eS eer Ns SN we of ered oe ee MS est ER ES WED, Pees 4 ey ie takai Aes etna Ath iY ai Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2022 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/manualforchurchoOOpres ~ APR 1- 1926 A FOR CHURCH OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, DISCIPLINE, AND WORSHIP OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Published for the Office of the General Assembly by the Publication Department of the Board of Christian Education 1926 CRAIN OF PRINGES eee 2, iy > CopyrRiaHT, 1926, BY THE BoaARD oF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE U. S. A. INTRODUCTION. Notwithstanding the fact that revised editions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church and of the Digest of its laws and administrative and judicial decisions have recently been put forth, there is a persistent demand for a book which shall contain in briefer compass and simpler form, and thus more available for ready reference, these same important matters. This Manual of Presbyterian law and usage, relating to the Government, Discipline, and Worship of the Church, is offered as the answer to this demand. Other books with a like purpose have preceded it, but they are either out of print or out of date. In the preparation of this book the ‘Manual for Ruling Elders and Other Church Officers,” first published by Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., in 1897, has furnished the working basis, and the major part of the material. The subject matter is necessarily much the same, since in the main the Constitution does not greatly change, but the arrangement and order in which it is presented are almost entirely different. The content is divided into six main divisions: I. History; II. Constitution; III. Organization; IV. The Particular Church; V. Rules for Judicatories; VI. Forms for Sessions. Besides Dr. Roberts’ ‘“Manual for Ruling Elders,’”’ Dr. J. Aspinwall Hodge’s ““What Is Presbyterian Law?’’ has constantly been consulted. The Editors make acknowledgment of their indebted- ness to Rev. Professor Frederick W. Loetscher, D.D., LL.D., of Princeton Theological Seminary, for the bibli- ography which will be found following the table of con- tents; also to Rev. Harold McAfee Robinson, D.D., Secretary of the Board of Christian Education, for the material contained on pages 94-102. We are also under great obligation to the Editorial and Publication Depart- ments of the Board of Christian Education for their hearty coéperation and wise guidance. LEWIS SEYMOUR MUDGE, WILLIAM P. FINNEY, EDITORIAL NOTE. This Manual is issued from the Office of the General Assembly, under the general authority granted to the Stated Clerk by the General Assembly as the official editor in charge of “The Constitution” and ‘The Digest” of the Church, and of the ways and means by which the laws and usages of the Church are made known. In the preparation of this Manual, the Stated Clerk has had the whole-hearted coéperation of Rev. William P. Finney, D.D., associate editor of ‘“The Digest.” It is, therefore, a privilege to repeat here what was recorded in connection with the presentation to the Church of the last edition of ‘‘The Digest,” that whatever part others may have had in selecting, arranging, and printing the material gathered in this Manual, that part is small when compared with the contribution of time, of strength, of patience, and of wisdom made thereto by Dr. Finney. Lewis Seymour Mupces, February, 1926 Stated Clerk, CONTENTS. I. Historical Statement..........4..........: 17-24 CHRONOLOGICAL) OUTIANE. .. sc 5.0. saetiaiee « ak ents 17-21 I; ORGANIZATION: « i302)... ee ete oe 17-19 li THE SPAN DARDS. . 2277p aes oe 22-24 [ls The Constitution. ...... oor, Gee en wala 27-46 I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT... .2..7 27-31 I. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AFFECTING THE GONSTITUTION. 4... .... eRe Peto pe ry ee. we II. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. J...3:4...:.¢.5. 28 Il. THE PRESBYTERIAN SYSTEM....... 31-46 I. THe CoNFESSION OF FAITH.............. 32 LAR HEOLOT SH NINS LE a 5 GS I el cana 32 ee LIUCY © ath oe Be BS ob RU oR oben 35 3. Authority of the Holy Scriptures......... 35 II. Tae Form oF GOVERNMENT..........026- 37 1; General: Principles... .:aege ii aewkc ve se 38 . 2; The Chureh Universaligye ici} edhe... 38 3. The Denominational Churches........... 39 Ill. Tue Book or DISCIPLINE. ...0...66..... 4] 1, General Principles................ PEAS 41 2. Principles Applicable to Civil Power...... 43 TV. THe DrrEcToRY FOR WORSHIP .......... 45 V. Tue VALUE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN SYSTEM. 46 Ill. The Organized Government of the Presby- terian Church. 227... ... ees. vt one 49-198: CHURCH JUDICATORIES.... . «csv tiaeratete os « ole tls aie 49 TATE SESSION!) ..)0. Eee. wae 49-190 I. Tue ConstTiIruENT ELEMENTS.........6... 49 TBP OWERS | cis oo c eRe ae ves MENS a's 50 CONTENTS. LEE? MmErinGs ). sears sor ste same ate eres Se 52 LV; QUORUM: . 3. Me Melee Cries slvce sieteeteeal acd 54 V. .CEERK.. . .... . SREmRMIEN ores cuaetere <.. > steeeearatstel 55 VI. FEREASURER: Se sss oases oem sh 59 VIL. GOMMITTEESHE se Anos eas. » «eee 60 VILL ARE CORDS Sate a leu ics. s s.0 e ceieenee 61 IX. Rous AND REGISTERS |.3)..': 2 ee eee 63 Xx. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.........-.0ee0<- 68 XI. EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS............ 72 XII. DismissaL OR WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERS 74 XIII. SuspENDED oR DroprpeD MEMBERS..... 78 XLV. BAPTISM 2), eee iete 4) ee a ote v as se 80 XVe'THE LORD Ss SRBPERe cc. 6 ccs scene 82 XVI. CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS.....¢...0.5er86¢ 87 1. Church Mem@ersiity....0.5) .. eee 87 Zenpaptism of @hidren’. . vi...) . cee ae 87 3: Obligations cue Midren % 2.5. ...05 see 90 4. Obligations or Parents. .4....5... . i. eae 90 5. Church Control Over Baptized Children . 92 XVII. Curistian EDUCATION IN THE ParTIC- ULAR CHURGE aeee ols va oe.. Lawes Neco See 94 XXCVILI.. WVORSHIR Gee =o let. | cues ce tad 102 1: °Geners)]. Mattersaer i tee cues 6 one 102 ZaOhureh M Us cme kins eishet & hele s ete 105 os, Meetings forsigayer. ole. .sek secre ees 107 4 Special Servicgame. . tise s c.ek eae eee 108 5. Women and Church Services............ 109 GtinsVacant Chipenes. 24. . cis aces sce com 110 XIX. BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS............ ed iGeneral. ... .;. [eee oo sees sa stakes oe 111 QHAOUIECTS s,s + ss MMe a slgtertte slates 4s ecte 112 See ML OOUS, « . 3) CU cle cae tale ane a iats che cae 113 A isstribution ; ; . cee sca eee ce ek a @ hae 116 DAASCDOLIS. .... «5 J MMI 6 crate ote tb'gic e's 6 am 117 Ss CHURCH SOCIETIES Gs. << Lae te esis 6 oa 117 1. Missionary and Other Societies.......... 118 2. Young People’s Societies..............- 119 CONTENTS. 7 iy XXII. INDIVIDUAL OVERSIGHT.........000. tmles XXII. STATISTICAL AND OTHER REPORTS..... 126 1. Presbyteries and Synods.............-. 126 2. General Assembly.....022........b.5.. 126 XXIII. Puurit of Vacant CHURCH......... 128 XXIV. REPRESENTATION IN THE HIGHER JUDICATORIES A. . . sc. cceenammmetets tale cote cls 129 1. “Eresby tery 2c... .. . seer eeeiee oe s,ate oe 129 D.ONTIOUL fis Reels ooo ke Ce RN ne! ache 131 SmrencralpssemDly...5. sere dome «ses ee 132 X XV UDICIAL GASES. .). 5.) ate Wa T32 1. General Constitutional Principles........ 132 QIREOWETS Gc hes ics 3 ene nae, (Pou 134 Sy AUTISGICELIONG. <>. . . +. Rememer en aieee 31k etme 134 4 LORENCES snes 250s so EERE « ev a sae 135 a. Constitutional Provisions............. 135 b. Assembly Decisions and Deliverances . 137 5. Judicial Cases Without Process......... 139 6. Matters Preceding and Conditioning Process 225.8 ics COM eR eel ea ate 140 Te PTOCOSS ceive ies «oss «sR OR are ee ent g ts 142 7. (1) Process.—Charges and Specifications. 143 7. (2) Process.—Citations................. 146 7. (3) Process.—Witnesses........2...000. 148 7. (4) Process.—Examinations............. 152 7. (5) Process.—Evidence.........2e..00.. 153 7. (6) Process.—CensureS.........202c000 158 a. In General... . . -egee ee es oe eee 158 bi Suspension’. >.< eeaeere sb a. Satta s oe 161 CG.) Deposition: . . :.:eeemmemeaete ss: «alles alae 163 d.- Eixcommunicationgaeaewe ss. atc: cae 163 Ee Restoration .. Sees aie «ob ls eee 165 (1) Membership taemmict site. cle. <.k saat. 165 (2Y-Obice. . ..... Seep tines eal. oem. 166 7. (7) Process.—Miscellaneous Matters..... 167 8 CONTENTS. 7. (8) Judicial Cases.—Order or Steps in Process <: c, epTeiae ys etvta ele, ase mh: og 178 a. Order in a Process Initiated by an Injured Pe@iagnas +. oade. «es 178 b. Order in a Process Initiated by a Private Person, Not an Injured Party . Gomes ates +s. < 178 c. Order in a Process Initiated by a JuthicatGrymee « vakiilin. + «, «ntemeeees 178 7. (9) Judicial Cases.—Appeals............ 181 ASV 1... COMPLAIN Teens bees. os ss see 185 XXVII. DisSENTS AND PROTESTS........... 188 XXVIII. DirFERENCES BETWEEN SESSIONS. 189 II. THE SESSION AND THE HIGHER SUDICATORITHMS Mae. . fect. ee 190-198 TPGENWRAT.. ... Tae ec Ca lcs s « 5 sean 190 ETS PRESBYTERY ae ey ek ieee oss so Sere 191 TETRA SYNOD io: SPM Gs oe Ries ka ss 194 TV. (GENERAL ASSEMBEY?: ist cose bs. . ee 195 IV. The Particular Church................. 201-326 LVORGANSGA TION Se ees os ae ois cto te ole 201-225 Latta ‘CHORCH, sen sso beta Bae shane 201 ie General Pringmgies: }2.'.osg.n~ eee bapewet 201 2. Definitions and Characteristics.......... 203 3. Members of the Church................ Pe: TT PeBiICONGRUEGAMMING. a eds eens se oae 215 1. General Principleste iis... Sade one OMe 215 2. Rules for the Congregation............. 216 3. General Financial System.............. 218 asmonurch Supporieiacis iced «cle se's os con 218 Devpeneyolence..s. meee. bs data’ gis «ice 220 Tid. Eep i ConPORATIONMMME 1 +. . vslomes sa so ses 220 1: General Matterd seme. scetd du. < ate 220 2. Church Property.—Modes of Holding .. 225 CONTENTS. 9 Berghe Malis Halts tees 5, «\,.., aca ate aed stot 226-325 1. General Statement 2 eae wencke ses 226 2. Subscription to the Standards........... 226 3. Principles Relating to Church Officers .. 227 i! “PREP ASTOR ss... sss e's ewe 228-265 1, General‘ Statement... .5.0.0...5.00.000- 228 2. Titles and Responsibilities.............. 231 3. Choice and Election of a Pastor......... 236 a2/Preliminary Steps. |e eae ee oe es 236 b. The Congregational Meeting......... ~ 200 ce. Order or Steps at Congregational Meehngert. ... on eae ae. 245 4. Presbytery and the Pastoral Call........ 247 5. The Installation Service.............0.- 253 6. Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation..... 257 £1 MvOGeratGiees:.... «| SREM eta «odie tiene 261 a.dceneral "PrOVISIONS ite es eles HS 261 b. Of a Church with.a Pastors. ........ 262 c. Of a) Vacant Churches tage ee 264 Tie CHE RULING HULER .. .tee ideale. 2 265-301 4, \Warrant'and Nature eo. Uae... ones 265 2. bastory.of the Office. Fae nies ass eee 267 SB. MUA CALLOUS.....; , UMMM we caml teres 270 a. Personal Qualifications............... 270 b. Legal Qualificationgmm..; tee. 6... 23.6 273 4. POWere ack ess... . « I als ccs wae 274 5. Limitations Upon Powers.............. 274 6. Terms of Service.......... eee 276 Ae Provision | .'.’.... cepeMete es ss closes ce 276 b. The Permanent Service.............. 276 ¢. ‘Phe Perm Servicii: os t.c6 alee 277 7. Meetings for Election of Elders......... 280 8.) Mode‘ofsHlectionsemmemesic.. . os «oe cueuee. 282 OPOrdinAation.. . «6 seein ds) «.s sete ane 286 BM Odes... < .-s e alas Sis ik g ans 286 10 CONTENTS. 10. Installation .. Sipe. duties cs owes oa’ 289 a. Mode. .. 2. SRM © ele ators ova kent « 289 b. MiscellaneouSiiee: « . ceseve. «: Umer ss 290 11.Duties.... [ae . Sees a. . Res 290 12. Retirement or Resignation............. 293 &. JREASONS. | CueMEtEG) so AN a bs » . 0's SERRE 293 b; Miscellaneotireenct 20.7. «=... eee 295 13. ‘Trial of a Ruligeliiderss... ... . eee 296 14. Restopation Fame sci. os os ee 298 15. Ruling Elders in the Higher Judicatories 299 a. General Matterser sie cs. . eee 299 b. The General Assembly............... 301 Til. Tam DEACON Pale sews. fee Peet 3804-309 IV. ‘Tor DEACONESS es .. sve cew ee st 309-310 Vue TRUSTEES Saeetee o'doo cook us oe 310-325 To General... . SRR = clas bets. Rene 310 2. Trustees and the Session............... 315° a.'General, gas ta ok ce aks ae 315 b. Uses of Church Property............. 317 (1) Decisions of Civil Courts.......... 317 (2) Deliverances of the General Assembly 318 ce. Rights to Church Property.—Judicial Decisions tte es ot tas atets Ss oak oe ae 320 (1) State of Virginia Case............. 320 (2) Westminster Church Case......... 321 (3) Miscellaneous Matters............. 322 d. By-Laws of the Corporation.......... 323 V. Rules for Judicatories.............e0000. 329-341 I.) GENERAL RULES . aes oa eie ws chose wee 329 IT. “ADDITIONAL RULES Uipes so teeters o's cde « 337 VI.SForms for: Sessions. : ogee « + veetic sce 345-372 I. RECORDS 5... .... SRE a wale cess scam 345 II. CertiricaTEs, CHARGES, AND CiTaTIONS.. 364 BIBLIOGRAPHY. I. GENERAL CHurRcH HIsTorY. Charles Hase, ‘‘A History of the Christian Church.” Translated from the Seventh German Edition by Blumenthal and Wing. New York, 1878. George P. Fisher, ‘History of the Christian Church.”’ With maps. New York, 1887. John F. Hurst, “Short History of the Christian Church.” New York, 1893. John W. Moncrief, ‘‘A Short History of the Christian Church, for Students and General Readers.”’ New York, 1902. Andrew C. Zenos, “Compendium of Church History.” Revised Edition. Philadelphia, 1915. Williston Walker, ‘‘A History of the Christian Church.” New York, 1918. II. PRESBYTERIAN AND RfFORMED CHURCHES, THEIR DocTRINE AND POLiTy. Charles Hodge, “The Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America,”’ Parts I and II, 1705-1788. Philadelphia, 1839-1840. J. Aspinwall Hodge, ‘‘What Is Presbyterian Law as Defined by the Church Courts?” Third Edition. Philadelphia, 1884. George P. Hays, ‘‘Presbyterians: A Popular Narrative of Their Origin, Progress, Doctrines, and Achievements.” New York, 1892, 11 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY. R. C. Reed, “History of the Presbyterian Churches of the World, Adapted for Use in the Classroom.” Philadelphia, 1905. Robert E. Thompson, “A History of the Presbyterian Churches in the United States.”’ (Volume VI in American Church History Series.) New York, 1907. Leonard W. Bacon, “‘A History of American Christianity.” (Volume XIII in American Church History Series.) New York, 19138. William Henry Roberts, ‘A Concise History of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America.’ Philadelphia, 1917. EXPLANATIONS. The abbreviations used in this Manual in connection with the quotations are as follows: C. F., Confession of Faith. L. C., Larger Catechism. S. C., Shorter Catechism. F. G., Form of Government. B. D., Book of Discipline. D. W., Directory for Worship. G. A., General Assembly. N.8., New School Assembly. O. S., Old School Assembly. R. J., Rules for Judicatories. §, Section. I. HISTORICAL STATEMENT, I, HISTORICAL STATEMENT. History of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. 1630. 1643. 1644. 1658. 1683. 1692. 1701. 1705. 1717. 1719, 1729. Presented in Chronological Outline. I, ORGANIZATION. Rev. Richard Denton settled in Massachusetts. Rev. Francis Doughty held services in New York City. Presbyterian congregation in charge of Mr. Denton at Hempstead, L. I., N. Y. Rey. Francis Doughty first conducted missionary labors in Maryland among Presbyterian Puritans who had been driven out from Virginia, owing to their refusal to conform to the Episcopal Church. The Puritans settled in the latter colony as early as 1614. Rev. Francis Makemie began work in Maryland. Presbyterian services began in Philadelphia. Rev. Jedediah Andrews ordained pastor at Phila- delphia. First recorded meeting of the General Presbytery at Freehold, N. J. General Synod with four Presbyteries organized at Philadelphia; Presbyterian Church established in New York City. Appropriation by the General Synod for the support of the gospel in New York City. This was the first recorded gift for home missions. The General Synod adopts the Westminster Standards. 17 18 1742. 1745. 1746. MOL: 1758. 1766. 1767. 1768. 77a 1773. 1775. 1788. 1789. HISTORICAL STATEMENT. Azariah Horton ordained as missionary to the Indians in New York. First division of the Presbyterian Church. The parties to this division were known ecclesiastically as the Synod of New York and the Synod of Philadelphia. The chief cause of strife arose in connection with the standard of ministerial qualifications. Princeton College established by members of the Presbyterian Church. Collections for Indian missions ordered in all the churches. Reunion of the Church upon the basis of the West- minster Standards. The General Synod known from this time as the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. The General Synod formed a plan of union with the General Association of Connecticut for the pro- tection of the rights of the American churches against episcopal encroachments. General missionary collection ordered by Synod for the maintenance of the gospel upon the frontier. John Witherspoon inaugurated as president of Princeton College, and as first professor of divinity in the Church. A scheme for the support of candidates for the ministry approved by Synod. A committee of Synod appointed to supervise the distribution of religious publications. The General Synod issued a pastoral letter sus- taining unanimously the Continental Congress. The General Synod adopted the Constitution of the Church, divided itself into four Synods, and sum- moned the General Assembly to meet. The first General Assembly met in Philadelphia, Pa., May 24. 1792. LfOo! 1892. 1810. 1811. 1816. 1817. 1819. 1831. 1837. 1838. 1838. CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE. 19 The General Assembly entered into correspondence with the General Association of Connecticut. This correspondence developed into the Plan of Union with the Congregational churches, which was adopted in 1801. Beginning of a great revival of religion which ex- tended over several years, and to all parts of the country. The Standing Committee on Home Missions es- tablished by the General Assembly. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church founded by withdrawing ministers and members. The first theological seminary established at Prince- ton, N. J. The Church has now thirteen theo- logical institutions: Princeton (1811), Auburn (1819), Western (1827), Lane (1829), McCormick (1830), Danville, now The Theological Seminary of Kentucky (1853), Dubuque, German (1856), Biddle University, now Johnson C. Smith Uni- versity (1868), Newark, German, now Bloomfield (1869), San Francisco (1871), Lincoln University (1871), Omaha (1891), and The Evangelical Seminary of Porto Rico (1918). The Board of Missions established. The United Foreign Missionary Society organized. This society, in 1826, was merged in the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The Board of Education established. Western Foreign Missionary Society established by the Synod of Pittsburgh. The Board of Foreign Missions established, and the Plan of Union with the Congregational churches abrogated. The Board of Publication established. The Church divided into the Old and New School branches. The causes of division were ir large part administrative. 20 1844, 1855. 1861. 1865. 1869. 1882. 1883. 1888. 1895. 1906. 1916. 1920. 1923. HISTORICAL STATEMENT. The Board of Church Erection established. The Board of Ministerial Relief established. The Presbyterian Church South organized at Augusta, Ga. The Board of Missions for Freedmen established. Reunion of the Old and New School branches at Pittsburgh, Pa., November 12. Correspondence established between the General Assemblies North and South. Board of Aid for Colleges established. The celebration of the centennial of the General Assembly, at Philadelphia, Pa. The General Assembly South participated as a body in this celebration. The celebration of the quarter-century anniversary of Reunion at Pittsburgh, Pa. Reunion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Consolidation of the Board of Education and the College Board into the General Board of Educa- tion. Union with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, commonly known as the Welsh Presbyterian Church. Reorganization of the Boards and Agencies, as follows: The Office of the General Assembly: a. Department of Administration. b. Department of Publicity. c. Department of Vacancy and Supply. d. Department of Church Codperation and Union. The General Council. The Boards: I. The Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, Consolidating: CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE. 21 The Board of Home Missions. . The Woman’s Board of Home Missions. The Missionary Department of the Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work. d. The Board of the Church Erection Fund. e. The Board of Missions for Freedmen. _f. The Permanent Committee on Evan- gelism. . II. The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Consolidating: a. The Board of Foreign Missions. hb. The Woman’s Board of Foreign Missions. ce. The Special Committee on Work in Europe. III. The Board of Christian Education of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Consolidating: a. The Genera! Board of Education. b. The Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work (with the exception of the Missionary Department). ce. The Board of Temperance and Moral eo = Welfare. d. The Permanent Committee on Men’s Work. e. The Permanent Committee on Sabbath Observance. IV. The Presbyterian Board of Ministerial Relief and Sustentation. 22 HISTORICAL STATEMENT. II. THE STANDARDS, The Confession of Faith, and also the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., were prepared in their original form by a body of divines and laymen appointed by the English Parliament, and first convened in July, 1648. This body was called the Westminster Assembly of Divines, from the celebrated abbey in London, England, in which its members met. Their work was completed and adopted by Parliament in 1648. The Westminster Confession was also adopted by the General Assembly and Parliament of the kingdom of Scotland, in 1647 and 1649 respectively, and is a part of the civil law of that country and of the Terms of Union between it and England. . It should be emphasized that the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer, being an integral part of the Catechism are, therefore, a part of the Constitution of the Church. With reference to the Apostles’ Creed, the following is the official action of the General Assembly: ‘‘The atten- tion of our congregations is hereby called to the fact that the Apostles’ Creed is one of the Standards of the Presby- terian Church; that the instruction of the children of the Church therein is commended in the Directory for Wor- ship, Chapter X, Section 1, and that its use in worship is not contrary to any law or regulation of our denomination.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1892, pp. 34, 35.) In addition to the doctrinal Standards above named, the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8. A. possesses three administrative Standards, viz., the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship. These, with the Confession and the Catechisms, make up the Constitution of the Church. The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Cate- chisms were adopted in 1729, as “the confession of their faith,’ by the General Synod of the Presbyterian Church THE STANDARDS. 23 in the U.S. A., excepting certain clauses in the Confession relating to the civil magistrate. In 1788, the General Synod amended the Confession, Chapters XX, X XIIT, and XXXI, in the matter of the relations of Church and State, made a “small amendment” of the Larger Cate- chism, and adopted the amended Confession of Faith, the Catechisms, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship, ‘‘as the Standard of our doctrine, government, discipline, and worship.” In 1792 a committee was appointed to ‘‘select and arrange the proof texts.” That committee reported to the Assembly of 1794, and their work was referred to another committee, with directions to compare the proofs with those annexed to the Westminster Confession, Catechisms, and Directory, to revise the whole, and to publish an edition of the Standards with the proofs annexed. In accordance with that order, and a further order by the Assembly of 1796, the new book was published with proof texts in 1797. In 1869 the ‘‘two bodies claiming the name and rights of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America,” which separated in 1837, were united ‘‘on the doctrinal and ecclesiastical basis of our common Standards.”’ Comparatively few changes have been made in the Confession of Faith since its original adoption in 1729. (See Digest, 1922, Vol. II, p. 14.) The Book of Discipline was entirely reconstructed and adopted in 1884-1885. The Form of Government and the Directory for Worship have been amended in various particulars between the years 1805 and 1925. The proof texts were revised by a committee appointed by the General Assembly in 1888, and its final report was pre- sented and adopted in 1894. The methods of amendment of the Standards are con- tained in Chapter XXIII of the Form of Government, 24 HISTORICAL STATEMENT. adopted by the Presbyteries and the Assembly in 1891. The Confession and Catechisms can be amended by a vote of two thirds of the Presbyteries and enactment by the Assembly, the other Standards by a majority vote of the Presbyteries and a declaration by the Assembly of the result. I. THE CONSTITUTION. II. THE CONSTITUTION. I. Introductory Statement. I. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AFFECTING THE CONSTITUTION. The principles affecting the Constitution and funda- mental to subscription are as follows: | 1. The Constitution is the law of the whole Church. The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. is a Church with a Constitution, and this Constitution, like all other constitutions, is the law of the whole Church, the common rule and guide in theology, duty, worship, and government. The jurisdiction of the Constitution extends over all persons and bodies within the Church, whether Church members, Church officers, or Church judicatories. The instant a person becomes a member of the Church or a new judicatory is established, that instant, by virtue of the facts, they come under the Jurisdiction of the Constitution. 2. The power to amend the Constitution is vested in Church judicatories. The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church contains specific provisions for its amendment, through the codperative action of the General Assembly and the Presbyteries, and therefore can be amended in any of its parts and words, only in accordance with such provisions. 3. The power to interpret the Constitution is vested in Church judicatories. The power to interpret the Constitution is vested, not in individuals, but solely in Constitutional judicatories. Just as the Constitution 27 28 THE CONSTITUTION. of the United States can be interpreted only by lawfully -established and organized courts, so also the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. A. can be author- itatively interpreted only by the judicatories established by the Constitution, organized in accordance with its requirements, and acting under the authority of its provisions. 4. Individual opinions are not law. Individuals have no power in. the Church, any more than in the State, authoritatively to interpret a Constitution. An in- dividual opinion, from the legal viewpoint, is not law even for the individual holding such opinion. While differences of opinion as to the propriety and wisdom of Constitutional requirements are admitted in the Church, and while it is entirely proper to advocate amendments to the Con- stitution, neither differences of opinion nor desire for amendment can impair Constitutional authority. Opinion is variable and unauthoritative; law is fixed and author- itative. The Constitution as it is, in all its part, is the law of the Church for all persons and Judicatories, until altered or amended by the Church. Questions connected with Presbyterian doctrine and practice can be legally answered only by appeal to the Constitution, and to the deliverances and decisions of Presbyteries, Synods, and, above all, of the General Assembly, whose decision is final. II. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, 1. Subscription is more than acceptance of the Constitution. The principles just stated (p. 27) ne- cessarily involve that subseription is something other than acceptance of the Constitution as the law of the Church. The sovereignty of the Constitution of the Church over the individual officer or member is de- pendent solely upon jurisdiction. That jurisdiction is clear, positive, and unquestioned. Subscription could not make it either more authoritative or more compre- hensive. What, then, is subscription? TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. 29 2. Definition of subscription. Subscription is a pledge given by officers of the Presbyterian Church at their ordination to office, by which they declare their agreement with the system of doctrine of the Church, their approval of its government, and their purpose faithfully to observe and maintain its Constitution. This pledge is sometimes called the ordination vow. 3. Subscription is not required of Church mem- bers. Members of the Church, at reception to full communion, are not required to subscribe to the Con- stitution of the Church. (See in this Manual under “Reception of Church Members,” p. 68.) Subscription is required only of Church officers. 4, Duration of subscription. The pledge given by the act of subscription continues as an obligation so long as the person giving the same is an officer of the Presbyterian Church. [t is binding upon minis- ters, elders, and deacons, whether in active service or retired therefrom, and can be terminated only by death, deposition, demission, or removal to another denomination. 5. Subscription includes first the Scriptures as the Word of God. Reference will be further made (p. 35) to the supreme authority of the Scriptures in the Presbyterian System of faith and practice. This supremacy is emphasized by the primary questions asked of ministers, ruling elders, and deacons at ordi- nation. These questions at ordination separate, it is true, between acknowledgment of the Scriptures as “the Word of God” and acknowledgment of the binding authority of the Confession over Church officers, but this separation is not intended to minify the Confession, but simply to magnify the Scriptures as the source and sanction of confessional doctrine. No person should permit himself to take office in the Presbyterian Church who does not accept the Bible as being the ‘‘Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.” (F. G., Ch, XIII, § 4; Ch. XV, § 12.) 30 THE CONSTITUTION. 6. Subscription includes also the Confession and Catechisms. Subscription to the Confession differs from approval of the Form of Government. The Con- stitution consists of two great divisions: first, the doctrinal Standards; second, the administrative Standards. The Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Cate- chisms constitute the doctrinal, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship, the administrative Standards. All the doctrinal Standards, by repeated action of the highest judicatories of the Church, have been declared to be the ‘confession of our faith,’ and are included in the obligation involved in subscription. 7. Legal subscription is to the ‘‘system of doc- trine.’’ Three views of the extent of the obligation involved in subscription to the doctrines of the Con- fession and Catechisms are held—the ‘‘ipstssima-verba,” the “substance-of-doctrine,” and the ‘‘System-of-doctrine”’ views. The ‘“ipsissima-verba” view of subscription—viz., that subscription is to every word of the doctrines—though held by a few persons, has not been and is not the practice of the Church. The ‘“substance-of-doctrine’ view—viz., that church officers subscribe only to the evangelical doctrines of the Standards—is opposed to the practice of the Church from the beginning. Legal subscription, as stated, is to the “system of doctrine.” The Church in the Adopting Act of 1729 required, so far as the doctrines are concerned, obligatory subscription only to the ‘essential and necessary articles.” The principle then enacted is the usage of the Church at present. An exhibit of the chief doctrines constituting the System contained in the Standards, will be found in this Manual, pp. 31-37. 8. What are nonessential doctrines? The Church has reserved to itself the right to determine what are non- TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. dl essential articles of the confessional system. No person has a right to judge for himself as to nonessentials. An individual desiring information on this point, where action has not been already had in accordance with the Adopting Act of 1729, should apply first to his Presbytery, and, if he cannot secure the necessary information from that body, should request action by the higher judicatories. 9. Approval of the administrative Standards. Subscription to the regulations of the Standards consists simply in approval of the laws and regulations com- posing the greater part of the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Directory for Worship, and also found to a lesser extent in the Confession and Cate- chisms. This approval involves faithful observance in all administration of the provisions of Church law. The Presbyterian Church gives liberty as to nonessentials in doctrine, but requires exact compliance with purely statutory regulations. II. The Presbyterian System. In dealing with the Presbyterian System it is necessary, first, to lay to one side any narrow view of it that may have been acquired. By the word ‘Presbyterian’ is not meant simply an adherent of a particular form of Church government, and the term ‘Presbyterian System’’ is, therefore, not to be understood as applicable merely to a code of laws by which the affairs of an ecclesiastical organization are administered. A system, whether of philosophy or of theology, may be defined as a, classifica- tion of related truths arranged under one and the same idea. A system of truth must be judged, therefore, not by any of its parts, but by all the parts in their logical relation to the controlling idea. The Controlling Idea.—The doctrine of the divine sovereignty is the controlling idea of the Presbyterian System, both theoretically and practically. By this sovereignty is meant the absolute control of the universe, 32 THE CONSTITUTION. with all that it has contained, does and will contain, whether visible or invisible things, by the one supreme, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent Spirit, for wise, just, holy, and loving ends, known fully to him- self alone. Definition.—The Presbyterian System may be de- fined, therefore, as being that body of religious truths and laws of which the sovereignty of God is the germ and nexus, the life and soul. The Organizing Principle.—The sovereignty of God finds primary expression in the Presbyterian System, by constituting as its organizing principle the sovereignty of the Word of God as the supreme and infallible rule of faith and practice. Because God has spoken to men in the Bible, therefore Presbyterians put first in their Con- fession of Faith their rule of faith and practice, stating in Chapter I the doctrine “Of the Holy Scripture.” The Presbyterian System accepts and incorporates, as of perpetual binding obligation, only those things which can be proved to be.of Scriptural origin and warrant. I. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. The main features of the Presbyterian System, as contained in the Westminster Standards, and more especially in the Confession of Faith, are its views in theology, duty, worship, and government. Concisely stated, they are as follows: 1. THEOLOGY. The fundamental feature of the Presbyterian System is a body of theology, or a statement of what we are to believe concerning God, in himself, and in his relations to man. The name ‘“Calvinistic’” has been applied to this theology in general, yet the Standards contain three great theological elements, which, with the doctrines classified under them, are as follows: THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 33 The General Christian Element.—The general Christian doctrines set forth in the Confession affirm reverently and emphatically that God is; that he exists as a Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three persons yet one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; that he is the eternal, infinitely holy, wise, good, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent Spirit; that from all eternity he planned his universe, with all things therein; that he created all things; that he governs all things; that the free will of man is his gift, involving man’s responsibility to his Creator; that he permitted sin, and has fixed its punishment; that salvation from sin is by Him of whom it is written, ‘‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish’; that all men shall rise one day from the dead, and shall receive at the bar of God the awards of final destiny. These doctrines, in their general form, however they may vary in particulars, are held universally by those persons entitled to be called Christians. The Protestant Element.—The chief Protestant doctrines of the Confession are those of the supremacy of the Holy Scriptures as the supreme and infallible rule of faith; the supreme lordship of God over the conscience; the vicarious sacrifice and sole mediatorship of Christ; the justification of the penitent sinner by faith alone; the passing of saints at death immediately into heaven, and their instant and complete perfection in the state of glory. These doctrines unite evangelical Protestants into a vital oneness of faith. The Calvinistic Element.—The third element in the confessional system is that which may be called the distinctively Calvinistic. In one sense the entire system is Calvinistic, for it recognizes the sovereignty of God as its controlling idea from first to last. From another view- point, however, the doctrines composing this third element are the differentiating features which separate Calvinists from other evangelical Christians. These doctrines 34 THE CONSTITUTION. historically bear the name of the five points of Calvinism, and are: (1) Unconditional as opposed to conditional pre- destination;(2) definite atonement or particular redemption as opposed to indefinite atonement; (3) total as opposed to partial depravity; (4) efficacious as opposed to uncertain grace; (5) final as opposed to partial perseverance. These five points are the affirmation of the sovereignty of God in its relation to the salvation of the individual. Presbyterians declare in regard to every true Christian that his salvation is not a reward for faith, but that faith and salvation both are gifts of God; that each believer is the object of a peculiar, definite, gracious, costly, victorious, and ever- lasting love; that the power of and tendency to sin in man is of such a nature that he is utterly unable to save himself; that regeneration is an act of God, and of God alone—a sinner cannot be both father and child; that when the Spirit of God moves efficaciously in the human soul, the new life must result; and that the soul whom God hath loved in Jesus Christ he loveth to the end, the regenerate person not being of the number of those ‘‘who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” There has been much misrepresentation of the Cal- vinistic theology, in connection with both the salvation of sinners and the general aspects of the universal divine government. Calvinists are not fatalists, as some allege; neither do they believe in a God who is harsh and arbitrary in his dealings with his world. Presbyterians believe that beneath, above, around, and in, all of this scheme of things which we call the universe, in its parts as well as in its totality, in its past, its present, and its future, there has been, is, and will be a dominant will, a kingly right- eousness, an imperial love, the will, the righteousness, the love which is God. ‘They believe neither in fate nor in man as the supreme arbiter of destiny, but in God the Father Almighty. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. 35 2 Dury A second class of essential Presbyterian doctrines deals with human duty. The chief doctrines of the Standards under this head are those of the free agency of man, of the law of God, of sin, of faith in Christ, of good works, of Christian liberty, of lawful oaths and vows, of the civil magistrate, of marriage and divorce, and of final judg- ment. Presbyterians believe that because God is sovereign, therefore, man’s free agency is a foreordained element of his being and involves his responsibility to God; that the moral law as contained in the Ten Commandments and amplified in the New Testament is always binding upon men; that all human conduct in thought, word, or deed which is contrary to God’s law is sin: that faith in Christ is obligatory upon all who hear the gospel; that men may not bind the conscience of other men as to right and wrong, except in harmony with God’s Word; that Christians must show forth by godly living the truth of their profession of religion; that good works are the test and evidence of adoption into the household of God, not a ground for salvation; that men cannot bind themselves to perform wrongful acts; that God’s name is ever to be held in supreme reverence; that the State is a divine in- stitution as well as the Church; that obedience to rightful civil authority 1s obedience to God; and that in both Church and State the family is a main source and safe- guard of true prosperity. 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES DEALING WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE HoLy SCRIPTURES. 1. The Holy Scriptures the inspired and supreme law of the Church. ‘The whole counsel of God, con- cerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time 36 THE CONSTITUTION. is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men.” (C. F., Ch. I, § 6.) The Holy Scriptures are “all . . . given by inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.” (C. F., Ch. I, § 2.) ‘The Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 7.) See also under caption No. 4, below. 2. All Church power ministerial and declarative. “All church power, whether exercised by the body in general, or in. the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative.’”? Church power is ministerial from the fact that the Church acts as a minister or agent of the Lord Jesus Christ; it is de- clarative in that the Church puts into effect “laws already made, and common to all who profess the gospel.’” These laws, which the Church declares, are found in the Holy Scriptures. ‘No church judicatory ought to pretend to make laws, to bind the conscience in virtue of their own authority.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 7.) Even matters of detail in worship and government, not specified in Scripture, are subject to its general authority. “There are some circum- stances concerning the worship of God and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.” (C. F., Ch. I, § 6.) 3. The right to judge of the law contained in Scripture vested in Church courts with limitations. “Now, though it will easily be admitted that all synods and councils may err, through the frailty inseparable from humanity; yet there is much greater danger from the usurped claim of making laws, than from the right of judging upon laws already made, and common to all who profess the gospel, although this right, as necessity re- quires in the present state, be lodged with fallible men.” All decisions reached by the Church “should be founded upon the revealed will of God.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 7.) 4. Decisions of Church courts to be used as helps. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 37 ““All Synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both.” (C. F., Ch. XXXI, § 3.) See pp. 201-203. 5. The infallible interpreter of Scripture is the Scripture itself. ‘The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture, (which is not manifold, but one,) it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”’ (C. F., Ch. I, § 9.) 6. The Scriptures the final authority. ‘The Old Testament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old,) and the New Testament in Greek, (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations,) being immediately in- spired by God, and by his singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so as in all controversies of religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them.” (C. F., Ch. I, § 8.) ‘‘The Supreme Judge, by whom all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opizions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.” (C. F., Ch. I, § 10.) Il. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. Presbyterian principles in the matter of Church govern- ment, stated briefly, are as follows: That Christ is the only Head of the Church; that all true believers are in union with Christ as their Head; that Christ has appointed a government in his Church; that the right inheres in all believers, as members of Christ’s body, to participate in 38 THE CONSTITUTION. church affairs; that the Church possesses authority to discipline offenders and to administer government; that Christians have the right to associate voluntarily together in denominations, and to prescribe terms of communion; that all denominations holding the essentials of the Christian religion are to be recognized as Churches of Christ; and that the ideal ecclesiastical organization is “a, free Church in a free State.”” These principles are given more in detail, and in the words of the Standards, im- mediately below. The Standards contain a statement of the general truths or principles which lie at the foundation of all Church government, as well as those which may be regarded as peculiarly Presbyterian. It is maintained that these principles are in full harmony with the require- ments of Holy Scripture and the practice of the primitive Church. They may be stated in the following manner: 2. GENERAL PRINCIPLES CONNECTED WITH THE CHuRCcH UNIVERSAL. 1. The Church the Kingdom of Christ. ‘The visible Church . . . is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (C. F., Ch. XXY, § 2.) ‘Jesus Christ, ... hath erected, in this world, a kingdom which is his Church.” (BR GeGhete.s 1.) 2. Christ the only Head of the Church. ‘The Lord Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church, and the claim of any man to be the vicar of Christ and the head of the Church, is unscriptural, without warrant in fact, and is a usurpation dishonoring to the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Cll Ciexmay, § 6.) 3. The universal Church includes all believers with their children. ‘The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel, . . . consists of all those throughout the world, that profess the true re- ligion, together with their children.” (C. F., Ch. X XV, § 2.) THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 39 4. The purpose of the universal Church the gathering and perfecting of believers. ‘Unto this catholic visible Church, Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.” (C. F., Ch. XXV, § 3.) 5. For the notes of true churches, see under head 3, caption 6, p. 40. 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES CONNECTED WITH DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES. The American Presbyterian churches regard all those who profess the true religion, together with their children, as members of the universal Church. (See under head 2, caption 3, p. 38.) They further believe in the advisability and rightfulness of the existence within the Church universal of denominational churches. In thus believing, it is maintained that they are more in harmony with the Scriptural idea of the Church than the majority of English and Scotch Presbyterians at the time of the first adoption of the Westminster Standards. Exercising the right of private judgment, they altered these Standards so as to express the views which they hold. In so doing they do not support schism, but maintain the rights of all Christians; and they have behind them the marvelous progress made by the evangelical churches, under the blessing of God, during the present century. The follow- ing principles enunciate and define their position: 1. The sole Lordship of God over the conscience. “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship.” (C. F., Ch. XX, § 2.) Therefore American Presbyterians “consider the rights of private 40 THE CONSTITUTION. judgment, in all matters that respect religion, as universal and unalienable.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 1.) This principle and the two next given are the basis for the organization of separate churches, both denominational and particular. 2. Christians entitled to differ as to certain truths and forms. ‘There are truths and forms, with respect to which men of good characters and principles may differ. And in all these they think it the duty both of private Christians and societies, to exercise mutual for- bearance towards each other.” (F’. G., Ch. I, § 5.) 3. Believers possess the right of voluntary de- nominational association. “In perfect consistency with the above principle of common right, every Christian Church, or union or association of particular churches, is entitled to declare ... the whole system of its internal government which Christ hath appointed.” (I°. G., Ch. I, § 2.) See caption No. 1, immediately above. 4. Every Church possessed of the positive power to declare its own terms of communion. ‘‘Every Christian Church, or union or association of particular churches, is entitled to declare the terms of admission into its communion, and the qualifications of its ministers and members.” (F’. G., Ch. I, § 2.) . 5. The responsibility for terms of communion is solely upon the denomination adopting them. ‘In the exercise of this right they may, notwithstanding, err, in making the terms of communion either too lax or too narrow; yet, even in this case, they do not infringe upon the liberty, or the rights of others, but only make an im- proper use of their own.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 2.) 6. The notes of true churches are purity of doctrine, ordinances, and worship. “This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less, visible. And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. 41 public worship performed more or less purely in them.”’ (Crome Ch; XOGV,. § 4.) 7. Churches may degenerate so as to be non- Christian. ‘The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error: and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to his will.” (G2 Ch. Xaaays’§ 5.) Ill. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 1. Truth fundamentai to practice. “That truth is in order to goodness; and the great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness; according to our Saviour’s rule, ‘by their fruits ye shall know them.’ And that no opinion can be either more pernicious or more absurd, than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man’s opinions are. On the contrary, they are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth, or to embrace it.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 4.) 2. The Church possesses the power of discipline. “Our blessed Saviour, ... hath appointed officers, . . . to exercise discipline, for the preservation both of truth and duty; and, it is incumbent upon these officers, and upon the whole Church, in whose name they act, to censure or cast out the erroneous or scandalous; observing, in all cases, the rules contained in the Word of God.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 3.) Church judicatories “possess the right of requiring obedience to the laws of Christ; and of excluding the disobedient and disorderly from the privileges of the Church.” (F. G., Ch. VIII, § 2.) 42 THE CONSTITUTION. 3. Discipline includes care and control as well as the administration of justice. ‘‘Discipline is the exercise of that authority, and the application of that system of laws, which the Lord Jesus Christ has appointed in his Church: embracing the care and control, main- tained by the Church, over its members, officers, and judicatories.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 1.) 4. Discipline is vindicatory, constructive, and remedial in its nature. ‘The ends of discipline are the maintenance of the truth, the vindication of the authority and honor of Christ, the removal of offences, the promotion of the purity and edification of the Church, and the spiritual good of offenders.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 2.) 5. Discipline should be exercised with vigor, justice, and prudence. “The vigor and strictness of its discipline will contribute to the glory and happiness of any church. Since ecclesiastical discipline must be purely moral or spiritual in its object, and not attended with any civil effects, it can derive no force whatever, but from its own justice, the approbation of an impartial public, and the countenance and blessing of the great Head of the Church universal.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 8.) “Its exercise, In such a manner as to secure its appropriate ends, requires much prudence and discretion.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 2.) 6. Christian liberty does not release from re- sponsibility. No persons can plead Christian liberty as against discipline for offences; but ‘for their publishing of such opinions or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature; or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or to the power of godliness or such: errone- ous opinions or practices, as either, in their own nature, or, in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church: they may lawfully be THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. 43 called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the Church.” (C. F., Ch. XX, § 4.) 7. The authority of the Church in discipline terminates with excommunication. ‘The highest nunishment to which their authority extends, is to exclude the contumacious and impenitent from the congregation of believers.” (F. G., Ch. VIII, § 2.) Discipline is not “attended with any civil effects.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 8.) 2. PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO THE CriviIL POWER. 1. The Church independent of the civil power. “Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and Sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith.”(C.F., Ch. XXIII, § 3.) 2. Church courts may handle civil matters only by petition or when asked. ‘“Synods and councils... are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or by way of advice for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.” (C. F., Ch. XX XI, § 4.) 3. Christian liberty cannot be pleaded against rightful authority either in Church or State. “And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutuaily to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any ‘lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God.” (C. F., Ch. XX, § 4.) 4. The State under obligation to maintain re- ligious liberty. ‘It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the Church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned 44 THE CONSTITUTION. liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger. And, as Jesus Christ hath appointed a regular government and discipline in his Church, no law of any commonwealth should interfere with, let, or hinder, the due exercise thereof, among the voluntary members of any denomination of Christians, according to their own profession and belief. It is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the person and good name of all their people, in such an effectual manner as that no person be suffered, either upon pretence of religion or of infidelity, to offer any indignity, violence, abuse, or injury to any other person whatsoever: and to. take order, that all religious and ecclesiastical assemblies be held with out molestation or disturbance.” (C. F., Ch. XXIII, § 3.) 5. The State independent of, and to be honored by, the Church. ‘God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him over the people, for his own glory and the public good: and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil doers.” (C. F., Ch. XXIII, § 1.) “Itis the duty of people to pray for magistrates, to honor their persons, to pay them tribute and other dues, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake. Infidelity or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him: from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted.” (C. F., Ch. X XIII, § 4.) 6. Christians may serve as civil magistrates. “It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate, when called thereunto.” (C. F., Ch, XXII Pas 233 7. Christian civil magistrates to maintain the laws, and if necessary may wage war. ‘In the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. 45 of each commonwealth; so, for that end, they may law- fully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasions.” (C. F., Ch. XXIII, § 2.) 8. The Pope has no power over civil magistrates. “Much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominion, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretence whatsoever.” (C. F., Ch. XXIII, § 4.) IV. THE DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. The chief doctrines of the Presbyterian Standards with reference to worship are: ‘That God only is to be wor- shiped; that worship is to be offered, not through human or angelic mediators, but through Jesus Christ as the sole mediator and only priest; that ministers are never priests, but simply leaders in worship and teachers of divine truth; that neither man nor angel can forgive sins and bestow grace and favor, but God alone; that true worship can be offered anywhere and with any forms, for the road to the divine favor starts from the penitent heart and believing soul, not from Gerizim or from Jerusalem; that the law of the Sabbath as a day for worship is of perpetual obligation; that only those ordinances and forms are of authority in worship which are indicated in the Word of God; that worship is to be offered not only in private, but also in stated public assemblies; that the use of liturgies in worship is neither obligatory nor needful; that the ordinances and forms of religion are simply means to the great ends of growth in the divine life and fellow- ship with God; and that even the Sacraments of Christ’s appointment, precious as they are to the believer, though the culmination of divine worship, the veritable contact of the soul with Christ, yet have in themselves no efficacy, but are made efficacious only through the blessing of the triune God, 46 THE CONSTITUTION. V. THE VALUE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN SYSTEM. The general value of the Presbyterian System may be concisely stated thus: In its theology it honors the divine sovereignty without denying human freedom; in its views of human duty, while insisting upon obedience to God, it emphasizes human responsibility; in its worship it magnifies God while it brings blessing to man, by maintaining the right of free access on the part of every soul to him whose grace cannot be fettered in its ministrations by any human ordinance whatsoever; and in its government it exalts the headship of Christ, while giving full develop- ment to the activities of the Christian people. From its beginning to its close the system acknowledges God as sovereign, and in its every partis affirmed to be in harmony with the teachings of God’s Word. Its twin symbols are “An Open Bible” and ‘‘The Burning Bush,” burning yet not consumed. ITT. THE ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ITT. THE ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Church Judicatories The Presbyterian Church in the U. 8. A. has, in full harmony with the foregoing principles, organized a definite form of government, contained in the volume known as the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. This Constitution recognizes and vests with power four Church judicatories, each in due succession subject to the next higher,: and all subject to said Con- stitution. These judicatories are the Session, the Presby- tery, the Synod, and the General Assembly. The defin- itions of these judicatories, the rules for their composition, and their powers, are now to be set forth in order. I. The Session. I. THE CONSTITUENT ELEMENTS. 1. Definition. The Session is the Church judicatory having immediate jurisdiction over a particular church. In Chapter VIII of the Form of Government the Session is called the congregational assembly. 2. The members. ‘The church Session consists of the pastor or pastors and ruling elders, of a particular congregation.” (F. G., Ch. TX, § 1.) 3. Pastor a member of Session. It is common to speak of the pastor and Session of a given church. This phraseology is not proper, though current in many quarters. 49 50 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. The pastor is a part of and permanent moderator of the Session. See ‘‘Moderator,” p. 261. 4. Elders must be ordained and installed. Elders must be ordained and installed before they can act as members of Session. Term-service elders should be re- installed after each reélection. 5. Minister cannot be corresponding member. The Session of a church cannot invite even a minister belonging to the same Presbytery ‘“‘to sit as a corresponding member of said Session.’’(Minutes G. A., N.S., 1851, p. 20.) 6. Elders cannot be corresponding members. There is no Constitutional provision enabling Sessions to invite elders of other churches to sit as corresponding members. 7. Presbytery cannot appoint special Sessions. Presbytery cannot appoint a special Session composed of elders belonging to different congregations, with a view to the performance of Sessional duties. “The ap- pointment of such a special Session is entirely uncon- stitutional.”” (Minutes G, A., 1823, p. 149; 1824, p. 218.) A special Session of ruling elders of neighboring churches to obviate delays for want of quorums is unconstitutional. (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1860, p. 28.) 8. Deacons. Deacons have no right to take part at any time in meetings of Session, whether in receiving or dismissing members, or in other business of the body. “There is no judicial power allowed them in the Serip- tures.’’ (Minutes General Synod, 1715, p. 4.) II, POWERS. 1. Powers, general. The powers of the Session are in- dicated in general in Chapter [X of the Form of Govern- ment. See also “Powers,” p. 274. Certain specifie powers are designated in other places in the Constitution, such, for instance, as Book of Discipline, Sections 35 and 72, and Directory for Worship, Chapter VI, Section 3, and Chapter POWERS OF SESSION. 51 VII, Section 6. The text of each provision of the Con- stitution designating specific Sessional powers is given under the proper head, e. g., “Judicial Process.” “The church Session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation; for which purpose, they have power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church; to call before them offenders and witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses, where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and when they can be procured to attend; to receive members into the church; to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend or exclude from the Sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure; to concert the best measures for promoting the spiritual interests of the congregation; to supervise the Sabbath school and the various societies or agencies of the congregation; and to appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the Church.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) “Subject to the provisions of the Directory for Worship, the Session shall have and exercise exclusive authority over the worship of the congregation, including the musical service; and shall determine the times and places of preaching the Word and all other religious services. They shall also have exclusive authority over the uses to which the church buildings may be put, but may temporarily delegate the determination of such uses to the body having * management of the temporal affairs of the church, subject to the superior authority and direction of the Session.” (he Ge SLX $7.) For the purpose of meeting this responsibility the Form of Government declares the Session to “possess the follow- ing general powers:” 2. Powers of reception and dismissal. ‘To re- celve members into the church.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) To dismiss members. (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) 3. Power of oversight. ‘They have power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members 52 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. of the church.” ‘To concert the best methods for pro- moting the spiritual interest of the congregation.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) This power includes supervision of the conduct of church members, oversight of the Sabbath school, the use of church buildings, distribution of benev- olent offerings, and care over the pulpit when vacant, as well as the oversight of the general interests of the con- gregation. 4. Power-of representation. ‘To appoint dele- gates to the higher judicatories of the Church.” (F. G., Gh: 1X, S05:) 5. Power of review. ‘All proceedings of the church shall be reported to, and reviewed by, the Session, and by its order incorporated with its records.” (B. D., Ch. IX, § 72.) This includes the acts of the Board of Deacons and certain acts of the trustees. , 6. Judicial power. “To call before them offenders and witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses, where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and when they can be pro- cured to attend; . . . to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend or exclude from the Sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) ‘Original juris- diction”’ in relation to Church members pertains to the Session. (B. D., Ch. IV, § 19; Ch. XI, § 108.) For the detail of these powers see the appropriate heads in the pages following. . Ill, MEETINGS. 1. Constitutional provision. ‘The pastor has power to convene the Session when he may judge it requisite; and he shall always convene them when re- quested to do so by any two of the elders. The Session shall also convene when directed to do so by the Pres- bytery.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 8.) 2. Regular meetings. The Session of each church should meet regularly once a month, so far as practicable, MEETINGS OF SESSION. 53 at an appointed place and time, and due notice of the meeting should be given to the members, either through the mail or from the pulpit. (Minutes G. A., 1890, p. 182.) 3. Special meetings. The pastor having the power vested in him by the Constitution, to call meetings “‘when he may judge it requisite,” no provision for special meetings is necessary. Care should be taken, however, whenever possible, to notify all the members. ° 4. Informal meetings. The practice of holding what are called informal meetings of the Session is quite common. In view of the power of the pastor or moderator to convene the Session at any time, informal meetings are uncalled for. In vacant churches, if pressing matters require a consultation of the elders, agreements entered into at such consultations should be acted upon at the first regular meeting thereafter. See caption No. 7, below. 5. Higher court can order a meeting. The Presbytery having jurisdiction over a Session can direct it to meet for the transaction of business: (F. G., Ch. IX, § 8.) 6. Meetings in absence of pastor. No Session meeting is valid where a church has a-pastor, unless the pastor be present as moderator, except in the case of his sickness or absence. The elders in a Session cannot hold a meeting without the knowledge of the pastor, and then claim that the action ne at such a meeting was legal. See next section. 7. Official acts Eble only at regular called meetings. Acts such as reception of members and appointment of delegates, are ‘“‘official acts, which the judicatory is competent to perform only when regularly convened, and making due record of its proceedings.” (Minutes G. A., 1884, p. 113.) 8. Prayer at Session meetings. ‘While the act of opening and closing the meetings of a Session with prayer is not enjoined by the Constitution, this Assembly judges it to be in harmony with the spirit of the Constitution and the prevailing usage of the Church to observe this solem- 54 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. nity at all meetings of record, except that the opening prayer may properly be omitted after a divine service.” (Minutes G. A., 1884, p. 113.) ‘The Session has dis- cretion as to the circumstances under which any given meeting may be opened and closed with prayer.” (Minutes Gta.) 189g.5p. 213:) IV. QUORUM. 1. Constitutional provision. ‘Two elders, if there be as many in the congregation, with the pastor, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.” (F’. G., Ch. IX, § 2.) 2. Quorum essential. “Any number of members less than the Constitutional quorum do not make a judicatory, and are not competent to any organic act.” (Minutes G. A., N. S., 1861, p. 456.) 3. One elder in certain cases. ‘Cases may occur with infant or feeble churches in which it would be im- practicable for a time to have more than one elder, and yet be necessary to perform acts of a judicial character. For such the Constitution provides.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1836, p. 263.) 4. When an elder refuses to act. “If Mr. A., as alleged, refuses to act as a ruling elder, and has left the church, Mr. C. constitutes the Session, and is entitled to act as such.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1869, p. 911.) 5. Quorum and nonresident elders. When of three elders in a Session, two were nonresident, and their residences unknown, the Assembly ordered ‘‘that the pastor and the one elder actually in the congregation” be recog- nized under existing circumstances, and so long as the present condition of affairs may continue as the legal quorum. (Minutes G. A., 1892, p. 189.) 6. Pastor may be a quorum. In the rare casos of the removal or death of all the elders of a given church, or of newly formed congregations unable at once to secure ruling elders, the letter and the spirit of the Constitution require that the regularly installed pastor, if there be one, CLERK OF SESSION. 50 or the moderator appointed by Presbytery, should act as the Session, until a duly called meeting of the congre- gation elects new elders. If such a meeting cannot be held, the matter should be referred to Presbytery at the earliest time possible. V.. CLERK. 1. Appointment and term of service. ‘Every judicatory shall choose a clerk, to record their transactions, whose continuance shall be during pleasure.” (F. G., Ch. XX.) ‘The term of the Stated Clerk (of the General Assembly) shall be fixed at five years, subject to reélection at the pleasure of the Assembly. (Minutes G. A., 1921, p. 32.) 2. Clerk should be an elder. Sessions sometimes appoint the pastor to the office of clerk. This, however, should not be done, in view of the fact that the pastor is by law the moderator of Session. An elder is the proper person to perform the duties of the office, and can be in- structed therein by the pastor, if necessary. 3. Duties. “It shall be the duty of the clerk, besides recording the transactions, to preserve the records care- fully; and to grant extracts from them, whenever properly required.” (F. G., Ch. XX.) In addition to the preceding requirements, the clerk receives notices of complaints and letters of dismissal of Church members from other churches, signs letters of dismissal of and citations in judicial cases, authenticates records of testimony, conducts the correspondence of the Session, and acts as clerk at meetings of the church. 4. Authority of extracts from records. ‘Such extracts, under the hand of the clerk, shall be considered as authentic vouchers of the fact which they declare, in any ecclesiastical judicatory, and to every part of the Church.” (F. G., Ch. XX.) 5. Response of Stated Clerks to requests for excerpts from records. They shall comply with such 56 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. requests: (a) When requested by vote of the judicatory of which the clerk is an officer, or of a superior judicatory. (b) When requested in writing by a member (minister, or elder commissioner) of which the clerk is an officer. (c) When requested in writing by the Session of a church under the Jurisdiction of the judicatory of which the clerk is an officer. (d) When requested by one of the original parties or his officially recognized counsel, in a case of discipline or review, of reference, of complaint, or of appeal. Provided, however, that under no circumstances whatever shall a clerk grant an extract or extracts from records of the judicatory of which he is clerk, when in doubt as to his right so to do under the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8S. A., as contained in the Form of Government and Book of Discipline until he shall have presented the request for an extract or extracts from his records to the judicatory of which he is clerk and has received instructions from said judicatory as to his duty in the premises. (Minutes G. A., 1922, Vol. I, p. 201;) 6. Minutes to be cerrectly kept. One of the requirements of the Book of Discipline, Chapter IX, Section 73, is that the Presbytery on review shall examine ‘whether the proceedings have been correctly recorded.” It is advisable for the clerk, therefore, to read his notes of the proceedings of a given meeting of the Session, at the close of such meeting, as well-as to secure their approval at the opening of the meeting next ensuing. See also under ‘‘Records.”’ 7. Rules for the keeping of minutes. (1) Record the date, time, and place of each meeting; the names of the moderator and the elders present and the names of the absentees. (2) Record the opening and closing of each meeting with prayer. (3) Record the reading and approval of the minutes of the last meeting. CLERK OF SESSION. 57 (4) Record only that which is vital to the transactions of the meeting. (5) The details of discussions, plans which have not been adopted, suggestions which have not been followed, motions that have been lost, should never be recorded except by special order of the Session of which order the records should take note. (6) When a previous action of the Session is referred to, the page or pages on which it is recorded should be desig- nated. | (7) Avoid erasures, interlineations, and footnotes. (8) Do not insert in the records written or printed matter on separate sheets of paper. | (9) Record the administration of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the next regular meeting succeeding. In case the sacrament has been administered privately, the name of the elder or elders assisting should be noted. (10) Record the baptism of adults and of infants at the next regular meeting succeeding. (11) Record the full name of applicants for Church membership; in case of married females, the maiden name, and wife or widow of; in the case of minors, son or daughter of; and in every case whether baptized. iis (12) Record the full title of the church to which a certificate of dismission is granted, and the full name of the person dismissed with the date of dismissal. (13) Record the name of the elder appointed as a commissioner to Synod or Presbytery; also the exact period for which he was appointed commissioner; also upon the expiration of his term of service as delegate his report of his attendance and fidelity. (14) The record of each meeting is to be duly attested by the clerk or moderator. (15) When the Session of a church finds it necessary to exercise discipline, the Form of Government, the Book of Discipline, and the Digest should be carefully studied by 58 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. the clerk of Session. (See especially Presbyterian Digest, 1922, Volume I, page 806, second column.) (16) Once each year (the official Church year ends March 31) and at the conclusion of the minutes of the meetings of said year, there should be inserted in full the annual tabular statement which the Session of the church has made to the Presbytery. Also the report made by the Session to Presbytery of changes in the ruling elder- ship by death or otherwise; also in outline, the important actions taken at the congregational meetings held during the year. 8. Docket. The docket of business for Session meet- ings should be prepared by the clerk, and handed by him to the moderator at the opening of each Session. The following form is suggested, and contains the more im- portant items of business likely to come before a Session, except those connected with judicial cases. It can be modified to suit specific needs: (1) Opening prayer. (2) Calling of roll. (3) Reading and approval of minutes. (4) Reports of permanent committees. (5) Reports of special committees. (6) Report of pastor. (7) Report of clerk. (8) Report of treasurer. (9) Examination and reception of members. (10) Dismissal of members. (11) Arrangements for Lord’s Supper when necessary. (12) Report to Presbytery when in order. (18) Appointment of commissioner to Presbytery or Synod. (14) Unfinished business. (15) Miscellaneous business. (16) Adjournment. (17) Prayer and benediction. TREASURER OF SESSION. 59 9. Disability or absence of clerk. In the disability or absence of the clerk, the moderator is to act in the matter of the receiving and filing of complaints and appeals. (B. D., Ch. TX, §§ 85, 97.) The Session, however, for the record of its own transactions should appoint a clerk pro tempore. VI. TREASURER. 1. Reason for appointment. Chapter VI of the Directory for Worship directs the Session to apportion the benevolent offerings of the congregation among the Boards of the Church. This involves the receipt and payment of the funds contributed by church members. For the systematic conduct of the finances of Session, a treasurer, therefore, should be appointed. When the Session is small the clerk may be elected as treasurer. See, also, “Offerings.” 2. Two treasurers are advised. Pastors and Sessions are advised that experience is demonstrating that the purposes of the benevolence budget are best promoted in our particular churches by each church having a benevolence treasurer elected by the Session who is not the treasurer of the congregational funds, and they are earnestly counseled to constitute such a separate treasurer for their benevolence funds. (Minutes G. A., 1923, p. 258.) 3. Reports. The treasurer of Session should report to the Session at its regular meetings the condition of the funds in his charge, and just after the close of the eccle- siastical year, on March 31, should present.an annual report for use in preparing the statistical report of Session to Presbytery. A further duty of the treasurer is to see that the accounts of all the church organizations are kept in a satisfactory manner, and that suitable forms are furnished to their officers by March 1, so that the annual reports of the organizations may set forth a complete exhibit of the work done by them. 60 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. VII. COMMITTEES. 1. Permanent committees. The oversight of the general interests of the congregation by the Session, can be most efficiently conducted by the appointment of permanent committees upon the more important matters of Sessional business. Among the usual committees needed in the average church are those on the Sabbath school, music, church societies, finance, and conference with the trustees. 2. Special committees. Special committees are appointed for the consideration of matters needing im- mediate and temporary attention. They may consist of one or more members. 3. Committees on judicial matters. For com- mittees of investigation and prosecution, see under “Judicial Cases.” 4. Appointment. See ‘Rules for Judicatories,”’ p. 330, Rule VII. 5. Pastor a member. The pastor by virtue of his office is a member of all Sessional committees, whether special or permanent. | 6. Conduct of committee business. Great care should be taken by the committees of Sessions when | dealing with the Sabbath school, the missionary, and other societies, the deacons and trustees, to avoid all causes of friction. The advice of the Assembly in the case of the relations of the Session with the trustees, is pertinent to all committee business: ‘that all such questions be treated by the Session with Christian tact and courtesy, in the spirit of love and forbearance.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1893, p. 90.) 7. References to committees. All matters directly connected with the business of a permanent or special committee of Session, should be referred to it for report, or, if immediate action is required, should be brought by it before Session through the moderator. SESSIONAL RECORDS. 61 8. Reports. Permanent committees should be called upon for reports at every regular meeting of the Session, and the resolutions appointing special committees should contain a clause requiring them to report at the meeting next ensuing. VIII. RECORDS. 1. Fair record of proceedings to be kept. ‘‘EXvery Session shall keep a fair record of its proceedings.”’ (F. G., Ch. IX, § 9.) The phrase “fair record” indicates that it is not expected that Sessional should be as minute as Presbyterial records, for concerning the latter it is declared (F. G., Ch. X, § 8) to be the duty of the Presbytery to keep a ‘full and fair record.’”’ A record, therefore, may be fair without being minute. Itis desirable that the record should be both accurate and neat. 2. Forms of records. Sce forms for many of the items of business transacted by the Session in Part VI, p. 345. 3. Minutes of board of deacons. It is discretionary with church Sessions to order the minutes of the board of ‘deacons to be incorporated with the records of Session. (Minutes G. A., 1891, p. 107.) 4. Church meetings. ‘All proceedings of the church shall be reported to, and reviewed by, the Session, and by its order incorporated with its records.” (B. D., Ch. IX, § 72.) Basing its action upon this section of the Constitution of the Church, the General Assembly has repeatedly directed that Boards of Trustees should annually submit to the Presbyteries, through the Sessions, the eyplete record of their proceedings. The intent of these actions is that either the Sriinal minutes of the meetings of trustees should be trans- mitted, or that certified copies of same should be fur- nished. 5. Church meetings, incorporation mandatory. “The rule is not discretionary, but mandatory, that 62 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. church Sessions shall order the incorporation of the pro- ceedings of congregational meetings with their own records.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 117.) 6. Church meetings, extent of incorporation. “It is in the power of church Sessions to direct that the pro- ceedings of such meetings (congregational) or of the corporation, (whether said proceedings are reported to the Session in the form of minutes of meetings or as reports of boards or committees), shall be incorporated in the Sessional records in such a manner, and to such an extent only, as will faithfully exhibit the action taken.” (Minutes Gules LSs7rp. 118.) 7. Trustees, proceedings of, at congregational meetings. Referring to the preceding action, the Assembly has said that “this construction of the rule in question is to be understood to apply to the proceedings of trustees in all cases, in which, under the laws of the places where they exercise their functions, their action is subject to review by Session.” (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 118.) 8. Yearly review by Presbytery. The “record shall ° be, at least once in every year, submitted to the inspection of the Presbytery.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 9.) “Every judicatory above a Session shall review, at least once a year, the records of the proceedings of the judicatory next below.” (B. D., Ch. TIX, § 72.) “It is required of all the Presby- teries within the bounds of the General Assembly, annually to call up and examine the Sessional records of the several churches under their care, as directed in the Book of Discipline.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1809, p. 221.) -9. Presbytery may require records to be pro- duced. “If the lower judicatory shall omit to send up its records for this purpose, the higher may require them to be produced, either immediately, or at a specified time, as circumstances may determine.’”’ (B. D., Ch. IX, § 72.) 10. Records once approved cannot be altered by Session. “A record once approved by a higher court ROLLS AND REGISTERS. 63 cannot be altered or annulled by a lower one. If there be an error in the record, the remedy is to be sought by an application to the highest judicatory that has endorsed such mistake.” (Minutes G. A., N. 8., 1862, p. 34.) IX. ROLLS AND REGISTERS. 1. Communicant rolls. A Presbyterian church is authorized to have four rolls: a. The roll of members in good and regular standing. This roll should be divided into two classes where necessary to include all its members, namely, resident members and nonresident members. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 50.) The number of communicant members to be reported annually to the Presbytery is the number upon this roll including both of these classes, resident and nonresident. b. The roil of suspended members. This roll is to include the names of communicant members who have been sus- pended “with process” or ‘without process” by the Session. The names on this roll are not to be counted in reporting annually to the Presbytery the number of communicant members. c. The roll of affiliated members. ‘When any member removes from a community in which the church is located, of which he is a member, for the purpose of securing an edueation, the Session of said church may issue to him a certificate of good standing, which, if issued, shall be used by the member receiving it solely for the purpose of establishing affiliated membership, without enrolling as a regular member, in a church located in the community of which the educational institution he attends is a part. The certificate shall be good for two years, subject to renewal. The Session issuing the certificate shall duly notify the fact to the pastor of the church named therein and shall retain the name of the member on the roll of the home church.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) d. The roll of baptized children of communicant members. (Minutes G. A., 1882, p. 98; also B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) 64 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 2. Additional rolls. In addition to these four rolls, every church should prepare, and keep up to date, two lists of names: a. A list of those who are qualified to vote in meetings of the congregation. This list should include all the com- municant members of the church who are in good standing, also all other persons, who regularly contribute to the support of the church, by such methods as are officially recognized in the church. b: A list of those who are qualified to vote in the meetings of the corporation. This list should include all communicant members in good standing, who are of full age; also all other persons of full age who regularly contribute to the support of the church by such methods as are officially recognized in the church. 3. Adding, removing, restoring names. The law and usage of our Church may be summarized as follows with reference to adding names to, removing names from, and restoring names to the first of the rolls mentioned above, namely, the roll of communicant members in good and regular standing: a. Adding names to the communicant roll. Names may be legally added to the communicant roll of a churchin . two ways only, under ordinary circumstances: (1) When an applicant for membership is received by the Session on certificate from some evangelical church. (2) When an applicant is received by the Session on confession of faith. The General Assembly of 1911 (see Minutes G, A., p. 242) declared: “The only conditions of admission to the Church are a profession of faith in Christ and obedience to Him, followed by baptism in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Only the Session of a church in regular meeting assem- bled can receive an applicant into membership. For the only exceptions to this rule, see caption No. 3, p. 213; caption No. 5, p. 214; see, also, caption 20, p. 78. In ROLLS AND REGISTERS. 65 the case of applicants for membership on confession of faith, personal appearance before the Session is essen- tial, except in cases when serious illness or other provi- dential circumstances prevent such personal appearance. In such cases a Session may accept the report of an examining committee duly appointed for the specific purpose. The fact that names may be regularly added to the communicant roll of the Church in the above two ways only, under ordinary circumstances, is brought particularly and emphatically to the attention of our Sessions. Many Sessions are accustomed to receive members on “‘reaffirma- tion of faith,” a mode of reception which is not authorized by our Form of Government. This, and other illegal modes of reception, should not be continued. b. Removing names from the communicant roll. Names are removed from a communicait roll: (1) By death. (2) By certificate of dismission to another church, which church must be in good standing in an evangelical de- nomination. (a) Sessions should use the official form of certificate. (b) Sessions may grant certificates of dismission by special vote, or the pastor or clerk may be authorized to issue such certificates to those in good standing and make report at the next meeting of the Session, (c) A particular church must be designated in the certificate. The holder may, however, deposit it with “some other evangelical church.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) (d) Said church must be notified that such certificate has been granted and to whom. The fact of the reception of the person, or persons, named in the certificate of dis- mission shall be promptly communicated to the church which gave it. (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) (e) Said certificate is good for one year only. (f) “If a church member, more than two years absent from the place of his ordinary residence and church con- 66 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. nections, applies for a certificate of membership, his absence, and the knowledge of the church respecting his demeanor for that time, or its want of information con- cerning it, shall be distinctly stated in the certificate.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 116.) (g) Ordinarily, only the Session can grant a certificate of dismission. The members of a church dissolved by Presbytery receive certificates of dismission from the Presbytery. . Also, upon an appeal from an adverse de- cision of a Session, a Presbytery on its own authority, or by direction of a Synod, may grant certificates of dis- mission. (h) “The names of the baptized children of a parent seeking dismission to another church shall, if such children are members of his household and remove with him and are not themselves communicants, be included in the certificate of dismission.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) (3) By discipline,“‘in cases of process.”” That is to say, by conviction on evidence in a formal trial. See Book of Discipline, Chapters IT, III, IV, and V, for details. (4) By discipline, “in cases without process.”’ That is to say, by Sessional action without formal trial. (a) The name of a communicant, fully persuaded that he has no right to come to the Lord’s table, may be erased from the roll of communicants. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 49.) (b) The name of a communicant absent two years and residence known may be placed on the roll of suspended members. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 50.) (c) The name of a communicant absent three years and residence unknown may be placed on the roll of suspended members. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 50.) (d) A resident communicant neglecting the ordinances of the Church for one year, may be suspended from the communion of the Church until evidence of repentance is given. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 51.) (e) If a resident communicant persistently absents himself from the ordinances of religion, the Session may ROLLS AND REGISTERS. 67 place his name upon the roll of suspended members. (Bao Cho VIIR§b1.) (5) By erasure. (a2) A communicant joining another denomination without regular dismission shall have his name erased from the communicant roll. (B. D., Ch. VIII, § 53.) (b) The same action shall be taken if the so-called denomination is not recognized as an evangelical de- nomination. . (6) By ordination to the ministry. When a man is duly ordained to the gospel ministry, the Session of the church shall erase his name from the roll of communicant members with a record of the fact and date of his ordina- tion. c. Restoring names to the communicant roll. (1) Names may be restored to the communicant roll when the Session, which has found it necessary to exercise discipline, either in cases with process or in cases without process, is fully satisfied that the ends of discipline have been secured and circumstances justify restoration to membership. (2) A member of a church returning a certificate of dismission to another church within a year from its date, shall be restored to membership in the church granting said certificate, but he shall not be restored to the exercise of functions of any office previously held by him in the church. (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) (3) A minister who has been permitted to demit the ministry by action of Presbytery, shall have his name placed on such communicant roll as he may designate. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 52.) 4. Register of marriages and deaths. a. It is important that every church Session keep a fair register of marriages and of the deaths of church members. (F. G., Ch. IX, § 10.) 6. The Publication Department of the Board of 68 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. Christian Education has provided suitable books for keeping these rolls and registers. 5. Custody of registers. The volume or volumes containing the records of Session and the facts concerniug church members should be in charge of the clerk of Session, and the pastor should report to the clerk all necessary items of baptisms, marriages, etc. xX. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 1. Constitutional provisions. The Session has power to receive members into the church. (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) See for reception on confession, caption No. 18, p. 71, and by certificate, caption No. 2, p. 74. 2. Terms of membership. The only terms of mem- bership are the conditions of salvation. ‘“‘A profession of faith in Christ and obedience to him is all that is re- quired in our Standards of those who are out of the visible Church, in order to their being baptized.” (Minutes G. A., N. S., 1860, p. 244. See C. F., Ch. XXVIII, § 4; and L. C., Q. 166; S. C., Q. 95.) Faith in Christ involves repentance for sin, dependence for salvation upon his atoning work, recognition of his deity, acknowledgment of his authority as Lord, and acceptance of the Scriptures as the Word of God. 3. Vote of Session is the final act. For the reception of church members, whether by letter or on confession of faith, “the Session is the church, and its act of admission the act of the church. . . . The vote of the Session is the essential and final act by which they are thus received, and needs no subsequent action of the church to give it reality or validity.” (Minutes G. A., N.8., 1865, pp. 22, 23.) 4. Members must be received by Session. ‘The order of the churches requires that all persons making a public profession of religion be introduced to the com- munion of the Church only by an individual Session regu- larly constituted.” (Minutes G, A., 1832, p. 334.) See for RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 69 exceptions, caption No. 3, p. 64, and captions Nos. 3 and 5, pp. 213, 214. 5. Members can be received only into the church over which Session rules. ‘Sessions cannot receive persons on profession of their faith in Christ, or by letter, into any body except into the organized church of which any given Session is the governing body.” (Minutes G, A., 1893, p. 86.) 6. Session not to receive members intending to belong to another church. “The practice of one ' Session admitting to a Christian profession, persons belonging or intending to belong to a congregation under the care of another Session, is irregular, and ought not to be countenanced.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1832, p. 334.) 7. Absentee members n»t to be received on con- fession. ‘‘When a person has been absent three years and his residence unknown, the Session of any other Presbyterian church cannot receive him on profession of faith, if restored standing in the church to which he belongs and regular dismission therefrom are possible.” (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 81.) 8. Suspended member cannot be received on examination. A suspended church member uniting with another church on examination, without stating the fact of his suspension, “‘unites deceptively. So soon as the facts in the case are ascertained by the Session of this second church, the proper order of procedure is for this Session, after conference with the accused person, to strike his name from their roll of church members as not under their jurisdiction, to communicate their action to the Session suspending him, with the reasons for it, and to request the said Session to proceed against him on separate process for duplicity and disorder.’’ (Minutes G. A., N.S., 1866, p. 269.) 9. Applicants for membership having scruples on infant baptism. ‘While it is clear, that persons other- wise of good Christian character, are not to be excluded 70 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. from the communion of that Church, because they have scruples concerning infant baptism, there is in every case, where such persons apply for admission, a question as to the expediency of receiving them, upon which the Session of the church must decide.” (Minutes G. A., 1834, p. 36.) 10. Persons disinclined to submit to the ordi- nances and regulations of the Church not to be received. Persons who do not believe in water baptism (Minutes G. A., 1883, p. 627), and persons not inclined _ to submit to the discipline of the church (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1853, p. 434), are not to be received. 11. Persons rejecting fundamental doctrines can- not be admitted. Persons who do not believe in the fundamental doctrines of evangelical Christianity are not to be received into membership in the Presbyterian Church. For this reason the Assembly decided that Swedenborgians and Universalists could not be received. (Minutes G. A., 1886, p. 37; 1892, p. 60.) 12. Persons engaged in certain occupations not to be admitted. Persons engaged in secular work on the Sabbath with a view to worldly advantage (Minutes G. A., 1819, p. 713), and persons engaged in the manu- facture and sale of intoxicating drinks (Minutes G. A., 1877, p. 558), are not to be admitted to membership. 13. Persons guilty of certain practices. Polyga- mists (Minutes G. A., 1875, p. 507), and duellists (Minutes G. A., 1805, p. 339), are not to be received until they crranitent a just sense of guilt, and give satistactory evidence of repentance.” 14. Discretion vested in the Session. ‘Every Session must judge of that degree of knowledge of Christian doc- trine, and adherence thereto on the part of those examined by them, which may render their reception suitable, and for their own edification, and the peace of the church.” * (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1853, p. 434.) RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 71 15. Baptism necessary to membership. ‘The vote of the Session is conditioned upon the baptism, and can in no case be a substitute for the Sacrament itself.” (Minutes G. A., N. 8., 1867, p. 496.) 16. Baptized children. See p. 87. 17. Examination of applicants. See p. 72. 18. Baptized persons, public profession. ‘‘Any forms, for publicly recognizing those who have been thus admitted to sealing ordinances, should give effect to the distinction, so clearly laid down by our Standards, between admitting the children of the church to the Lord’s Table, and the unbaptized to membership in the church. i (Minutes G. A., 1873, p. 639.) 19. Unboneeed persons, public profession. ‘‘When unbaptized persons are to be admitted into the Church, they shall, in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith in the presence of the congre- gation; and thereupon be baptized.” (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 3.) 20. Profession of faith may be in the ks ee of the Session. ‘The public profession of one’s faith may for sufficient reasons, as the Directory for Worship (Ch. X, § 3) implies, be omitted.” (Minutes G. A., N. S., 1867, p. 497.) But in such exceptional cases, the pro- fession should be in the presence of the Session or a com- mittee of the Session. A profession made by a person in articulo mortis, and only in the presence of a minister or elder, does not constitute membership in the visible Church. : 21. Local confession of faith and covenants not authoritative. ‘Confession of faith and covenants in use among local churches are not essential to the organiza- tion of a church, or the establishment of membership therein, since they are not the authoritative standard of faith or practice in the Presbyterian Church.”’ (Minutes GRAZ IN: S886), .1. 23.) 72 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. XI. EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS, 1. Examination of applicants. Those who are to be admitted to sealing ordinances, “shall be examined as to their knowledge and piety.” (D. W., Ch. X, § 3.) 2. Examination to be in the presence of the Session. “Inasmuch as the members of the Session are the judges of the qualifications of those to be admitted to sealing ordinances, and the reception of such is their act, the examination of candidates ought manifestly to be in their presence, unless in special cases.” (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 638.) 3. Committee to examine in special cases. With reference to the examination of candidates unable to appear before Session the Assembly has decided that ‘in special cases of sickness, or other hindrance, this duty may be performed by a committee under direction of the Session.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 638.) 4. Persons to examine. The examination of can- didates for Church membership should be conducted under the direction of the pastor, or, if there be none, by the moderator of the Session. The ruling elders present may take part in the examination. 5. Previous conference with applicants. The pastor, or, if there be none, the clerk of Session, should confer with applicants, prior to their appearance before the Session, with a view to due preparation for the ex- amination, and to remove any natural fears which may be cherished by young persons. 6. Method’ and character of examination. The moderator should first ascertain the full name and age of each candidate, and the fact of his or her baptism or non- baptism. These items should be entered upon the memo- randum of the clerk of Session for use in the records. The examination should be as simple as_ possible, avoiding all theological technicalities, and developing mainly the fact of actual faith in and purpose to serve EXAMINATION OF APPLICANTS. 73 faithfully the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially should care be taken not to burden the consciences of converts with doctrines, belief in which is not required of Church members. See p. 29. 7. Questions precedent to admission. The essential facts desired may be ascertained by the moderator address- ing the candidate with some such questions as the following: (1) Do you believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? (2) Do you believe in Jesus Christ, as the only begotten Son of God, and do you receive him as your Saviour and acknowledge him as your Lord? (8) Do you believe in the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, and accept them as the infallible and supreme rule of faith and conduct? (4) Do you promise to endeavor to lead a consistent Christian life? (5) Do you promise to obey the rules of this church, to contribute to its support according to ability, to attend its services, and to promote its peace, purity, and welfare, so long as you remain a member? In the diszretion of the Session, it may at times be of interest and profit to pursue a wider range of inquiry, as follows: (1) The time when a desire was first felt by the can- didates to confess Christ. (2) The influences which !ed to this desire. (3) The motives impelling to union with the Church. (4) The habits of the candidates with respect to prayer and reading of the Scriptures. (5) The acceptance by the candidates of the Scriptures as the Word of God. (6) The extent of their realization of sin and consequent need of a Saviour. (7) Their dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. (8) Their knowledge of fundamental Christian doctrine. 74 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. (9) Their purpose to obey and serve Christ in the life. (10) Their purpose to perform faithfully their duties _as Church members. 8. Reception of applicants. The applicants having passed a satisfactory examination, a motion should be made to receive them into the membership of the Church, and upon its adoption, the members of Session should rise and extend a cordial welcome in the name of Christ to the new members, taking them by the hand, and wishing them happiness and success in the Christian life. A brief prayer would be a fitting close to the solemn service. 9. Directions to applicants after reception. The moderator of Session should give to the new members definite directions as to the time during divine service when they will make a public profession of faith in Christ. XII. DISMISSAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERS. 1. Session to counsel transfer. It is “enjoined upon the Sessions of our churches, on the removal of any member beyond the boundaries of their own or- ganization, ”’ to ‘‘counsel these members to transfer their relation immediately, if practicable, or at the earliest opportunity.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1869, p. 923.) 2. Certificate required. ‘When any member shall remove from one church to another, he shall produce a certificate, ordinarily not more than one year old, of his church membership and dismission, before he shall be admitted as a regular member of that church.” (B. D., Ch. XIT, § 114.) 3. Jurisdiction over transferred member. ‘A member of a church, receiving a certificate of dismission to another church, shall continue to be a member of the church giving him the certificate, and subject to the jurisdiction of its Session, .. . until he has become a member DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS. 75 of the church to which he is recommended, or some other evangelical church.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) 4. Certificate to be addressed to a church. “The certificate shall be addressed to a particular church.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) 5. Certificate good in any evangelical church. While a certificate of dismission is to be addressed to a particular church, the holder may deposit it with ‘‘some other evangelical church.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) 6. Certificate to include children. In addition to the name of the Church member, if that member be a parent “‘the names of the baptized children . . . shall, if such children are members of his household and remove with him and are not themselves communicants, be in- cluded in the certificate of dismission.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) 7. Sessions may delegate authority to issue cer- tificates. The Assembly ‘does not find in the Form of Government anything which would invalidate the custom of authorizing by vote of Session, its moderator or stated clerk to issue letters in the interim of the meetings of the Session, to members who are in good standing, and to report such dismissions to the Session at its next meeting.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1891, p. 106.) 8. Effect of certificate. ‘A letter of dismission, whether issued to a ruling elder or private member, terminates the relations of the person dismissed with the church giving the letter, except so far as said church is responsible for its watch and care over him during the period of transition.”” (Minutes G. A., N.8., 1867, p. 512.) A dismissed member, further, shall ‘not deliberate or vote in a church meeting, nor exercise the functions of any office, until he has become a member of the church to which he is recommended.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) 9. Notification to churches. The clerk of the Session granting certificates of dismission should notify 76 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. the church to which members are dismissed of the fact. (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 1869, p. 923.) 10. Reception to be reported. ‘The fact of the reception of the person or persons named” in the certificate of dismission, ‘‘shall be promptly communicated to the church which gave it.’’ (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) And until such notice is received the names of the persons dismissed should not be removed from the roll. 11. Irregularity does not invalidate dismission. In the case of certain persons whose dismission was not in regular form, ‘‘the Assembly, while not approving of the haste and confusion with which their dismission was given,” “declared their actual connection with the church of ————— now to be valid and regular.”’ (Minutes G. A., O.5., 1849, p. 266.) 12. Dismissal of absentee members. “If a church member, more than two years absent from the place of his ordinary residence and church connections, applies for a certificate of membership, his absence, and the knowledge of the church respecting his demeanor for that time, or its want of information concerning it, shall be distinctly stated in the certificate.” (B. D., Ch. XII, § 116.) 13. Suspended member, dismission of. ‘It may be orderly in circumstances of necessity, arising from removal to an inconvenient distance,’ to “‘dismiss to another church a suspended member,’ ‘‘provided that in no instance the Session from which he be dismissed be allowed to review or rejudge the case.’’ (Minutes G. A., O.8., 1849, p. 239.) 14. Suspended member may claim dismission when restored. ‘When a superior judicatory has taken action restoring a suspended member to a good standing, said member has the right on application to receive a regular certificate of dismission from the Session with which he is connected to any other church which he may name.’ (See Minutes G. A., 1824, p. 223.) DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS. 77 15. Form of dismission to other denominations. The whole subject of the form of dismission to other denominations ‘‘is one that ought to be left to the sound discretion of the various church Sessions.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1851, p. 28.) A certificate of Christian character, as arule, will be sufficient. See suggestion of form, p. 365. 16. Members uniting with other denominations without certificates. “If a communicant renounces the communion of this Church by joining another denomina- tion, without a regular dismission, although such conduct is disorderly, the Session shall take no other action in the ease than to record the fact, and order his name to be erased from the roll. If charges are pending against him, these charges may be prosecuted.” (B. D., Ch. VII, § 53.) 17. Return of certificate within a year restores rights, except those of office. Should a member ‘return the certificate, within a year from its date, the Session shall make record of the fact, but he shall not thereby be restored to the exercise of the functions of any office previously held by him in that church.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 109.) 18. Returned certificates more than one year old. No direction as to the course to be pursued, when a re- turned certificate is more than one year old, is given in the Book of Discipline. In such cases the Session should make due inquiry into the reasons for the delay, and make record of such inquiry in its minutes, If “it appears that the parties in question had good and sufficient reasons for such delay, being unsettled as to a permanent home; their moral and religious life, meantime, being well known to the Session as fully comporting with the requirements of the gospel of Christ,’”’ they may be restored to the full privileges of membership. (Minutes G. A., 1880, p. 79.) 19. Modified certificates. Absence from the ordi- nances of God’s house, or other sufficient cause, may justify a Session in omitting from a certificate the words, ‘fn good and regular standing.’”’ Session has the power to 78 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. grant a “certificate agreeable to the Constitution of the Church and to the truth.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1864, p. 328.) See further, under caption No. 12, p. 76, and also form of modified certificate, p. 365. 20. Presbytery may grant a certificate. A Session refused to obey an order of Presbytery to grant a certificate, and thereupon the Synod directed Presbytery to furnish the same. The member receiving the certificate appealed on the ground that such certificate, not being issued by Session, ‘‘must necessarily be considered not a valid docu- ment.’”’ The judgment of the Assembly was ‘“‘that the Synod had the power to issue the order complained of, and the certificate so issued is a valid document.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1875, p. 511.) 21. Members of extinct church. See p. 213. 22. Letters of credence. ‘The General Assembly urge upon the Sessions of churches the importance of giving to members who remove from them, in case of uncertain destination, letters of credence.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1871, p. 587.) 23. Letters of introduction. The General Assembly has recommended that Church members visiting Europe be given “‘letters of introduction to the pastors of European churches” of the Presbyterian faith and order. (Minutes G. A., 1894, p. 156.) 24. What printed forms to be used. The Assembly urges upon all our churches the use of the printed blanks for dismission and reception furnished by the publishing agency of the Church. (See Minutes G,. A., 1871, p. 587.) See p. 364. XIII. SUSPENDED OR DROPPED MEMBERS. Cases WiTHouT PROCESS. The Session of a church has power by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution to suspend or drop members in certain cases, without trial, These cases are as follows: SUSPENDED OR DROPPED MEMBERS. — 79 1. Communicant holding mistaken views. ‘If & communicant, not chargeable with immoral conduct, inform the Session that he is fully persuaded that he has no right to come to the Lord’s Table, the Session shall confer with him on the subject, and may, should he continue of the same mind, and his attendance on the other means of grace be regular, excuse him from attend- ance on the Lord’s Supper; and, after fully satisfying themselves that his judgment is not the result of mistaken views, shall erase his name from the roll of communicants, and make record of their action in the case.’”’ (B. TL , Ch. VII, § 49.) See p. 349. 2. Absentee members, general power. “Although great caution and tenderness ought to be exercised toward those whose withdrawing from Christian privileges may be occasioned by the unavoidable dispensation of Prov- idence, without any material fault of their own, yet in all cases, in which a church Session has good reason to believe that any of the Church members under their care have absented themselves with design, either from a disregard of Christian privileges or from a wish to escape from the inspection and discipline of the church, they ought, with- out unnecessary delay, to declare such persons suspended from the privileges of the church until they give evidence of repentance and reformation.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1825, p. 255.) See p. 346. 3. Communicant absent for two years, whose residence is known, may be suspended. If a com- municant, not chargeable with immoral conduct, removes out of the bounds of his church, without asking for or receiving a regular certificate of dismission to another church, and his residence is known, the Session may, within two years, advise him to apply for such certificate; and, if he fails so to do, without giving sufficient reason, his name may be placed on the roll of suspended members, until he shall satisfy the Session of the propriety of his restoration. (B. D., Ch. VII, § 50.) 80 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 4. Communicant who neglects ordinances may be suspended. “If any communicant, not chargeable with immoral conduct, neglects the ordinances of the church for one year, and in circumstances such as the Session shall regard to be a serious injury to the cause of religion, he may, after affectionate visitation by the Session, and admonition if need be, be suspended from the communion of the Church until he gives satisfactory evidence of the sincerity of his repentance, but he shall not be excom- municated without due process of discipline.” (B. D., Ch. VII, § 51.) See p. 348. 5. Communicant absent for three years, whose residence is unknown, may be dropped. But, if the Session has no knowledge of him for the space of three years, it may erase his name from the roll of communi- cants, making record of its action and the reasons therefor. (Bey Chaviine'§:50. 6. Members uniting with other denominations without certificates, may be dropped. See under “Dismissal and Withdrawal of Members,”’ p. 77. 7. Suspended members, jurisdiction over. In all cases of suspension, whether for offences or absences, members continue under the jurisdiction of the Session which suspended them. (Minutes G. A., N. 8., 1866, p. 269.) XIV. BAPTISM. 1. To whom to be administered. ‘Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible Church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but infants descending from parents, either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, and obedi- ence to him, are in that respect within the covenant, and are to be baptized.” (L. C., Q. 166; also, 8. C., Q. 95.) 2. Involved in reception. ‘The administration of baptism according to the Word of God, in the case of un- BAPTISM. 81 baptized persons, must of course be involved in, and attendant upon,” the Sessional act of reception to mem- bership. (Minutes G. A., N. 8., 1865, p. 22.) 3. Minister to officiate. ‘The party is to be baptized ... by a minister of the gospel, lawfully called thereunto.” (CaleaCh. XEXVDLT. $2) 4. Water essential to the sacrament. A _ person cannot ‘be admitted to membership in the Presbyterian Church who has not received water baptism in any mode, and who does not believe in other baptism than the baptism of the Holy Ghost.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1883, p. 627.) 5. Time. Baptism may be administered “either at the time (of reception by Session) which would be entirely proper, or at a subsequent period appointed for this purpose.” (Minutes G. A., N. 8., 1865, p. 22.) The time usually appointed, is immediately in connection with the public profession of faith of new members, and preceding the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 6. Place, usually the church. “It is usually to be administered in the church, in the presence of the congre- gation.” (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 1.) 7. Mode. ‘The Confession of Faith,Chapter XXVIII, Section 3, teaches as follows—viz., ‘Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly ad- ministered by pouring or sprinkling of water upon the person.’ ”’ (Minutes G. A., 1834, p, 18.) 8. Form of baptism. Baptism is to be administered to adults by sprinkling with water, accompanied by the words of the authorized formula, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 3.) It should be preceded by a confession of faith on the part of the person to be bap- tized, and should be followed by a brief prayer by the officiating minister. 9. May be in private houses. Although it is proper that baptism be administered in the presence of the con- gregation, yet there may be cases when it will be expedient 82 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. to administer this ordinance in private houses; of which the minister is to be the judge. (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 1.) This provision of the Constitution is understood to be applicable chiefly to the baptism of infants. 10. Baptism of Roman Catholics. Converts from Romanism applying for admission sometimes desire to be baptized in accordance with the forms of the evangelical Churches. The question of the baptism of such converts is “left to the judgment of each church Session, guided by the principles governing the subject of baptism, as laid down in the Standards of our Church.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1875, p. 514; 1885, p. 593.) If the applicants are satisfied with their baptism in infancy, then the Session may receive them upon that baptism; if, on the other hand, the applicants are not satisfied, the Session may order that they be baptized. Our Church cannot take a position with reference to this matter of baptism which would imply that it is indispensable to salvation. Baptism is the sign and seal of an inward condition, and the Church, therefore, has given Sessions liberty to decide every case of Roman Catholic baptism upon its own merits. 11. Baptism not to be repeated. ‘The Sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administered to any person.” (Cis GhXX VILL, $7 12. Infant baptism. The requirements in connection with the baptism of infants are given under the head, “Children of Believers,” and will be found on p. 87. XV. THE LORD’S SUPPER. 1. Membership in evangelical churches a_ pre- requisite tocommunion. “It is not in accordance with the spirit and usage of the Presbyterian Church” “to invite persons not members of any evangelical church, to partake of the Lord’s Supper.” (Minutes G. A., 1872, p. 75.) ‘The language of the Book (D. W., Ch. IX, § 4), relied upon by some to authorizeindiscriminate communion, is not correctly interpreted by them. Although, in THE LORD’S SUPPER. 83 describing the persons there invited to the Lord’s Table, Church membership is not expressed, it is clearly implied.” (Minutes G. A., 1876, p. 79.) 2. Frequency of communion. ‘The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minister and elder- ship of each congregation, as they may Judge most for edification.”’ (D. W., Ch. IX, § 1.) 3. Public notice to be given. “It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordi- nance.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 3.) 4. Preparatory lecture. “It is proper that... the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, . . or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 3.) 5. Communicants’ classes. ‘To secure intelligent confession of Christ at his table, it is desirable that there be something of the nature of a communicants’ class in -each congregation, duly made known from the pulpit, conducted by the pastor, or, in exceptional cases, by a competent member of the church. This class should be, if not continuous, for, say, a month before each com- munion season; it should be so conducted as to elicit free statements of belief and experience of religious truth and devotional feelings.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1889, p. 63.) 6. Special services. ‘As it has been customary, in some parts of our Church, to observe a fast before the Lord’s Supper; to have a sermon on Saturday and Monday; and to invite two or three ministers on such occasions; and as these seasons have been blessed to many souls, and may tend to keep up a stricter union of ministers and con- gregations; we think it not improper that they who choose it may continue in this practice.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 6.) 7. Place. The place where the Lord’s Supper is publicly 84. ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. administered should be the audience room in which the public worship of the congregation is conducted. 8. Time. Usually the Lord’s Supper is administered at either the morning or evening service on a Lord’s Day, immediately after the sermon. This usage is in accordance with the opening sentence of the Directory for Worship, Chapter IX, Section 4. In many congregations, however, the administration of this Sacrament is conducted as an independent service, at some hour on the Lord’s Day, and a brief address is substituted for the sermon. The Session has the power to make such arrangements in this matter of time, as may seem to them best. 9. Where there is no church organized. ‘The restriction laid by the last General Assembly on our missionaries, which confines them to administer the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in such places only where there are church officers regularly appointed, is hereby repealed.” (Minutes G. A., 1798, p. 146.) It is the usage for ministers to administer communion to assemblies of Christians other than organized churches. 10. Kinds of wine. “The essential elements of the Lord’s Supper are bread and wine. The General Assembly has always recognized the right of each church Session to determine what is bread and what is wine. No new legis- lation is needed on this subject.” (Minutes G, A., 1881, p. 548; 1882, p. 557.) ‘“‘It is the sense of the Assembly that the unfermented fruit of the vine fulfills every condition in the celebration of the Sacrament.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p.101,) 11. Ministers only to officiate. ‘‘The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and biess _ the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use: and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants; but to none who are not then present in the congregation.” THE LORD’S SUPPER. 85 (C. F., Ch. XXIX, § 3; see also L. C., Q. 169.) Neither of the Sacrament “may be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word, lawfully ordained.” (C. F., Ch. XXVII, § 4.) The letter and spirit of Chapter IX of the Directory for Worship also involve that no one but a minister can administer this Sacrament. 12. Ruling elders to aid in the passing of the elements. It is the usage in some congregations for the minister to distribute the elements. In most congre- gations, it is the custom for the ruling elders to assist the minister in the distribution. If they be not available or sufficient, then the minister may invite the deacons, or in extreme cases other persons. 13. No rule as to persons to aid the minister. ‘Inasmuch as we have no rule in relation to the subject, the matter is referred to the discretion of the Sessions of the churches.” (Minutes G, A., 1877, p. 516.) 14. Deacons may aid in the distribution of the elements. It is “in accordance with the Presbyterian law and usage that deacons distribute to the church members the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.” (Minutes G. A., 1874, p. 84.) 15. Communion by persons who aid the minister. The persons who aid the officiating minister, whether elders or deacons, should receive the elements from the minister after other communicants have been served. 16. Communion by minister. ‘The minister him- self is to communicate, at such time as may appear to him most convenient.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 5.) Ordinarily, the minister partakes of the elements, immediately before they are passed to the congregation. 17. Persons who are to partake. The officiating minister is authorized to invite such persons as, ‘sensible of their lost and helpless state of sin, depend upon the atonement of Christ for pardon and acceptance with God; . . . and such as desire to renounce their sins, and are determined to lead a holy life.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 4.) 86 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 18. Sessions may exclude the ignorant as well as the scandalous. ‘Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, may and ought to be kept from that Sacrament by the power which Christ hath left in his Church, until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.” (L. C., Q. 173.) The officiating minister is required “‘to warn the profane, the ignorant, and scandalous, and those that secretly indulge themselves in any known sin, not to approach the holy table.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 4.) 19. Mode of administration. ‘The table, on which the elements are placed, being decently covered, the bread in convenient dishes, and the wine in cups, and the communicants orderly and gravely sitting around the table (or in their seats before it), in the presence of the minister; let him set the elements apart, by prayer and thanksgiving.”” Then ‘“‘the minister is to take the bread, and break it, in the view of the people,” and proceed with the distribution. ‘After having given the bread, he shall take the cup, and”’ using the customary words of institution shall give it also to the people. Itis customary to follow with a brief exhortation, and ‘‘then the minister is to pray and give thanks to God.”’ (D. W., Ch. IX, § 5.) 20. Collection for the poor. ‘The collection for the poor, and to defray the expense of the elements, may be made after this; or at such other time as may seem meet to the eldership.” (D. W., Ch. IX, § 5.) 21. Private administration not permitted. ‘“Pri- vate masses, or receiving this Sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone; ... are all contrary to the nature of this Sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.” (C. F., Ch. XXIX, § 4.) 22. In case of sickness. ‘The Standards of our Church are clear in their teaching that the Lord’s Supper is not to be received by anyone alone, yet, in cases of protracted sickness or approaching death, when the desire CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS. 87 is very strongly urged by a member of the Church, to enjoy the administration of the Lord’s Supper, a pastor, having duly admonished the applicant that such ordinance, however a source of spiritual comfort, is not, in such cases, an imperative duty, or indispensable to salvation, may, with a member of his Session, and such communicants as may appropriately be permitted to partake in such solemn- ity, proceed to administer this Sacrament—a minute of every such act to be entered on the records of Session.’ (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 1863, p. 37.) XVI. CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS, 1. CHurcH MEMBERSHIP. 1. Church includes children. “A particular church consists of a number of professing Christians, with their offspring.” (F. G., Ch. II, § 4.) Children are likewise included in the Church by the words, “together with their children,’’ found in the definitions given of the Church universal, both in the Confession of Faith and the Form of Government. It cannot be too frequently emphasized that ‘‘all children born within the pale of the visible Church are members of the Church.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 6.) 2. BAPTISM OF CHILDREN. 1. Children as members entitled to baptism. ‘All children born within the pale of the visible Church are members of the Church, are to be baptized, are under the care of the Church, and subject to its government and discipline.” (B. D., Ch. I. § 6.) “Not only those that do actually profess faith in, and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized.” (C. F., Ch. XXVIII, § 4.) “That the seed of the faithful have no less a right to this ordinance, under the gospel, than the seed of Abraham to circumcision, under 88 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. the Old Testament; that Christ commanded all nations to be baptized; that he blessed little children, declaring that of such is the kingdom of heaven; that children are federally holy, and therefore ought to be baptized.” (DAWs Civ iit, § 23) 2. Only infants of members to be baptized. ‘Our Confession of Faith recognizes the right to baptism of infant children only of such parents as are members of the Church.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1843, p. 180.) 3. Baptism of infants of noncommunicants. There is a diversity in views and in practice in the Church with reference to the baptism of the children of parents who, though noncommunicants, were yet themselves baptized in infancy. In connection with this question all ministers have been exhorted “to take due care”’ that all persons who “offer to dedicate their children to God” in baptism ‘‘are persons of a regular life, and have suitable acquaintance with the principles of the Christian religion.’ (Minutes General Synod, 1785, p. 115.) Further, the Assembly having been asked to give some precise direction and definition of the character “of the visible and credible profession of Christianity’? necessary in parents bringing their children to baptism, “judged it unnecessary, and perhaps impracticable, to deliver rules more explicit than those contained in the Standards of our Church, but should cases of difficulty arise, they must be decided respectively, according to their own merits, before the proper judicatories.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1794, p. 91.) While a diversity in practice exists, the language of the Larger Catechism does appear to confine infant baptism to the children of communicants. It reads, “Infants descending from parents, either both or but one of them professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are in that respect within the covenant, and are to be baptized.” (L. C., Q. 166.) 4. Presentation of the child. ‘After previous notice is given to the minister, the child to be baptized is to be CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS. 89 presented, by one or both parents, signifying their desire that the child may be baptized.” (D. W., Ch. VITI, § 2.) 5. Time and place. “It is usually to be administered in the church, in the presence of the congregation; and it is convenient that it be performed immediately after sermon.” (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 1.) The recommendation of the Directory as to the time is not usually followed. Infants are baptized in some churches at the preparatory service before communion, when held on Saturday after- noon; in other churches before the sermon at the morning service, on either the Sabbath preceding or following the administration of the Lord’s Supper; and in still other churches immediately before communion. The important thing in this connection is, that the Session shall adopt a rule determining both time and place for the public baptism of infants. No rule made by the Session can interfere with the right of the minister to baptize infants in private houses. See next section. © 6. Baptism in private. Although it is proper that baptism be administered in the presence of the congre- gation, yet there may be cases when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses; of which the minister is to be the judge. (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 1.) 7. Form of baptism. After the preliminary state- ments respecting the nature of the ordinance, the pro- pounding of questions to the parents, and prayer “for a blessing to attend this ordinance,” the minister, ‘‘calling the child by its name, shall say, ‘I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.’ As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water, by pouring or sprinkling it on the head of the child, without adding any other ceremony.”’(D.W., Ch. VIII, §2.) 8. Time when infancy ceases not determined. “The precise time of life when the state of infancy ceases, is not determined in the Word of God, nor by the Standards of our Church, and, from the nature of the case, is in- capable of being regulated by any uniform rule, but should 90 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. be left to the judgment of ministers and Sessions, to be determined according to the particular circumstances of each case. The Assembly, therefore, deem it inexpedient to attempt to fix the precise time at which children ought to be considered too old to be baptized on the faith of their parents.”’ (Minutes G, A., 1822, p. 25.) 9. Children of parents received on _ profession. When parents received on confession of faith in Christ into membership have children under the age of discretion, it is proper to baptize such children on their parents’ faith. This is involved in the closing sentence of the preceding section. 3. OBLIGATIONS OF CHILDREN. 1. Duties as Church members. When baptized children “have arrived at years of discretion, they are bound to perform all the duties of Church members.” (Bec Chie 173516.) 2. Coming to the Lord’s Supper. When baptized children ‘‘come to years of discretion, if they be free from scandal, appear sober and steady, and to have sufficient knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, they ought to be informed it is their duty and their privilege to come to the Lord’s Supper.”’ (D. W., Ch. X, § 1.) 3. General suggestion. Ministers and _ Sessions should impress upon the children of believers, in a proper manner, their duties and privileges as Church members. The question which confronts these children at the age of discretion is not whether they will join the Church, but whether they are ready to separate themselves from the Church. 4. OBLIGATIONS OF PARENTS. 1. Discipline of negligent parents. Sessions are ‘directed to exercise proper discipline where neglect exists and is persisted in,” in the matter of presenting children for baptism. (Minutes G. A., 1886, p. 38.) CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS. 91 2. Form of engagement or vow. The Directory of Worship requires that parents ‘‘teach the child to read the Word of God, that they instruct him in the principles of our holy religion, as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments; an excellent summary of which we have in the Confession of Faith of this Church, and in the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Assembly, which are to be recommended to them, as adopted by this Church, for their direction and assistance in the discharge of this important duty; that they pray with and for the child; that they set an example of piety and godliness before him, and endeavor by all the means of God’s appointment to bring up their child in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord.” (D. W., Ch. VIII, § 2.) 3. Engagement or vow necessary. In connection with the baptism of children, besides requiring of parents that they shall dedicate their children to God in baptism, “the Directory of Public Worship requires an express engagement on” their part. (Minutes G. A., 1794, p. 89.) 4. Catechetical instruction enjoined. ‘The Assem- bly hereby most earnestly remind parents and others of the duty of catechising children and youth, and enjoin this duty upon them, as one whose performance no instruction that children receive in the Sabbath school or elsewhere, outside the family, can supersede or supply.’”’ (Minutes ChAT LS Os Ds 1230) 5. Children should be trained in the faith of the Church. ‘We have two suggestions to make to Christian parents on this general subject. One is, that they cause their children to be brought up in the faith of their fathers. We do not mean by this that our youth should be prevented from following out their honest convictions of duty; but that they should be dissuaded from uniting with other denominations from mere caprice or childish fancies. We consider the conduct of those parents who suffer their children to abandon our own Church without any adequate reason as in a high degree reprehensible, and calculated 92 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. to inflict a serious injury both on the Church and on their divided household.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1840, p. 310.) 5. CHurcH ContTrot Over BaptizED CHILDREN. 1. Children subject to the Session. ‘Children, born within the pale of the visible Church, and dedicated to God in baptism, are under the inspection and government of the Church.” (D. W., Ch. X, § 1.) 2. Significance of Sessional control. The words ‘inspection and government” used in the Standards re- specting the children of believers, are not to be understood in a judicial but in an administrative sense. The power vested in the Session over children is in the main that of religious education. The control of a given child is the right of its parents. The parental authority has the precedence in this matter, parents being responsible, however, to the Session for the proper performance of their duties to their children. 3. Children to be instructed. The children of the Church ‘‘are to be taught to read and repeat the Cate- chism, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. They are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to fear God, and to obey the Lord Jesus Christ.” (D. W., Ch. X, § 1.) “This Assembly earnestly and affectionately recommend, to all the ministers and ruling elders in its connection, to teach diligently the young of their respective congregations the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism.” (Minutes G. A., N.S., 1849, p. 181.) ‘The Assembly regard Christian training at all periods of youth, and by all practicable methods, especially by parents at home, by teachers in institutions of learning, and by pastors through catechetical and Bible classes, as binding upon the Church, according to the in- junction, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go,’ and as having a vital connection with the increase of the numbers and efficiency of the ministry, and of the stability and purity of the Church.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1854, p. 30.) See L. C., Q. 173. CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS. 93 4. Diligent oversight enjoined. ‘Let us, as we value that covenant which makes the promise not only ours, but our children’s, take a more diligent oversight of those youthful members of our Church. Too often are they left to wander unrestrained and forgotten in the paths of error and of sin. Can the Church answer to her Great Head, if this neglect of duty be not mourned over and corrected?”’ (Minutes G. A., 1835, p. 37.) 5. Special services to be held. It is recommended “to the pastors and Sessions of the different churches, to assemble, as often as they may deem necessary during the year, the baptized children, with their parents, to recommend said children, in prayer, to God, explain to them the nature and obligations of their baptism, and the relation which they sustain to the Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1818, p. 27.) “Our Sessions and Presbyteries are enjoined to see to it that pastors carefully instruct their churches on this subject.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1886, p. 38.) 6. Roll of baptized children. ‘The Assembly directs church Sessions “to keep a full and permanent roll of all baptized children, and carefully to note their public confession of Christ, their passing beyond the watch and care of the church, or their removal by, death.” (Minutes G, A., 1882, p. 98.) 7. Years of discretion. ‘The years of discretion in young Christians cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to the prudence of the Session.’’ The officers of the church are the judges of the qualifications of those to be admitted to sealing ordinances; and of the time when it is proper to admit young Christians to them. (D. W., Ch. X, §§ 2, 3.) 8. Forms of admission, distinction in. ‘‘The ad- mission of persons to sealing ordinances is confided, in the Form of Government, really and exclusively to the church Session. Any forms, for publicly recognizing those who have been thus admitted to sealing ordinances, should keep in view the principle thus declared, and should give 94 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. effect to the distinction, so clearly laid down by our Standards, between admitting the children of the Church to the Lord’s Table, and the unbaptized to membership in the Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1872, p. 89.) 9. Church relation of baptized children when they arrive at maturity. This subject has been repeatedly before the General Assembly, and has been always in- definitely postponed. That no decision has been reached by the Assembly, leaves the question within the sphere of authority of the church Sessions. Each Session, therefore, should act from time to time upon the question, whether the baptized children under its care who have reached maturity, and who after frequent conference still decline to perform the duties of Church members, should be retained on the Sessional roll of baptized children. 10. Certificates of dismission. ‘The names of bap- tized children are to be included in a parent’s certificate of dismission. (B. D., Ch. XII, § 114.) ‘‘When parents with their families, are dismissed to other churches, the names of baptized children, who have neither come to years of discretion nor become communicants, should be embraced in the certificate given.” (Minutes G. A., 1882, p. 98.) XVII. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. The following sections include a comprehensive state- ment of the actions of the General Assembly relating to Christian education in the particular church. They con- tain also an excellent outline, for the guidance of Church officers and members, of an adequate program of Christian education for the local congregation. If more detailed information is desired concerning such a program, it may be obtained from the Board of Christian Education. 1. Constitutional provisions. ‘‘All children born within the pale of the visible Church are members of the Church, are to be baptized, are under the care of the CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH. 95 Church, and subject to its government and discipline.”’ (B. D., Ch. I, § 6.) ‘The church Session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation; for which purpose, they have power to. . . concert the best measures for promoting the spiritual interests of the congregation; to supervise the Sabbath school and the various societies or agencies of the congregation.” (F. G., @haeuxs, $6.) 2. General responsibility of the Session. ‘That it belongs emphatically to the pastors and elders of each congregation to direct and supervise the whole work of the spiritual training of the young, and that it is an im- portant part of the functions of their office, both to en- courage parents to fidelity in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and, also, to secure the codperation of all the competent members of the Church in the religious education of all the children and youth to whom they can gain access.” (Minutes G. A., N. S., 1864, p. 507.) “Our investigation of the work of religious education within the particular church convinced us that its greatest need is intelligent, interested and con- stant supervision. ... In but few congregations is there any attempt at covering the whole field of religious education, as must be done, if the Church is to discharge, even in a fair degree, her duty properly to nurture the youth. This business of supervision belongs to the pastor and Sesssion. ... Where the Session is willing and able to give to this work the time and attention it must have, it may be well for it to attend to it rather than to entrust it to another body. But no Session should feel justified in refusing to do both, for it ought either to do the work itself or to commit it to some one else.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1911, p. 31.) 3. Delegation of responsibility by the Session. “The responsibility for all of the educational work in a particular church is with the pastor and Session, and nothing should be done to lessen their sense of it, but 96 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. rather everything should be done to deepen it. Never- theless, this work is of sufficient importance to justify— indeed, to require—its committal to a committee acting under their authority. ... This committee might be called The Council of Religious Education.” (Minutes G. A., 1910, p. 146.) ‘That particular churches are advised anew to form Councils of Religious Education, which, under the direction of the Session, shall have charge of the educational work within their bounds.’ (Minutes G. A., 1913, p. 251.) 4. Family religion. ‘That the General Assembly hereby specially directs the attention of the whole Church to this momentous subject, in the full assurance that no part of the work of the Church is more fundamental and important than that which is performed in the quietness and sanctity of homes where Christian parents are the divinely chosen and responsible guardians, examples, and teachers of their children, in the way of the Lord.” (Min- utes G. A., 1875, p. 504.) “That this Assembly recommend and urge that Sessions make diligent efforts to impress upon their congregations the value of the home as an educational agency, that by personal visitation, or other- wise, they endeavor to secure in the home proper religious instruction and that they lay special emphasis upon the maintenance, establishment, or restoration of the family altar as an educative and moulding influence of priceless value.” (Minutes G. A., 1918, p. 152.) 5. Attendance upon church services. “That church Sessions are earnestly advised to give careful attention to young Christians in accordance with the provisions of the Directory for Worship, Chapter X, Section 1. ... In this connection Sessions are requested to give particular attention to the attendance of the baptized children of the Church at church services.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1915, p. 327.) 6. Catechetical instruction. ‘The use of the Cate- chism in the religious instruction of the young, and of the children under the care of the Church, is affectionately CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH. 97 and earnestly recommended to the Sessions, as the most effectual means, under God, of preserving the purity, peace, and unity of the Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1832, p. 372.) ““The General Assembly calls our pastors, Sessions, and Sunday-school superintendents to renewed faithful- ness in the use of the Shorter Catechism for the instruction of our children and youth in the doctrines and duties of our religion.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1924, p. 115.) 7. Missionary education. ‘That pastors and Sessions be advised as to the superior educational methods and the excellent material provided by our various Boards for the nurture of the youth in missionary work through the Sunday schools, mission study classes, Young People’s Societies, and Guilds; and that they be zealous to make use of these methods and this material.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1912, p. 88.) ‘That the Assembly urges all churches and Sunday schools to engage in systematic missionary education.” (Minutes G. A., 1917, p. 219.) ‘“That the General Assembly urges upon the churches the thorough study of missions, not only in the Sunday schools and Young People’s Societies, but through the Church School of Missions.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1924, p. 115.) 8. Stewardshipeducation. The Presbyterian Church should ‘‘make the Sabbath school a training school in the methods and objects of Christian benevolence, to the end that our young people may understand and love the great Boards of our Church—not part, but all of them.’’ (Min- utes G. A., 1895, p. 88.) ““That stewardship as taught by our Lord—ineluding within its scope not only giving but also spending and saving and acquiring money and indeed the entire life—be presented with fresh and constant emphasis, calling upon everyone to make a practical acknowledg- ment of God’s rights in all possessions by the dedication of the first fruits—a definite proportion of the net income —to be given for extending the Kingdom of heaven upon earth.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1920, p. 248.) 98 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 9. Temperance instruction. ‘General Assembly most emphatically requests the Sessions of our various churches to provide for systematic Biblical instruction, in the Sabbath schools under their care, in the principles of temperance, as interpreted by our Church, and that such instruction be given at least each quarterly Sabbath— i. e., every three months.” (Minutes G. A., 1891, p. 148.) 10. The Sunday school. a. Supervision by the Session. “We would again call the attention of our Sabbath schools to the deliverances of former General Assemblies, which refer the supervision of their work, the selection of officers and teachers, the direction of the benevolence, and the general conduct of the school to the Session of the church.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 627.) b. Method of selecting officers and teachers. “In all of our Sabbath schools superintendents should be chosen or appointed, subject to the approval of the Session.” (Minutes G. A., 1878, p. 26.) “The selection of teachers belongs to the Session of the Church.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 627.) These powers of the Session may be ex- ercised directly, or the Session may act upon recommenda- tion, or the Session may delegate these powers. c. Supported by the church. ‘Many of our schools are left by the particular churches to which they belong with- out any proper provision for their support. The schools are left to provide the funds for their current expenses; and the intelligent interest and affection of the children are centered in self-care. No more should parents expect their children to pay for their own bread, clothes, and schoolbooks than should the church expect them to bear the expense of their instruction in the Sabbath school.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 88.) d. Statistical report. An annual report has been ordered by the General Assembly for the use of the Board of Christian Education. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH. 99 e. Special days. “That the recommendations on Special Days in the Sunday schools... , as follows, be approved and adopted: National Missions: Lincoln’s Birthday in February. Children’s Day in June. Thanksgiving Day in November. Foreign Missions: Christmas. Easter. Christian Education: Rally Day—last Sunday in September. Vocation Day—first Sunday in May. Interdenominational Young People’s Day—last Sunday in January.” (Minutes General Council, May 20, 1925, p. 7.) fj. Presbyterian helps. ‘We earnestly recommend the use in all our schools of our Presbyterian lesson helps and periodicals.”” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 88.) ‘That the Assembly calls the attention of churches and Sabbath schools to the fact that our Board provides Sabbath- school lesson helps and literature unexcelled, and recom- mends their use in preference to those provided by out- side publishing houses.” (Minutes G. A., 1916, p. 157.) 11. Young People’s Work. a. In general. ‘We recommend that the pastors and leaders of the Church be urged to promote and encourage all efforts toward religious education among their Young People’s Societies.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1909, p. 144.) “That in each church there be developed an educational program which shall include in its scope all the young people of the church, and which shall bring into closer codrdination all young people’s organizations. For the development of trained leaders and efficient workers to carry on this educational program, each church is urged to make the fullest possible use of the summer conferences and winter 100 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. ' institutes as conducted by the Board.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1920, p. 138.) b. Young People’s Day. “That the General Assembly, having designated the first Sunday in February as Young People’s Day, strongly recommends the observance of the day, and urges Young People’s Societies to make a special contribution to the work being carried on by our denomination in their behalf.” (Minutes G. A., 1916, p. 157.) In view of the fixing of the last Sunday in January as Interdenominational Young People’s Day (see p. 99), that Sunday is now observed as Young People’s Day in our Church. 12. Week-day religious education. a. The Daily Vacation Bible School. ‘We recommend this plan of religious instruction (the Vacation Bible School) to the Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1918, p. 187.) ‘‘We recommend to all our churches the Daily Vacation Bible School and urge that wherever possible such schools be organized.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1919, p. 222.) b. Week-day religious instruction. ‘That churches be urged to organize themselves with a view to the discharge of their responsibilities in the Christian nurture of the children and youth, that they study means of making the Sunday school a more effectual school of religion, par- ticularly by training adequately qualified teachers, that they organize and maintain Daily Vacation Bible Schools and week-day schools for religious instruction, codperating with our evangelical churches wherever advisable.” (Minutes G. A., 1923, p. 133.) ‘That the General Assem- bly urges upon the Synods, Presbyteries, and churches a careful canvass of the values of the various forms of week- day religious instruction during the vacation period and during the public-school year, including the Daily Vaca- tion Bible School, the summer Bible school, on the Lathem plan, and the denominational community type of organiza- tion for week-day and Sunday correlated religious in- - CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH. 101 struction during the public-school year.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1924, p. 115.) c. Communicants’ classes. ‘That pastors be especially urged to be faithful in conducting communicants’ classes in connection with week-day schools for religious instruc- tion where such are in existence.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1920, p. 133.) 13. A comprehensive program. “That in each church there be developed an educational program which shall include in its scope all the young people of the church, and which shall bring into closer coérdination all the young people’s organizations.’ (Minutes G. A., 1920, p. 133.) ‘That the General Assembly approves and urges upon the Synods, Presbyteries, and churches the far- reaching possibilities and great importance of the unifica- tion of all the educational activities of the individual church in a comprehensive and definite educational pro- gram under the competent direction of a Council or Com- mittee of Christian Education.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1924, p. 114.) “That the General Assembly commend the progress made in the development (by the Board of Christian Education) of the comprehensive age-group programs o1 religious education and urge all pastors and Sessions care- fully to examine the Presbyterian Program for Young People with a view to its adoption.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1925, p. 49.) 14. Leadership training. ‘That recognizing that the greatest need in the educational activities of our Church of today is that of consecrated trained teachers of our children and youth, we call upon all pastors and Sessions to make teacher-training a part of the policy of the in- dividual church.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1919, p. 221.) 15. Relation of the individual church to the Board of Christian Education. . With reference to he Department of Home and Church of the Board of Christian Education, “This Department shall take over and develop the work of Christian nurture, in the home and church, as 102 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. now organized in the Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work. ... The program of said work being now done by the Board of Publication and Sabbath School Work is given in the annual report of 1922, pages 9-22, to which reference is made for the full statement. It includes the work of the Sunday school in all its depart- ments, the development of its educational efficiency through the better training of teachers, and the use of suitable literature and methods, its extension through the development of such agencies as the Daily Vacation Bible Schools and the week-day Church schools, the promotion of a correlated program of religious instruction in the home and church, emphasizing home religion and the family altar, the training of leadership in religious educa- tion and the Young Peopl>’s Work. To plan or and extend this work is the function of this Department.” (Minutes G. A., 1923, pp. 136, 1387.) Inquiries about the program of Christian nurture or religious education in the home, church, and community, developed and promoted by this Department, under the authority of the General Assem- bly, may be addressed to Department of Home and Church, Board of Christian Education, Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 16. Co-operation with the International Council of Religious Education. ‘The Assembly approves the codperation of the Board in the International Sunday School Council of Religious Education, and anticipates from its Committee on Education an educational leader- ship in the formulation of a national policy of religious education for the evangelical churches.” (Minutes G, A., 1922, p. 222.) XVIII. WORSHIP. 1. GENERAL MATTERS. 1. Importance of weekly worship. “The great im- portance of weekly assembling the people, for the publie WORSHIP. 103 worship of God, in order thereby to improve their knowl- edge; to confirm their habits of worship, and their desire of the public ordinances; to augment their reverence for the most high God; and to promote the charitable affections which unite men most firmly in society.” (F. G., Ch. X-XI, § 1.) For the fundamental doctrines connected with | worship, see the Confession of Faith, Chapter XXI, and also this Manual, p. 45. 2. Worship under control of minister and Session. “By our Constitution the whole arrangement of a church as to worship and order is committed to the minister and Session.’’ (Minutes G. A., O: 8., 1845, p. 21.) ‘“The General Assembly takes notice that the exclusive authority of the Session over the worship of the church, including not only the times and places of preaching the Word, but also the music and the use of the church buildings, is not sufficiently appreciated by the Church at large, and that there are frequent complaints that trustees of congregations assume power and authority, especially over music and the use of church buildings, which are not warranted by, but are in conflict with, the Constitution of the Church. The Assembly enjoins upon the churches loyal adherence to our Form of Government, providing that the authority of the Session over all matters of worship is paramount, and at the same time recommends that all such questions be treated by the Session with Christian tact and courtesy, in the spirit of love and forbearance.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1893; panos te Gy Chalx, § 3. The parts of public worship. ‘The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching, and conscionable. hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence; singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as, also, the due admin- istration and worthy receiving of the Sacraments insti- tuted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: besides religious oaths, and vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasions; which 104 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.” (C. F., Ch. XXI, § 5. See, also, F. G., Ch. VII.) 4. Directory a part of the Constitution. The Directory for Worship is a part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, and as such is obligatory upon both ministers and Sessions, except where its provisions are commendatory or optional in their phraseology. 5. Simplicity in worship. The simplicity of the New Testament, in respect to the worship of the house of God, is not only universally desirable, but available and prac. ticable. It is free from burdensome expenses and dis- tractive entanglements. ‘The Sessions of the churches are urged to preserve, in act and spirit, the simplicity of service indicated in the Directory for Worship.” (Minutes G. A., 1874, p. 83.) 6. Ministers’ duties in connection with worship. The Constitution of the Church gives to ministers positive and discretionary power in the following matters connected with the worship of the Church, viz.: (1) Public prayer (D. W., Ch. V, § 4). (2) Public reading of the Scriptures (D. W., Ch. III, § 1). (8) Public exposition and preaching (L. C., Q. 158). (4) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (C. F., Ch. XXVII, § 4). (5) Church music (D. W., Ch. IV, § 4). (6) Blessing the people. With the duties thus assigned to ministers neither the Session nor any other authority in the congregation can interfere. Itis their right to conduct public worship in accordance with the discretion vested in them by the Constitution. 7. Posture in prayer. The Assembly in 1870 declared action upon posture in prayer and praise inexpedient. (Minutes, p. 28.) It is to be remembered, however, that “the posture of standing in public prayer and that of kneeling in private prayer are indicated by examples in Scripture.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1849, p. 255; 1859, p. 38.) Further, standing in public prayer was the approved WORSHIP. 105 posture in the primitive Church. Whatever the attitude, it should be characterized by reverence. 8. Responsive reading. The Assembly of 1888, in an appeal case (Minutes, p. 112), decided that this practice was not contrary to the Constitution of the Church. 9. Forms in use by the Reformed churches. Each minister is at liberty ‘‘to avail himself of the Calvinistic or other ancient devotional forms of the Reformed churches, so far as may seem to him for edification.” (Minutes G. A., 1882, p. 95.) In 1903 the General Assembly appointed ‘‘a committee who should prepare, in harmony with the Directory for Worship, a Book of Simple Forms and Services.’’ In due time this resulted in the publishing of the ‘‘Book of Common Worship,” which the Assembly has “‘authorized for voluntary use in the churches.” 10. Apostles’ Creed. ‘It use in worship is not con- trary to law.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1892, p. 35.) 11. Bulletin of services. In many churches it is now the usage to issue a regular printed weekly or monthly bulletin of the church services and other meetings, for both the Sabbath and the week days. This is distributed to the members of the church under the direction of the pastor. Its advantages are two in number—that it gives relief from the reading of notices from the pulpit, and that it serves as a reminder to Church members at their homes. 2. CuHurRcH Music. 1. Extent of Sessional jurisdiction. The appoint- ment of leaders, organists, and other helpers; the choice between congregational and choir singing, and all other matters connected with the music of the church, are under the supervision and control of the Session, except where the Constitution gives authority to the minister. ‘‘The Assembly leaves to each Session the delicate and important matter of arranging and conducting the music as to them shall seem most for edification, recommending great 106 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. caution, prudence, and forbearance in regard to it.’ (Minutes G. A., 1884, p. 115.) See pp. 103, 316. 2. Congregational singing commended. ‘The whole congregation should be furnished with books, and ought to join in this part of worship. It is proper to sing without parceling out the psalm, line by line. The practice of reading the psalm, line by line, was introduced in times of ignorance, when many in the congregation could not read: therefore, it is recommended, that it be laid aside, as far as convenient.’ (D. W., Ch. IV, § 3.) ‘‘ ‘The Lord delights in the praise of all his people.’ This being the only part of the worship in which they distinctly and audibly unite, it is especially desirable that, as far as may be, the whole congregation shall join therein.” (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 1867, p. 366.) 3. Choirs and musical instruments, when to be used. “The introduction of choirs or musical instru- ments can be justified only as they serve this end (of inspiring and expressing devotion) and aid or accompany sacred song; and no display of artistic skill, no delicacy of vocal training, no measure of musical ability, com- pensates for the violation, or even neglect, of the pro- prieties of divine worship.’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1867, p. 366.) 4, Character of choir members. ‘The conduct of so important a part of divine worship should be com- mitted only to those who respect religion, and, as far as practicable, to those who are in communion with the church.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. §., 1867, p. 366.) 5. Music to be devotional. ‘Church music should be of a devotional character, especially in instrumental and vocal voluntaries. All musical performances incon- sistent with the proprieties of the Sabbath and of the sanctuary, should be suppressed and excluded.” (Minutes G. AsO. Saels67 ip. 365:} 6. Time of rehearsals. “Meetings for rehearsals or mere musical practice should be held during the week CHURCH MUSIC. 107 rather than on the Lord’s Day.’’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1867, p. 366.) 7. Attitude of Session toward the choir. Sessions “are urged to cultivate a kind and fraternal spirit toward those who lead the music of the sanctuary, and to manifest an affectionate and appreciative interest in any endeavors they may make to improve the character of this service, to the end that harmony may be promoted, ‘and all things be done unto edifying.’’’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1867, p. 366.) 8. Character of hymns used. ‘‘When any families or congregations in their religious worship make use of hymns containing erroneous doctrine or trivial matter, it becomes the duty of church Sessions ‘to inquire into the matter, and act as the case may require.” (Minutes G. A., 1806, p. 360.) 9. Furnishing books. ‘The selection and furnishing of the books of praise to be used in the public worship of God are within the power of the Session. Care should be taken, however, to ascertain the general state of feeling in the church before selecting or changing a hymnal, and the choir should be consulted. 10. The Hymnal commended. ‘That we heartily recommend the Hymnal to our churches, and express the earnest hope for the general adoption of this collection as the book of praise throughout our Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 90.) The Hymnal is published by the Board of Christian Education, Witherspoon Building, Philadei- phia. 3. MEETINGS FOR PRAYER. 1. Extent of Sessional jurisdiction. The Session possesses the right to determine how many meetings for prayer shall be held within the bounds of the congregation, and where they shall be held, and to its wisdom and dis- cretion must largely be left the arrangement of these times and places, and such matters, as choosing the leaders and planning the topics. 108 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 4, Sprectiau SERVICES. 1. The Lord’s Day the only holy day. ‘There is no day under the gospel commanded to be kept holy, except the Lord’s Day, which is the Christian Sabbath.” (D. W., Che Xd. Vieeeae) 2. Fasts and thanksgivings. The Directory for Worship empowers church Sessions to determine for par- ticular congregations when it is proper to observe fasts or thanksgivings. (D. W., Ch. XV, § 4.) 3. National thanksgivings. “If at any time the civil power should think it proper to appoint a fast or thanks- giving, it is the duty of the ministers and people of our communion, as we live under a Christian government, to pay all due respect to the same.’’ (D. W., Ch. XV, § 4.) 4, Missionary meetings. ‘The attention of pastors and church Sessions is ealled to the great importance of maintaining regular services, with specific reference to the spread of the gospel throughout the world. The General Assembly has recommended that, in every con- gregation, the first devotional meeting of each month be given up to the consideration of the work of the Lord throughout the world, and to prayer for the world’s con- version.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1879, p. 585; 1880, p. 51; 1891, DiLS2) 5. Week of prayer. ‘That the week beginning with the first Sabbath of January be observed by all our con- gregations as ‘a week of prayer’ for the conversion of the world.” (Minutes G. A., 1859, etc.) Many churches find the week immediately preceding Easter Sunday a time especially suitable for prayer and devotional services. 6. Education and colleges. ‘All our churches and literary institutions are recommended to observe a day of prayer for the influence of the Holy Spirit upon our colleges and seminaries and schools, that our youth gathered therein may be converted to Christ, and more completely consecrated to his service, and that larger SPECIAL SERVICES. 109 numbers of our young men may be inclined to seek the work of the ministry.” (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 688.) The General Assembly has recommended the third Sunday of February as a Universal Day of Prayer for Students and the first Sunday in May as Vocation Day. 7. Sabbath observance. The churches are recom- mended to set apart one service during the year ‘for the purpose of emphasizing and exalting the importance of the observance of the Sabbath Day.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 23.) 8. Temperance and Moral Reform. The Assembly has repeatedly recommended special services in the interest of these causes and active endeavor to promote them. 9. Evangelistic services. Special and protracted religious services have been repeatedly recommended by the General Assembly with a view to reaching and saving the unconverted. The exercises consist of prayer, praise, and preaching, and an after service is often held in which the unsaved are urged to make a decision for Christ. Personal visitation by the pastor and others is employed in addition, as a means of awakening interest in spiritual things. 10. Persons engaged. ‘The person to whom the special services should be always entrusted is the pastor of the church. Other ministers may be invited with his consent to codperate, but both the power and the re- sponsibility in all matters should be vested in him. If one of the class of ministers, known as evangelists, is invited to assist in the meetings, great care should be taken to choose a person of unquestioned ability, dis- cretion, knowledge, and soundness in the faith. 5. WOMEN AND CHURCH SERVICES. 1. The Session vested with discretion. ‘‘The Assembly expresses no opinion as to the Scriptural view of woman’s right to speak and pray in the social prayer 110 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. meeting, but commits the whole subject to the discretion of the pastors and elders of the churches.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1874, pp. 32, 66.) “The Assembly regards all prohibitions contained in God’s Word as equally binding on the Church to-day as at any period of its history, but does not regard the passages cited as forbidding the participation of women in certain of the assemblies for worship in the church. The extent of this participation, in our judgment, should be left to the wise discretion of the pastor and elders in each particular church.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1893, p. 114.) 6. In Vacant CHURCHES. 1. To be held every Lord’s Day. “It is recom- mended that every vacant congregation meet together, on the Lord’s Day, at one or more places, for the purpose of prayer, singing praises, and reading the Holy Scriptures, together with the works of such approved divines, as the Presbytery within whose bounds they are may recommend, and they may be able to procure.” (F. G., Ch. X XI, § 1.) 2. Elders or deacons to preside. ‘‘And that the elders or deacons be the persons who shall preside, and select the portions of Scripture, and of the other books to be read; and to see that the whole be conducted in a be- coming and orderly manner.” (F. G., Ch. XXI, § 1.) It is to be noticed in this provision of the Form of Govern- ment, that it is not required that either elders or deacons shall read the selections from the works of approved divines at these services. This duty they may assign to any capable Church member, whom they may deem com- petent. Further, deacons as well as elders may be the presiding officers. 3. Reason for Chapter XXI. The reasons for the insertion in the Form of Government of Chapter XXI lies in the fact that in certain portions of the country, churches at times find it difficult to secure the services of an or- dained minister. Where the services of such a minister BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS. 111 cannot be obtained, and then only, the elders or deacons should take charge of the services. See, also, ‘Pulpit of vacant church,” pp. 128, 264. XIX. BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS. 1. GENERAL. 1. Design and purposes. Every member of the con- gregation should “be trained to give of his substance systematically, and as the Lord has prospered him, to promote the preaching of the gospel in all the world and to every creature, according to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ.’’ (D. W., Ch. VI, § 1.) 2. Place and time. ‘The proper order, both as to the particular service of the day and the place in such service for receiving the offerings, may be left to the discretion of the minister and Session of the church.”(D.W., Ch. VI, §2.) 3. Giving to be an act of worship. “The bringing of such offerings (should) be performed as a solemn act of worship.”’ (D. W., Ch. VI, § 1.) “That it may be a separate and specific act of worship, the minister should either precede or immediately follow the same with a brief prayer, invoking the blessing of God upon it and devoting the offerings to his service.”’ (D. W., Ch. VI, § 2.) 4. Ministers to cultivate liberality. “It is the duty of every minister to cultivate the grace of liberal giving in his congregation, that every member thereof may offer according to his ability, whether it be much or little.” (D. W., Ch. VI, § 5.) 5. Ministers to furnish information. ‘Every minister is charged to keep his people thoroughly informed concerning the work of the Boards, and the demand that such work is making upon every member.” (Minutes GAs, 1887, 22.) 6. Offerings ordered must be taken. In the matter of offerings ordered by a higher judicatory, such as the 112 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. General Assembly, ‘it is inconsistent with our Church government to be under the check or prohibition of a church Session; they indeed may give or withhold their charity, but may not prevent a minister to propose it publicly according to our appointment.” (Minutes General Synod, 1755, p. 215.) Sessions should make place for all such offerings, 7. Rights of Church members. It is the unques- tioned right of all members of the Church to have an opportunity afforded them to give to any benevolent or missionary cause recommended by Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly. To refuse to afford them the exercise of this right 1s to encroach upon individual liberty, as well as to deny Church authority. 8. Duty of Session to increase gifts. Sessions are “urged to calculate what proportionate increase in their contributions is necessary to comply with” the recom- mendations of the General Assembly, “and that they endeavor earnestly to raise that sum.” (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 121.) 9. Systematic giving to be illustrated by elders. “Elders should testify, out of their own knowledge and experience, to the benefits and blessings of systematic principled giving to the Lord.” (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 121.) . 2. OBJECTS. 1. The Boards. The benevolent and missionary work of the Presbyterian Church is carried on by four organiza- tions known as Boards, whose members are elected by the General Assembly, and for which offerings are annually recommended by the Assembly. They are the Boards of National Missions and of Foreign Missions, located at 156 Fifth avenue, New York City; the Boards of Christian Education and of Ministerial Relief and Sustentation, at 1319 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 2. Support of Sabbath school. See p. 98. BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS. 118 3. Offerings for the poor. See p. 307. 4, Church support. See p. 218. 5. Extra-budget objects. The General Assembly has repeatedly called the attention of our churches to the im- portance of raising in full the amount assigned for the work of the Boards of the Church, and has urged that extra-budget objects of all sorts be given consideration only when said amount has been fully reached. The General Assembly has also given the Sessions of our churches, under the general authority granted Sessions by our form of government over all the organizations of a particular church, supervision of the distribution of the funds of these church organizations. Also the General Assembly has urged that these local church organizations be restrained from bestowing gifts upon extra-budget objects, however worthy, until their full duty has been performed with relation to the officially recognized work of our Boards. 3. MetTHODS. 1. Methods in general. It is difficult to suggest a method for the gathering of offerings, which shall be available and useful in all congregations. In choosing a method, a Session should take fully into consideration the circumstances of the congregation over which it is placed. 2. Some method should be adopted. The Sessions should formally adopt at the beginning of each fiscal year —that is, April 1—a scheme of benevolent and missionary offerings. This may be either by (a) the monthly plan of plate collections after due announcement, (b) the subscrip- tion-card plan, (c) the weekly or monthly envelope system, or (d) the weekly basket offerings, or some other plan, as to the Session may seem wise. 3. Systematic giving; every member plan. The in- junction in connection with giving is found in the com- mand, ‘‘Upon the first day of the week let every one of 114 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” “The Assembly in 1917 defined systematic giving as in- volving ‘an offering from every member of the Church for benevolences as well as for local church support, secured by an individual subscription, on a weekly basis, through an annual personal canvass of the whole congregation.’ ” (Digest, 1922, Vol. II, p. 695.) 4. Budget method. The method by which each Church in our denomination has assigned it, as an ob- jective, a certain sum to be raised for and distributed among the Boards and the other recognized agencies of the Church, on the basis of a set of percentages, is as follows: . The General Council of the General Assembly, after ascertaining with the greatest care the least sums of money which the Boards and other Agencies of the Church will require for the coming fiscal year, to maintain present work and make imperatively needed advances, determines the total amount of the benevolent budget for said year. A committee known as ‘‘The Committee on Apportion- ment” then takes this budget total and divides it among the Synods. This Committee on Apportionment is com- posed of one representative from each Synod of the Church, elected by the Synod. The sum assigned each Synod is similarly divided among the Presbyteries of the Synod by a committee composed of representatives appointed by the Presbyteries of the Synod. Similarly, the amount assigned each Presbytery is divided among the churches composing it by a Presbyterial committee. 5. Proportionate giving. Proportionate giving has been defined to be ‘‘the devoting of a definite proportion of the net income to be given for the extension of the Kingdom of heaven throughout the earth.” (Digest, 1922, Vol. II, p. 695.) The General Assembly recommends “that it be the unwearied effort of all elders of our churches to secure a general acceptance of the principle and adop- tion of the practice of proportionate giving.” (Minutes BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS. 115 G. A., 1889, p. 68.) ‘We need now to advance a step and lay a holy stress upon proportion. A man who gives a cent a week where he ought to give a dollar is systematic, but he is cheating the Lord out of ninety-nine cents.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 82.) 6. Weekly offerings. “It is proper and very desirable that an opportunity be given for offerings... every Lord’s Day.” (D. W., Ch. VI, § 1.) “The plan of weekly wor- shipful offerings is urged upon the earnest practical atten- tion of all our Sessions.”’ (Minutes G, A., 1887, p. 121; 1888, p. 255.) 7. Individual pledges. “That the system of individual pledges, either to the general beneficence of the Church, or to the work of any special Board, be favored as superior both in principle and practice to any mode of sporadic contribution.”’ (Minutes G, A., 1887, p. 121.) 8. Subscription card and envelope plan. Up-to- date information with regard to these and possibly other plans may be had by applying to the Boards of the Church. See page 220. 9. Designated months for the Boards. For churches that have not yet adopted the scheme of weekly offerings set forth in the Directory for Worship, Chapter VI, it is recommended that the following months be set apart for contributions to the Boards: Board Month 1. National Missions November 2. Foreign Missions January 3. Ministerial Relief and Sustentation When convenient 4, Christian Education October 10. Combination of offerings discouraged. ‘This Assembly discourages the practice of combining the offerings for pure benevolence and those for the church’s current expenses in the same collection, as injurious to both causes; nothing in this is to be construed against individual liberty as set forth in Chapter VI, Section 3, of the Directory for Worship.” (Minutes, 1887, p. 122.) 116 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 11. Fairs, etc., discountenanced. The Assembly has spoken disapprovingly of fairs, and suppers, and the like, as expedients for filling the Lord’s treasury. (Minutes G. A.,°1893, p: 122.) 12. The tithe system. While Christians in their private capacity may accept or reject the Old Testament tithing system, Sessions have no authority to impose it in any form upon Church members. Their authority in connection with benevolent offerings is simply that of recommendation. 4, DISTRIBUTION. 1. Session to distribute. ‘The offerings received may be apportioned among the Boards of the Church and among other benevolent and Christian objects, under the supervision of the church Session, in such proportion and on such general plan as may from time to time be deter- mined.” (D. W., Ch. VI, $3.) 2. Will of the donor controls gifts. ‘The specific designation by the giver of any offering to any cause or causes shall always be respected and the will of the donor carefully carried out.’ (D. W., Ch. VI, § 3.) 3. Diversion of gifts improper. In addition to the provision of the Constitution which requires that the will of the donor shall control designated gifts, it should be further borne in mind by Session that when collections have been gathered, after due public notice, for any specified purpose, that such publicly announced purpose decides finally the use to which the money is to be put. Only miscellaneous and undesignated gifts are under the discretionary control of the Session. 4, Treasurer. Sce under that head, p. 59. 5. Apportionment of benevolence funds. ‘The apportionment by the General Assembly of the different percentages of benevolent offerings to the several Boards may be ascertained by consulting the annual Minutes of the General Assembly. These are the specified objects: CHURCH SOCIETIES. 117 Foreign Missions, National Missions, Christian Education, Ministerial Relief and Sustentation, American Bible Society, Federal Council of Churches of Christ. 5. REPoRTs. 1. Annual statistical report. The blank form for the annual statistical report of each church to Presbytery is furnished by the stated clerk of that judicatory. It should be filled out by the Session, and should contain all the information thereon requested. The blank forms have printed upon them the directions necessary for their proper preparation. That the annual statistical report of the church may adequately report the work and benev- olences of the church, the Session should give ample notice to all the organizations of the church that a detailed statement of their financial operations and gifts to all causes, for the current year, closing March 31, is to be filed with the treasurer of the Session on or immediately following said date. That these reports may be uniform and inclusive, many church Sessions provide suitable report blanks. XX. CHURCH SOCIETIES. This is the day of the multiplication of organizations for the performance of benevolent and missionary work in connection with the Christian churches. It is necessary in order to efficiency of operation and to the highest welfare of the congregations that the Sessions should supervise the organization and management of such societies. By so doing the Session will both act within its power and effectually promote the interests of the cause of Christ. Great tact and kindliness of spirit are indispensable to successful control. It is impracticable to enter into a 118 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. minute statement of the nature and number of these societies, but in general they are as follows: 1. MuIssIoNARY AND OTHER SOCIETIES. 1. Women’s societies. In many of the churches two missionary societies composed of women are to be found, one in the interest of home missions, and the other of foreign missions. They hold regular meetings, gather funds for specific purposes, and are very useful in stimulat- ing interest in general in the great work of missions. Usually they are in connection with the general organiza- tions auxiliary to the two great missionary Boards, viz., National Missions and Foreign Missions. The organiza- tions of these women’s societies is recommended in every one of our churches. They have been repeatedly approved by the General Assembly. As early as 1878 the Assembly called ‘‘attention to the enlarging efforts and the growing influence of the women of the Presbyterian Church in the work committed to the denomination”’; and pointed “with peculiar satisfaction and emphatic approbation to the noble record to which these women are daily adding by their efficiency and devotion.” (Minutes G. A., 1878, pp. 102, 103.) 2. Pastor’s Aid societies. In some churches or- ganizations of women exist whose object is to aid the minister in his pastoral work. Such societies can render most efficient service. If formed, they should have the approval of the Session, and should consist of all the ladies who are active in church affairs, Neither their officers nor their members are to be set apart formally for their work. 3. Deaconesses. “In all ages of the Church godly women have been appointed to aid the officers of the church in their labors, especially for the relief of the poor and infirm. They rendered important service in the apostolic Church, but they do not appear to have been elected by CHURCH SOCIETIES. 119 the people or to have been ordained and installed.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1884, p. 114.) Until recent years the Presbyterian Church had not incorporated the office of deaconess into its system of Church government; but beginning in 1915, it now recognizes three different types of service in the Church which may be rendered by women. (See under ““The Deaconess,” p. 309.) 4. Other societies. In addition to the societies above named, organizations of young women and of children for missionary purposes are found in many of the churches. If it is thought wise to organize the latter, they should be placed in connection with adult societies formed for the same purposes, so that there may be concert of action by all persons within the congregation, interested in similar lines of work. In some churches, organizations for men and boys have been formed, which have proved useful in stimulating interest in church work among the male members of the congregation, and in some cases have resulted in considerable additions to the communicant members. The organization of these societies is within the discretion of the Session. | 5. Support of missionaries. A society, whether of women or young people, may render valuable service to the missionary Boards by itself supporting, or uniting with other societies in the support of, a home or foreign missionary. Inquiry as to some special object of missionary effort and benevolence for a society, may be addressed to the proper Board. See p. 112. 6. Officers and contributions. The various societies in the congregation should have the usual staffs of officers, and the treasurer of each should report annually to the Session the amount of the contributions received. 2. YounaG PEOPLE’s SOCIETIES. 1. General statement. ‘These societies are not a new thing within the Presbyterian Church. In one form or 120 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. another they have existed in many of the congregations for more than a generation. As organizations they are under the control of the Sessions, and, whatever their character, their officers should be reported to and con- firmed by the Session, new work should be undertaken only with the consent of the pastor or Session, and annual reports should be submitted. 2. Authority of the Church in general. ‘This Assembly recognizes as under the jurisdiction of the Church all young people’s religious organizations of every name, which are to be found within its churches or composed of the members of its churches. ‘The variety in the forms of these organizations cannot affect the sub- stantial relation which they all alike sustain to the Church in her organized capacity. That relation is, in one sense at least, the relation of a child to its mother, and involves thereby mutual obligations. The Church in her courts owes it to her young people to take account of their aspirations and activities, and to provide proper media for the exercise of these; and the young people, on their part, as members of the Church, have a duty of recognizing fully her spiritual authority, implying, as it does, her right to advise with them, and to direct their movements. It is this authority which unites together all Presbyterian churches into one common body, and it must reach to all of its organizations. Such being the case, the Assembly deems it unnecessary to prescribe any specific form of organization for individual Young People’s Societies, while it expects them to conform to certain acknowledged principles, both general and particular.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1896, p. 62.) 3. General principles controlling societies. ‘In general, these societies are to be organized and to work in conformity with the historic position of the Church as expressed in her Standards and interpreted by her courts. This historic position of the Church needs to be em- phasized to-day with reference to CHURCH SOCIETIES. 121 ‘“(a) The reverence due to the Word of God as the in- fallible rule of faith and practice. The Church cannot countenance as teachers of her young people any men in whom she could not repose confidence as teachers of her older people. ‘““(b) The honor due to the Holy Spirit in the develop- ment of the Christian life, and the emphasis to be placed, under his divine tuition, on the spiritual rather than the formal. “(c) The primary authority and inclusive scope of the vows assumed by our members, when they unite with the Church. “(d) The chief means for growth in grace and n the knowledge of Christ for our young people, as for our older people, are the divinely appointed ordinances of the sanctuary, including prayer, praise, and the reading and preaching of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments, under the direction of the ordained ministry. ““(e) The separation of the Church in its organic ca- pacities from all political creeds and all methods of political action. Our Young People’s Societies may not be utilized for the advancement of any political project, however apparently laudable. The Church inculcates upon her members the loyal discharge of their responsibilities as citizens, but, in political matters, leaves it to the individual conscience to determine as to political parties and can- didates and platforms.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1896, p. 63.) 4. Sessional authority. ‘The General Assembly earnestly desires to impress upon the mind and heart of the whole Church the vital importance of an intimate and loving oversight of the young people under our care; of the need of instructing them in the privileges and obliga- tions of their covenant relations to the Church and to God; and of giving special attention to the organizations thought best for their culture and development; but the Assembly judges that the working, or forming, or manag- ng these organizations and exerting this culture belong 122 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. especially to the churches, Sessions, and Presbyteries; and therefore that no present action by the Assembly is de- manded.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1889, p. 102.) 5. Particulars of Sessional oversight. ‘The par- ticular relations of all our Young People’s Societies to the Church are sustained, in the first instance, to the Session of a particular church, and thence, through the Session, to the Church at large. Each such society is under the im- mediate direction, control, and oversight of the Session of that church in which it is formed, and that oversight is not merely general, but applies to “(a) The constitution of the society, which the Session must be careful to see is framed in accordance with the general principles named hereinbefore, and the received usages of the Presbyterian Church. “(b) The schedule of its services, including the time of meeting, the course of topics, and the general leadership, in order that such services may form an integral part of the work and worship of the Church. *““(c) The election of its officers to this extent, that each society shall submit for the approval of the Session the list of those whom it has chosen, lest unsuitable persons should be placed in positions of influence. “(d) The distribution of its funds, that the regular benevolent work of the Church, under the care of our Boards, be not allowed to suffer through indiscriminate contributions to miscellaneous objects which appeal to individual sympathy.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1896, p. 63.) 6. Number of societies. “It is recommended that inasmuch as it is inexpedient to multiply agencies un- necessarily, it is the judgment of the Assembly that this matter (of Young People’s work) can safely be left, for the present, to the care of the Presbyteries and Sessions.” (Minutes G. A., 1894, p. 89.) 7. All forms of organization commended. ‘The Assembly commends the spirit and purpose manifest in the organization of Young People’s Societies of Christian INDIVIDUAL OVERSIGHT. 123 Endeavor, Westminster Leagues, and other similar organizations among the youth of the Church, and urges all our ministers and elders to be watchful and diligent in furthering, directing, and using this important agency for the advancement of the work of the Master committed to our hands.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1893, p. 127.) . 8. Constitutions to recognize church relation. “The Assembly counsels the youth of its churches, who are banded, or may in the future band themselves, in such societies, formally to recognize in their constitutions their relation to the Church, and their subjection in the Lord to its constituted authorities, and also to provide in their appointment of committees for the study of the doctrines, polity, history, and present activities of the Presbyterian Church.” (Minutes G. A., 1898, p. 127. See also, caption No. 5, above.) 9. Contributions. The method and objects of Young People’s Societies’ contributions to the Boards are “‘left to the judgment of the Sessions of the particular churches.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 79; D. W., Ch. VI, § 4.) 10. Missionary causes. ‘The Assembly commends the special efforts made by the Board of Home Missions and the Board of Foreign Missions to bring the great causes they represent before our young people, and earnestly urges all our societies to inform themselves in regard to, and to sustain, these and other missionary agencies of our own Church. (Minutes G. A., 1893, p. 127. See also p. 119.) XXI. INDIVIDUAL OVERSIGHT. 1. Individual oversight by elders. It is not the pastor alone who has that care of souls which constitutes individual oversight. This most important work is a part of the duty of ruling elders. (Acts 20:28.) The Session, the Constitution declares, ‘Shave power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) Opportunity should 124 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. be given, therefore, in every church for the performance of this duty, and it should be carried forward in a systematic manner. 2. Nature of oversight. The nature of the work of individual oversight is clearly shown by its main purposes, which are the promotion of holiness, knowledge, and use- fulness in the hearts and lives of Christians. Discipline, in the punitive sense of the word, is incidental rather than fundamental thereto. Elders are to engage in it not as constables but as shepherds; not as dictators, but as instructors; not as judges but as fathers. ‘They are to endeavor by wise counsel, teaching, and guidance to produce in those who are under their charge a growing conformity to the likeness of Christ, and their work, there- fore, is to be performed with tact, gentleness, and dignity. A spirit of strife, of anger, or of arbitrariness, is unbecoming in a ruling elder, and is foreign to the important duty of . the care of souls. 3. Extent of oversight. Individual oversight includes all persons connected with the church, children as well as adults. The elder in charge of a district or class in the congregation is responsible to the Session for all persons therein. Especially should elders give attention to the young persons in the church. See p. 293. 4. General duties. The elder in general should make personal acquaintance with the families and individuals of the congregation, notify the pastor of cases needing special attention, give wise counsel to persons needing it, and report upon the moral and spiritual conditions to the Session at its regular meetings. 5. Members with doubts. “Great forbearance should be exercised toward those’ who for any cause doubt their personal piety. ‘“Their unfavorable judgment in regard to themselves may be dependent upon a tem- porary depression of mind. They should, therefore, be the subject of earnest prayer and affectionate expostula- tion, with the hope that they may be brought to the en- INDIVIDUAL OVERSIGHT. 125 joyment of Christian privileges.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1878, p. 58. See B. D., Ch. VII, § 49.) 6. Discipline of members. There is no more prolific and serious cause of weakness to the Church, and of reproach to religion, than the lack of judicious discipline in the way of admonition and reproof. Fidelity and firm- ness in these particulars will prevent the need for more serious action. In connection with all forms of discipline, discretion is given by the Constitution to the Session ‘‘to decide when discipline is necessary, and the extent to which it shall be administered.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1860, p. 21.) See ‘Offences,’ p. 135. 7. Members under discipline. It is necessary for Sessions to remember that two of the great ends of dis- cipline are the restoration of offenders and the promotion of their spiritual welfare... ‘‘Members under discipline are to be treated with the utmost tenderness and Christian affection, that they may be led to see their errors and return to their duty, and that they may be restored to the fellowship of the Church.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1859, p. 548.) 8. Baptized children. See ‘Children of Believers,”’ and “Christian Education in the Particular Church.” 9. Visitation of the sick and afflicted. Elders may visit the sick and afflicted of the congregation’ See p. 293. 10. Licentiates and candidates. Except in the matter of licensure to preach, or ofrecognitionas candidates for the gospel ministry, licentiates and candidates are directly responsible to the Session, the same as any other lay members of the church. If discipline is necessary, they are to be remitted by the Presbytery ‘‘to the Sessions of the churches to which they properly belong.’’ (Minutes mac A. 1829, j7mZ03.) 11. Members desiring to withdraw. See ‘‘Dismissal or Withdrawal of Members,”’ p. 74. 12. Circular letters. The Session will find it advis- able at times to issue a circular letter on the state of the 126 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. congregation. Such letters are printed in some churches annually. They should be prepared by the pastor, and issued with the signatures of all the members of the Session. XXII. STATISTICAL AND OTHER REPORTS. 1. PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS. 1. General statement. Presbyteries and Synods from time to time require reports from church Sessions upon various subjects. These reports should be furnished promptly, should state clearly and fully the information desired, and should be forwarded to the person named to receive them, in time for comparison and tabulation. 2. Insertion of reports in the records. It is recom- mended that notice of the adoption of all reports made to the superior judicatories be inserted in the records of the Session. Copies of all reports should be kept on file, and in some cases they should be entered in full in the Minutes. This is especially true of the statistical report to Presby- tery. (See this Manual, p. 61.) 2. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 1. General statement. In addition to special reports for committees, at times ordered by the Assembly, the annual statistical report should be carefully prepared, and be presented when desired. This latter report is given a permanent form by being included in the statistical report of the Presbytery with which a given church is connected. 2. Minutes of Assembly. The statistical report of each church, as a part of the report of its Presbytery, is printed in the Minutes of General Assembly each year. A copy of these Minutes is furnished to every minister whose Presbytery has paid its apportionment to the Assembly’s Fund, to the Session of every vacant church STATISTICAL REPORTS, 127 paying its apportionment for General Assembly expenses, and to the elder commissioners who are in attendance upon the General Assembly. 3. Authority for statistical report. The directions to stated clerks of Presbyteries, as found in the annual Minutes, have been adopted by the General Assembly, and Presbyteries and church Sessions have been directed to prepare their statistical reports, so far as required for the use of the General Assembly, in conformity therewith. 4. Blank form. The form for the statistical report is furnished by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly through the stated clerk of Presbytery. If not received by April 1, a request for it should be sent to the latter officer. 5. Directions as to filling columns. ‘The specific directions for filling columns are given upon the blank furnished by the stated clerk of Presbytery. G6. Accuracy, etc. It is essential that the blanks should be filled out with neatness and accuracy. Errors are often charged up to the stated clerks of Presbyteries which are due to a failure on the part of the clerks of Sessions in the particulars just indicated. See, for further direction, a copy of the blank under the general head, “Forms for Sessions,” p. 358. 7. Date of report. The report should contain all the items required by General Assembly for the ecclesiastical year, which ends March 31. 8. Forwarding of report. The report should be forwarded to its stated clerk on or before the date desig- nated by Presbytery. Prompt transmission will materially aid the clerk of Presbytery in his work, and add to the value of the report. 9. Changes in statistical report. If the clerk of a Session, in preparing the statistical report, discovers an error after the forwarding of the report to the stated clerk of Presbytery, he should at once inform the latter official 128 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. of the mistake, that the proper change may be made, if possible, in the Minutes of the Assembly. 10. Failure to report. When a church Session fails to report to Presbytery, the fact is noted in the Minutes of General Assembly, by inserting the number of members reported the preceding year, with an (*) in front of the same. XXIII. PULPIT OF VACANT CHURCH. 1. Vacant church defined. ‘Every congregation or church is vacant which has not a pastor duly installed.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 102.) 2. Charge of the pulpit. ‘Every Presbytery shall assign to a committee the supervision of the vacant churches within its bounds. This committee shall, in consultation with representatives of the vacant church, nominate a moderator for the Session, and arrange for the supply of the pulpit. The committee and the church” shall also codperate in seeking and securing a pastor.” (F. G., Ch. XXT, § 2.) 3. Department of Vacancy and Supply. The De- partment of Vacancy and Supply of the Office of the General Assembly is under the supervision of the Stated Clerk. From this department valuable information may always be obtained concerning ministers seeking charges. This department is located in the Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia. 4. Pastors elect have no authority. Pastors elect have no legal authority in particular churches until duly installed by Presbytery. For supervision of the pulpit until such installation, see caption No. 2, immediately above. 5. Pastor elect is not stated supply. The pastor elect ‘is not stated supply by any virtue of the call in progress; and the Presbytery may appoint supplies or give the Session power to supply the pulpit.’’ (Minutes G,. A., 1880, p. 45.) PULPIT OF VACANT CHURCH. 129 6. Stated supply defined. ‘A stated supply is a minister employed by a church, with the authority of Presbytery, for a definite time or period of service.” (Minutes G. A., 1895, p. 102.) 7. Stated supply discouraged. “This Assembly observes with solicitude and deep regret, the wide extent to which the practice of admitting stated supplies prevails throughout the Church, and would call the attention of our Presbyteries especially to the importance of dis- couraging this practice, and would recommend that our Presbyteries, as far as possible, insist upon the institution of the pastoral relation.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 141.) XXIV. REPRESENTATION IN THE HIGHER JUDICATORIES, 1. PRESBYTERY, 1. Power of appointment. The Session is em- powered ‘‘to appoint delegates to the higher judicatories of the Church.” (F. G., Ch. TX, § 6.) 2. Method. Delegates are usually appointed by the . adoption of a resolution of appointment, passed in the customary manner. See under “Forms for Sessions,’ p. 349. 3. Appointment enjoined. “The Synod do recom- mend to the several Presbyteries to call those Sessions to account that do not send elders to attend upon the Synods and Presbyteries, and to enjoin these Sessions to call those elders to account that do not attend upon judica- tories, when sent by them.’ (Minutes General Synod, 1753, p. 2563) . 4. Congregation with a pastor. ‘Every congre- gation, which has a stated pastor, has a right to be repre- sented by one elder.” (F’. G., Ch. X, § 3.) 5. Collegiate church. ‘Every collegiate church has a right to be represented by two or more elders, in pro- 130 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. portion to the number of its pastors.” (F. G., Ch. X, § 3.) The term collegiate church is used of a church with more than one pastor. 6. Vacant church. “Every vacant congregation which is regularly organized shall be entitled to be repre- sented by a ruling elder in Presbytery.” (F. G., Ch. X, § 4.) “Every congregation without a pastor is to be regarded as a vacant congregation, and entitled to be represented by a ruling elder.” (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 18438, pp. 190, 196.) ‘Churches having stated supplies are vacant churches, and are entitled to representation in Presbytery under the provisions of Chapter X.of the Form of Government, Section 5’ (Minutes G. A., 1889, p. 131)—i. e., they are each entitled to send one ruling elder as a commissioner. 7. Alternates. he resolution for the appointment of a commissioner should contain the name of an alternate as well as of a principal, in order to provide for the possible absence of the latter, through sickness or other unavoid- able cause. This usage is based upon the provision in _ Form of Government, Chapter XXII, Section 1, where Presbyteries are authorized to appoint alternate com- missioners to General Assembly. 8. Term of service. “No rule is laid down in our Standards as to the particular term or time of service, of delegates appointed by church Sessions to the higher judicatories of the Church.’”’ The Assembly has left it to each Session ‘“‘to prescribe the particular terms for which, or times at which, its delegates shall attend as its representatives in such judicatories.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1878, p. 69.) Commissioners should, however, be appointed for a definite period in the case of the Pres- bytery, and for both the stated and adjourned meetings of the Synod. 9. Commissioner for adjourned meetings. ‘It is the usage to have the same elder in attendance at an ad- SESSI{ONAL REPRESENTATION. 131 journed, who sat for the Session at the regular meeting of Presbytery.” (Minutes G. A., 1827, pp. 123, 124.) 10. Elder not known, to produce certificate. “Every elder not known to the Presbytery, shall produce a certificate of his regular appointment from the church which he represents.” (F. G., Ch. X, § 5.) 11. Elders retired for disability may not be chosen. “No ruling elder, who has'retired from the active exercise of his office in the church to which he belongs, can be ad- mitted as a member of a Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1835, p. 489.) This decision can be made to apply only to elders who have retired from service on account of physical infirmity, or other permanent disqualifying cause. See the next caption. 12. Elders, capable of service, but not re-elected, may be chosen. “Elders, once ordained, shall not be divested of the office when they are not reélected, but shall be entitled to represent that particular church in the higher judicatories, when appointed by the Session or the Presbytery.” (F. G., Ch. XIII, § 8.) 13. Expenses of ministers and elders. ‘‘In order, as far as possible, to procure a respectable and full delega- tion to all our judicatories, it is proper that the expenses of ministers and elders in their attendance on these judi- catories, be defrayed by the bodies which they respectively represent.” (F: G., Ch. XXII, § 3.) 14. Reports to Session. Church Sessions should require regular reports from the ruling elders appointed by them as their representatives to Presbytery or Synod. See, also, caption No. 3, p. 129. 2. SYNOD. - 1. Constitutional requirement. Many of the Synods are still composed of ‘‘all the bishops and an elder from each congregation.” (F. G., Ch. XI, § 1.) Where this is the case Session should elect commissioners to the 1832 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. Synod within whose jurisdiction their church is located. Where the Synod is a delegated body, the elders are chosen by the Presbytery. See p. 299. 2. Term of service. The term of service of the com- missioner chosen should include the annual stated meeting of Synod, and also any adjourned meetings of the body. 3. Expenses, etc. For other items of information see under preceding head, ‘Representation in Presbytery,” p..129. 3. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The ruling elder commissioners to General Assembly are always chosen by the Presbyteries. See, therefore, this Manual, pp. 301-803. XXV. JUDICIAL CASES, 1. GENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL ._PRINCIPLES. The general principles named below, should always be given due weight in the administration of justice by the Session. 1. Discipline includes both process and oversight. “Discipline is the exercise of that authority, and the application of that system of laws, which the Lord Jesus Christ has appointed in his Church: embracing the care and control, maintained by the Church, over its members, officers, and judicatories.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 1.) See ‘In- dividual oversight,’’ p. 123. 2. The ends of discipline are vindicatory and remedial. ‘The ends of discipline are the maintenance of the truth, the vindication of the authority and honor of Christ, the removal of offences, the promotion of the purity and edification of the Church, and the spiritual good of offenders.”’ (B. D., Ch. I, § 2.) 3. Discipline must be exercised with discretion. “Its exercise, in such a manner as to secure its appropriate ends, requires much prudence and discretion. Judicatories, therefore, should take into consideration all the circum- JUDICIAL CASES, 133 stances which may give a different character to conduct, and render it more or less offensive; and which may require different action, in similar cases, at different times, for the attainment of the same ends.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 2.) The inference is clear, from the section just quoted, that while, in some cases, none other than judicial action may be possible, yet in the majority of cases kindly admonition may avail to prevent process. That congregation is best governed where the authority of Christ is so enforced, and the laws of the Church so administered, as to avoid the necessity for judicial process. See, also, caption No. 6, p. 125. The General Assembly, further, has recommended “utmost tenderness and Christian affection” in dealing with persons holding mistaken views of duty. (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1859, p. 548.) See, also, “References,” p. 175. 4, Prompt action should be had when discipline is required. “It is the opinion of the Assembly that had the improper conduct of the appellant been made a subject of discipline at an earlier period, a more happy issue might have been reached.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 1859, p. 547.) “Tt is the judgment of this Assembly that the Session ought immediately to have administered admonition in con- sequence of unchristian conduct.’”’ (Minutes G. A., 1827, p. 203.) 5. Rights of members are to be carefully ob- served. “It is the sacred right of every member of the Presbyterian Church to have a full and fair trial, according to the laws and methods of his Church, before condemna- tion.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1885, p. 603.) 6. Careful compliance with the Book of Discipline necessary. Sessions should remember that the pro- visions of the Book of Discipline are always to be carefully complied with. They are law both for Church courts and Church members. Departure from them may cause a failure in the administration of justice, and cannot but produce a public impression unfavorable to the character of Church courts. 134 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. 2. Powers. The Constitutional provisions conferring judicial powers upon the Session are as follows: 1. “To these officers the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed, by virtue whereof they have power... to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the word and censures; and to open it unto penitent sinners, ... by absolution from censures.”’ (C. F., Ch. XXX, § 2.) 2. ‘‘They possess the right of requiring obedience to the laws of Christ; and of excluding the disobedient and disorderly from the privileges of the Church. To give efficiency, however, to this necessary and Scriptural authority, they possess the powers requisite for obtaining evidence and inflicting censure. They can call before them any offender against the order and government of the Church; they can require members of their own society to appear and give testimony in the cause; but the highest punishment to which their authority extends, is to exclude the contumacious and impenitent from the congregation of believers.” (F. G., Ch. VIII, § 2.) 3. “The church Session... have power . . . to call before them offenders and witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses where it may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and when they can be procured to attend;... to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend or exclude from the Sacraments, those who are found to deserve censure.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) 3. JURISDICTION. 1. Persons within jurisdiction. Original juris- diction vests in the Session over all persons other than ministers of the gospel. (B. D., Ch. IV, § 19.) This includes ruling elders, deacons, licentiates, local evangelists, and candidates for the ministry, as well as Church members. Licentiates and candidates are to be remitted by the Presbytery ‘‘to the Sessions of the churches to which they properly belong.” (Minutes G. A., 1829, p. 263.) This JURISDICTION, 135 jurisdiction also includes both alleged offenders and wit- nesses. (I. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) See “Citations” and ‘‘Wit- nesses,”’ pp. 146, 148. 2. Exclusiveness of jurisdiction. ‘‘The judicatory, to which a Church member . . . belongs, shall have sole jurisdiction for the trial of offences whenever or wherever committed by him.” (B. D., Ch. XI, § 108.) 3. Matters within jurisdiction. ‘They have power to inquire into the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church.” (F. G., Ch. IX, § 6.) ‘This Assembly reminds the church Sessions that all known departures from the Word of God, in all the pleasures and duties of the private, social, and civil life of their members, are under their supervision.” (Minutes G. A., 1874, p. 85.) See also, “Offences,” immediately below. 4, OFFENCES. a. Constitutional Provisions. 1. Offences, definition. ‘‘An offence is anything, in the doctrine, principles, or practice of a Church member, officer, or judicatory, which is contrary to the Word of God; or which, if it be not in its own nature sinful, may tempt others to sin, or mar their spiritual edification.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 3.) Book of Discipline, Chapter I, Section 4, interprets the expression, “contrary to the Word of God,” so as to include “‘the regulations and practice of the Church founded thereon.’’ This makes the Constitution an authority in the determination of the question as to what acts are offences. Further, the definition in Book of Discipline, Chapter I, Section 3, makes acts, not in their “own nature sinful,” to be offences when their influence is for evil. Great care, however, should be taken in dealing with offences not per se sinful. 2. Limitation upon the powers of Church courts. “Nothing shall, therefore, be the object of judicial process, which cannot be proved to be contrary to the Holy 136 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. Scriptures, or to the regulations and practice of the Church founded thereon; nor anything which does not involve those evils which discipline is intended to prevent.” (B. D., Ch. I, § 4.) . This section emphasizes by its wording the fact that Church courts do not possess the arbitrary power of declaring that a given act, of doubtful propriety on the part of a Christian, is an offence. ‘‘All their decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God.” (F. G., Ch. I, § 7.) It is advised that Sessions, in cases where there is a reasonable doubt as to the nature of alleged offences, memorialize the Presbytery having jurisdiction, prior to action. 3. Offences, list of Scriptural. See, for a full list of offences against the moral law, the following questions and answers in the Larger Catechism, in connection with the sins forbidden by the Ten Commandments. The numbers in parentheses are the numbers of the Com- mandments, the others the numbers of the Catechism questions: (1), Q. 105; (2), Q. 109; (3), Q. 113; (4), Q. 119; (5), Qs. 128, 180, 132; (6), Q. 186; (7), Q. 139; (8), Q. 142: (9), Q. 145; (10), Q. 148. 4. Aggravations of sins. The Larger Catechism, Question 151, gives the following as the reasons for re- garding some sins as more heinous than others: ‘Sins receive their aggravations,’’ (1) from the persons offending; (2) from the parties offended; (3) from the nature and quality of the offence; (4) from circumstances of time and place. See the question in full. 5. Elders and deacons. In addition to charges of immoral conduct, elders and deacons may be charged with schism and heresy. See that caption, p. 298. 6. Heresy. Church members may be charged with departures from the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, for an offence is defined to be anything in the doctrine of a Church member which is contrary to the Word of God, etc. (B. D., Ch. 1, § 3.) Church members, DECISIONS AND DELIVERANCES. 137 however, cannot be put on trial for departures from purely denominational doctrines. See “Subscription,” p. 28. 7. Cases without process. See for absenteeism, neglect of ordinances and irregular removal, pp. 79, 80, also, p. 139. 8. Contumacy. Contumacy is refusal or neglect to appear or to answer in a court. It is contempt of court. For contumacy of accused person, see Book of Discipline Chapter IV, Sections 22, 33; of elders, Book of Dis- cipline, Chapter VI, Section 39; of witnesses, Book of Discipline, Chapter VIII, Section 68. See also under “Citations” and ‘‘Witnesses,”’ pp. 146-148. 9. Refusal to take oath. See under “Oath,” p. 151. 10. Marriage vow, violations of. See Confession of Faith, Chapter XXIV, and caption No. 3, p. 136. b. Assembly Decisions and Deliverances. 1. General statement. The General Assembly has taken action at various times emphatically denouncing, as sins, gambling, lotteries, horse racing, betting, intem- perance, knowingly renting one’s property for the manu- facture and sale of intoxicating drinks, unscriptural divorces, infanticide, and polygamy. It has also taken action upon certain other matters connected with discipline such as worldly amusements, card-playing, dancing, and theatergoing, all of which may be found set forth with par- ticularity and detail in the Digest, 1922, Vol. I, pp. 455-483. 2. Convictions under the civil law.. When a Church member is convicted of crime by the civil courts, notice of such conviction should be immediately taken by the Session. A committee should be appointed to report upon his case, and pending ecclesiastical trial, he may be re- quired to refrain from approaching the Lord’s Table. (B. D., Ch. IV, § 33.) If the offence has been committed at a distance, it may be necessary for the Session to suspend action until witnesses can be secured, or testimony can be 188 ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH. taken which will enable them to proceed with the case in an orderly manner. See Book of Discipline, Chapter IV, Section 22, and ‘‘Absent accused person,’’ p. 167, below. 3. Nonsupport of one’s own church. It is not only not consistent with regular standing in our Church, but it is “a matter of discipline, for Church members to be supporters and°attendants in other churches not of our communion, while absenting themselves from and refusing to support the church to which they belong.” (Minutes GvA.; OF 5781865, p. 5am) 4. Ordinances, neglect of. See ‘Cases without pro- cess,”’ caption 3, p. 79. In connection with such neglect, the Assembly has adjudged it to be, when willful, ‘“‘a high offence.”” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1859, pp. 546, 547.) 5. Rebaptism by immersion. ‘The action is clearly disorderly and in violation of Chap. XX VIII, Section 7, of the Confession of Faith. But as it concerns the mode, rather than the substance, of a Sacrament, whether the act is to be regarded as disciplinable must be determined by the Session, in the light of the circumstances attending each particular case.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1890, p. 46.) 6. Sabbath observance. ‘“‘The Assembly do hereby in a special manner enjoin it upon the church Session to watch over their brethren with tenderness and great fidelity in respect to the observance of the Sabbath, and to exercise wholesome discipline on those who, by traveling or other ways, presume to trample upon this sacred institution.”’ (Minutes G. A., N.S., 1858, p. 323.) ‘“‘We entreat our members and all other persons con- scientiously to discountenance whatever tends to break down the distinction between this and other days; as, for instance, Sunday trading; buying, reading or in any way supporting Sunday secular newspapers; social enter- tainments and visitations that dissipate serious thought, and all self-indulgence on the Lord’s Day, that tends to unfit them for ,God’s worship and to impoverish their spiritual nature.”” (Minutes G. A., 1896, p. 25.) JUDICIAL CASES WITHOUT PROCESS. 139 5. JUDICIAL Cases WrirHoutT PROcEss. 1. General statement. Church judicatories are not required in dealing with certain offences to follow the full detail of process. In the cases of (1) mistaken views, (2) absenteeism, (3) neglect of ordinances, and (4) uniting with another denomination without regular dismission, process is not required. See this Manual, pp. 79, 80. In cases of (1) voluntary confession and (2) offences in presence of the judicatory, the detail of ordinary process is dispensed with by the Book of Discipline, except as noted below. 2. Process, definition. The orderly succession of legal proceedings, in accordance with the detail of those principles and rules which have been established by the Chureh for the conduct of a judicial case. Cases without process, therefore, are of the nature of exceptions to the rule. 3. Confession, voluntary. “If a person commits an offence in the presence of a judicatory, or comes forward as his own accuser and makes known his offence, the judicatory may proceed to judgment without process, giving the offender an opportunity to be heard; and in the case first named, he may demand a delay of at least two days before judgment.” (B. D., Ch. VII, § 48.) The pro- vision empowering the judicatory to proceed to judgment on self-accused persons, immediately after confession, it should be noted, is not mandatory, but a reasonable delay may be allowed if circumstances make it proper. 4. Confession, duty of. ‘He that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.” (C. F., Ch. XV, § 6.) 5. Confession, when voluntary. 24.) 15. Reports. The Board of Deacons should report to the annual meeting of the church upon its work, and it is proper that the board submit its minutes for review to the Session at least once a year. 16. Deacons and Session. It is advised that the Board of Deacons and the Session meet for conference at stated times, in order that there may be systematic and united action in connection with the work of the diaconate. 17. Deacons and the Lord’s Supper. Itis the custom in many churches to assign to the deacons the preparation for the administration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and the custody of the communion plate. The expense involved is paid out of the collections gathered on communion Sabbaths. “It is in aecordance with Presbyterian law and usage that deacons distribute to the Church members the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.” (Minutes, G. A., 1874, p. 84; 1877, p. 516.) But the same Assembly also referred the decision of the question as to when deacons should act at the Lord’s Supper, to the “discretion of the Sessions.” 18. Deacons and benevolent offerings. ‘Over charities collected for any other purpose than the care of the poor, their office gives them no control.’ (Minutes G. A., 1833, p. 405.) The general benevolent offerings are in charge of the Session. See p. 116. 19. Deacons and public charities. ‘‘The Assembly regards the office of deacon as providing proper Scriptural and feasible means, for such exercise of charity as will aid 308 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. in extending the influence of the Church among the poor, and opening the way for more direct spiritual communica- tion.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1871, p. 588.) 20. Deacons and church support. The deacons, as spiritual officers, have no power over or relation to the funds raised for church support. 21. Deacons and temporalities. To the deacons ‘may be properly committed the management of the temporal affairs of the church.” (F. G., Ch. VI.) In the Church of Scotland the deacons manage all the temporal affairs of the congregation, In the American Church, however, it is customary to leave the decision as to the persons who shall manage church property to the con- gregation. A majority of the churches, as a result, commit the care of property to trustees. See under that head. 22. Deacons as trustees. If deacons are chosen as trustees of congregations, it should be distinctly under- stood that as trustees they are civil officers, and responsible for their conduct as such (1) to the congregation, (2) to the state. 23. Deacons and Church courts. ‘Deacons cannot be elected to represent either a church or a Presbytery in any of the Church courts.” (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1860, p. 34.) 24. Retirerment or resignation. See under “The Ruling Elder,” p. 293. 25. Resignation to the Session. ‘The resignation of a deacon is to be tendered to the Session, and takes effect when accepted by that body.” (Minutes G. A., 1883, p. 26.) 26. Trial and restoration. See under “The Ruling Elder,’’ pp. 296-298. 27. Women deacons, See next page. 28. Churches without deacons. Where the church has not elected deacons, the Session should appoint one or more of the elders to act as a committee to perform the duties of the diaconate. As soon as possible, however, the Session should secure the election of deacons. ‘The THE DEACONESS. 309 Presbyterian Church has always recognized the office of deacon; and the Assembly renewedly call the attention of the churches to the provisions of the Form of Government in the case.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1871, p. 588.) IV. THE DEACONESS. Women have been engaged in the charitable work of the Christian Church from its establishment. But for a long period the Presbyterian Church declined to incor- porate the office of deaconess into its system of Church government. With the increasing importance, however, of woman’s part and place in the work of the Church, this privilege has been granted, and there are now three groups of women who are recognized in this general category. See p. 118. First, in 1915, the Form of Government was amended (Ch. XIII, § 9) to permit of the election of women as deaconesses ‘‘in a manner similar to that appointed for deacons, and set apart by prayer,’ and it was further provided that they should be “‘under the supervision of the Session, and their duties indicated by that body.’’ Second, in 1922-1923, the Form of Government was further amended (Ch. XIII, § 2) to the effect that in electing church officers, while the elders must be men, the deacons may be either men or women. Women deacons, when thus elected, are upon acceptance of the office to be duly ordained thereto. (F. G., Ch. XIII, §§ 3, 4.) Third, another type of deaconess is a woman who is a graduate of an approved training school, and for whose in- duction into office by a Presbytery, a detailed form of service, for such deaconesses only, has been recommended be the General Assembly, as follows:‘When brought before the Presbytery with a favorable recommendation of the committee, the Presbytery having, if it deems desirable, further satisfied itself, shall proceed to set the candidates apart in the following way: The moderator shall propose 310 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. to each candidate the following questions: (1) Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice? (2) Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith of this Church as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? (3) Do you approve of the government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in these United States? (4) Have you been induced, as far as you know your own heart, to seek the office of deaconess from love of God and a sincere desire to promote his glory in the gospel of his Son? (5) Do you promise faithfully to perform all the duties of a deaconess, to study the peace, unity, and purity of the church where you may be employed, and to submit to the government of its Sessions? ‘The candidates having answered these questions in the affirmative, the moderator of Presbytery shall thereupon set them apart to the service and office of deaconess by prayer. Any candidate who is a member of a church belonging to another Presbytery must secure from the Session of such church a written request asking this Presbytery to perform for her this office.” (Digest, 1922, Vol. I, p. 358.) V. THE TRUSTEES. 1. GENERAL. 1. Historical note. The Presbyterian churches in the American Colonies were not churches which were main- tained by the Colonial or British Governments. The Established or State Churches in those early days were the Congregational in New England, the Dutch Reformed in New York, and the Protestant Episcopal in a number of the Colonies. As a consequence, Presbyterian churches were obliged to provide for the care of their property by conveyances to individuals, who were regarded as trustees, THE TRUSTEES. dll and it was not until about the middle of the eighteenth century that charters began to be issued to them. The trustee system finds its origin, therefore, in the antag- onism of the State in the early period of American history to the Presbyterian and other so-called dissenting Churches. With the achievement of American independ- ence came religious liberty, and legislation which enabled all the churches freely and adequately to hold and manage their temporalities as churches. 2. Nature of the office. Trustees, when appointed or elected under the provisions of charters or civil statutes, are civil officers, and are vested with such powers as are conferred by said provisions. ‘Trustees, when not ap- pointed or elected by virtue of statutory or charter pro- visions, but chosen solely by the act of a religious society as the persons to hold its property, are not civil officers, but are nevertheless responsible to the civil authorities for the proper execution of their trust. See, also, ‘‘Per- sonnel of the corporation,” p. 222. 3. Recognition by the General Synod, 1752. “It is not inconsistent with the Presbyterian plan of govern- ment, nor the institution of our Lord Jesus Christ, that trustees, or a committee chosen by the congregation, should have the disposal and application of the public money raised by said congregation, to the uses for which it was designed; provided that they leave in the hands and to the management of the deacons, what is collected for the Lord’s Table and the poor. And that ministers of the gospel, by virtue of their office, have no right to sit with or preside over such trustees or committees.’’ (Minutes Gen. Synod, 1752, p. 249.) 4. Constitutional recognition, 1788. While deacons are indicated in the Constitution of the Church as the persons to whom “may be properly committed the man- agement of the temporal affairs of the church,” yet the right of the congregations to manage their property through trustees is also recognized. This recognition 312 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. appears first in the right accorded to a congregation, when calling a pastor, “to subscribe their call by their trustees.” (F. G., Ch. XV, § 7.) It is also recognized in connection with the installment of ministers, it being provided that after such installment, among others, ‘“‘those appointed to take care of the temporal concerns of that church, should come forward to their pastor, and give him their right hand, in token of cordial reception and affectionate regard.” (F. G., Ch. XVI, § 7.) These provisions of the Form of Government make clear that trustees are recog- nized in the Constitution as officers of congregations. 5. Method of appointment. ‘Trustees, as civil officers, are appointed or elected by the congregation in accordance with the terms of the charter granted to the congregation by the state, or of the provisions of state law governing the management of church temporalities. It is impracticable to indicate the different methods prevalent in the several states. These can be ascertained by reference to the statutes. 6. Qualifications of trustees. No person is com- petent, ordinarily, to fill the office of trustee unless con- nected directly with a church or congregation, either as a communicant member or as a stated hearer. The statutory provisions in most of the states require that trustees shall be thus connected with the church, con- gregation, or society electing them. It is advised that in no case should a majority of the trustees be noncom- municants, and that at least one ruling elder be placed on the board. 7. Deacons or elders may be trustees. ‘The General Assembly recommends to those churches that adopt the system (term service for deacons) that, so far as practicable, they adopt the provision of the Form of Government, and make such deacons the trustees of their churches.” (Minutes G. A., 1887, p. 119.) The reference to the foregoing deliverance is to the Form of Govern- ment, Chapter VI, which says concerning deacons, ‘‘To THE TRUSTEES. 313 them also may be properly committed the management of the temporal affairs of the church.’’ When deacons are chosen as trustees the care of the property is vested in them as trustees or civil officers, and not as deacons or spiritual officers. In the Reformed Churches both elders and deacons are chosen as trustees, a course which has many advantages, and which would not be inconsistent with Presbyterian law. 8. Meeting of the corporation. Ordinarily, the charters, etc., of the churches require annual meetings of the corporation to be held for the election of trustees, and for the transaction of business dealing with the tem- poralities. Due notice of these meetings must be given, and all the provisions of the statute law carefully observed. Special meetings may be called on due notice for the trans- action of special business. The presiding officer at all meetings should be elected by the members present, unless there be a by-law of the corporation, or a civil statute, designating a given person as such presiding officer. See p. 323. ' 9. Meetings of the trustees. Whether the trustees constitute the corporation, as in New Jersey, or whether they are officers of the incorporated congregation, as in Pennsylvania, they should hold regular meetings for the transaction of business. The time of these meetings should be fixed in the by-laws of the corporation. 10. Officers. The officers of the Board of Trustees are usually a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. They are chosen by the board for definite terms of service, unless the state law requires the election of the treasurer by the congregation. Their duties should be clearly in- dicated in the by-laws. 11. Qualifications of voters. The qualifications of voters vary in certain matters of detail in the several states and territories, but ordinarily it is true that com- municant members of the church, and contributors who are of full age, are qualified to vote for trustees. 314 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. 12. Powers. The powers conferred’ upon church trustees by the laws of the different states vary from full authority to manage down to mere title-holding. Care should be taken, therefore, to ascertain in each state the exact powers given to the trustees. In many of the states, such, for instance, as New Jersey and Kentucky, the trustees of religious societies are simply the title holders to property, and have no independent authority in its management and disposition. That management and disposition are vested in the congregation. The trustees, however, should be authorized to provide for the care of the property and the payment of current expenses. See also under next caption, and under ‘Use of Church Property,’ p. 317. Further, note that the trustees have no power over church worship. See p. 316. 13. Mortgages, etc. Financial obligations incurred by the trustees other than those directly connected with the current expenses of the congregation, before execution, should be approved by vote of the congregation at a regularly called meeting.. While in one or two states the laws vest in the trustees the power to mortgage church property, etc., independent of congregational action, in the great majority of the states the provisions point to the method above designated as the only legal one. 14. Individual acts. No act of an individual trustee is legal unless authorized by the board at a regular or special meeting. All acts of the trustees should be, there- fore, acts of the board. 15. Responsibility is to the congregation. The responsibility of the trustees is first to the congregation, whether that body be incorporated or not. The most effective way to disapprove of the action of trustees is to decline to reélect them when their terms of service expire. If action taken by the trustees be highly unsatis- factory to a minority of the congregation, and in their judgment contrary to law, the remedy is by a suit in court. TRUSTEES AND SESSION. 315 16. Relation to the Session. See under ‘Trustees and the Session,” this page. 17. Reports to the congregation. Each Board of Trustees should report annually to the meeting of the congregation upon all the affairs with which it has been entrusted. This report should include (1) an itemized statement of receipts and payments during the fiscal year just closed; (2) an itemized estimate of expenses for the current year; (3) requests for authority to assume financial obligations; and (4) a statement of the property and trust funds held by the trustees for the congregation, both as to amount and condition. 2. TRUSTEES AND THE SESSION, a. General. 1. Relation of the trustees to the Session. The relation between the Session of the church and the trustees of the congregation should be at all times fraternal and helpful. At least once a year the Session and the trustees should meet to consider together the financial condition of the organization. Further, it would be well if both bodies should come to a clear understanding as to their respective powers. See under the head, “Deliverances of the General Assembly,” p. 318, and also the head, ‘‘De- cisions of Civil Courts,” p. 317. The Session is the superior body, both by civil and ecclesiastical law. 2. Reports to Session. ‘The churches are required by the General Assembly to report annually, through the Session, to the Presbytery, the sums expended for con- gregational expenses. The trustees, therefore, should report annually to the Session upon such expenses, as matters of information. 3. Reports to Presbyteries. The Book of Discipline, Chapter IX, Section 72, reads as follows: ‘All proceedings of the church shall be reported to, and reviewed by, the 316 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. Session, and by its order incorporated with its records. Every judicatory above a Session shall review, at least once a year, the records of the proceedings of the ju- dicatory next below; and if the lower judicatory shall omit to send up its records for this purpose, the higher may require them to be produced, cither immediately or at a specified time, as circumstances may determine.” Under the authority covered by this section, the General Assembly has directed that, annually, the original minutes of the Board of Trustees, or a certified copy of same, together with all reports made by the trustees to the corporation, shall be submitted to the Presbytery through the Session. 4. Trustees and worship. “Applying the fundamental law of the Presbyterian Church which gives the direction of the public worship to the minister and church Session, and the rules of law which define the rights of members in church organizations, to the question submitted to us in this case, we think that the exceptions to the proposed fourth amendment to the charter are well taken and must be sustained. The amendment proposes to give power to the trustees to appoint an organist, subject to the approval of the Session. The duties of an organist are connected with the public worship. This is solely under the control of the minister and church Session. It is a violation of the fundamental law of the Church to place this power in the hands of the trustees, even though it be qualified by requiring the approval of the Session. If provision be made by the congregation or the trustees for the employ- ment of an organist, the exclusive power of appointment, direction, and removal of him belongs to the church Session; otherwise they have not that direction of the public worship which by the law of the Presbyterian Church is committed to them.’ (Walnut Street Church Case, Phila., Pa., 7 Phila. Reports, 310, 3 Brewster, 277. F. G., Ch. IX, § 7.) See also, “Sessional authority,’’ pp. 105, 319. USES OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 317 b. Uses of Church Property. (1) Decisions of Civil Courts. 1. Trustees subject to the Session. ‘The trustees obviously hold possession for the use of the persons who, by the Constitution, usages and laws of the Presbyterian body, are entitled to that use. They are liable to removal by the congregation for whom they hold this trust; and others may be substituted in their places. They have no personal ownership or right beyond this, and are subject, in their official relations to the property, to the control of the Session of the church.” (Digest, 1922, Vol. I, p. 84; for decision in full, Digest, 1922, Vol. II, p. 359.) (U. S. Supreme Court, Watson vs. Jones, 13 Wallace, 679.) 2. Powers of the Session. ‘‘The possession of the elders, though accompanied with larger and more efficient powers of control, is still a fiduciary possession. It is as a Session of the church alone that they could exercise power. Except by an order of the Session in regular meeting, they have no right to make any order concerning the use of the building; and any action of the Session is necessarily in the character of representatives of the church body by whose members it was elected.” (Digest, 1922, Vol. I, p. 84; for decision in full, Digest, 1922, Vol. II, p. 360.) 3. The congregation a voluntary association. In connection with the whole subject of the uses of church property, it is important to bear in mind that every religious society or church is, in the eye of the civil law, a voluntary association, and that such associations have the right to determine their own rules and usages. This right has been repeatedly recognized by the civil courts, and especially in the case of religious societies. Further, where a congregation is affiliated with a denomination, the laws and usages of the denomination are of force in the congregation, and cannot be set to one side. For this _ reason the deliverances of the General Assembly have an important bearing on the powers of the trustees. Where 318 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. the civil law is silent, the ecclesiastical law is operative. See below, this page. (2) Deliverances of the General Assembly. 1. Trustees hold solely for church uses. ‘Where a church edifice is held by trustees, the legal title is vested in them, and having the title, the custody and care of the property pertain to them for the uses and purposes for which they hold the trust. These uses and purposes are the worship of God and the employment of such other means of spiritual improvement as may be consistent with the Scriptures and according to the order of the church; to which may be added congregational meetings for business relating to the church or corporation.” (Minutes G. A., O. 8., 1863, p. 43.) ° 2. Session controls trustees in the religious uses. “By the Constitution of the Church, the Session is charged with the supervision of the spiritual interests of the con- gregation; and this includes the right to direct and control the use of the building for the purposes of worship, as required or established by the special usage of the par- ticular church or the Directory for Worship. This being the principal purpose of the trust, the trustees are bound to respect the wishes and action of the Session as to the use and occupation of the house of worship. The Session is the organ or agent through whom the trustees are in- formed how and when the church building is to be oc- cupied; and the trustees have no right to refuse compli- ance with the action of the Session in this regard.”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1863, p. 44.) “As regards the church building, Sabbath school, and lecture room, the use of either can be granted only with the consent of the Session.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1874, p. 84.) “In the use of the property of the church for all religious purposes or ecclesiastical uses, the trustees are under the control of the Session.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1892, p. 189.) 3. Trustees cannot interfere with Session, ‘The USES OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 319 Constitution of our Church charges the Session with the supervision of the spiritual interests of the congregation and all services and matters pertaining thereto, and any action by the Board of Trustees tending to annul or con- travene in any way such supervision and control is illegal and void.” (Minutes G. A., 1891, p. 187.) 4. Method of settlement of differences. ‘When the trustees grant the use of the house to others, con- trary to the express wishes of the Session, and as they suppose to the prejudice of the cause of religion and of that church, the proper appeal is first to the persons com- posing the congregation, to whom the trustees are re- sponsible; secondly, to the Presbytery, for their advice; and finally, if necessary, to the legal tribunals.’”’ (Minutes G. A., O. S., 1863, p. 44.) See caption No. 1, p. 318. “In any case of conflict between the Session and trustees the first appeal is to be taken to the people composing the congregation, and, if necessary, then to the civil tri- bunals.”’ (Minutes G. A., 1892, p. 189.) 5. Extent of Sessional authority. ‘The General Assembly takes notice that the exclusive authority of the Session over the worship of the church, including not only the time and places of preaching the Word, but also the music and the use of the church buildings, is not sufficiently appreciated by the Church at large, and that there are frequent complaints that trustees of congre- gations assume powers and authority, especially over music and the use of church buildings, which are not warranted by, but in conflict with, the Constitution of the Church. The Assembly enjoins upon the churches loyal adherence to our Form of Government, providing that the . authority of the Session over all matters of worship is paramount, and at the same time recommends that all such questions be treated by the Session with Christian tact and courtesy, in the spirit of love and forbearance.’’ (Minutes G. A., 1893, p. 90.) See p. 105, also caption Novlapeolé. 320 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. c. Rights to Church Property.—Judicial Decisions. The decisions of the civil courts affecting the rights to property held by churches and religious societies are numerous. For the purposes of this Manual the state- ments following are sufficient. These statements exhibit concisely the decisions of civil courts connected with certain property rights—decisions based upon the prin- ciple that ecclesiastical decisions are final in ecclesiastical matiers—i. e., where the highest ecclesiastical authority of a denomination decides questions of Church law, dis- cipline, or usage, or acknowledges certain parties as being the parties entitled to due ecclesiastical recognition, such decisions will not be reviewed in the civil courts, but will be regarded by them as final. (See Digest, 1922, Vol. I, pp. 700-705.) (1) State of Virginia Case. ‘“When property, real or personal, is vested in a religious society, whether incorporated or not, as a church or con- gration for the worship of Almighty God and the pro- motion of piety and godly living, it is a charitable use, whether the donors be one or many. The corporation or society are trustees, and can no more divert the property from the use to which it was originally dedicated than any other trustee. If they should undertake to divert the funds, equity will raise some other trustee to administer them, and apply them according to the intention of the original donors or subscribers.” In a case which arose in the State of Virginia, the majority of a Methodist Protest- ant church withdrew from that denomination and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Said majority claimed the right to take the property with them, and the legislature of Virginia passed an act providing that in the case of the division of a church or religious society a majority of the members should determine the rights of church property, after report duly made to a civil court. The decision USES OF CHURCH PROPERTY. 321 rendered in the case was, that the provision respecting contracts in the Constitution of the United States, and found also in the Constitution of Virginia, made the said act of the legislature void, and that the property could not be so diverted. (2) Westminster Church Case. The Westminster Church, in the Presbytery of New York, was dissolved by said Presbytery in 1908, and the question thereupon arose as to the disposition of the valuable property. After prolonged litigation in both the ecclesiastical and civil courts, the principles contended for by the Presbytery of New York were in 1924 finally sustained throughout by the New York Court of Appeals, and are as follows: “1. Presbytery has power to dissolve a Presbyterian Church, the spiritual body of which thereupon ceases to exist. ‘“‘2. The members of the dissolved church thereby lose all their interest in the property standing in the name of the corporation. ‘83. The corporation of the dissolved church merely holds a naked legal title to the property in trust for the denomination, and can be compelled to transfer the property either to the Presbytery, or to a successor church organized by the Presbytery. ‘‘4. The successor church organized by Precviere is entitled to the use and benefit of the church property formerly belonging to the dissolved church, and to have the legal title conveyed to it.” Thus is established in law the right of the Presbytery to sole authority over the property of a dissolved church. (See opinions, Court of Appeals, New York, in 211 N. Y., 214 N. Y. 305, 222 N. Y. 642; also opinion of referee filed with county clerk, June 26, 1922, and order confirming same filed ditto October 26, 1922; also order of Supreme 322 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. Court dismissing appeal of Westminster Church in 209 A. D. 862.) (3) Miscellaneous Matters. 1. Divided church. Where a particular church or congregation is divided by reason of controversy, and a schism results, that party which secures the recognition of the highest ecclesiastical court of the denomination will be recognized by the civil courts as the church. 2. Seceding members. The members of any church, whether independent or denominational, who secede therefrom and form a new church, lose all their rights in the property. Voluntary withdrawal is equivalent to a surrender of their rights. 3. Amicable separation. Where a church is divided by agreement as between parties, the property should be distributed between them proportionately to the number of the members at the time of separation. ‘This distri- bution should be made by a vote of the congregation, and should thereafter be approved by the Presbytery. 4. Minority controls in certain cases. If the majority of the members of a church belonging to a de- nomination withdraws from the denomination, they can- not take the property with them. If the withdrawal be persisted in, the result will be to give the control of the property to the minority who adhere to the denomination. 5. Property of denominational churches. The property of denominational churches, in cases of dispute, will be given by the civil courts to those persons who are recognized by the highest denominational court as being the church or congregation. For instance, the property of a Presbyterian church, should the church unhappily be divided by controversy, will be given by the civil courts to that portion of the church which is recognized as the church by the highest Church court. 6. Denominational divisions. Where a denomi- nation is divided by reason of controversy, the use of the BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION. 323 property of its congregations, in each case, will be in those persons who are in harmony with the supreme ecclesiastical authority. The ecclesiastical connection is indissoluble. d. By-Laws of the Corporation. The following by-laws are suggested for the government of the corporation. The church, frequently, by the laws of the state in which it is located, may be a corporation. Where this is the case, the by-laws must be conformed to the civil statutes in force, and also to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8S. A. See caption No. 3, p. 317. 1. Authority of the by-laws. The by-laws of this Church as a secular body shall be always subordinate to the Constitution and laws of the State of —————, and also to the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. A. 2. Annual meeting of the corporation. There shall be an annual meeting of the corporation on for the transaction of any business properly coming before such meeting. Trustees shall give ten days’ notice of this meeting from the pulpit, and shall post it on the door of the church edifice. 3. Special meetings. The trustees are empowered to call special meetings of the corporation whenever, in their discretion, it is advisable, and ten days’ notice of such meetings and of their purposes shall be given from the pulpit, and shall be posted upon the door of the church edifice. 4. Chairman. The Board of Trustees may nominate the presiding officer for meetings of the corporation, but any qualified elector may also nominate such officer. 5. Secretary. The secretary of the Board of Trustees shall be the secretary of the meetings of the congregation as a secular body. 324 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. 6. Quorum. Five male electors shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at any meetings of the corporation. 7. Voters at meetings of the corporation. The following persons are entitled to vote for trustees, and in all meetings of the congregation which deal with the temporalities of the church: (1) All members of the church in good and regular standing who are of full age; (2) all those persons who regularly contribute according to their own engagements and the rules of this church to the support of the congregation, who are of full age; provided, that neither communicants nor regular contributors who are in arrears in pledges or contributions for one year shall be qualified to vote; and, provided, that state statutes do not order otherwise. 8. Number of the trustees. The Board of Trustees shall consist of six (or more) contributing electors, chosen at first to serve one, two and three years respectively, and whose successors shall be elected annually to serve for three years or until their successors are chosen. 9. Who may betrustees. At least two thirds of the trustees shal! be communicants in this church in good and regular standing; the remaining one third may or may not be communicants at the pleasure of the corporation. [If preferred, the following may be substituted:} 9b. The deacons of this church, in accordance with the Form of Government, Chapter VI, shall be trustees of this corporation. Or 9c. The deacons and elders of this church shall be the trustees of this corporation. See caption No. 7, p. 312. 10. Increase of the trustees. The number of the trustees may be increased at any regular meeting of the congregation, subject to the provisions of the laws of the state in connection with the matter. 11. Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Trustees shall be filled by the corporation at a special meeting, of which ten days’ notice shall be given, unless the vacancy BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION. 325 occur within two months of the regular annual meeting. At said regular meeting any vacancies may be filled. 12. Powers of trustees. The trustees shall have, possess, and exercise only such powers as are vested in them by civil statute or by vote of the corporation. 13. Duties of trustees. It shall be the duty of the trustees to take charge of all real and other property of the church, and permit its use only for such purposes as shall be approved by the church Session. They shall take charge of the charter and seal of the corporation. They shall collect all the revenues of the church, excepting collections for the poor, for benevolent and missionary objects, and for the Lord’s Table. They shall disburse the sums collected by them as may be authorized by the congregation, and are in no wise to incur liability or ex- pense for any one year of more than three hundred dollars, unless duly authorized. They shall submit annual reports to the corporation at the regular meetings. They may make rules for their own government not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8. A., the Constitution of the state, and these by-laws. No trustee shall contract or pay bills that have not first received the approval of the board in open meeting, except bills of current expenses already authorized. 14. Books of the trustees. The books and accounts of the trustees shall not be open to the inspection of members of the corporation, but the Session shall at all times have access thereto. 15. Reports of trustees. The trustees shall report annually to the corporation, (1) the receipts and payments for the fiscal year last ensuing ; (2) an estimate of expenses for the current year; (3) new business necessary to be undertaken for the welfare of the congregation; (4) an exhibit of the real property, trust funds, and other re- sources of the congregation. 16. Amendments. These by-laws shall not be altered or amended, unless such alteration and amendment be 326 THE PARTICULAR CHURCH. submitted in writing at a stated meeting, to be acted upon at a subsequent meeting, two weeks’ notice having been given from the pulpit, and a two-thirds vote of those present being necessary for such alteration or amendment. V. RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. V. RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. I. GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. The following ‘General Rules for Judicatories,”’ not having been submitted to the Presbyteries, make no part of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church. Yet the General Assemblies of 1871, 1885, and 1887, considering uniformity in proceedings in all subordinate judicatories as greatly conducive to order and despatch in business, having revised and approved these rules, recommended them to all the lower judicatories of the Church for adoption. It should be carefully noted that the titles in boldfaced type are not part of the rules, nor are the bracketed comments. I. Opening of meeting. The Moderator shall take the chair precisely at the hour to which the judicatory stands adjourned [or is summoned to meet]; and shall immediately call the members to order; and, on the appearance of a quorum, shall open the session with prayer. II. Those eligible to preside if Moderator be absent. If a quorum be assembled at the time appointed, and the Moderator be absent, the last Moderator present, being a commissioner, or if there be none, the senior member present, shall be requested to take his place without delay, until a new election, III. Quorum absent. If a quorum be not assem- bled at the hour appointed, any two members shall be competent to adjourn from time to time, that an oppor- tunity may be given for a quorum to assemble. 329 330 GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. IV. Moderator and business. It shall be the duty of the Moderatcr, at all times, to preserve order, and to endeavor to conduct all business before the ju- dicatory to a speedy and proper result. V. Moderator and docket. It shall be the duty of the Moderator, carefully to keep notes of the several ‘articles of business which may be assigned for particular days, and to call them up at the time appointed. VI. Moderator and points of order. The Mod- erator may speak to points of order, in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the judicatory by any two members. VII. Moderator appointing committees and vice moderator. ‘The Moderator shall appoint all com- mittees, except in those cases in which the judicatory shall decide otherwise. In appointing the Chairmen of the Standing Committees, the Moderator may appoint a Vice Moderator, who may occupy the chair at his request, and otherwise assist him in the discharge of his duties. VIII. Moderator, vote of. When a vote is taken by ballot in any judicatory, the Moderator shall vote with the other members; but he shall not vote in any other case, unless the judicatory be equally divided; when, if he does not choose to vote, the question shall be lost. IX. Committee, chairman of. The person first named on any committee shall be considered as the chair- man thereof, whose duty it shall be to convene the com- mittee; and, in case of his absence or inability to act, the second named member shall take his place and perform his duties. [In ordinary practice it is the rule to appoint on a com- mittee to consider a subject, persons holding differing views. When, however, a committee is appointed to carry out a policy already decided upon, its membership should be composed of persons favoring such policy. ] GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. 331 X. Clerk to form complete roll for Moderator. It shall be the duty of the clerk, as soon as possible after the commencement of the sessions of every judica- tory, to form a complete roll of the members present, and put the same into the hands of the Moderator. And it shall also be the duty of the clerk, whenever any additional members take their seats, to add their names, in their proper places, to the said roll, XI. Clerk, duty of. It shall be the duty of the clerk immediately to file all papers, in the order in which they have been read, with proper indorsements, and to keep them in perfect order. The Stated Clerk shall receive all overtures, memorials and miscellaneous papers addressed to the judicatory; shall make record of the same and deliver them to the Committee on Bills and Overtures for appropriate disposition or reference. This committee shall have the floor onthe reassembling of the judicatory after each adjournment, to report its recom- mendations as to orders of business or reference of papers, and this right of the committee shall take precedence of the Orders of the Day. This committee shall report the papers retained by it as well as those recommended for reference to other committees, and no committee shall report on matters which have not been referred to it by the judicatory. XII. Minutes, last meeting. The minutes of the last meeting of the judicatory shall be presented at the commencement of its sessions, and, if requisite, read and corrected. XIII. Unfinished business. Business left unfinished at the last sitting is ordinarily to be taken up first. XIV. Motions, how made. A motion made must be seconded, and afterward repeated by the Moderator, or read aloud, before it is debated; and every motion shall be reduced to writing, if the Moderator or any member require it. 3382 GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. XV. Motions, withdrawal. Any member who shall have made a motion shall have liberty to withdraw it, with the consent of his second, before any debate has taken place thereon; but not afterwards, without the leave of the judicatory. XVI. Motions, division. If a motion under de- bate contain several parts, any two members may have it divided, and a question taken on each part. XVII. Blanks, filling. When various motions are made with respect to the filling of blanks with partic- ular numbers or times, the question shall always be first taken on the highest number and the longest time. XVIII. Motions, debatable. Motions to lay on the table, to take up business, to adjourn, and the call for the previous question, shall be put without debate; but it shall not be in order for anyone debating another motion to propose the motion to lay on the table or the previous question, at the close of his remarks, unless he shall obtain the floor again for that purpose. On questions of order, postponement, or commitment, no member shall speak more than once. On all other questions each member may speak twice, but not oftener, without express leave of the Judicatory. XIX. Motions, precedence. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received, unless to adjourn, to lay on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to commit, or to amend; which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are herein arranged; and the motion for ad- journment shall always be in order. [The motion to ad- journ is not in order while a member has the floor, neither is it in order when repeated, unless other business has been in the meantime under consideration. |] XX. Amendments. An amendment, and also an amendment to an amendment, may be moved on any motion; but a motion, to amend an amendment to an amendment, shall not be in order. Action on amend- GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. 333 ments shall precede action on the original motion. A substitute shall be treated as an amendment. [In General Assembly practice an amendment may be laid on the table without affecting another amendment or the original motion. | XXI. Motions to lay on the table. A distinc- tion shall be observed between a motion to lay on the table for the present, and a motion to lay on the table wn- conditionally viz.: A motion to lay on the table, for the present, shall be taken without debate; and, if carried in the affirmative, the effect shall be to place the subject on the docket, and it may be taken up and considered at any subsequent time. But a motion to lay on the table unconditionally shall be taken without debate; and, if carried in the affirmative, it shall not be in order to take up the subject during the same meeting of the judicatory, without a vote of reconsideration. XXII. Previous questions. The previous ques- tion shall be put in this form, namely, “Shall the main question be now put?” It shall only be admitted when demanded by a majority of the members present; and the effect shall be to put an end to all debate and bring the body to a direct vote: First, on a motion to commit the subject under consideration (if such motion shall have been made); secondly, if the motion for commitment does not prevail, on pending amendments; and lastly, on the main question. XXIII. Reconsideration. A question shall not be again called up or reconsidered at the same sessions of the judicatory at which it has been decided, unless by the consent of two thirds of the members who were present at the decision; and unless the motion to recon- sider be made and seconded by persons who voted with the majority. (For reconsideration of the matter a second time, see Minutes G. A., 1908, p. 141.) XXIV. Indefinite postponement, reconsideration. A subject which has been indefinitely postponed, either 334 GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. by the operation of the previous question or by a motion for indefinite postponement, shall not be again called up during the same sessions of the judicatory, unless _by the consent of three fourths of the members who were present at the decision. XXY. Silent members. Members ought not, with- out weighty reasons, to decline voting, as this practice might leave the decision of very interesting questions to a small proportion of the judicatory. Silent members, unless excused from voting, must be considered as ac- quiescing with the majority. XXVI. Taking the vote. Vote at time named. When the Moderator has commenced taking the vote, no further debate or remark shall be admitted, unless there has evidently been a mistake, in which case the mistake shall be rectified, and the Moderator shall recom- mence taking the vote. If the house shall pass the motion to “vote on a given subject at a time named,’’ speeches shall thereafter be limited to ten minutes. Should the hour for adjournment or recess arrive during the voting, it shall be postponed to finish the vote, unless the majority shall vote to adjourn; in which case the voting shall, on the reassembling of the house, take precedence of all other business till it is finished. Under this rule the ‘yeas and nays” shall not be called except on a final motion to adopt as a whole. This motion to fix a time for voting shall be put without debate. XXVII. Yeas and nays. The yeas and nays on any question shall not be recorded, unless required by one third of the members present. If division is called for on any vote, it shall be by a rising vote without a count. If on such a rising vote the Moderator is unable to decide, or a quorum rise to second a call for “‘tellers,” then the vote shall be taken by rising, and the count made by tellers, who shall pass through the aisles and report to the Moderator the number voting on each side. GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. 335 XXVIII. Personal reflections. No member, in the course of debate, shall be allowed to indulge in personal reflections. XXIX. Floor, right to the. If more than one member rise to speak at the same time, the member who is most distant from the Moderator’s chair shall speak first. In the discussion of all matters where the sentiment of the house is divided, it is proper that the floor should be occupied alternately by those representing the different sides of the question. XXX. More than three members standing. When more than three members of the judicatory shall be standing at the same time, the Moderator shall require all to take their seats, the person only excepted who may be speaking. XX XI. Members, respect for Moderator. Every member, when speaking, shall address himself to the Moderator, and shall treat his fellow members, and especially the Moderator, with decorum and respect. XXXII. Interruptions. No speaker shall be in- terrupted, unless he be out of order; or for the purpose of correcting mistakes or misrepresentations. XXXIII. Private conversation. Without express permission, no member of a judicatory, while business is gang on, shall engage in private conversation; nor shall members address one another, nor any person present, but through the Moderator. XXXIV. Members, conduct of. Call to order. It is indispensable that members of ecclesiastical judi- catories maintain great gravity and dignity while judi- cially convened; that they attend closely in their speeches to the subject under consideration, and avoid prolix and desultory harangues; and when they deviate from the subject, it is the privilege of any member, and the duty of the Moderator, to call them to order. XXXYV. Disorderly members. If any member act, in any respect, in a disorderly manner, it shall be the 336 GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. privilege of any member, and the duty of the Moderator, to call him to order. XXXVI. Appeal from Moderator’s decisions. If any member consider himself aggrieved by a decision of the Moderator, it shall be his privilege to appeal to the judicatory, and the question on the appeal shall be taken without debate. [The appeal from the chair is ordinarily put in the following manner: ‘Shall the decision of the chair stand as the decision of the judicatory?”’] XXXVII. Retiring members. No member shall retire from any judicatory without the leave of the Moderator, nor withdraw from it to return home without the consent of the judicatory. XXXVIII. Private sessions. All judicatories have a right to sit in private on business which, in their judg- ment, ought not to be matter of public speculation. XXXIX. Interlocutory meetings. Besides the right to sit judicially in private, whenever they think proper to do so, all judicatories have a right to hold what are commonly called ‘interlocutory meetings,’ in which members may freely converse together, without the formalities which are usually necessary in judicial pro- ceedings. XL. Moderator’s announcement, judicial sessions. Whenever a judicatory is about to sit in a judicial ca- pacity, it shall be the duty of the Moderator solemnly to announce, from the chair, that the body is about to pass to the consideration of the business assigned for trial, and to enjoin on the members to recollect and regard their high character as judges of a court of Jesus Christ, and the solemn duty in which they are about to act. XLI. Committee on Judicial Business. It is expedient that Synods and Presbyteries appoint a Standing Committee, to be known as “the Committee on Judicial Business,”’ to whom shall be referred all papers and ques- tions of a judicial nature, and whose duty it shall be to recommend to the judicatory answers to judicial questions, GENERAL RULES FOR JUDICATORIES. 337 and orders of procedure in all judicial cases. The members of the Committee on Judicial Business are not debarred by their appointment from sitting and voting as members of the judicatory. XLII. Permanent officers have the rights of cor- responding members. The permanent officers of a judicatory shall have the rights of corresponding mem- bers in matters touching their several offices. XLITI. Manner of closing final session. The Moderator of every judicatory above the church Session, in finally closing its sessions, in addition to prayer, may cause to be sung an appropriate psalm or hymn, and shall pronounce the apostolical benediction. XLIV. Procedure in taking cases from inferior courts to the General Assembly. Whenever a case is to be taken from an inferior judicatory to the General Assembly, the stated clerk of such inferior judicatory shall, at least twenty days before the meeting of the General Assembly, send a notice concerning such case to the Stated Clerk of the Assembly, who shall forthwith notify the chairman of the Permanent Judicial Com- mission, unless the General Assembly shall have ordered otherwise, that the services of the Commission will be needed at the approaching Assembly; but if no such notice shall be received by the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, he shall forthwith notify the chairman of the Permanent Judicial Commission that the services of the Commission will not be needed at the approaching Assem- bly. . XLV. Suspending the rules. These rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the judicatory, upon motion duly made. II. ADDITIONAL RULES. Drawn from General Practice and Assembly Usage. 1. Adjournment. The motion to adjourn is not in order when a member has the floor. 338 ADDITIONAL RULES. The motion to adjourn, when made at the last sitting upon each day, should always include the time on the day following to which the body adjourns. The business interrupted by adjournment or recess is the first in order after the body reassembles, unless there be a special order on the docket. See “‘Recess,’’ below. 2. Amendment. An amendment may be laid on the table without affecting another amendment or the original motion. This has been for years the practice in the General Assembly. 3. Appeal from the Chair.. This appeal is ordinarily put in the following manner: ‘Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the decision of the Assembly?”’ A tie vote sustains the Chair. 4. Committee.—(a) Appointment. When a _ com- mittee is appointed to deliberate upon a subject, it is the rule to appoint thereon members holding different views. When a committee is appointed to carry out a decision of the house, it is customary to appoint thereon only those who can support the action taken. When a special committee is appointed, it is customary to place on it the mover and seconder of the motion by which it was appointed, This, however, is not obligatory. (b) Chairman. The chairman of a committee may debate and vote, and may also act as clerk. (c) Discharge. Committees in legislative bodies are discharged by the reception of their report. In the General Assembly, however, the Standing Committees are discharged at the final session by vote of the house, and special committees are not regarded as discharged until the close of the Assembly. (d) Excuse from Service. When persons are competent to serve, the appointing body only can excuse from service. (e) Minority Report. The minority of a committee may submit their views in writing either together or each member separately, but a minority report can be con- ADDITIONAL RULES. 339 sidered and acted upon only by moving it as a substitute for the report of the committee. (f) Quorum. The quorum of a committee is, in legislative practice, a majority of the members. (g) Reception of Reports. The word accept, used for the reception of reports, does not imply adoption. Reporis. The report of a committee, when received or accepted by the Assembly, is the property of the Assembly, and should be handed to the Stated Clerk, with all accom- pany papers. See below, “Minority report.” (h) Subcommitiees. Committees may appoint subcom- mittees. (i) Vacancies. Committees cannot fill vacancies in their membership. Only the Assembly or the Moderator can act. (j) Withdrawal. Committees must receive permission from the house to withdraw. 5. Committee of the Whole. Committees of the Whole are substantially what are designated in Rule XX XIX, this Manual, p. 336, as “interlocutory meetings.” The following pertinent rule has been approved in Church courts: ‘Every court has a right to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, or to hold what are commonly called interlocutory meetings, in which members may freely converse together without the formalities necessary in their ordinary proceedings. In all such cases the Moderator shall name the member who is to preside as chairman. If the committee be unable to agree, a motion may be made that the committee rise, and upon the adoption of such motion the Moderator shall resume the chair and the chairman of the committee shall report what has been done and ask that the committee be dis- charged, which being allowed, the matter shall be dropped. If the committee shall agree upon the report to be made, or have made progress in the same without coming to a conclusion, the committee may rise, report what has been done, and, if the case require, may ask leave to sit again; 340 ADDITIONAL RULES. or the Committee of the Whole may be dissolved, and the question considered by the court in the usual order of business.” 6. Debate. The member presenting a motion or sub- mitting a report has a right to close the debate. Debate is not in order on debatable motions after the Moderator has commenced taking the vote (p. 334, this Manual, Rule XX VI). 7. Elections. In all elections it requires a majority of the votes cast to elect. 8. Explanation. A personal explanation is not a “question of privilege’ unless it affects the rights of a member. See, also, ‘‘Privilege,’’ below. 9. Floor. A member who yields the floor for any purpose is entitled thereto upon the resumption of the business in connection with which he was speaking. The mover of a motion is, by courtesy, entitled to the floor, if he so desire, after the Moderator has stated the question. 10. Jurisdiction over members. Every legislative body has the right to call to account its members for ob- jectionable conduct, and to inflict adequate penalties. 11. Minority report. See ‘‘Committee,’”’ above. 12. Minutes. \linutes are to be approved by a motion duly adopted. Minutes may be expunged by a unanimous vote. Minutes may be corrected by a majority vote. 13. Motions. See “Floor,” above. 14. Nominations. A mot.on may be made to close nominations for any office, whenever time sufficient has been given for the presentation of names. It is competent for the Assembly, after a vote has been taken for an office without result, to reopen nominations, placing additional candidates before the house. 15. Order. A member called to order does not yield his right to the floor, but should take his seat until the question of order is decided, when he can resume the floor. ADDITIONAL RULES. 341 A second question of order cannot be raised until the first is decided. 16. Personal interests. Members may not vote on questions affecting their personal interests. 17. Privilege, questions of. These are questions on subjects which affect the rights of the Assembly or of individual members, and demand immediate attention. They have priority over all questions except those to fix the time for the next sitting and to adjourn. The Chair may decide what questions of this kind to entertain and their priority, subject to appeal. 18. Privileged motions. In ordinary legislative business the privileged motions are.(1) to fix the time for next sitting, (2) to adjourn, (3) questions of privilege, (4) to take up special orders. 19. Recess. At the close of a session, provided another session is to follow on the same day, it is customary to move that a recess be taken. 20. Reconsideration. A matter may be reconsidered the second time, provided that the motion is made by one voting in the affirmative, seconded by one voting in the affirmative, and carried by a two-thirds majority of those previously present and voting on the measure when it was previously before the Assembly. This Manual, p. 333; Minutes, 1908, p. 132.) 21. Report. See “Committee,” above. 22. Session. This term is used for a sitting of the Assembly for a portion of a day. The motion to fix time for the next session is not de- batable. 23. Vote. Should be retaken if there is evident error. Should be retaken when the tellers disagree. A member cannot be excused from voting after the negative of a question is put. The proper time to make the request is immediately at the close of debate, or when the name of a member is called on a yea and nay vote. See “‘Personal interests,’ above. Bi Ae i . i) 1 | VI. FORMS FOR SESSIONS: Vile FORMS FOR SESSIONS. I. RECORDS. 1. Oprninc or MEETINGS. P —, January 20, 19—. In accordance with the call of the moderator, the Session met in the lecture room, at 7.30 p. m. Opened with prayer by Mr. C. D. Present, the Rev. A. B., moderator, Messrs. C. D., E. F., G. H., and L. K. Absent, Dr. L. J. and Mr. M. N. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. G. H. gave his reason for absence from the last meeting of the Session, which was sustained. 2. MEMBERS. 1. Reception of members. (See p. 68.) Mr. L. M. and Mrs. C. E. M., his wife, and Mr. N. O., appeared before the Session as applicants for admission to the full com- munion of the Church, and Mr. O. R., and Mrs. S. J., the wife of T. J., unbaptized persons, presented them- selves as candidates for admission to the privileges of Church membership. . They were all duly examined, and their examinations having been satisfactory, it was Resolved, That the above- named applicants be, and they hereby are, received to full communion, that next Sabbath they make a public 345 346 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. profession of their faith, and that Mr. O. R. and Mrs. S. J. be baptized at that time. Mr. L. B. presented his letter of dismissal and com- mendation from the Presbyterian Church of H—————, with the request that he might be admitted to the mem- bership of this church. The certificate was found to be in order, and the request of Mr. B. was granted. ‘The name of his baptized child, W. B., appended to his cer- tificate, was ordered to be entered on the roll of Baptized Children. Mr. D. Y. presented a letter of dismissal in due form from the Congregational Church of C—————,, and the same having been found to be in order, he was admitted to the membership of this church. Mr. J. L. presented a letter certifying to his Christian character as a member of the Baptist Church of T- 2 and requested that he be admitted to the membership of this church. His case was duly considered, and his re- quest granted. 2. Dismission of members. (See p. 74.) a. Legular Form. The clerk presented the request of Mrs. L. N. for a certificate of dismission to the Presbyterian Church of The request was granted, and the clerk was authorized to issue the certificate in due form, and to append to the same the names of her baptized children, LON SWN., and GaN: b, Absent Member. The clerk also presented the request of Mr. P. Q. for a certificate of dismission to the Presbyterian Church of The Session having had no knowledge of the conduct of the applicant for the period of one year, owing to his removal from its jurisdiction, granted the request, with the condition that its lack of knowledge should be stated in the certificate. CHURCH MEMBERS. 347 c. Other Denominations. The clerk presented the request of Mr. G. N., a member of this church, for a letter to the Protestant Episcopal Church of — Ordered, that the clerk issue to Mr. G. N. a certificate of Christian character only, in view of the fact that the Protestant Episcopal Church does not receive letters of dismissal from the Presbyterian Church. 3. Absentee members. (See p. 79.) a. Preliminary Action. The clerk reported that the following communicants had removed out of the bounds of this church, without asking for or receiving a regular certificate of dismission to another church, and it was on motion, Resolved, That Session advises them to apply for such certificates—viz. : S. B., removed to —————, and L. D., removed to It was on motion further Resolved, That the clerk give them notice of this action, by registered letter, with stamped addressed envelope for reply, and that such notice shall state that if they fail to apply for such certificate without giving sufficient reason, their names may be placed on the roll of suspended mem- bers, until they shall satisfy Session of the propriety of their restoration. Resolved, That the clerk report his action in the premises, and the result, in order that Session may take such further action as may be deemed expedient. b. Suspension. The clerk reported that he had mailed a communication to Mr. 8. B., a member of this church, removed to : in accordance with directions given, and that no answer had been received. ‘Two months having elapsed, the Session ordered that the name of Mr. 8. B. be placed upon 348 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. the roll of suspended members under Section 49, Chapter VII, of the Book of Discipline. 4, Members neglecting public worship. (See p. 80.) a. Preliminary Action. The following persons, not chargeable with immoral conduct, were reported as having neglected the ordinances of the Church for one year, and in circumstances such as Session regard to be a serious injury to the cause of re- ligion—to wit, P. B. and H. D. On motion it was Resolved, That they be severally visited by Session and admonished, and that C. D. and E. F. be appointed a committee to make such visitation and report to Session for further action. b. Suspension. The committee appointed to visit Mr. H. D., a member of this church who had neglected the ordinances of the Church for one year, reported that they had performed their duty, and had affectionately admonished him, but that he declined to accept admonition and to attend the ordinances of public worship. The Session accepted the report, and suspended Mr. H. D. from the communion of the Church under Section 50, Chapter VII, of the Book of Discipline. ; 5. Members irregularly withdrawing to other de- nominations. (See p. 80.) The names of the following persons were reported as having renounced the com- munion of the church by joining another denomination without a regular dismission—to wit: T. B., joined church, and R. D., joined —— church. On motion it was ordered that their names be erased from the roll of communicants. 6. Members withdrawing from communion. (See p- 80.) The case of Mr. B. T., a communicant, not chargeable with immoral conduct, who appeared before the Session at its last meeting, and informed it that he REPRESENTATIVES—COLLECTIONS. 349 was fully persuaded that he had no right to come to the Lord’s Table, was reported upon by the pastor. After due consideration, the attendance of Mr. B. T. on the other means of grace being regular, and his judgment appearing to be not the result of mistaken views, his name was stricken from the roll of communicants. 3. REPRESENTATIVES AT PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD. 1. Appointment. (See p. 129.) Mr. C. D. was ap- pointed the representative of this church at the stated meeting of Presbytery to be held on April —, at —————, and to serve until the next stated meeting of the Presby- tery. Mr. A. B. was appointed as his alternate. Mr. E. F. was appointed the representative of this church at the meeting of the Synod of —————, to be held on Oct. —, at — —, and to serve until the next regular meeting of said Synod. Mr. G. H. was appointed as his alternate. 2. Reports. Mr. C. D. reported that he had attended the stated meeting of Presbytery on April —, and that no matters specially affecting this church were considered by the judicatory. Mr. E. F. reported that he had attended the annual meeting of the Synod of —————, held on Oct. —, A rete er 6 rt 5 3. Expenses. It was Resolved, That the expenses of the pastor and Mr. C. D. incurred in attendance upon the stated meeting of Presbytery be paid from the Session fund. 4, COLLECTIONS. (See p. 111.) 1. Boards of the Church. The moderator and Messrs. C. D. and E. F. were appointed a committee to rearrange our scheme for collections in aid of the several boards and committees of the Presbyterian Church, with a view to securing the more general and more liberal cooperation of the members of the congregation. 390 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. 2. Special diaconal collections. The subject of the care of the poor being under consideration, and the Board of Deacons having notified the Session that the funds in their hands were insufficient, it was Resolved, That the special collection for the care of the poor of this congregation be taken up two weeks from next Sabbath, at the morning service, and that notice of the same be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath pre- ceding. 3. Miscellaneous collections. A request having been received from Mr. L. M., agent of the American Bible Society, requesting that a collection be taken up in this church for said society, it was Resolved, That a collection be taken up for the American Bible Society, at the morning service, two weeks from next Sabbath, and that notice of the same be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath preceding. 4. Special Collections ordered by church ju- dicatories. The General Assembly (Synod of or Presbytery of —————) having ordered a special collection to be taken up in the churches under its care for the cause of — , 1t was Resolved, That in compliance with the order of the General Assembly, a collection for the —__—— be taken up in this church one week from next Sabbath, at the morning service, and that notice of the same be given from the pulpit next Sabbath. 5. Tse Lorp’s SuPPER. (See p. 82.) The following elders were appointed to assist the pastor at the administration of the Lord’s Supper, on Sabbath, December — viz.: for the bread, Messrs. A. B. and C. D., and for the cup, Messrs. E. F. and G. H. THE PASTOR. © CR pee 6. Tuer Pastor. 1. Election of a pastor. (See p. 236.) Whereas, this Session have reason to believe that the people of the con- gregation are prepared to elect a pastor, therefore Resolved, 1. That a meeting of the congregation, for the election of a pastor, be held in the church building on Wednesday, the — inst., at 7.30 p. m., and that notice of this meeting be given from the pulpit on the next and the following Sabbaths. Resolved, 2. That the moderator of Session be invited to preside at said meeting, and, if for any reason he should be absent, that the Rev. N. P., a member of this Presby- tery, be invited to preside. Resolved, 3. That the clerk of Session notify the chair- man of the Board of Trustees of the date and hour of the meeting. 2. Installation of pastor. (See p. 253.) a. Request for Special Meeting of Presbytery. The congregation having called the Rev. J. P. as pastor, Messrs. A. B. and C. D. were appointed a committee to draw up a request for a special meeting of the Presbytery for his reception and installation, to sign the request themselves, to secure the signatures of two ministers of the Presbytery and another ruling elder, and to address and forward the request to the moderator of Presbytery. They were also empowered to make any other necessary arrangements connected with said meeting. Mr. A. B., the representative of this church in the Presbytery, was directed to be present at the said special meeting. b. Arrangement for Installation. Mr, A. B. reported that he had attended the meeting of the Presbytery held at ————— on Wednesday, that Presbytery had placed the call of the church in ihe hands of Rev. J. P., the pastor elect, that he had accepted said call, and that a a oe had appointed Wednesday, 352 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. , as the time for the installation; also that the com- mittee of installation consists of Rev. M. N., moderator of Presbytery, who will preside, Rev. P. R., who will deliver the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. 8. T., who will deliver the charge to the people. It was Resolved, That A. B. and C. D. be a committee to make due preparation for the installation service, and to provide entertainment for the members of Presbytery. c. Record of Installation. The committee on the installation of the Rev. J. B. as pastor of the church reported that said installation had been duly performed at the appointed time, and in accordance with the arrangements ordered by Presbytery. 3. Death of a pastor. The Rev. F. D., the pastor of this congregation, having been removed by death since the last meeting of the Session, the following minute was unanimously adopted, viz.: With humble submission to the dispensation of God’s all-wise providence, the Session records the death of the . Rev. F. D., the beloved and lamented pastor of this con- gregation, who departed this life on (Tuesday) the day of ~ inst. (or ult.), in the year of his age and the of his ministry; having been the faithful pastor of this congregation for the space of years. His funeral service was held on ————— at —————,, and the Rev. J. G. officiated. 4, Dissolution of the pastoral relation. (See p. 257.) a. Action of Session. The Rev. 8S. D. having announced to the Session his purpose to request the Presbytery of ————— to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between himself and this church, owing to his ill health, the Session took action as follows: Resolved, 1. That the Session hereby places on record its sincere regret that owing to ill health their pastor, the SUPPLY OF VACANT PULPIT. 353 Rev. 8S. D., feels constrained to request the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation between him and this church. Resolved, 2. That a meeting of the congregation be called for Wednesday evening, March —, to consider the request of the pastor for such dissolution. b. Aciion of Congregation. The record of the meeting of the congregation on Wednesday evening, March —, was presented to the Session, and inasmuch as the congregation, by resolution duly adopted, united with the Rev. S. D. in his request to Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, therefore, Resolved, That Mr. A. B., the representative of this church to Presbytery, be authorized to state to Presbytery said action of the congregation. c. Action of Presbytery. Mr. A. B. reported that he had attended the regular meeting of the Presbytery, held at W—————, that the request of the Rev. C. D. for a dissolution of the pastoral relation with this church was acted upon affirmatively, said dissolution to take effect on April —, that the Pres- bytery ordered the Rev. E. F. to preach in this church on May —, and to declare this pulpit vacant. 7. SUPPLY OF THE VACANT PuLPIT. (See p. 128.) 1. Action by Session. The object of the meeting was stated, and the following action was taken: The pulpit of this church having become vacant by the resignation [or death] of the pastor, it is now the duty of the Session, subject to the oversight of the Presbytery, to provide for its regular supply, and to maintain the other ordinances of public worship, until God in his providence shall send to this church another pastor. 354 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. Resolved, That Messrs. B. and D. be appointed a com- mittee to procure supplies for the pulpit, and to correspond with the committee of the Presbytery having the general oversight of vacant pulpits. Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the congregation be requested and authorized to pay through the treasurer to the ministers who may occupy the pulpit during the time of its being and continuing vacant, the sum of dollars for each Sabbath’s services, and of —————- dollars for each preparatory lecture or midweek meeting, together with a reasonable allowance for traveling and other ex- penses. (A good rule for compensation in connection with the supply of the pulpit is to pay for each Sabbath a sum equal to one per cent on the annual salary—i. e., $15 for $1500 salary, etc.) Resolved, That Mr. A. B., the representative of the church, be directed and authorized to request from the Presbytery, at its stated meeting, permission for the Session to supply the pulpit of this church until the stated meeting following. 2. Action by the Presbytery. Mr. A. B. reported that the Presbytery had granted the Session permission to supply the pulpit of this church until the next stated meeting. 8. RuLina ELDERS. 1. Election of ruling elders. (See p. 280.) The subject of an increase of the eldership in this church, having been considered at several recent meetings of the Session, was again taken up. Resolved, 1. As the unanimous judgment of the Session, that the welfare of this church and the interests of re- ligion within our bounds render it expedient that the number of the ruling elders of this church be increased without unnecessary delay. Resolved, 2. That the Session does hereby recommend to the church the election of —-———— additional ruling RULING ELDERS. 355 elders, in accordance with the mode in use in this con- gregation. Resolved, 3. That an election for ruling elders be held in the lecture room of this church, at the close of the service of prayer, on —————, and that notice to that effect be given from the pulpit. 2. Installation of ruling elders. (See p. 289.) Re- solved, That the persons elected as ruling elders by the church, at the meeting of the church on —————,, viz.: C. D. and E. F.—be ordained and installed on the Sabbath in : 3. Reception of new elders. Messrs. R. B., T. L. C., and P. S., elected by the church as ruling elders, and solemnly ordained and installed on Sabbath, the — day of —————,, appeared in Session, and were cordially welcomed to their seats as members. 4. Death of a ruling elder. Our esteemed brother elder, Mr. P. D., having been removed by death since the last regular meeting of the Session, the following minute was unanimously adopted—namely: With humble submission to the dispensation of God’s all-wise providence, the Session record the death of one of its members, Mr. P. D., who departed this life on [Monday] the ————— day of ———=— inst. [or ult.], in the ————— year of his age. 9. DEACONS. 1. Election of Deacons. (See p. 304.) After due consideration the following action was taken: Whereas, It is the judgment of this Session that an addition is necessary to the present membership of the Board of Deacons; therefore be it Resolved, That a meeting of the church be called for Wednesday, December —, for the election of three additional deacons, and that public notice of this meeting be given from the pulpit next Sabbath. 356 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. 2. Report of the Board of Deacons. (See p. 307.) The minutes of the Board of Deacons were duly presented, and were referred to a committee consisting of J. K. and C. R., to report thereupon. The committee, having ex- amined said minutes, recommended their approval, and the report was adopted. 10. TRUSTEES, 1. Appointment of committee. (See p. 60.) In order to facilitate the transaction of the business of the congregation, it was resolved that Mr. D. S. be appointed as the representative of the Session in all matters con- nected with the business of the Board of Trustees, he to report regularly to Session the matters needing action. 2. Report. (See pp. 61, 315.) Mr. D. S. reported a request from the trustees in relation to the proposed use of the church building for a secular lecture. The request, after due consideration, was granted. 11. MEETING oF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. (See pp. 315, 307.) 1. Call. In view of the financial circumstances of the church and congregation, the Session deem it wise to call a meeting for conference of all the officers of the church. The clerk thereupon was directed to issue notices to the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees, that the Session desired to meet with them for conference upon financial matters on ‘Tuesday evening, April —. 2. Report. The meeting of the officers of this church called by the Session was duly held according to appoint- ment, and the following committee was appointed by it to raise funds for the payment of the church debt, viz.: Mr. C. D. of the Session, Mr. F. G. of the deacons, and Mr. H. J. of the trustees. CHURCH MEETINGS. 357 12. CHurcH MEETINGS. (See pp. 61, 62.) The clerk of Session as the clerk of the church meeting held on Wednesday, —————-, for the —————,, pre- sented the minutes of said meeting, and after the reading of the same they were found in order, and directed to be incorporated in the records of Session. 13. Saseata ScHoo~t CoMMITTEE. (See pp. 95, 96, 98.) 1. Appointment. The pastor and ruling elder A. B. were appointed a committee to represent the Session in the matter of the oversight of the Sabbath school, and to report thereupon at each regular meeting. 2. Report. The Committee on the Sabbath School reported that Mr. O. N. had been nominated for appoint- ment as superintendent. The recommendation was re- ceived and approved, and the committee was authorized to notify Mr. O. N. of his appointment as superintendent of the Sabbath school. 14. CommiTTEE on Music. (See p. 105.) 1. Appointment. The question of the conduct of the music of the church being under consideration, it was Resolved, That Messrs. J. K. and L. M. be the committee to have charge of the music in public worship, in so far as the Session possesses authority. 2. Report. The Committee on Music reported that Messrs. D. K. and N. R., with Mrs. E. S. and Miss M. T., after conference with the trustees as to salaries, had been appointed as members of the choir of the church, to serve for one year. 15. Socrerres. 1. Missionary societies. (See p. 118.) The annual reports of the women’s home and foreign missionary 358 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. societies of the church, and of the children’s missionary societies, were presented, showing that the following sums had been contributed by them for the objects hereinafter named—viz.: Foreign Missions, $——; National Missions, $ ; to Christian Education, $——; to Ministerial Relief, $ The reports were approved and ordered to be placed on file. 2. Young People’s Societies. (See p. 119.) The constitution of the Young People’s Society of the church was submitted to the Session for its approval. After due consideration said constitution was, on motion, duly approved. . The following persons were reported to Session as having been elected as officers of the Young People’s Society for the term of six months: viz.: ——. The report was approved. } 16. SvrarisTicaL REPORTS. (See p. 126.) The statistical report of the Session to the Presbytery for the year ending March 31st was presented by the stated clerk, and, after consideration and approval, was directed to be forwarded to the stated clerk of Presbytery. 17. Jupician Cases.—PuBuLic PROSECUTION. (See for order or steps of procedure in both private and public prosecution, pp. 178-181. The forms for records which follow are applicable mainly to a case of public prosecution, and contain only the principal items of judicial business.) 1. Inquiry or investigation. a. Appointment of Committee. The Session having been informed that rumors are in circulation seriously affecting the Christian character of Mr. C. D., a member of this church, Mr. G. H. was ap- pointed a committee to investigate the matter and to report at the next meeting. (See p. 168.) INQUIRY OR INVESTIGATION. 359 b. Report of Exoneration. The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Session to investigate the rumors affecting the Christian character of Mr. C. D., respectfully reports that in his opinion said rumors are without foundation. This report having been received and duly considered, the Session resolved that no further notice be taken of the rumors against Mr. C. D. c. Report of Nonprosecution. The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Session to investigate the rumors affecting the Christian character of Mr. C. D., a member of this church, respect- fully reports that the said rumors appear to be well founded, but further that the case is so circumstanced that it plainly “cannot be prosecuted to conviction” by any testimony at present subject to the authority of the Session. This report having been received and duly considered, the Session Resolved, That it appears clear that the ease of Mr. C. D. is so circumstanced that it plainly “cannot be prosecuted to conviction,” and that ‘itis better to wait until God, in his righteous providence, shall give further light.”’ (See p. 141.) d. Report Recommending Prosecution. The committee appointed at the last meeting of Session to investigate the rumors affecting the Christian character of Mr. C. D., respectfully report that there is probable ground for an accusation against said Mr. C. D., charging him with the offence of —————,, and further that it is recommended that Session appoint a Committee of Prosecution to conduct the case in all its stages under the provisions of the Book of Discipline, Chapter II, Section 12. The Session, having received and duly considered the report, appointed Messrs. T. U. and V. W. a Committee of Prosecution, and directed them to proceed in the case of Mr. C. D., a member of this church, in conformity 360 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. with the requirements of the Book of Discipline. (See p. 169.) 2. The trial—first meeting. a. Opening Record. The Session met in accordance with the call of the moderator at ————— on Dec. 6, and was opened with prayer. The following persons were present—viz.: P. Q., the moderator, R. S., L. M., E. F., and Y. Z. The moderator announced that they were about to proceed to the consideration of the Committee of Prosecu- tion in the case of Mr. C. D., a member of this church. He thereupon, in accordance with Rule XL of the General Rules for Judicatories, enjoined the members “‘to recollect and regard their high character as judges of a court of Jesus Christ, and the solemn duty” in which they were about to act. (See p. 172.) b. Charges. The Committee of Prosecution thereupon presented its report as follows: ‘‘The Committee of Prosecution appointed to conduct the case of Mr. C. D. in all its stages, present the following charges against Mr. C. D., a member of this church.” (See p. 148.) See for forms of charges and specifications, p. 368. c. Citations. The charges and specifications having been read, the Session directed the clerk to cite the accused, Mr. C. D., to appear before the Session on ————— at —————. A copy of the charges and specifications was also directed to be sent to the said accused person. The clerk was directed to issue citations to the witnesses named in the specifications to the charges, and also to furnish the accused with citations for such witnesses as he may desire to summon to testify in his behalf. (See p. 146.) For forms of citations, see p. 368. JUDICIAL PROCEDURE. 361 d. Adjournment. Adjourned to meet Dec. 7, at 10 a, m., in the same place. Closed with prayer. 3. The trial—second meeting. a. Opening Record. The Session met according to adjournment at —————, on Dec. 7, at 10 a. m., to consider the unfinished business of the last meeting, viz.: the charges brought by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. A., through a Committee of Prosecution, against Mr. C. D. — The moderator read Rule XL of the General Rules for Judicatories. (See p. 336.) b. Service of Citations. The clerk announced that the citations ordered by the judicatory in the case, for the prosecutor, the accused, and the witnesses had been duly served. (See p. 146.) c. Counsel. Mr. C. D., the accused person, being present, an- nounced that Mr. R. S., one of the members of Session, had been requested by him to act as counsel, and it was ordered that record be made of the fact. (See p. 169.) dimer ica. The Committee of Prosecution and the accused person being questioned, replied that they were both ready for trial. No objections were made to the regularity of the or- ganization or to the jurisdiction of the judicatory, or to the sufficiency of the charges and specifications in form and legal effect. (See p. 172.) The proceedings being in order, the accused was called upon to plead to the charges, and made answer, ‘Not guilty.”’ The plea was entered on the record. (See p. 173.) 362 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. e. Witnesses. The Committee of Prosecution, through Mr. T. U., then addressed the judicatory, presenting their view of the case, and stating the points which they expected to prove by the witnesses. After which the court pro- ceeded to call the witnesses. (See p. 152.) The counsel for the accused raised the question as to the exclusion of witnesses, according to the Book of Discipline, Chapter VIII, Section 60, and it was Ordered, That all witnesses hereafter to be examined be excluded until they are summoned to testify. (See p. 153.) Mr. T. U. then introduced the first witness for the prosecution (see p. 152)—viz.: Mr. B. A. was sworn by the moderator (see p. 151), and testified as follows: The testimony was read to the witness, and approved by him as being correctly recorded. (See p. 157.) The witnesses having all been examined, f. Hearing of the Parties. The parties were heard in their explanations of the testimony and in their comments thereupon. (See p. 178.) g. Deliberation and Judgment. After the parties had concluded and had withdrawn from the judicatory, the roll was called, that every member of the court might have an opportunity to express his opinion on the case. After careful deliberation the vote was taken upon the charges and the specifications separately, and the court found Mr. C. D. guilty. The vote was unanimous upon both charges and specifications. Messrs. L. M. and E. F. were appointed a Committee on Judgment. (See pp. 170-172.) The Committee on Judgment reported the following minute, which was unanimously adopted as the final judgment of the court in the case: JUDICIAL PROCEDURE 363 The Session, having deliberately considered the testimony in the ease of Mr. C. D., a member of this church, charged by the Presbyterian Church in the U. 8. A. with the sin of drunkenness, as in sundry specifications set forth, and having patiently listened to the testimony, arguments, and explanations which have been offered, as well by the accused as by the Committee of Prosecution, does Judge and decide that the charge has been proved, and that the said Mr. C. D. is guilty of the sin of drunkenness charged upon him. And the Session does further judge and determine that the said Mr. C. D. ought to be, and he hereby is, suspended from the communion of the church until he shall give satisfactory evidence of repentance. h. Sentence. Mr. C. D. was then called in, and the moderator, in accordance with the Directory for Worship, Chapter XI, Section 2, pronounced upon him the sentence of the judicatory. (See p. 162.) t. Publication of Sentence. The following minute was then adopted: In view of the publicity of the sin of which Mr. C. D.,one of the members of this church, has been adjudged to be guilty, and of the great reproach which has been brought by it upon the Church of Christ, Resolved, That the moderator be directed to publish the sentence of suspension from the pulpit. (See p. 162.) j. Appeal. Mr. C. D. gave notice of his intention to appeal from this decision of the Session to the Presbytery of H : at its next meeting, and stated that a copy of his appeal, with the reasons for the same, would be “lodged with the moderator.” ‘‘within ten days.’”’ (See p. 182.) 364 FORMS FOR SESSIONS. k. Transmission of Record. The clerk was directed, in view of the appeal of Mr. C. D., to transmit the record of the case to the Presbytery, in accordance with the Book of Discipline, Chapter X, Section 96. (See p. 183.) l. Adjournment. The business having been completed, the moderator announced that the Session had ceased to sit in a judicial capacity. Closed with prayer. II. CERTIFICATES, CHARGES, AND CITATIONS. 1. ReGuLAR CERTIFICATE OF DISMISSION. (See pp. 74, 346.) This; is to:certifyme that! i2ee........4e is 2 member in good standing, of the ...............:.... Church’ of