Brooklyn, N.Y. 
 
 Manual 
 of the 
 Plymouth Church 
 
 1848 
 

 
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 M A N U A L 
 
 PLYMOUTH CHURCH 
 / 
 
 BBooniivr, jr. i\ 
 
 HENRY WARD BEECHER, 
 
 PASTOR. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY VOTE OP THE CHURCH, 
 
 IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 
 
 1 848. 
 
 NEW-YORK : 
 PRINTED BY HENRY SPEAR, 
 
 78 Wall Street, corner of Pearl. 
 
PLYMOUTH CHURCH PROPERTY. 
 
 \ The building now occupied by the society of " The 
 \ Plymouth Church," Cranberry street, Brooklyn, was 
 \ erected in 1823 by "The First Presbyterian Church" 
 \ (now located in Henry street.) The ground was pur- 
 \ chased of John and Jacob M. Hicks, and was then an 
 ; open field, very few houses having been erected in the 
 vicinity. In the year 1831 a Lecture Room with a 
 Sabbath School Room and Pastor's Study was erected, 
 situated on Orange street, directly in the rear and con- 
 nected with the church. The Church and Lecture 
 \ Room now occupy between seven and eight lots of 
 $ ground, pleasantly located in the most densely popu- 
 lated part of the city, and directly on Brooklyn Heights. 
 The above property, including the bell, clock and 
 j all the fixtures and furniture on the premises, were 
 | purchased of " The First Presbyterian Church" in the 
 j month of June, 1846, by John T. Howard, Henry C. 
 Bowen and Seth B. Hunt, of " The Church of the Pil- 
 grims," Brooklyn, and David Hale, of " The Taberna- 
 cle Church," New-York, for the sum of Twenty Thou- 
 < sand Dollars. Mr. Howard conducted the negotiations, 
 | and the other named individuals furnished the money. 
 \ On the first day of June, 1848, the property was con- 
 5 veyed by deed to " The Plymouth Church," who paid 
 \ for the same the original cost, together with the interest. 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 '< A meeting was held in accordance with the laws of 
 \ the State, on Monday evening the fourteenth day of 
 \ June 1847, in the present lecture room of the Church, 
 < for the purpose of organizing a Religious Society. 
 \ Jira Payne was appointed Chairman, and J. Wilson 
 \ Green, Secretary, both of whom were appointed In- 
 ] spectors of Election for Trustees. 
 
 Henry C. Bowen, John T. Howard, and Daniel 
 ; Burgess were elected Trustees, who subsequently 
 \ were divided by lot to serve, each in the order as they 
 stand, for the term of one, two and three years. 
 " The Plymouth Church " 
 i was adopted upon deliberation, as the corporate name 
 \ of the Society. 
 
 i The certificate of incorporation was recorded in the 
 5 Clerks Office of Kings County on the twenty-seventh 
 \ day of September 1847. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 CHURCH, ORGANIZATION. &C. 
 
 The first meeting of those interested in the establish- 
 ment of a new Congregational Church in Brooklyn, \ 
 (now called " The Plymouth Church ") was held at \ 
 the house of Henry C. Bowen, on Saturday evening j 
 May 9th, 1847. Present David Hale, of New York \ 
 Jira Payne, John T. Howard, Charles Rowland, David \ 
 Griffin and Henry C. Bowen, of Brooklyn. 
 
 The meeting was opened by prayer, after which j 
 
 David Hale made some statements in relation to the : 
 
 i 
 
 property now held by " The Plymouth Church " and 
 then in behalf of himself and the other owners, offered \ 
 the use of said property for purposes of religious wor- \ 
 ship, as soon as the premises should be vacated by " The \ 
 First Presbyterian Church. Whereupon it was 
 
 Resolved, " That religious services shall be com 
 menced by Divine permission on Sunday the six- \ 
 teenth day of May," — that being the first Sabbath after \ 
 the house was vacated. 
 
 On Sunday morning, May 16th 1847, notice having 1 
 been given in the newspapers, the Meeting House in \ 
 Cranberry street, was opened for religious worship. J 
 
 \ 
 
Henry Ward Beecher being providentially in the city ; 
 was invited to preach the first sermon. At the close of I 
 the services, public notice was given that a weekly 
 prayer meeting would be established, commencing the j 
 next Friday evening, in the lecture room. At the ap- I 
 pointed time about thirty persons were present to unite \ 
 in prayer for the Divine blessing on the new enter- \ 
 terprise, most of whom expressed a desire to connect 
 themselves with the Church when organized. Jira \ 
 Payne conducted the exercises. At the close of the 
 prayer meeting, on motion of David Hale from New i 
 York, John T. Howard, Henry C. Bowen, Richard \ 
 Hale, Charles Rowland, and Jira Payne, were appoint- 
 ed a Committee to make arrangements for the forma- 
 tion of a church ; to prepare and report articles of faith 
 and covenant, form of admission, ecclesiastical princi- \ 
 pies and rules, manual for business, &c. Also, to give 
 notice the following Sabbath to all persons who desired \ 
 to be connected with the church at its organization, to 
 be present at the next Friday evening prayer meeting. 
 At the two subsequent prayer meetings twenty-one 
 persons handed in their names to be organized into a 
 church. On Friday evening, June eleventh, the com- \ 
 mittee appointed to prepare acticles of faith, &c , made \ 
 their report, which after some amendments was adopt 
 ed, and notice was given that the church would be or 
 ganized the following Sabbath evening. 
 
 i 
 
A council of Ministers and Delegates from other 
 churches convened at the house of John T. Howard on 
 Saturday evening, the twelfth day of June, by invitation \ 
 of the committee, who presented to said Council the Arti- 
 eles of Faith and Covenant adopted, also the credentials j 
 of those persons who expected to be organized unto a 
 church. 
 
 Said Council were as follow r s 4 : 
 
 From the Church of the Pilgrims. 
 Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Jr. Pastor. 
 Brother Chandler Starr, Delegate. 
 
 - ! 
 
 From the Second Congregational Church. 
 Rev. J. N. Sprague, Pastor. 
 Brother A, B. Davenport. Delegate. 
 
 From the Broadway Tabernacle Church, JVtw- York. 
 Rev. J. P. Thompson, Pastor. 
 Brother David Hale, Delegate. 
 
 From the Chrystie st. Congregational Church , New- York 
 Rev. D. C. Lansing, D. D., Pastor. 
 Brother Seymour Whiling, Delegate. 
 
 The Council voted to approve what had been done, 
 and accepted the invitation of the Commitee to partici- 
 pate in the public services of the organization, the follow- 
 
*~ 
 
 On Sunday evening, the thirteenth day of June, the 
 Church was organized. A Sermon was preached on 
 the occasion by Richard S. Storrs, Jr., Pastor of the 
 Church of the Pilgrims. Other clergymen, members 
 of the council took part in the services. 
 
 On Monday evening, June fourteenth, the church by 
 a unanimous vote, elected Henry Ward Beecher to 
 be their Pastor, and a committee was appointed to act 
 with the society in presenting the call. 
 
 During the summer the church was opened for reli- 
 gious worship three times each Sabbath. Various cler- 
 gymen, mostly from New-England, were invited to 
 supply the pulpit. On the fifth day of September, a 
 Sabbath School was organized, consisting of ten teach- 
 ers and twenty-eight scholars. Henry C. Bowen was 
 elected Superintendent, and John T. Howard, Secretary. 
 The school rapidly increased in numbers, and now has 
 on its register more than one hundred and sixty teach- 
 ers and scholars, eight or ten of whom have been hope- 
 fully converted. 
 
 After some two months delay, the call presented to 
 Henry Ward Beecher, was accepted. On Sunday the 
 I tenth day of October he commenced his labors, and on 
 $ Thursday the eleventh day of November, he was pub- 
 i licly installed as Pastor of the church and congregation. 
 \ The following is a copy of the minutes of the council : 
 < " At an ecclesiastical council convened by letters from 
 
the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn in the State of 
 New-York, at their lecture-room, on the eleventh day of 
 November, in the year of our Lord 1847, for the pur- | 
 pose of installing (if the way should be found clear) the j 
 Rev. Henry Ward Beecher as their Pastor, there were j 
 present — 
 
 i 
 From the Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn . 
 Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Jr., Pastor. 
 Brother Seth B. Hunt, Delegate. 
 
 Second Congregational Church, Brooklyn. 
 Rev. J. N. Sprague, Pastor. 
 Brother Edward Corning, Delegate. 
 
 Second Co?igregatio?ial Church, New- York. 
 Rev. D. C. Lansing, D. D., Pastor. 
 Brother Abraham C. Van Epps, Delegate. 
 
 Church of the Puritans, JVeiv-York. 
 Rev Geo. B. Cheever, Pastor. 
 Brother Oliver E. Wood, Delegate. 
 
 — 
 
 Fourth Congregational Church, New- York. 
 Rev. William W. Wallace, Pastor. 
 Brother Joseph D. Kellogg, Delegate. 
 
 Broadway Tabernacle Church, JVew- York. 
 Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, Pastor. 
 Brother David Hale, Del«-ate. 
 
 I 
 
10 
 
 Sullivan street Church, New- York. 
 Rev. S. Bristol, Pastor. 
 Brother A. S. Ball, Delegate. 
 
 Second Congregational Church in Bridgeport, Conn 
 Rev. Nathaniel Hevvit, D. D., Pastor. 
 Brother James Ruthven, Delegate. 
 
 Salem Church, Boston, Mass. 
 Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., Pastor. 
 Brother Ebenezer Wellman, Delegate. 
 
 North Church, Hartford, Conn. 
 Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., Pastor. 
 Brother Thomas Day, Delegate. 
 
 North Church, New Haven, Conn. 
 Rev. S. W. S. Dutton, Pastor. 
 Brother James Brewster, Delegate. 
 
 Also, Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., of Pittsfield 
 
 Mass. 
 
 Rev Dr. Hewitt was chosen moderator and Rev. 
 Mr. Dutton was chosen scribe, 
 
 Rev. John Marsh, Rev. J. M. Rowland, Rev. O. W. 
 Bidwell, Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong being present, 
 were invited to set with the council as corresponding 
 members. 
 
11 
 
 The council being thus organized, sought the Di- 
 vine blessing by prayer, being led therein by the mod- \ 
 erator. 
 
 The invitation addressed by the Church and Society \ 
 to Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, to become their Pas- j 
 tor, — Mr. Beecher's acceptance of the same, and also, j 
 the resolutions of the society pertaining to his pecunia- j 
 ary support while in the pastoral office over them, be- > 
 ing presented to the council, were pronounced by vote 
 satisfactory, and ordered to be placed on record. 
 
 After an extended and thorough examination of the 
 Pastor elect, respecting his views of the doctrine of \ 
 natural and revealed religion, his experience of renew- \ 
 ing and sanctifying grace, and his object in entering on 
 the work of the Christian Ministry, the council unani- 
 mously pronounced the examination sustained, and vo- 
 ted to proceed to Installation, assigning the services 
 thereof as follows : 
 
 Invocation and reading of the Scriptures^— by Rev. 
 Dr. Humphrey. 
 
 Sermon — by Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher. 
 Installing Prayer — by Rev. Dr. Hewit. 
 Charge to the Pastor — by Rev. Dr. Lansing. 
 
 The Fellowship of the Churches — by Rev. R. S. 
 S to rrs, Jr. 
 
 Address to the People — by the Rev. J, P. Thomp- 
 son. 
 
 • 
 
12 
 
 Concluding Prayer — by Rev. Dr. Bushnell. 
 These services were duly performed. 
 
 (Signed.) Nathaniel Hewit, Moderator. 
 
 (Signed.) S. W. S, Duiton, Scribe. 
 
 A very interesting revival soon commenced and has 
 continued up to the present time. More than seventy 
 persons indulge the hope that they have passed from 
 death unto life, nearly all of whom have connected 
 themselves with this and other churches. A widely 
 extended and deep religious interest has pervaded the 
 congregation. The weekly lecture and prayer meet- 
 ings have been well attended, and several of our num- 
 ber have been engaged in Mission Sabbath Schools, 
 Tract Distribution, &c. 
 
 A weekly meeting was early established for the 
 promotion of social intercourse and Christian affection. 
 Many who might not otherwise have been acquainted 
 for years, have been brought together as Christians 
 and friends, and the result has been the awakening 
 of a deep interest in each other, and the promotion 
 of the kindest feelings throughout the congregation. 
 
 In concluding, it may be truly said that this new en- 
 terprise, through the goodness of Providence, has thus 
 far been prospered beyond the expectations of its warm- 
 est friends, and it is to be hoped that the great Head 
 of the Church will ever preside over and make it the 
 instrument of great good to a dying world. 
 
13 
 
 FORM OF ADMISSION to the CHURCH. 
 
 The articles of Faith, Covenant and Rules, have been recently revised 
 by a Special Committee, and were adopted by the Church, as they now 
 stand, on the seventeenth of April, 1848, by a unanimous vote. 
 
 You have separated yourselves from this congrega- 
 tion, dear friends, to perform one of the most momen- 
 tous, and yet joyful, acts of your life. You will never 
 cease to feel the effect of the dedication which you now 
 make. Should you cling affectionately to that Re- 
 deemer whom you are now about openly to avouch, you 
 will ever rejoice that you were brought to this hour ; 
 but if your soul shall draw back, and you shall put 
 Christ to an open shame, this deed, and this hour, shall 
 be everlasting witnesses against you. 
 
 You have been deeply convinced of your personal 
 sinfulness : you have heartily repented thereof : you 
 have believed in the forgiving love of Jesus Christ : 
 you have dedicated your heart and life to him : that 
 dedication you are about to renew in the presence of 
 God and this Congregation. Yet, be not cast down. — 
 Though we have thought it meet to admonish you, it is 
 with a calm and cheerful hope that He, who in love 
 has called you will never leave nor forsake you, until 
 you shall stand in Zion and before God. 
 
« 
 
 14 
 
 ARTICLES OF FAITH. 
 
 1. We believe in the existence of One Everliving 
 and True God, Sovereign and unchangeable, In- 
 finite in Power, Wisdom, and Goodness. 
 
 2. We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Testaments to be inspired of God ; to contain a 
 revelation of his will, and to be the authoritative 
 rule of faith and practice. 
 
 3. We believe that the Father, the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghost, are revealed in the Scriptures as ex- 
 isting, in respect to attributes, character, and office, 
 as three Persons, equally Divine ; while in other 
 respects they are united and are in a proper sense, 
 One God. 
 
 4. We believe that our first parents were created up- 
 right, that they fell from their original state by 
 disobedience, and that all their posterity are not 
 only prone to sin, but do become sinful and guilty 
 before God. 
 
 5. We believe that God so loved the world that he 
 gave his only begotten Son to die for it ; that Christ 
 appeared in the flesh ; that he set forth a perfect 
 example of obedience ; that he purely taught the 
 truths needful for our salvation; that he suffered 
 in our stead, the just for the unjust ; that he died 
 
15 
 
 to atone for our sins and to purify us therefrom, 
 and that he rose from the dead and ascended into 
 heaven, where he ever liveth to make intercession \ 
 for us. 
 
 6. We believe that God offers full forgiveness and 
 everlasting life to ail who will heartily repent > 
 and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ; while those \ 
 who do not believe, but persevere in sin, shall 
 finally perish. 
 
 7. We believe in the resurrection of all the dead ; 
 in a final and general Judgment, upon the awards 
 of which the wicked shall go into everlasting pun- 
 ishment, and the righteous into life eternal. 
 
 Tims do you believe?] 
 
 COVETVAXT. 
 
 Do you now avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your 
 God? Jesus Christ to be your Saviour? the Holy I 
 Spirit to be your Sanctifier? Renouncing the dominion 
 of this world over you, do you consecrate your whole ) 
 soul and body to the service of God ? do you receive \ 
 his word as the rule of your life? and by his grace ag- \ 
 sisting you, will you persevere in this consecration unto \ 
 the end ? 
 
 Tie ordinance of Baptism, if not previously received, will here be administered.] 
 
 
16 
 
 COVENANT WITH THE CHURCH. 
 
 [Here those who unite by letter will rise in their places.] 
 
 Do you solemnly covenant and agree to study the \ 
 peace, purity and liberty of this church ? to love and 
 watch over its members as your brethren ? to receive \ 
 from them all needful care and admonition? Will you ] 
 labor together with us in the maintenance of its public i 
 worship and ordinances ? submit to necessary disci- \ 
 pline, and avoid all causes of scandal and offence so \ 
 ) long as in the Providence of God you shall continue 
 among us 1 I 
 
 [The members of the church will here rise.] 
 
 We, then, the members of this church, do joyfully 
 and cordially receive you into our number. We pro- 
 mise to bear with you, to love, to edify, and by all 
 means in our power to advance you in the divine life. \ 
 Amen. 
 
 i 
 ECCLESIASTICAL 
 
 PRINCIPLES AND RULES. 
 
 1. This church is an independent ecclesiastical body ; 
 i and, in matters of doctrine, order and discipline, is 
 ', amenable to no other organization. 
 
17 
 
 2. Connection with other Churches. — This church will 
 extend to other evangelical churches, and receive from 
 them that fellowship, advice and assistance which the 
 laws of Christ require. 
 
 3. Admission of Members. — Application for church j 
 membership, either by letter or profession, must be < 
 made to the examining committee ; and those approved \ 
 shall be propounded to the church at least two weeks, 1 
 and to the congregation one week, before the com- I 
 munion. They shall become members by vote of the \ 
 church and giving a public assent to the Articles of \ 
 Faith and Covenant. < 
 
 4. Dismission of Members. — It is expected that mem- \ 
 bers on removing will ask for letters of dismission ) 
 and recommendation. Requests for such letters may \ 
 be announced at the weekly prayer-meeting or lecture : 
 and if at the end of one week no objection has been made \ 
 to the clerk, he shall issue the customary certificate. 
 
 5. Rights of Members. — No member can be deprived 
 of church privileges except by regular process. The \ 
 presentation of complaints may be first made to the ex- j 
 amining Committee, who shall, upon sufficient cause, \ 
 prefer charges to the whole church ; or the complain- { 
 ant may present his complaint in person to the church. \ 
 When a member is accused, he shall be seasonably fur- \ 
 nished with a copy of the complaint and shall have a j 
 full hearing;. i 
 
 $ 
 
18 
 
 6. Censures. — The censures inflicted on offenders are, 
 private reproof, public admonition, suspension or ex- 
 communication, according to the aggravation of the < 
 offence ; and in case of excommunication, notice there- \ 
 of shall be given from the pulpit on the Sabbath. 
 
 7. Officers. — The stated officers of the church shall 
 be the Pastor or Pastors, Deacons, Examining Com- I 
 mittee, Clerk and Treasurer. It shall be the duty of 
 the Deacons to assist in die administration of the Lord's \ 
 Supper, to distribute the charities of the church, arid in \ 
 the absence, or at the request of the pastor, to provide a \ 
 supply for the pulpit. 
 
 In 1848 two Deacons shall be chosen for three years, 
 two for two years, and two for one year, and at each 
 subsequent annual meeting, two shall be chosen for 
 three years; and at the expiration of their terms of 
 office, they shall be inellegible for one year. 
 
 The Examining Committee shall consist of seven 
 brethren, including the Pastor. In 1848, two members 
 shall be chosen for three years, two for two years, and 
 two for one year, and at each subsequent annual meet- 
 ing two members shall be chosen for three years ; and 
 at the expiration of their terms of office they shall be 
 inelligible for one year. Members of the church are 
 entitled to be present at, and to participate in the exami- 
 nation of candidates. 
 
19 
 
 It shall be the duty of the stated clerk to record the 
 doings of the church at its business meetings : also, to 
 keep the covenant, confession of faith, form of admis- 
 sion, ecclesiastical principles and rules recorded in a 
 place by themselves ; and a chronological list of its 
 members with the times of their admission, dismission, 
 or death, so far as he can ascertain the same. 
 
 Vacancies in any of the offices occuring between the \ 
 annual meetings, may be filled at any regular business 
 
 i meeting, notice of the intention to fill such vacancies hav- '. 
 ing been given from the pulpit on the previous Sabbath. 
 All officers shall be elected by ballot, without nomina- 
 tion, and all elections shall be determined by the vote 
 of a majority of the members of lawful age present and 
 voting. 
 
 | The terms of office of the Deacons, Examining Com- 
 
 : mittee, Clerk and Treasurer, shall expire on the first 
 
 S day of May. 
 
 8. Meetings. — This church shall meet for prayer and j 
 
 ; conference every Friday evening ; and the brother pre- 
 siding shall appoint another brother to preside the next 
 Friday evening. 
 
 The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the first \ 
 Sabbaths of January, March, May, July, September 
 and November. 
 
 A Business Meeting of the church shall be held after 
 the religious services on the Friday evening next pre- j 
 
30 
 
 ceding the first Sabbath in each month ; but at the 
 meeting next before the communion, no business but 
 the reception and dismission of members shall be trans- 
 acted, unless by general consent. 
 
 A Meeting for the choice of Officers and for other 
 business shall be held annually on the second Thursday 
 evening of April, at which the Examining Committee 
 shall present a written report on the state of the church 
 and its history during the previous year, including an 
 account of the members received and dismissed ; and 
 a report shall also be presented by the Treasurer, and 
 his accounts duly audited. 
 
 The Clerk, on the written requisition of any seven 
 male members of lawful age, shall call a Special Busi- 
 ness Meeting, by causing a notice to be read from the 
 pulpit. 
 
 At each business meeting a Moderator shall be chosen. 
 
 All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer. 
 
 No resolution shall be considered at the same meet- 
 ing at which it is offered if any objection is made there- 
 to, but shall be reduced to writing by the mover, and 
 referred to the next business meeting. The objection 
 may be overruled, however, by three-fourths of the 
 members present. 
 
 The Confession of Faith, Covenant, Form of Ad- 
 mission, or Ecclesiastical Principles and Rules shall not 
 
91 
 
 _ — 
 
 be altered, except by a vote of two-thirds of the male 
 members of lawful age present and voting at an annual 
 meeting ; nor shall such alteration be considered, unless 
 a notice containing the substance thereof shall have 
 been given in writing, at a previous business meeting. 
 
 BASIS OF UNION 
 
 33ctteem tyt <£fnivdj auU tye Society. 
 
 I. The Society shall hold the property, and receive 
 | the income, and make all pecuniary engagements, ap- 
 \ propriations and payments. 
 
 I 2. In calling a Pastor, the Society and Church will j 
 \ act as concurrent bodies — a majority of each being ne- j 
 I cessary to constitute a call ; the Church nominating, : 
 \ and the Society confirming or rejecting the nomination. 
 3. The Church will provide for the supply of the j 
 pulpit when there is no settled Pastor ; make the ne- 
 cessary arrangements for singing, and, in general, for 
 the orderly celebration of religious worship: and the 
 Society will liquidate all reasonable expenses thereby \ 
 incurred. 
 
22 
 
 Meetings. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Society for the election of 
 Trustees and other business will be held on the last 
 Thursday evening in March. 
 
 The annual meeting of the Church, occurs on the se- 
 cond Thursday evening of April. 
 
 A regular business meeting of the Church will be held 
 at the close of the prayer meeting, in the lecture room 
 on Friday evening, next preceding the first Sabbath in 
 each month. 
 
 Weekly Services. 
 
 Preaching, Sabbath morning and evening. 
 Prayer Meeting, Sabbath afternoon in the Lecture 
 Room. 
 
 Lecture, on Wednesday evening. 
 Prayer Meeting, on Friday evening. 
 
 Inquiry Meetings. 
 
 Meetings for religious conversation with the Pastor, 
 (usually weekly) occur by special appointment. 
 
23 
 
 Social Circle. 
 
 A social meeting will be held on Tuesday evening 
 of each week, the special object of which is to promote 
 acquaintance, sympathy and friendship, throughout the 
 church and congregation. 
 
 Safcbath School. 
 
 Will meet at 9 o'clock every Sabbath morning in 
 the room over the Lecture Room. 
 
 Monthly Concert. 
 
 Adults will be baptised when publicly received into 
 the church. Infant Baptism will be administered at 
 
 The usual monthly concert of Prayer for Missions, 
 will be held in the Lecture Room on the first Monday \ 
 ', evening- of each month. 
 
 Co in in union. 
 
 The celebration of the Lords Supper will occur on 
 the first Sabbath 'morning in May, July, September, 
 November, January and March. 
 
 Baptism. 
 
34 
 
 the opening of the morning services on each commu- 
 nion Sabbath. 
 
 Application for Church Membership. 
 
 Those wishing to join the church, either by letter or 
 on profession of their faith, are invited to meet the ex- 
 amining committee in person, at their appointed ses- 
 sions, notice of which will be publicly given. 
 
 Prayer Meetings. 
 
 The Sabbath afternoon and Friday evening prayer 
 meetings are conducted by the brethren of the church, 
 one of whom will preside, whose duty it shall be to ap- 
 point another brother to preside at the next meeting. 
 At these meetings the members of the church are 
 invited to take a part, to express their feelings in re- 
 gard to their own experience, to provoke each other to 
 more faithfulness in the cause of Christ, and to influ- 
 ence the Church, as a body, to a higher standard of 
 piety and benevolence. 
 
25 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 1848. 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 HENRY C. BOWEN, 113 Hicks street, ^ Elected for i 
 CHARLES ROWLAND, 159 Washington st. 3 three years. 
 
 s place. ^ 
 ia st. j 
 
 DANIEL BURGESS, 01 Columbia st. > two >' ea rs. 
 
 LUTHER EAMES, 88 Hicks street, > Elected tor j 
 
 AURELIUS B. HULL, 46 Willow street, 5 °" e )' e ar. 
 
 EXAMINING COMMITTEE. 
 
 1848. 
 
 HENRY WARD BEECHER, Pastor, (ex-officio) Is Willow. 
 
 JOHN T. HOWARD, 150 Hicks street, > Elected for 
 J1RA PAYNE, 100 Columbia st. S three years 
 
 WM. H. B1GELOW, 5 Clinton street, > Elected for 
 CHARLES ROWLAND, 150 Washington st. 5 f wo years. 
 
 DANIEL BURGESS, 91 Columbia street, } Elected for 
 
 HENRY C. BOWEN, 113 Hicks street, ) one year. 
 
26 
 
 TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 1848. 
 
 JAS FREELAND, President, 9S Columbia st. 
 HORACE B. CLAFLIN, 41 Pierrepont st. 
 WILLIAM H. MOORE, 12 Willow place 
 
 JOHN T. HOWARD, Clerk, 150 Hicks street 
 J. WILSON GREENE, 59 Hicks street, 
 
 BRADFORD KNAPP, 13S Washington 
 
 H. C. BOWEN, Treasurer, 113 Hicks street, 
 J. A. DE FOREST, 35 Cranberry st. ' 
 
 BENJAMIN FLANDERS. Court n. State st. 
 
 i Elected 
 
 > tor 
 
 5 three years 
 
 Elected 
 
 lor 
 
 two years. 
 
 Elected 
 
 for 
 one year. 
 
 OFFICER OF THE SABBATH-SCHOOL. 
 
 1848. 
 
 LUTHER EAMES, Superintendent, 88 Hicks street. 
 JOHN T. HOWARD, Secretary, 150 Hicks street. 
 
 ISAAC L. CONDIT, Librarian, 145 Adams street. 
 
37 
 
 MANUAL. FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS. 
 
 When the appointed time for the meeting arrives, 
 | the stated clerk will call the Church to order, and a 
 moderator being nominated, will put the question upon 
 the choice. If the stated clerk should not be present, 
 any member may rise in his place, nominate a mode- 
 rator, and put the question ; and a clerk pro tern, should 
 then be chosen. If the meeting be adjourned to another 
 day, the same officers preside again, for an adjourn- 
 ment is but a continuance of the same meeting. 
 
 All the decisions of the presiding officer are subject 
 to revision by the Church. 
 
 Every motion must be made in writing, if required 
 | by any member ; and, when seconded, must be read 
 by the moderator and submitted to the consideration of 
 the Church. Until this motion is disposed of, all sub- 
 sequent propositions must be made by way of amend- 
 ment to it. An amendment may go to the exclusion, 
 addition, or substitution of words or sentences ; indeed,a 
 motion to amend by striking out all the words after the 
 word resolved, and substituting an entirely new proposi- 
 tion upon the same subject, is in order. Until some vote 
 has been taken on a resolution or an amendment to it, it 
 may be withdrawn by the mover. There are certain 
 
3S 
 
 motions which are termed "privileged " which may be 
 made at any time : such are the motions to postpone in- 
 definitely, to refer to a committee, to lay on the table 
 (which means to lay aside for the present), to postpone 
 to a future time fixed, and to adjourn. All these mo- 
 tions may be debated except the last. When a mem- 
 ber is speaking, no motion can be made but with his 
 consent. 
 
 When any motion is before the Church every mem- 
 ber has a right to express his views concerning it ; and 
 while doing so, the moderator is bound to confine him 
 in his remarks to the point under consideration, and 
 also to protect him against all interruption, except to 
 call him to order if he violate the rules of courtesy, or 
 of debate : but after the matter of order is adjusted, 
 he has a right to go on to the end of his remarks. 
 
 The proposition last made is always the proposition 
 under consideration, and the first to be voted on ; so 
 that when several amendments or propositions are be- 
 fore the meeting, the order in which they are to be 
 voted upon is usually the reverse of the order in which 
 they were made. If several sums are proposed, the 
 largest is to be first put to vote : if several times, the 
 longest ; and as to the numbers generally, the largest. 
 
 When a motion is put to vote, it should be first clearly 
 stated from the chair, so that there may be no possible 
 
29 
 
 ; misunderstanding about it. Then the moderator says : ' 
 
 < As many as are in favor of this resolution, will please 
 to say aye, or — lift up their hands, or — rise, as the cus- 
 
 i torn of the Church may be ; then, As many as are 
 against this resolution, or — as are of a different opinion, 
 will please to say no, or — lift up their hands, or — rise. 
 \ Then the moderator declares the result by saying — It ) 
 j is a vote, or — it is not a vote. If any member thinks ' 
 ; the moderator in error, or that an accurate count would \ 
 \ change the result, he has a right to demand it immedi- \ 
 | ately : in which case the question must be put again, ; 
 ; and the vote carefully counted. After the question is \ 
 . put to vote, there can be no debate, and no new propo- \ 
 ', sition made, until the voting is finished. After the vote < 
 \ is taken, any member who voted in the majority ', may, \ 
 \ during the same meeting, move a reconsideration ; 
 
 which motion opens the subject again for debate : and { 
 \ if the vote to reconsider is adopted, the whole matter : 
 ; stands just as it did before the reconsidered vote was } 
 '< taken \ 
 
 < \ 
 ; Questions of order are to be decided by the modera- \ 
 
 | tor : but if any member thinks the decision incorrect, he j 
 
 \ can appeal to the meeting; and the decision on that ap- ' 
 
 ; peal will be final. 
 
 When the report of a comm.ttee is presented, it will 
 | of course be put on file. A vote to accept, and adopt, \ 
 
30 
 
 is an expression of concurrence with the views of the 
 committee. 
 
 When a member has a motion to make, or wishes to 
 speak on a pending motion, he must rise and address 
 himself respectfully to the moderator. 
 
 A member who has a motion to make, may preface 
 it with such remarks as explain his design; but with 
 this exception, speaking is out of order, unless some de- 
 finite proposition has been submitted and is under con- 
 sideration. 
 
 TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 It is provided by the statute, that the trustees of any 
 religious society, or a majority of them, shall, at least one 
 month before the expiration of office of any of the trus- 
 tees, notify the same in writing to the minister (or in 
 case of his death or absence, to the deacons), specifying 
 the names of the trustees whose terms will expire ; and 
 the minister (or the deacons) shall publicly notify the 
 members of the society of such vacancies, and appoint 
 the time and place for the election of new trustees to fill 
 up the same. This notification is to be given at least 
 
31 
 
 fifteen days before the election, and for two successive 
 Sabbaths or days on which the society shall statedly 
 meet for public worship. The election is to be held at 
 least six days before the vacancies shall occur. Two 
 deacons (or if there be none present, then two members 
 of the society), to be nominated by a majority of the 
 members present, must preside at the election. 
 
 Qualifi cation of Voters. 
 
 The law also provides that no member of the society 
 shall be allowed to vote at these elections for trustees, 
 until he shall have been a stated attendant on divine 
 worship in the society, at least one year before the elec- 
 tion, and shall have contributed to the support of the 
 society according to the usages and customs thereof. 
 And the clerk to the trustees is required to keep a regis- 
 ter of the names of all who desire to become stated 
 hearers in the society, and note therein the time when 
 such request was made; and to attend all elections, j 
 with such register, in order to test the qualifications of j 
 electors, in case the same should be questioned. 
 
32 
 
 RENTING OF PEWS. 
 
 The Pews in the church will be rented annually in 
 I the month of May. Such as are not then taken, may 
 I be had at any time subsequent, on application to either 
 \ of the Trustees or the Sexton. Payment will be ex- 
 \ pected semi-annually, in advance. 
 
 Those unable to rent pews will be provided with 
 
 seats, free. 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
33 
 
 iCr* The following is a list of the Members of the Church. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 June 12lh, 1847. 
 
 BOWEX, HENRY C. 
 BOWEX. LUCY MARIA 
 BLAKE, ELI C. 
 BURGESS, BEXJAMIX 
 BURGESS, MARY 
 
 CANNON, MARY 
 
 GRIFFIN, DAVID 
 
 HALE, RICHARD 
 HALE, JULIA 
 HOWARD, JOHN T. 
 
 KNIGHT, RACHAEL 
 
 MORSE, JOHN F. 
 MORSE. REBECCA 
 
 PAYXE, J1RA 
 PAYXE, ELIZA 
 
 ROWLAXD, CHARLES 
 ROWLAXD, MARIA 
 
 TURXER, ALPHEUS R. 
 TURXER, LOUISA 
 
 WEBB, JOHX 
 WEBB, MARTHA 
 
 November, 1847. 
 
 ABBY, HORATIO G. 
 
 BATCHELDER, FRANCIS E. M. 
 BELL, GEORGE 
 BURBAXK, GARDXER * 
 BURBANK, SUSAN 
 BURGESS, DAXIEL 
 
 CHILD, PEXELOPE 
 CHILD, CHARLOTTE 
 CHILD, SUSAN 
 CHILD. ELLEXOR 
 
 DAY, SHERMAX 
 
 DAY, ELIZABETH AXX 
 
 EAMES, LUTHER 
 EAMES, MEHITABLE 
 KAMK-. ELLEN DOUGLASS 
 
 EDWARDS, WILLIAM 
 EDWARDS. REBECCA 
 ELY. II. GILBERT 
 
 HARRISON, EDWARD * 
 
 HORSEY, SOPIITA 
 
34 
 
 HULL, AURELIUS B. 
 HULL. SARAH S. 
 
 KING, ANN 
 KING, JANE 
 
 NEWLIN, MARIA LOUISA 
 
 PHILLIPS, PIKEBE C. 
 
 ROWLAND, HENRY 
 ROWLAND ELIZABETH 
 RORKE, CHARLOTTE A. 
 
 SMITH, CORNELIUS 
 SMITH, EMELINE 
 STORY, ADELIA ANN 
 
 TAYLOR, ELIZABETH 
 TAYLOR, AMELIA 
 TURNER, SAMUEL H. 
 
 Sa.nmst.vy, 
 
 BIGELOW, WILLIAM H. 
 BIGELOW, LOUISA B. 
 
 CAMP, SAMUEL K. 
 CAMP, MARY K. 
 CHURCHILL FRANCIS C. 
 
 DILLINGHAM, WILLIAM S. 
 DILLINGHAM, JULIA 
 
 1S4S. 
 
 GRASSIE, WILLIAM C. 
 
 HARRISON, JOSEPH 
 HOLBROOK, EMELINE 
 HORSEY, JOSEPH 
 
 MARCH, CATHARINE 0. 
 
 TAYLOR, EMMA 
 
 Ularch, 
 
 BEECHER, HENRY WARD 
 BEECHER, EUNICE W. 
 BEECHER, WILLIAM A. 
 BEECHER, MARIA P. 
 BALDWIN, MARTHA BURTISS 
 BERGEN, SUSAN 
 BLAKE, MARY E. 
 BROWN, HELEN E. 
 BROWN, ELLEN S. 
 BULLARD, JESSE 
 
 184S. 
 
 BURTISS, SAMUEL W. 
 BURTISS, PRISCILLA A. 
 
 CAIN, ELSA MARIA 
 COLLIGAN, WILLIAM 
 COLLIGAN, IVY 
 CONKLIN, J. T. 
 
 DAVIS, JOHN D. 
 DAVIS, ESTHER 
 
35 
 
 DE MOTT, CATHERINE 
 DOWNING. MARIA 
 
 EAMES, EDWARD A. 
 EDICK. EMILY R. 
 
 FAIRCIIILD, FANNY 
 
 GREENE, J. WILSON 
 GREENE, CATHERINE A. 
 GRIEFIN, SARAH 
 
 KING, HESDEN 
 KING. MINERVA R. 
 KING, ELIZABETH 
 
 LYNDE, MARTIUS T. 
 LYNDE, ELIZA AY. 
 
 MOORE, WILLIAM H. 
 MOORE, JANE A. 
 MELYIN, AUSTIN 
 MELYIN, 3IARTHA 
 MOERS, REBECCA 
 McELWA, ANN 
 
 OTIS, WILLIAM H. 
 OTIS, ELIZABETH A. 
 OLD, CHARLES 
 
 PAYNE. MARY AUGUSTA 
 TEASE. CATHERINE E. 
 PHELPS, HENRY B. 
 PHELPS, LUCETTA B. 
 PLANT. EDWARD 
 PLANT. HARRIET JEANETTE 
 POST, GEORGE W. 
 POST, CORNELIA E. 
 
 RAYMOND, JOHN 
 RAYMOND. JEANETTE 
 
 SEDGE WICK, CHEDALE 
 SEYMOUR, JAMES 
 SILYER, JAMES MADISON, 
 SIMONS, LYDIA ANN 
 STOCKTON, MARY 
 
 TAYLOR, HENRIETTA 
 TURNER, JOANNA A. 
 
 WALKER, PHINEAS 
 WIIITTEMORE, MARY ELLEN 
 WILSON, HELEN 
 WILKES, HELEN 
 
 AT WATER, MARIA B. 
 AYERY, CHARLES A. 
 
 BALL. JOHN- 
 BENNETT, CHARITY 
 BLAKE. ANGENETTE 
 BURTON LOUISA 
 
 May, 1S4S. 
 
 BROOKS, ESTHER 
 BROWN, MARIA 
 
 CAMPBELL, ARCHIBALD 
 CONDIT, ISAAC L. 
 CUMMINGS, WILLIAM R. 
 
36 
 
 DAVIS, ISAAC F. 
 DE MOTT, RICHARD C. 
 DOTY, SAMUEL C. 
 DOTY, ABBY ANN 
 
 ELY, CAROLINE B 
 
 GREENE, WARREN 
 GREENE, LYDIA ANN 
 
 HORSEY, SOPHIA 
 
 KNAPP, BRADFORD 
 KNAPP, SUSAN 
 
 LADD, MARY ELLEN 
 LADD, MARY 
 
 PETTIT, GERTRUDE 
 POWERS, CHARLES 
 POWERS, MARY ISABELLA 
 PRICHARD, WILLIAM H. 
 PRICIIARD, MARY E. 
 
 RATHBONE, MARIA 
 
 SCOFFIELD, MARY 
 STOUT, ABIGAIL J. 
 
 WILSON, ELIZABETH 
 
 ABER, SMITH M. 
 ABER, HANNAH M. 
 
 July, 1848. 
 
 OTIS, AGNES 
 OTIS, MARIA D. 
 
 BARKER, ELIZABETH 
 BENNET, CAROLINE P. 
 
 CHILD, JOSEPH 
 CHILD, FIDELIA 
 CLEMENT, MARY E, 
 
 GLOVER. MARIA JANE 
 GUTHRIE, COLUMBUS B. 
 GUTHRIE, JANE MARIA 
 
 LATIMER, SARAH 
 
 SANDFORD, THOMAS H. 
 SANDFORD, CAROLINE M. B. 
 SPENCER, WILLIAM Jr. 
 
 TASSIE, MAGDALINE 
 THALHEIMER. MARIA L. 
 THALHEIMER, MARY E. 
 
 WILBER, CHARLES 
 WILBER, MARY 
 WATERBURY, WARREN 
 
 Male Members, 74 
 
 Female Members, 110 
 
 Whole Number, 184 
 
 Whole Number received by Letter, 126 
 
 Whole Number received on profession of their faith, 58 
 
 * Deceased. 
 
' '