILLIAM IVES WASHBURN


DR. LUCIEN C. WARNER


DR. WILLIAM H. THOMSON GEORGE L. LEONARD


MRS. HAMILTON S. GORDON MRS. DR. E. W. PEET


MISS ELLEN C. PARSONS


Church History


GEORGE L. LEONARD WILLIAM J. WHITTEMORE


MISS ELLEN C. PARSONS CHARLES E. WHITTEMORE


Bible School Celebration


HARRIS H. HAYDEN WM. H. RATH MISS ELLEN C. PARSONS


Invitations DR. WILLIAM L. STOWELL


Church Exhibit


MR. LEONARD


MRS. HAMILTON S. GORDON MRS. E. W. PEET MISS ELLEN C. PARSONS


Finance HAMILTON S. GORDON DR. LUCIEN C. WARNER NATHANIEL C. FISHER


Music HARRIS H. HAYDEN MISS LILLIE P. BLISS


Decoration


MISS ANNIE C. BENEDICT


MRS. R. C. COOK


MRS. ROBERT L. MAITLAND MISS LUCY M. SPELLMAN


Reception


DR. EDWARD D. FISHER


DR. FRANK B. CARPENTER


DR. A. L. NORTHROP MISS ISABEL M. TAYLOR MARTIN H. EARLY


ROBERT L. MAITLAND


MR. AND MRS. W. R. WHEELER


Banquet


DR. E. W. PEET REV. SAMUEL COLCORD


MANLEY A. RAYMOND


MRS. R. A. DORMAN MRS. WILLIAM H. THOMSON MISS ANNA C. MELLICK


Carriages


DR. CHAS. E. BRUCE GEORGE B. BATES


Press THOMAS A. FAIR


Printing W. R. FEARN


Ushers


CHARLES E. WHITTEMORE


It is a great responsibility for a church of Jesus Christ to have had the privilege of the ministry of two such men as Joseph P. Thompson and William M. Taylor. Will the life of this church and congregation be such as privileges like these demand ? T. S. H.


Appendix


A


A Plan of Union Between Presbyterians and Congregationalists in the New Settlements, Adopted in 1801.


The report of the Committee appointed to consider and digest a plan of government for the churches in the new settlements was taken up and considered; and, after mature deliberation on the same, approved as follows :


Regulations adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America and by the General Association of the State of Con- necticut (provided said Association agree to them) with a view to pre- vent alienation and promote union and harmony in those new settlements which are composed of inhabitants from these bodies.


First .- It is strictly enjoined on all their missionaries to the new settlements to endeavor, by all proper means, to promote mutual for- bearance and accommodation between those inhabitants of the new settlements who hold the Presbyterian and those who hold the Congre- gational form of church government.


Second .- If in the new settlements any church of the Congregational order shall settle a minister of the Presbyterian order, that church may, if they choose, still conduct their discipline according to Congregational principles, settling their difficulties among themselves, or by a council mutually agreed upon for that purpose. But if any difficulty shall exist between the minister and the church, or any member of it, it shall be referred to the Presbytery to which the minister shall belong, provided both parties agree to it: if not, to a council consisting of an equal number of Presbyterians and Congregationalists agreed upon by both parties. ,


Third .- If a Presbyterian church shall settle a minister of Congre- gational principles, that church may still conduct their discipline accord- ing to Presbyterian principles, excepting that if a difficulty arise between him and his church, or any member of it, the cause shall be tried by the Association to which the said minister shall belong, provided both parties


223


HISTORY OF THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH


agree to it; otherwise by a council, one-half Congregationalists, and the other half Presbyterians, mutually agreed upon by the parties.


Fourth .- If any congregation consist partly of those who hold the Congregational form of discipline, and partly of those who hold the Presbyterian form, we recommend to both parties that this be no ob- struction to their uniting in one church and settling a minister, and that in this case the church choose a standing Committee from the com- municants of said church, whose business it shall be to call to account every member of the church who shall conduct himself inconsistently with the laws of Christianity, and to give judgment on such conduct, and if the person condemned by their judgment be a Presbyterian he shall have liberty to appeal to the Presbytery, if a Congregationalist he shall have liberty to appeal to the body of the male communicants of the church; in the former case the determination of the Presbytery shall be final, unless the church consent to a further appeal to the Synod, or to the General Assembly, and, in the latter case, if the party condemned shall wish for a trial by a mutual council, the cause shall be referred to such Council. And, provided the said standing Committee of any church shall depute one of themselves to attend the Presbytery, he may have the same right to sit and act in the Presbytery as a ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church .- From the Assembly's Digest.


B Broadway Tabernacle Church .- Principles and Rules Adopted March 13, 1836.


We whose names are hereto subscribed agree to form ourselves into the Sixth Free Church by the name of the Broadway Tabernacle, and to adopt, in the government and discipline of the same, the following principles :


I. We hold that the Lord Jesus Christ is supreme head and lawgiver of the Church.


2. That the Bible is the supreme and only binding code of laws for the government of the Church, and that in all matters of government and discipline the Church is bound to follow gospel rules.


3. That each congregation of Christians, meeting in one place and united by a solemn covenant, is a complete Church, having no superior but the Lord Jesus Christ, subject to no authority but his, and from him deriving the right to choose its own pastor and church officers and to discipline its own members.


4. That between churches so constituted, as also between all ministers, there is a perfect equality; but that mutual friendship and communion' should subsist between them, leading them to seek each other's counsel and advice or rebuke, whenever needed.


224


APPENDIX


5. That such church, being made by the Lord Jesus Christ the sole depository of all ecclesiastical power, ecclesiastical bodies, distinct from the church, by whatever name they may be called, are only advisory, and have no right to reverse or annul the decisions of a particular church.


6. That the ministry is of divine origin, intended for the sanctification of believers, for the conversion of sinners, and the reproof of the wicked, and to continue to the end of the world.


7. That deacons were appointed in the primitive church for the as- sistance of the ministry and the care of the temporal concerns of the church.


8. That every individual church should be supplied with pastors and deacons according to the pattern of the primitive church.


9. That the choice of pastors and deacons should be made by the whole church, and that they should be set apart to the office by prayer and the laying on of hands.


IO. That the admission of members to the communion should be the act of the church at large, and that the Lord Jesus Christ has laid upon the church the duty of watching over its own members and of admin- istering discipline as an important exercise of Christian graces and a means of sanctification.


II. That in all cases of offence, either against individual members or the church at large, discipline should proceed upon the rule laid down in the 18th chapter of Matthew, verses 16-18.


RULES.


In conformity to these principles we adopt the following rules for the government and discipline of this church:


I. All elections shall be made by the major vote of members of the church in good and regular standing.


2. The pastoral relation between this church and its minister shall be constituted and dissolved in the mode usually adopted in Congregational churches.


3. The number of deacons determined by church to be chosen an- nually, public notice given two weeks previously. Vacancies to be filled by public meeting, one week's notice.


4. The minister and deacons shall together constitute a session. Dea- cons counsel as to spiritual interests, attend and sustain meetings of enquiry, instruction, conference, prayer; visit sick and attend to all temporalities of the church. They appoint treasurer and clerk from their own body. Treasurer keep account of receipts and disbursements and report monthly to session, quarterly to church. Clerk keep a record of all meetings of the session and church, and to give and sign the cer- tificates of church membership and dismissions.


5. Pastor preside in meetings of church and session, and have cast- ing vote.


6. Examination of all candidates for admission to church in open


225


HISTORY OF THE BROADWAY TABERNACLE CHURCH


meeting, and unanimous vote of members present, male and female, requisite for admission of any member.


7. No member admitted without oral or written relation of religious experience.


8. Candidates propounded one week previous to admission.


9. In cases of discipline the church may refer the duty of collecting evidence and preparing case to the session. The decision of majority of members, male and female, final. Counsel of other churches may be sought, but the power of censure rests in the church.


10. Pastor may convene, by public notice, session or church. If a majority of church or session desire a meeting, it shall be duty of pastor or, in his absence, of session to call such a meeting.


II. All meetings open and close with prayer.


12. Annual meeting, first Monday in June.


The Evangelist, March 19, 1836.


C Articles of Christian Faith and Church Government Adopted by the Members of the Broad- way Tabernacle Church.


We, the subscribers, having agreed to unite in the establishment of a new Congregational Church in New York, by the name of The Broad- way Tabernacle Church, think it proper to make a declaration of that Faith which is the bond of our ecclesiastical union, and which we shall expect to find in all those who shall hereafter participate in our religious privileges and communion.


First .- We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only perfect rule of Christian faith and practice.


Second .- We profess our decided attachment to that system of the Christian religion which is distinguishingly denominated Evangelical; more particularly to those doctrines which, in a proper sense, are styled the Doctrines of Grace, viz .: "That there is one, and but one, living and true God, subsisting in three persons, the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST; and that these Three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; that God from all eternity, according to the counsel of His own will, and for His own glory, foreordained whatso- ever comes to pass; that God, in His most holy, wise, and powerful providence, preserves and governs all His creatures and all their actions ; that by the Fall all mankind lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse and liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever; that God out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity elected some to everlasting life, entered into


226


APPENDIX


a covenant of grace, to deliver them from a state of sin and misery, and introduce them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer; that this Re- deemer is the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the eternal Son of God, who became man, and continues to be God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever ; that the effectual calling of sinners is the work of God's Spirit; that their justification is only for the sake of Christ's righteous- ness by faith." And we hereby covenant and engage, as fellow Christians of one faith, and partakers of the same hope and joy, to give up our- selves unto the Lord, for the observance of the ordinances of Christ together in the same society, and to unite together in one body for the public worship of God and the mutual edification one of another in the fellowship of the Lord Jesus; exhorting, reproving, comforting, and watching over each other, for mutual edification; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, even our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.


FORM OF ADMISSION TO THE CHURCH.


You have presented yourselves in this public manner before God to dedicate yourselves to His service and to incorporate yourselves with His visible people. You are about to profess supreme love to Him, sincere contrition for all your sins, and faith unfeigned in the LORD JESUS CHRIST; to enter into a solemn covenant to receive the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST as they are offered in the Gospel, and to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. We trust you have well considered the nature of these professions and engage- ments. The transaction is solemn, and will be attended with eternal consequences. God and holy angels are witnesses. Your vows will be recorded in heaven, to be exhibited on your trial at the Last Day. Yet be not overwhelmed. In the name of CHRIST you may come boldly to the God of Grace, and provided only you have sincere desires to be His, may venture thus unalterably to commit yourselves, and trust in Him for strength to perform your vows.




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