BX 8956 .A5 1898 ^^^f r^^^^" ^^"^^h in the Th» D ?®neral Assembly. The^Presbyterian digest of THE PRESBYTERIAN DIGEST OF 1898. A COMPEND OF THE ACTS, DECISIONS, AND DELIVEBANCES OF THE GENERAL PRESBYTERY, GENERAL SYNOD AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE / Presbyterian Church IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1706—1897. COMPILED asy Butborits, an& wltb tbe (Io*opcration of a Committee, ot tbe ©eneral Besembli?. BY THE Rev. WILLIAM E. MOORE, D.D., LLD. philadelphia : Presbyterian Board of Publication AND Sabbath-school Work. 1898. Copyright, 1898, BY THE Trustees of the Presbyterian Board of Publication AND Sabbath-school Work. INTRODUCTION. The first step towards a Digest of the Acts and Deliverances of the General Assembly was taken by the Assembly of 1809, in its order [Minutes, p. 424], charging the Stated Clerk " with the business of preparing a book, and having entered therein such decisions of the Assem- bly as relate to the general government and discipline of the Church, and the duties of judicatures, that such decisions may hereafter be selected and printed for the general use of the churches, if a future Assembly shall so order." In 1818 the General Assembly appointed Drs. Janeway, Neill (Stated Clerk) and Ely, " a Committee to extract from the records of the Gen- eral Assembly, and of the late Synods of New York and Philadelphia, all such matters as may appear to be of permanent authority and interest (including a short account of the manner in which missions have been conducted, and their success), that the same may be published for the information of ministers and their people in our churches." This Com- mittee reported to the next Assembly (1819), were empowered to com- plete the work on the plan reported, and to publish it at the expense of the Trustees of the General Assembly. The Digest thus authorized was published in 1820. In 1836, the Assembly appointed Dr. John McDowell, jNIr. Winches- ter and Mr. Duffield to prepare a new Digest. Nothing, however, was done, the division of the Church being near at hand. Further action looking to the preparation of a Digest was taken by the respective Assemblies: N. S., 1838 and 1849; O. S., 1841 and 1848. In 1850 the Presbyterian Board of Publication, O. S. , issued a Digest prepared l)y the Rev. Richard Webster, D.D. In 1856 the Board issued a Digest prepared by the Rev. Samuel J, Baird, D.D. The Assembly voted thanks to Mr. Baird for his labors, and earnestly commended the Mork " to the attention and patronage of all in our connection." A new and revised edition was issued by the Board of Publication in 1859. It is still published by it, and is of great value from a histoj ical point of view. In 1854, the Assembly, N. S., appointed a Committee consisting of Drs. George Duffield, Jr., Henry Darling, and W. E. Moore, with the Stated Clerk, Edwin F. Hatfield, D.D., to pi'epare and publish a new IV INTRODUCTION. Digest. This Digest was prepared by the Rev. W. E. Moore, and pub- lished by the Presbyterian Publication Committee, N. S. , in 1861. It Avas accepted with commendation by the General Assembly. — Minutes, 1861, p. 463, N. S. The Digest of 1873. On the Reunion of 1870, the Board of Publication took action for the preparation of a more complete work, which should combine the prece- dents of the Church in all its branches, and bring them down to the latest date. The plan suggested was approved by the Assembly of 1871 (Minutes, p. 529), as follows : ' ' That this Digest coUtain under each chapter and section of the Form oi Government, Book of Discipline and Directory, every decision which defines or explains it. ' ' Also, a complete Digest of all the rules of the several Boards of the Church as at present existing. ' ' That it omit whatever has become obsolete in the usage of the Church — e. g,, in its benevolent operations — and all that pertains simply to matters of history. " That it be requested that a Special Committee be appointed by the CJeneral Assembly to examine and approve the book before it be issued, and it was recommended that the Rev. William E. Moore be requested to undertake the preparation of such a Digest." The Committee to examine and approve the book — Edwin F. Hatfield, D.D., Alexander T. McGill, D.D., LL.D., Robert M. Patterson, D.D., Ruling Elders Hon. George Sharswood, LL.D., and Hon. William Strong, LL.D. — reported the completion of the work with its approval in 1873, and it was issued in the same year. The Edition of 1886. Within about ten years after the issue of the Digest of 1873, the need for a new edition was widely felt, and at last took shape in 1885. The Assembly of that year took action as follows: ' ' Resolved, That this General Assembly, having heard of the intention of the Board of Publication to publish a new edition of Moore's Digest of the acts and deliverances of the General Assembly, do approve of such publication and hereby recommend the same to the Church. " Resolved, That this General Assembly hereby records its sense of obligation to the Rev. William E. Moore, D.D., for his faithful, dili- gent and skillful services in the preparation of the present Digest." In connection with the new edition the following report was made to INTRODUCTION. V the Board of Publication by the Committee requested to examine the manuscript : Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 14, 1886. To the Presbyterian Board of Publication : The undersigned, appointed by the Board of Publication as a Commit- tee to Revise the Manuscript of the Presbyterian Digest of 1886, after a minute and careful examination, do hereby signify our approval of the same. Respectfully, E. R. Craven, Wm. H. Roberts. In the Introduction to the Digest of 1886 the editor said that " the adoption of the Revised Book of Discipline in 1884, with its amend- ments in 1885, and the lapse of twelve years since the publication of the Digest," had made necessary a new edition. He also made the follow- ing statement : " The Book of Discipline has been wholly recast under the sections of the Revised Book. The compiler has been obliged to use his own judg- ment, not only as to the location of the acts and deliverances of the Assembly under the several sections, but also as to the retaining or rejecting of matter found in former Digests and in the annual Minutes of the Assembly. He gratefully acknowledges his obligations in both respects to Rev. E. R. Craven, D.D. , and Rev. William H. Roberts, D.D. , the Committee appointed by the Board of Publication to revise his work. The criticism will doubtless be made that many cases quoted are not in accordance with the Revised Book. This is acknowledged in the Digest itself; but good reasons seem to be found for inserting them unless they contradict the Revised Book." The Digest op 1898. At its sessions in 1894 the General Assembly ordered a new edition of the Digest to be prepared by the Board of Publication and Sabbath- school Work, under the supei^vision of the Stated Clerk and the Secre- tary of the Board of Publication, with the Rev. Dr. William E. Moore as editor— 1894, p. 89. The Committee on the New Digest reported its proposed plan for the work to the Assembly of 1895 (Minutes, p. 129), and the report was approved, as follows: " The Committee on the new edition of the Digest (Minutes, 1894, p. 89), to be prepared by the Board of Publication, under the supervisioji of the Stated Clerk and the Secretary of the Board of Publication, VI INTRODUCTION. Avith Rev. William E. Moore as editor, pro])Ose the following plan of the Digest and ask the approval of the Assembly, viz. : "1. To priut as the first part of the book the Coufessiou of Faith, giv- ing under the appropriate chapters and sections the doctrinal deliver- ances and decisions of the Assembly. " 2. To print the Form of Government, Book of Discipline and Direc- tory for Worship in the same form as in the present Digest, marking the acts and deliverances of the two Assemblies during the period of the separation, which do not come under the terms of the concurrent Resolu- tion No. 4, Digest ('86), p. 92, as reestablished in the united body, with the letters O. 8. and N. S. " 3. That the Assembly grant to your Committee full discretion to omit such acts and deliverances as in their judgment are trivial, purely per- sonal, obsolete or contradictory, or that have been superseded by amend- ments of the Form of Government, Book of Discipline and Directory for Worship, Respectfully submitted, AVm. Henry Robi:ets, E. R. Craven, William E. Moore." In addition to the Plan of this Digest as set forth above, it is to be noted that for convenience of reference it has seemed best to put the Historical Documents by themselves at the beginning of the book, and to place under Section v of Chap, xii of the Form of Government, the Charters, Plans, etc., of the several Boards, Permanent Committees, and Theological Seminaries. The several Digests referred to in the work are: (1), " The Assembly Digest," 1820 ; (2), "Assembly's Digest, Baird's Collection," Ed. 1858; (3), "The New Digest," Moore, 1861, N. S. ; (4), "The Presbyterian Digest," Moore, 1873, and (5), "The Presbyterian Digest," Revised Edition, 1886. The references of the dates of the Acts, etc., are: From 1706 to 1788, inclusive, to the volume of Records of the Presbyterian Church; from 1789-1837, inclusive, to the Rei^rints of the "Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.;" from 1838-1869 inclusive, to the annual Minutes of the Assemblies of the two branches of the Church, designated respectively as ' ' Old School ' ' and ' ' New School," and since 1870 to the annual Minutes of the reunited General Assembly. The annual Minutes i\:on\ 1836-1869, inclusive, have been reprinted. The Minutes for 1836 and 1837 are bound with the volume covering INTRODUCTION. Vll 1821-1835. The Minutes, 1838-1869, O. S., are bound iu four vol- umes, and 1838-1869, N. S. , iu two volumes. All of these repriuts are issued by the Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work. In closing his work, the editor wishes to record his grateful thanks t<> the Committee of Supervision for their valuable counsel and cordial cooperation, always cheerfully given. Especially would lie acknowledge the important aid rendered by the chairman of the Connnittee, the Rev. William Henry Roberts, D.D., LL.D., whose familiar and thorough knowledge of the Acts and Deliverances of the Assembly iu all its history, made his suggestions and liis personal aid so freely extended, invaluable to me, and peculiarly grateful from the spirit in which they were given. WILLIAM E. MOORE. Columbus, O. , January 31, 1898. Approval of the Assembly's Committee. The General Assembly of 1894, i)assed the following resolution: " Resolved, That the Assembly order a new edition of the Digest, to be prepared by the Board of Publication, under the supervision of the Stated Clerk and the Secretary of the Board of Publication, with Dr. William E. Moore, as editor. Adopted." The undersigned, being the Committee above named, after a minute and careful examination of the Digest, frequent consultations with the editor, and close attention to the pi'oofs, do hereby unite with Dr. Moore in approval of the work. WM. HENRY ROBERTS, E. R. CRAVEN. SYLLABUS. PART I. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. I. The Organization of the Church. 1. The General Presbytery 1 2. The General Synod 1 3. The General Assembly 2 a. Preparatory Act 2 b. The Synod divided, and the General Assembly constitu- ted II. Adoption, etc., of the Standards. 1. The Adopting Acts of 1729, and Explanatory Acts. 1. The Overture laid over for a year 2 2. The Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Westmin- ster Assembly adopted 3 a. Act relating to subscription. . . 3 b. The Adopting Act proper 3 3. The Directory recommended. . . 4 4. The Confession must be adopted by intrants and candidates. . . 4 Must be inscribed in the Pres- bytery Book 4 Act explaining the Adopting Act 5 Mode of adopting the Confes- sion 5 The Directory for Worship, and Form of Government 5 Authority of Pardovan's Col- lections 6 1. The Constitution revised and amended 6 2. The Form of Government, Dis- cipline, and Confession of Faith, ratified and adopted. . 6 The Constitution of 1788. 8 Directory for Worship and Cate- chisms 6 The chapter on the mode of inflicting Church censures adopted 7 3. The Obligation, etc., of the Standards. 1. The Adopting Acts and their force 7 2. Use and obligation of the Stand- ards 7 3. Adoption of the Standards in every case required 8 4. The Catechisms an integral part of the Standards of the Church 8 5. Adoption of the Confession in- cludes the Catechisms 10 6. Ministers who cannot adopt the Standards not to be received. 10 7. The "Heidelberg Catechism" approved 10 8. The Standards subordinate to and in harmony with the Word of God 10 4. The Amendments of the Standards. 1. Method of amendments 12 2. List of amendments 12 (1) The Confession of Faith adopt- ed 1729, amended 1788 and 1887 12 (2) The Form of Government adopted 1788, amended 1805 and 1821 12 Amendments to Form of Gov- ernment since Reunion 13 (3) The Book of Discipline, adopt- ed 1884, amended 1885 to 1894.13 Efi'ect of adoption on cases pending 14 (4) Directory for Worship, adopt- ed 1788-89, amended 1884-8(5.14 SYLLABUS. III. Publication of the Constitution. 1. Committee to supervise publica- tion, 1788 14 2. Committee authorized to pub- lish 14 3. Committee of 1792 15 (1) Editions with proof-texts added 15 (2) Authority of the notes 15 4. Unauthorized editions discoun- tenanced 16 5. Committee on circulation 16 6. Presbyteries and churches to stimulate circulation 16 7. Committees of supervision of 1821 16 8. Committee of supervision ap- pointed from the Synods. . . 16 9. Committees responsible for ac- curacy 17 10. Board of Publication to print and sell 17 11. Synodical Committees abol- ished 17 12. Permanent committee o f supervision appointed 17 13. Attestation by permanent committee 18 14. Standard copy of the Shorter Catechism 18 15. Report on corrections in punc- tuation, etc 18 16. Title-page of Constitution changed 20 IV. Proof-texts to the Standards. 1. Proof-texts authorized, 1794. . . 21 | 2. Revision of proof-texts, 1894. . .21 V. Separations and Reunions. 1. Under the General Synod. 1. Withdrawal of the Svnod of New York, 1745 . . .". 27 Articles of Agreement 27 2. Reunion of 1758 ; Synod of New York and Philadelphia 27 2. T7ie Separation of JS37 1. The excluding act of 1837 31 2. The division of the Church. Two General Assemblies or- ganized 31 3. The Reunion of 1SG9. 1. Initiation of correspondence . . 31 2. Action of the Assemblies look- ing to reunion ; committee appointed 33 a. Overture of the Assembly, O. S 32 b. Response of the Assembly, N. S 33 c. Committees on Reunion, 1866. 33 3. Termsof Reunion ; Assemblies of 1867 and 1868 34 4. General Assemblies of 1869 at New York 34 A new joint committee appointed 34 5. Report of joint committee pre- sented in both Assemblies. . 34 i . Plan of Reunion 35 ii. Concurrent declarations 36 iii. Recommendation of day of prayer 37 6. Adjourned meetings, Pitts- burg, 1869 38 7. Report of joint committee of conference 39 8. Basis and consummation of the Reunion 40 9. The Reunion Convention 41 Resolutions adopted, November 12, 1869 42 10. Memorial Contribution 43 11. Quarter-Centenary of Reunion 43 PART II. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture. Section 1 44 Section 2 44 1. Deliverance on the so-called Higher Criticism 45 2. The inspired Word is without error 45 3. CaseofCharlesA. Briggs.D.D. 46 a. Preliminary note 46 b. Action of the Assembly of 1892 46 c. Charges passed on by the Presbytery of New York, 1893 47 THE CONFESSION OF FAITH. d. Decision and final judgment of the Presbytery of New York, 1893 53 e. Action of the Assembly, 1893. 54 (1) Hearing and judgment 54 (2) Explanatory minute 55 4. Protest against the declaration that the inerrancy of the original autographs is the faith of the Church 56 5. Answer to protest 57 C. The Bible as we now have it, the very Word of God 57 7. The Assembly makes no new definitions of dogma 57 8. Case of Rev. Henry Preserved Smith, D.D 58 a. Charges and specifications. . . 58 b. Finding and judgment of the Presbytery of Cincinnati ... 64 c. Appeal of Dr. Smith to tlie Synodof Ohio, not sustained 65 d. Appeal to the General Assem- bly, not sustained and judg- ment affirmed 65 Sections 3-7 65 Section 8 66 1. The Bible in its various transla- tions is the very Word of God 66 Section 9 66 Chapter II, Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. Sections 1,3 67 Section 8 67 1. The Assembly refuses to alter the language of the Confes- sion regarding the doctrine Sections 1-8. Sections 1, 2 of the Trinity. Chapter III. Of God's Eternal Decree. Chapter IV. Of Creation. Chapter V. Of Providence. Sections 1-7. 67 68 69 69 Chapter YI. Op the Fall of Man, op Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof. Sections 1-5 70 Section 6 71 1. Case of Rev. Hezekiah Balch. 71 2. Appeal of John Miller, D.D., from the judgment of the Synod of New Jersey 73 Chapter VII. Of God's Covenant with Man. Sections 1-5 74 | Case of Samuel Barker 75 Section 6 74 I Chapter VIII. Of Christ the Mediator. Sections 1-8 75 Chapter IX. Op Free Will. Sections 1-5 77 Sections 1-4 Chapter X. Of Effectual Calling Chapter XI. Of Justification. Sections 1-5 78 Section 6 79 1. Case of Rev. William C. Davis. 79 2. Case of Rev. Thomas B. Craig- head Chapter XII. Op Adoption. Section 1. 80 83 xu SYLLABUS. Chapter XIII. Of Sanctification. Sections 1-3 83 Chapter XIV. Of Saving Faith. Sections 1-3 84 Chapter XV. Of Repentance unto Life. Sections 1-6 84 Chapter XVI. Of Good Works. Sections 1-7 85 Chapter XVII. Op the Perseverance of the Saints. Sections 1-3 86 Chapter XVIII. Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation. Sections 1-4 86 Chapter XIX. Of the Law of God. Sections 1-7 87 Chapter XX. Op Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience. Sections 1-4 88 Chapter XXI. Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day. Sections 1-8 89 Chapter XXII. Op Lawful Oaths and Vows. Sections 1-7 91 Chapter XXIII. Of the Civil Magistrate. Sections 1-4 93 Chapter XXIV. Of Marriage and Divorce. Section 1 93 1. A minister, having married again, required to cease officiating until proof is fur- nished of the death of his first wife 93 2. A bigamist to be excluded from the privileges of the Cliurcb. Willful desertion a just cause for divorce. If just cause exist, and divorce be refused, the Church may- receive him 93 3. Deliverances on polygamy and Mormonism. Polygamy a criminal off'ence and to be suppressed 93 Section 2 96 Section 3 96 1. Marriage of converts with heathen. The Presbyteries to judge 96 Section 4 97 1. Marriage with a sister's daughter 97 Section 5 97 1. Indivorceforadultery the inno- cent party may marry again. 97 Section 6 97 1. Marriage with a woman divorced for cause other than adultery 98 2. Marriage on a divorce obtained on other than Scriptural grounds 99 3. Deliverances on marriage, divorce, and infanticide 99 Sections 1-5 Section 6 101 1. The Roman Catholic Church essentially apostate 101 Chapter XXV. Op the Church. 100 2. The Salvation Army not a Church 103 3. Declaration of principles as to Church unity 102 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. XUl Chapter XXVI. Of the Communion of Saints. Sections 1-3 102 Chapter XXVII. Of the Sacraments. Sections 1-5 103 Chapter XXVIII. Of Baptism. Section 1 103 Section 2 103 1. Ruling elders may not admin- ister sealing ordinances 103 2. Baptism by an impostor null and invalid 104 3. By a profligate — cases to be judged by the Session 104 4. Unitarian baptism 104 5 By a minister after he is de- posed 105 6. By a suspended minister 105 7. Is Baptism in the Church of Rome valid ? answered in the negative 105 8. The deliverance of 18 4 5 reaffirmed 106 9 The rebaptism of a convert from Romanism left to the judgment of the Session 106 10. The above deliverance sus- tained 106 11. The Assembly declines to make a new deliverance on the validity of R. C. baptism. . .107 Section 3 107 1. Mode of baptism 107 Section 4 ... 107 1. Duty of Christian masters to have their servants baptized. 108 2. Of Christian slaves to have their children baptized 108 3. Infant slaves of Christian mas- ters 108 4. Orphan children of heathen parents in the care of our missions 108 Sections 5, 6 108 Section 7 108 1. Rebaptism disorderly 108 Chapter XXIX. Op the Lord's Supper. Sections 1-8 109 Chapter XXX. Of Church Censures. Sections 1-4 HO Chapter XXXI. Of Synods and Councils. Sections 1-3 Ill Section 4 Ill 1. The spiritual character of the Church Ill Chapter XXXII. Of the State of Man after Death, and op the Res- urrection OP THE Dead. Sections 1-3 113 Chapter XXXIII. Op the Last Judgment. Sections 1-3. 113 The Creed. 1. Authorized alterations in the Creed may be used in worship 114 PART III. THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Chapter I. Preliminary Principles. Sections 1-8 116 Chapter II. Of the Church. Section 1 118 Section 2. The Church universal. 118 1. Deliverances on Church unity .118 Section 3 118 Section 4. The particular church. 118 1. Mode or organization of new churches 119 2. Enrollment of imperfectly or- ganized churches 120 3. Church charters 122 SYLLABUS. 4. Trustees, recognition of by General Synod 132 5. Control of trustees over a house of worship 133 6. Respective rights of trustees and Session in controlling the use of church property. .123 7. Trustees and congregational meetings 124 In the use of the property for all religious services or eccle- siastical purposes, the trus- tees are under the control of the Session 135 Decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of the Walnut Street Pres- byterian Church, Louis- ville, Ky 136, 337 Chapter III. Of the Officers of the Church. Sections 1-3 142 Chapter IV. Op Bishops or Pastors. The pastoral relation. 1. Fidelity in pastoral duties en- joined 143 3. The pastoral relation empha- sized and encouraged 144 3. Ministerial rights unaffected by being honorably retired. .145 4. Installation of pastors-elect insisted on 146 Supplies. 1. Stated supplies to be discour- aged 146 3. Presbytery can terminate sta- ted supply at discretion 147 3. Evangelists not to be ordain- ed to serve as stated supplies. 147 4. Stated supplies have no pasto- ral powers 147 5. Have only such rights as may be conferred by Presbytery. 147 6. Should not preach in the piil- pitsof any Presbytery with- out its consent 147 7. A pastor-elect not stated sup- ply ipso facto 147 8. Deliverances on stated sup- plies reaffirmed 147 9. What is a stated supply ; and what is a vacant church ? ... 148 Chapter V. Of Ruling Elders. Ruling elders assistants to min- isters 148 The eldership essential to the existence of a Presbyterian church 148 Elders must be duly elected and set apart* 148 A ruling elder without charge has no seat in a church court ..149 An elder cannot hold office in two churches at the same time 149 Nor adjudicate in a church of which he is not an elder. . . .149 An elder has the same right to sit in Synod as in Presbytery. 149 • 8. When an elder has been sus- pended from church privi- leges, and is restored, he is not thereby restored to office. 149 9. Elders are not to participate in the ordination of ministers by the laying on of hands. .149 10. Ruling elders ma}' not admin- ister sealing ordinances .... lol 11. Ruling elders may explain the Scriptures and exhort in the absence of the pastor 151 13. The proper court to try rul- ing elders in a given case. . .151 13. Ministers not eligible to the ruling eldership 151 Chapter VI. Of Deacons. 1. Their functions. They have no judicial power 153 2. The temporalities of the church may be committed to them. 152 3. Appointment of deacons urged. 153 4. One may be at once elder and deacon 153 5. Deacons may distribute the bread and the wine at the communion 153 6. To the deacons belongs exclu- sively the control of the funds for the poor 153 7. May not represent the church in church courts 153 Chapter VII. Op Ordinances in a Particular Church. Section 1 153 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Chapter VIII. Op Church Government, and the Several Kinds op Judicatories. Sectioii 1. Need and Form 154 Sectiou 2. Jurisdiction 154 1. Union of Church and State dis- avowed. Rehition to the State 154 3. Right of any judicatory to bear testimony against erro- neous and injurious publica- tions 156 3. Judicial authority cannot be granted to bodies other than those established by the Con- stitution ^ 156 Chapter IX. Of the Church Session. Section 1. Constituent elements . .157 1. A special Session unconstitu- tional. An offender must be tried by the constitutional judicatories 158 2. A Session may consist of for- eign missionaries 158 0. An elder may not adjudicate in any church in which he is not an elder 158 4. A minister may not sit as a corresponding member of Session, nor be assigned as counsel for the accused 159 5. Elders must be ordained. Neg- lect of ordination invali- dates decisions 159 Section 2. Quorum 159 i. A minister with one elder, if there be but one, may con- stitute a quorum . 159 2. A single elder may constitute the Session 160 3. Where elders are non-resident, the remaining members au- thorized to act 160 4. Less than a quorum incapable of any organic act 160 5. Official acts of Session can be performed only when it is regularly convened. Prayer in opening and closing re- commended 160 6. The Session has discretion as to the circumstances under which a meeting should be opened and closed with prayer 161 Section 3. Moderator of church with pastor 161 1. A pastor-elect not moderator or stated supply by vir- tue of the call in progress.. .161 2. Who may moderate a Session in the absence of a pastor ?. .162 3. When another minister acts as moderator, the pastor is a member of the Session, and may be appointed a prose- cutor 162 Section 4. Moderator of vacant church 163 1. Where a minister is the accu- ser, a minister should pre- side 163 2. Moderator to be of the same Presbytery. Session cannot invite a minister of another Presbytery 163 Section 5. Collegiate pastors 163 Section 6. Powers and duties of the Session 163 1. The Session has original juris- diction over church mem- bers 164 2. The Session has oversight of the conduct of church mem- bers 164 3. The Session has oversight of young people's societies 164 4. Statement of relation between the individual society and the church 164 5. Jurisdiction over a suspended member is in the church which suspended him 166 6. The vote of the Session is the reception to membership. It must involve baptism. The use and authority of local confessions and covenants. .166 7. An unbaptized person apply- ing for admission to the church must be baptized. . . .167 8. Certificate of dismission re- quired 167 9. Examination of candidates ought ordinarily to be in the presence of the Session.. 168 10. Members should be received to the church only by a Ses- sion regularly constituted. .168 11. Session can receive persons only into the organized church of which it is the governing body 168 12. Duty of the Session in the case of those who have joined an- other church, and are in other respects irregular 168 13. Sessions may not receive mem- bers of other churches with- out regular dismission 169 14. Duty of the Session in case of SYLLABUS. those who doubt their per- sonal piety 169 15. The examination of candidates for admission to sealing or- dinances should, except in special cases, be in the pres- ence of the Session 169 16. The Session has no power to prohibit collections ordered by the Assembly 169 17. Representation in the superior courts required 170 18. Attendance on the superior courts enforced. Expenses of elders should be paid. Ruling elders should be called on for reasons of ab- sence 170 19. The same elder must represent his church at an adjourned meeting who represented it at the stated meeting 170 20. In appointing delegates to the higher judicatories, the Ses- sion should designate the service to be performed 171 21. Communion wine ; the purest attainable to be used 171 22. Baptism of Roman Catholic converts discretionary 171 23. Discretion of the Session as to women's part in meetings for prayer 171 24. Church music is under the con- trol of the minister and the Session 172 25. Functions and duties of trus- tees in their relations to Ses- sions 172 26. The Session has exclusive au- thority over the worship of the church 172 Section 7. Meetings 173 Section 8. Records of Session. .. .173 1. The records should be full 173 2. Testimony in judicial cases should be engrossed upon the records 173 3. Records once approved by a superior judicatory may not be altered by the inferior . . .173 Section 9. Registers of Sessions. . .174 1. Statistical reports should show only actual membership .... 174 2. Ordained ministers not to be enrolled as members of the church thej' serve 174 3. The aggregate number of elders and deacons to be reported. 174 4. Acting elders only to be re- ported ; all communicants included 174 5. Rolls of baptized children, not communicants, to be kept. .175 6. Annual narrative of the state of religion 175, 897 Chapter X. Of the Presbytery. Section 1. Importance 177 Section 2. Constituent elements . .177 1. The first Presbyteries consti- tuted of ministers 177 2. The Assembly refuses to erect a Presbyter}^ of less than the constitutional number 178 3. A Presbytery with less than five ministers dissolved 178 4. Mission Presbyteries with less than five ministers may be continued 178 5. "Elective affinity" Presbyte- ries condemned 178 6. Presbyteries to be defined by geographical lines, or lines of travel 179 7. Presbyteries may not be or- ganized so as to cover the same ground 179 8. Presbyteries and Synods in for- eign missionary fields 179 i. In regions occupied by the Presbyterian Board of For- eign Missions only 179 ii. In regions occupied by the Board and by the missions of other Presbyterian de- nominations 180 9. Union Presbyteries in foreign fields ' 180 10. Ministers without charge are constituent members of Pres- bytery 181 11. Elders without charge and membership in Presbytery. .181 12. Ministers without charge must unite with the Presbyterj- within whose bounds they reside 181 13. The Presbytery to judge each case of those living out of their bounds 181 14. Non-residents to be transferred to the Presbyteries within the bounds of which they reside. 182 15. The above rules defined and affirmed 182 16. Jurisdiction over members non-resident 183 Section 3. Representation of con- gregations with pastors 183 1. Collegiate church defined 183 Section 4. Representation of con- gregations with one pastor. .183 1. United congregations repre- sented by one elder 183 2. AVhere a minister is pastor of FORM OF GOVERNMENT. one church, and stated sup- ply of another, each is en- titled to be represented 183 3. Churches in different Presby- teries under one pastor 184 4. Churches in different Presby- teries under one pastor are under the care of the Pres- bytery to which the pastor belongs, while the relation continues 184 5. The course to be pursued when the pastoral relation is to be constituted over churches in different Presbyteries or Syn- ods 184 Section 5. Vacant churches 185 1. Every congregation is vacant which has not a pastor duly installed 185 Section (5. Certificates 185 Section 7. Quorum 185 1. A quorum may be constituted wholly of ministers 185 2. Less than three ministers can- not be a quorum 186 3. Less than a quorum can do no presbyterial acts other than to adjourn. They can- not receive a member, so as to form a quorum 186 ((I) The law of a quorum 187 (b) Taking up charges equiva- lent to entering process. . . .187 (c) The moderator and clerk ministerial officers merely, and not necessarily members of the judicatory 188 4. Reception of a member by less than a quorum sanctioned as an exceptional case 189 Section 8. Powers of Presbytery . 190 I. To receive and issue appeals, complaints and references from church Sessions 190 1. The acts of Presbytery are subject to appeal ; but must be obeved until repealed or modified 190 IL To examine and license candi- dates for the holy ministry .191 1. Licentiates should be regu- larly received. Caution to be used 191 2. Time limit for licenses 191 3. The Assembly'sconstitutional powers in licensure 191 4. Rights and duties of the Pres- byteries in licensing candi- dates 191 III. To ordain ministers 193 1. Ordination bv a commission of Presbytery 192 2. Ordination l)y a commission unconstitutional 192 3. On the Sabbath inexpedient, B but left to the discretion of the Presbytery 192 4. Ordination by foreign bodies not approved 192 5. Lay ordination invalid 19:5 6. Ordination procured by fraud valid, but the Presbytery should depose 193 7. Presbyteries only are com- petent to ordain ministers . .194 8. If one who has been deposed, or -who has demitted the ministry, is restored, he must be reordained 194 9. Rule in respect to receiving a minister from another de- nomination 194 10. The reasons for receiving an ordained minister from another denomination to be recorded 195 11. Leave to ordain refused where there is no Presbytery 195 12. Reception of foreign minis- ters. The rule...." 196 13. The rule enforced 198 14. Rule applies to minister seek- ing to be restored 198 15. Privilege lost by a return to Europe l99 16. Rule repealed as to ministers from the Presbyterian Churches of Great Britain. .199 17. Rule repealed as to the Pres- byterian Churchesof Canada 199 18. Rule waived in the case of ministers from Presbyteries in correspondence with the Assembly 199 IV. To install ministers 199 1. The cognizance of settling pastors belongs to Presby- tery 199 2. Presbytery may refuse to in- stall even where parties are agreed 200 3. Presbytery may refuse to in- stall at its discretion 200 V. To remove ministers 200 1. Presbytery has power to dis- solve a pastoral relation at its own discretion 200 2. Synod on appeal directs the dissolution of the pastoral relation, and is sustained.. .200 3. A pastor may not be dismissed to a bod}^ other than that to which his church belongs.. .201 4. To dismiss by a committee is unconstitutional 201 5. Presbytery may not authorize its Clerk to grant letters of dismission during the inter vals of its sessions . . 201 VI. To judge ministers 201 1. The Presbytery alone must XVIU SYLLABUS, judge of the fitness of its members 201 2. The Presbj'tery has discretion in receivmg members 202 3. Presbytery may reject an ap plicant .' 202 4. But not without sufficient rea- sons 202 5. Rule as to a member of an ex- tinct Presbytery charged with an oflfence 203 6. How ministers and licentiates from corresponding bodies are to be received 203 7. Ministers dismissed in good standing should be received on their testimonials 204 8. The right of Presbytery to satisfy itself 204 9. The right of Presbytery to examine ministers applying for admission recognized by both Assemblies 205 10. Examination of a minister bringing a letter from another Presbytery discre- tionarj- 205 11. A Presbytery may not give a qualified dismission nor re- ceive a minister except on a letter of dismission. Where reception is void, the name should be stricken from the roll 205 12. Ministers fnmi other denomi- nations to be carefully ex- amined in theology 205 13. A Presbytery may not restore a minister deposed by another 206 14. A minister who has withdrawn can be restored only by the Presbytery from which he withdrew 206 15. The name of a suspended minister is to remain upon the roll 206 16. Deposition does not neces- sarily infer also excommu- nication. When both are intended, it should be so ex- pressed 207 17. The name of a deposed minis- ter to be published in case lie does not cease from min- isterial functions 207 VII. Miscellaneous questions per- taining to ministers and churches 207 1. Ministers who neglect their duty to be summoned to answer 207 2. If persistent to be regularly excluded or deposed 208 3. Presbyteries to inspect the fidelity of their members . . .208 4. Reasons for withdrawal tobe required and recorded 208 5. Compliance with the rule of 1834 enforced 208 6. Ministers engaged in secular callings .208 7. When providentially incapaci- tated, ministerial privileges remain 209 8. Ministers without charge are constituent members of Presbytery 209 9. All ministers are of equal power and privilege '^OO 10. May a minister holdcivil office209 11. Maj' hold the office of chap lain in the army or navy . . .210 12. Demission of the ministry now permitted 211 13. Ministers who withdraw from Presbytery and unite with another denomination stricken from the roll 211 14. Names of church members and ministers who withdraw irregularly to be stricken from the roll under specified circumstances 212 15. Duty of Presbytery in case of members who do not report. 212 16. Authority for taking from the roll the names of ministers serving churches in other denominations 213 VIII. To examine and approve or censure church records. 213 1. Presbyteries must review the records of Sessions 213 IX. To resolve questions of doc- trine or discipline 213 X. To condemn erroneous opin- ions 213 XI. To visit particular churches, to inquire and redress 213 1. Overture on the right of a church to dismiss its elders ; to deny the right of appeal, and to deny the authority of the Presbytery 213 2. Unconstitutional acts of a portion of a church are void. 214 3. Presbytery may, without peti- tion, direct an elder to cease acting 214 4. A church may not withdraw without consent of Presby- tery 214 5. Course to be pursued when a church wishes to withdraw. 215 6. Presbytery may dissolve a church .'. ' 215 7. Dissolution is in thediscreiion of the Presbytery, subject to appeal 216 8. The church must have notice of the proposed dissolution .216 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. XII. To organize, unite and divide cliurclies 217 1. The organizing of cliurches belongs to Presbytery 217 2. To divide and organize on petition of a minority 218 3. Presbytery may prohibit an organization 218 4. When new congregations may be formed 218 5. Churches should not be organ- ized where the people can be supplied witli church privileges by existing Pres- byterian churches 218 6. Presbytery has power over the location of a church . . . .219 7. Presbytery has power to divide a church 219 8. Presbytery has power to unite cliurches 220 9. Presbytery may not dismiss or receive a church without the consent of Synod 220 XIII. To order whatever pertains to the spiritual welfare of the churches . 220 1. A Presbytery dissolves a pas- toral relation on its own discretion, for the peace and welfare of the church 220 2. Power of the Presbytery oyer the pulpits of its churches . .222 3. The power of the Presbytery over unemployed ministers and vacant churches 222 (1) Committee of seven ap- pointed, 1888 222 (2) Committees of Presbytery to be appointed 223 4. The higher judicatories may institute process in cases in whicli the lower have been directed so to do and have refused or neglected to obey. 223 Section 9. Records 224 1. Narratives and all important papers to be recorded 224 2. Minutes of Presbyteries may be kept in print 224 3. Churches holding services in foreign languages to be designated in statistical re- ports 234 4. The Stated Clerk of the As- sembly may on explicit official information correct errors 224 5. Annual reports to the General Assembly 225 Section 10. Meetings 22.> 1. Presbytery may meet without its own bounds 22.j 3. A meeting j)ro re itatn must be called by the moderator chosen at a stated meeting. .226 3. "When meetings pro re nata may be called 226 4. Applicants for a meeting 7>?'o re nata may name a time and place which the modera- tor may not change 226 5. "What business may be done. .226 6. How the place of the regu- larly appointed meeting may be changed 227 Section 11. Sermon 227 1. The preacher not necessarily a member of that Presbytery. .227 Section 12. Corresponding mem- bers 227 1. Synods and Presbyteries may correspond with local bodies 22 S 2. Tlie ecclesiastical bodies must be named 228 3. An elder cannot sit as a cor- responding member 228 4. A Unitarian minister may not be invited to sit 228 Chapter XI. Section 1. Constituent elements . .229 1. Mode in which a Synod may become a delegated body. . .229 2. Synod may not refuse to re- ceive the members of its Presbyteries, nor order their names to be er?sed 239 3. The Synods as constituted in 1870 229 4. Churches of Presbyteries be- yond the bounds of the United States 239 5. Synods organized between 1870 and 1881 230 (1) Synod of Colorado 230 (2) Synod of Nebraska 230 (3) Synod of the Columbia [now Oregon] 330 Op the Synod. (4) Change of name, Columbia to Oregon 231 (5) Synod of Texas 231 (6) Synods of Colorado and Utah 231 (7) Synod of Dakota [now South Dakota] 232 (8) Change of name, Dakota to South Dakota 232 (9) Synod of North Dakota... .232 (10) Bimnds of North and South Dakota 233 (11) Catawba 233 (12) Indian Territory 233 (13) New Mexico 234 (14) "Washington 234 (15) Montana 234 SYLLABUS. (16) Pacific changed to Cali- fornia 235 6. The Synods as reorganized in 1881 236 a. Recommendations adopted .336 b. The Enabling Act 236 (1) The Synod of New York. .236 (2) Pennsylvania .237 (8) Ohio 237 (4) Indiana 237 (5) Illinois 238 (6) Iowa 238 7. Custody of the records of the Synods thus consolidated. . .238 8. The official relation of the Stated Clerk of a judicatory terminates by his removal from its bounds. The cus- tody of the records is with the Permanent Clerk or Uie Moderator 238 Section 2. Quorum 239 1. When a Synod consists of tliree Presbyteries, the with- drawal of one of them for judicial business does not destroy the quorum 239 2. The rule as to a quorum must be observed Irregular pro- ceedings, how treated 239 3. The acts of less than a quorum are unconstitutional and void 240 4. Meetings ^;rc» re rtctfa constitu- tional 240 5 The authority for a pro re nata meeting is not found in Chap. X, Sec. x, Form of Government 241 6. A pro re nata meeting to ap- prove the minutes sustained. 241 7. The Moderator must specify the object of the meeting. . .241 8. When a Synod has failed to meet on its adjournment, the Moderator is competent to call a meeting 241 9. The Assembly may fix time and place 242 10. The Moderator may not change the time of meeting. 242 11. Action of Synod changing the place of meeting, legal- ized 243 12. How the place of meeting may be chan ged 242 13. Business session on the Sab- bath censured 243 Section 3. Corresponding mem- bers 243 1. The record should name the body to which a correspond- ing member belongs 343 Section 4. Powers of Synod 243 1. The Synod has appellate but not original jurisdiction 244 2. The Synod may not institute judicial process 344 3. Synod may reverse and cor rect the action of Presby- tery, but must observe the rules of discipline 244 4. The Synod has jurisdiction over the members of an ex- tinct Presbytery not re- ceived by any other Presby- tery 245 5. A Synod visits a church to ascertain the acceptability of its elders 345 6. Sj'nod may direct the dissolu- tion of the pastoral relation. 345 7. Synod has power to direct a Presbytery to issue a certifi- cate of dismission 245 8. The Assembly will not enter- tain appeals which do not affect the doctrine or Consti- tution of the Church 245 Section 5. Meetings 246 1. The above rule construed literally and must be obe}^ed246 2. The records should state that the meetings were opened and closed with prayer 246 Section 6. Records 246 1. The records must be full and fair. Reasons for decisions must be recorded 346 3. Tlie subject matter of com- plaints must be recorded . . .347 3. Reasons for judicial action must be recorded 347 4. Synod of Atlantic, defects ex- cepted to and the Synod re- quired to review and correct its proceedings, which were of a judicial character 248 5. Records should show a com- plete roll, and action upon reports ; censure may not be passed without trial or self-accusation 348 6. Judicial cases must be de- scribed ; their character de fined and the significance of and reasons for the judg- ment set forth 249 7. The subject-matter of a com- plaint, and the disposal made of it, must be re- corded 350 8. Synod directed to correct its records so as to conform to the facts in the case 350 9. A special record must be sent up of all judicial decisions 251 10. The records must be full and fair 251 11. Records should be fair and witliout abbreviations 351 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 12. Corrections may not be made after review by the Assem- bly 251 13. Sundry omissions and irregu- larities censured 252 14. Papers must be preserved, pages numbered 252 15. Overture answered must be described 253 16. The record must state the character of a complaint and whether due notice was given. Reports adopted must be recorded. Record must be made of action taken 353 17. A narrative of the state of religion should be prepared and recorded 254 18. The records must be pre- sented annually 255 19. Synod of Tennessee directed to expunge certain matter. .256 20. The records must show all changes in the Presbyteries. 256 21. Absentees must be called to answer, and reasons given for tardiness 256 22. Names of absentees should be recorded, and excuse for absence required 256 23. Synod may not suspend ab- sentees without trial 256 24. The minutes should be read and approved 257 25. No second approval of the minutes required 257 26. The minutes must be attested by the Stated or Permanent Clerk 257 27. Records should be kept in handwriting 258 28. Permission to present printed records ; conditions pre- scribed 258 29. All the church judicatories may follow the above rule. .258 30. The prescribed conditions must be complied with 258 31. Synodical reports to the As- sembly 259 Chapter XII. Ob^ the General Assembly. Section 1. Definition 259 1. Formation of the General Assembly 260 2. Organization of the Assembly. 260 3. Rules of organization. Com- mittee on Commissions 260 Standing order 260 4. Mode of choosing the Mod- erator 261 5. Mannerof installing the Mod- erator 261 Rules relating to the Moderator.261 6. Communications addressed to the Moderator 262 7. Moderator may not have a double vote 262 8. Moderator, when a member of a court appealed from, or a party in the case, will not preside 262 9. Standing orders and rules 1-21|262 10. Rules of order for the Gen- eral Assembly 264 11. General rules for judicatories, Rules I-XLIII 265 12. Officers of the General As- sembly 269 i. The Moderator 269 ii. The Stated Clerk 269 Appointment of 269 Duties of 269 To act as Treasurer 270 To arrange for transportation of commissioners 270 Duties and salary 270 To secure needed clerical assist- ance 271 iii. The Permanent Recording Clerk. Appointment and duties 272 Salary 273 iv. The Temporarj' Clerks 272 Nominated by the Stated and Permanent Clerks 273 Choice of Clerks not confined to members of the Assembly. 273 Moderator and Clerk are minis- terial officers of the judica- tory 273 13. Standing Committees of each Assembly. The Standmg and Permanent Committees of the judicatories should consist of ordained men. Numbers of members of each Committee 273 (1) Committee of Bills and Overtures 273 (2) The Judicial Committee. . .275 (3) On the Polity of the Church .275 (4) On Foreign Missions 275 (5) On Home Missions 275 (6) On Education 275 (7) On Publication and Sab- bath-school Work 275 (8) On Church Erection 275 (9) On Theological Seminaries. 275 (10) On Ministenal Relief 275 (11) On Freedmen 275 (12) On Aid for Colleges and Academies 275 (13) On Correspondence 275 (14) On Benevolence 276 SYLLABUS. (15) On the Narrative 276 (16) On Temperance 276 (17) On Leave of Absence 276 (18) On Mileage 276 (19) On Finance 276 (20) On tlie Records of the Synods.. 277 14. Corresponding members. Ministers casually present not invited 277 1-5. Delegates from correspond- ing bodies 277 16. Secretaries of the Boards ; Stated and Permanent Clerks have privileges of corresponding members . . . .277 17. Manual of the General As- sembly 277 Section 2. Representation 278 1. The former ratios of repre- sentation 278 2. Where a Presbytery sends more than its proper repre- sentation, the last elected are refused 278 3. Section 2 is mandatory both as to the proportion of min- isters and elders, and as to sending the full number. . . .278 4. An elder who is a member of a church under the care of the Presbytery may be elected 279 Section 3. Quorum 279 Section 4. Appellate powers 279 1. The Assembly will not ordi- narily decide cases in tJiesi. .279 2. The Assembly cannot remit the final decision of any matter affecting the doctrine of the Church to an inferior judicatory 2-0 Section 5. Original powers 281 I. Decisions and deliverances on doctrine 281 II. Testimony against doctrinal errors 281 1. Deliverance of the Assembly of 1837 281 2. Explication of doctrines 283 Protest to the Assembly of 1887, including the Auburn Declaration so called 283 3. Action of the Old School As- sembly of 1869, on alleged toleration of doctrinal errors by the New School 285 4. Answer to this Protest 285 III. To receive petitions, memo- rials, appeals, complaints, etc 288 1. The right to petition and to memorialize the Assembly affirmed 288 2. One who does not submit is debarred the right to peti- tion 289 3. Overtures on any pending judicial case will not be re- ceived 289 4. The rule as adopted at the Reunion of 1870 : Bills, over- tures, etc., received only from Presbyteries and Synods 290 5. The rule of 1870 affirmed and enforced 290 6. The rule does not deny the ' right of petition ; i's repeal inexpedient 291 7. Memorial from an individual received 291 8. Overtures contemplated by the rule of 1870 defined. . . .'.292 9. Memorials, overtures, etc., received 292 IV. Power of visitation 292 1. The power of visitation exer- cised by the Assembly 293 2. Case of Lane Seminary 293 V. Pastoral letters and deliver- ances 293 1. On Missions 293 2. On occasion of the old French War 293 3. On the repeal of the Stamp Act - 293 4. Upon the occasion of the Revolutionary War ... 294 5. Address to Washington on his election to the Presi- dency and his reply 294 6. On the results of the French Revolution 294 7. On the disturbances in Ken- tucky, etc 294 8. On the Sabbath 294 9. On Christian activity 294 10. On prevalent vices and im- moralities 294 11. On revivals and their abuses.294 12. On the maintenance of doc- trinal purity 294 13. On revivals of religion 294 14. On repairing the wastes of the Civil War 294 15. On the observance of the Sabbath 294 16. On the Civil War 294 17. Report on the perils which beset the system of popular education 294 18. Testimony against the sup- port of Roman Catholic and other denominational insti- tutions by public funds 297 19. Protest against approi)riation of public funds for ecclesias- tical uses 298 VI. Power of tlie Assembly over its own members 298 FOBM OF GOVERNMENT. 1. To exclude from the rights of membership pending pro- cess 298 2. To expel a commissioner from membersliip 299 VII. Of erecting, changing and dissolving Synods 299 1. To dissolve "a Synod and transfer its Presbyteries. . . .299 VIII. Of erecting, changing and dissolving Pr>^sbyteries 300 1. Cases before 1870 300 2. Presbyteries formed or recog- nized by the Assembly since the Reunion, 1870 303 3. Presbyteries dissolved 303 IX. To transfer churches from one Presbytery and Synod to another 303 1. Cases adjudicated 303 X. To transfer ministers from one Presbytery to another, or to a new one 304 1. Cases adjudicated 304 XI. To receive other ecclesiatical bodies 304 XII. To define the succession of Presbyteries .... 305 XIII. To correspond with foreign churches 306 i. Churches in general 306 1. Bodies with which the As- sembly is at present in cor- respondence 306 2. Churches in Great Britain and Ireland 306 (1) Report on foreign cor- respondence 306 3. The Presbyterian Alliance. .307 (1) Report of the delegates to tlie London Conference of 187o 307 (2) The Constitution of the Alliance 308 (3) Provision for expenses of tlie Standing Committee and Secretary 310 (4) The Assembly will not ap- point delegates to Churches represented in the Alliance. Exceptions 310 (5) Basis of representation altered 311 (6) Plan of cooperation in work on the Nortli American Con- tinent 311 ii. Churches in America 311 1. Proposals for correspondence with the New England churches 311 2. Plan of correspondence with the General Association of Connecticut 311 3. The plan of union and action under it 813 4. Correspondence with the Re- formed Churches 813 5. Proposal of the Reformed (Dutch) Church in America declined 313 6. Complaint against the Pres- bytery of North R'ver 313 7. Relations to the Presbyterian Cliurch in the United States 313 (1) The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. (South) recog- nized as an independent body 313 (2) Correspondence wnth the Presbyterian Church in the U. S 313 (3) Action touching those adhering to the General Assembly of the Presbyte- rian Church in the U. S. and Old School Synod of "Missouri declared null and void 315 (4) Correspondence Avith the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S 316 Special Committee on Coopera- tion appointed 317 (5) Cooperation with the Pres- byterian Church in theU. S.318 i. Foreign Mission 319 ii. Home field 320 iii. Evangelization of the Colored People 321 iv. Publication 323 (6) Committee of Conference with the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. on Colored Work 323 (7) Cooperation in Foreign Missions with the Presby- terian Cliurch in the U. S. . .323 (8) Overtures for organic union with the Presbyterian Church, U. S 324 Fraternal letter and answer. .325 XIV. Relations to non-ecclesias- tical bodies 325 1. The Assembly will not peti- tion partisan conventions.. 325 2. Receives and appoints dele- gates only in case of eccle- siastical bodies 325 XV. Powers in determining which are true and lawful judicatories, and who are church officers 326 1. Synods and Presbyteries in Kentucky and Missouri 326 2. Case of the Walnut Street Church, Louisville, Ky. The Assembly passes upon the validity of the election of ruling elders 327 SYLLABUS. XVI. The Assembly may pro- pose rules regulative of the Constitutional powers of Presbyteries and Synods . . .330 Section 6. Constitutional rules 330 1. Local evangelists 330 2. Examination for licensure... .331 Constitutional Rule No. 2 331 Section 7. Meetings 331 1. Adjourned meetings of the Assembly. Opinion of Chancellor Kent 331 2. The adjourned meetings of 1809 332 3. Who may sit as commissioners at an adjourned Assembly. .333 Section 8. Dissolution. Place of meeting 333 1. The place of meeting deter- mined by the vote of the Assembly 333 2. Permanent Committee on the place of meeting of the next Assembly 334 3. Form of minute of dissolving the Assembly 334 The Trustees, the Boards, AND THE Seminaries. I. The Trustees of the General Assembly 334 1. The charter of the Trustees. 334 2. The charter accepted 336 3. Trustees of the Presbyterian House 337 4. Consolidation and merger of the Trustees of the General Assembly and of the Pres- byterian House 338 5. Business regulations 338 6. Manner of election of Trus- tees 338 7. Record of election by the Assembly .' 339 8. The Trustees authorized to receive and hold in trust be- quests made to the Presby- terian Historical Society. . . .339 9. The official seal of the Church 339 II. The Boards ot the Church. .340 1. Concurrent declarations, Assembly of 1869 340 2. Regulations as to minutes, reports and membership. . . .341 3. Regulations as to use of legacies 341 4. No trustee or director may receive any salary or emolu- ment from the Board 341 i. The Board of Home Missions. 343 1. History 342 2. Consolidated Board as estab- lished at Reunion 342 3. The act of incorporation. . . .343 4. First amendment of the act. 345 5. Second amendment of the act 345 6. Pennsylvania act authoriz- ing transfer of property . . . .346 7. Principles and rules for the work of Home Missions. . . .347 8. The school work: Woman's Board 348 9. The sustentation scheme. . .349 ii. The Board of Foreign Mis- sions 349 1. History 349 2. The organization of the Board -'oO 3. Alterations necessitated by legislation 350 4. Charter of the Board of For- eign Missions 350 5. Amendmeutof the charter. 351 iii. The Board of Education 351 1. History 351 2. Board of Education of the reunited Church 352 3. Constitution of the Board. .352 4. Act of incorporation of the Board (Legislature of Penn- sylvania) 354 5. Act authorizing the transfer of property of the Perma- nent Committee on Educa- tion to the Board of Educa-' tion (Legislature of New York) 356 6. Rules, candidates for the ministry 357 (1) Dependence of the Board upon the Presbyteries 357 (2) Reception of candidates. .357 (3) Scholarships 357 (4) Care of candidates 359 (5) Particular duties of candi- dates 360 (6) Exceptional cases 361 7. Planforthe encouragement of a missionary spirit in candidates 361 iv. The Board of Publication and Sabbath-school Work. 362 1. History 362 2. The Board of Publication, organized 1870 362 3. The Sabbath-school work of the Board, three branches. .366 4. Charter of the Board 366 5. Relations of the missionary and publisliing depart- ments 367 6. The Sabbath-school work of the Board 368 7. Blanks printed by the Board to be approved by the proper authority and so in- dorsed 370 8. Reorganization of theBoard, 1887 370 v. Board of Church Erection . .372 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. XXV The Trustees of the Church Erection Fund 373 1. The organization. . . . .372 2. The phm for the custody, care and management of the Church Erection Fund. .374 3. Acts of incorporation 380 4. The charter amended 381 5. Plan and rules for the Gen- eral Fund 382 6. Plan and rules for the Loan Fund 385 7. Plan and rules for the Manse Fund 386 vi. Relief Fund for Disabled Ministers, and the Widows and Orphans of Deceased Ministers 387 1. Early History 387 2. The Board of Relief consti- tuted 389 3. The charter obtained 389 4. The charter 389 5. Rules of the Board of Re- lief 391 vii. The Board of Missions for Freedmen 393 1. The plan of the Committee adopted in 1870 393 2. Relative duties and author- ity of the Board and the Presbyteries 394 3. Charter of the Board 394 viii. The Board of Aid for Col- leges and Academies 396 1. Establishment and Consti- tution of the Board 396 2. The Bible to be used as a text-book 397 3. The charter of the Board of Aid for Colleges and Acade- mies 397 ix. The Special Committee on Systematic Beneficence ....400 1. History and appointment. .400 2. Committee enlarged t o twelve 400 3. Name changed. Work and expenses 400 X. The Permanent Committee on Temperance 401 1. Organization and work. . . .401 2. Reorganized and located in Pittsburgh 401 3. Cooperation with the com- mittee. Provision for ex- penses 402 xi. The Church at Home and Abroad 403 1. The magazine established. .403 2. The special committee con- tinued, with powers 403 3. The committee enlarged. . .404 xii. The Assembly Herald 404 1. The paper established 404 2. Report of the special com- mittee, 1895, 189fi 405 3. Authority for editing. .... .4.06 xiii. Woman's Work for Mis- sions 406 1. Home missions 406 2. Foreign missions 406 3. Freedmen's missions 406 III. Theological Instruction 407 i. General matters 407 1. Overtures for the establish- ment of a theological school. 407 2. Answer to a memorial on en- tire uniformity in the gov- ernment and course of study in the theological schools of our Church 408 3. Plans proposed 409 4. Report on theological semi- naries, 1870 410 5. Proposal of Union Theo- logical Seminary, 1870 413 6. Limitations of the time with- in which the Assembly may exercise its veto in the elec- tion of a professor 415 7. Committee on the Relations of the Assembly and the Seminaries 415 8. Committee on Theological Seminaries. Report, 1893 . . .416 9. Report, 1894 417 10. Report, 1895 419 11. Report, 1896 420 12. Report, 1897 421 13. Approval or veto of elec- tions of officers and pro- fessors 421 IV. The Theological Seminaries,422 i. Princeton Theological Semi- nary 422 1. Plan of Princeton Theo- logical Seminary 422 2. Property to be held by the trustees of the Assembly... .429 3 Directors to secure a char- ter 429 4. Charter at first declined by the Assembly 429 5. Orders given in connection with the charter 429 6. Trustees elected by the As- sembly ' 430 7. Agreement with the trus- tees of New Jersey College. 4:^0 8. The charter 432 9. Answer of the Princeton Boards to the Assembly of 1895 435 10. Action of the Assembly of 1895 440 11. Answer of the Princeton Boards, 1896 440 12. Action of the Assembly, 1896 440 XXVI SYLLABUS. 13. Request of the Princeton •Boards, 1897 440 14. Action of the Assembly, 1897 441 ii. The Theological Seminary at Auburn 441 1. The charter 441 2. Action of the trustees and commissioners of Auburn, 1871 443 3. The Assembly approves professors 443 4. Answer of the Auburn Boards, 189o 444 5. Action of the Assembly, 1895 444 6. Answer of the Auburn Boards, 1896 445 7. Action of the Assembly, 1896 447 8. Answer of the Auburn Boards, 1897 448 9. Action of the Assembly, 1897 449 iii. Western Theological Semi- nary at Allegheny, Pa 449 1. Plan of the Western Semi- nary 449 2. The charter of the Wes- tern Seminary 456 3. Acceptance by the direc- tors of the plan of 1870 459 4. The Assembly to approve the election of trustees 459 5. Answer of the Boards, 1895 459 6. Action of the Assembly, 1895 460 7. Answer of the Boards, 1896 460 iv. Lane Tlieological Semi- nary 461 1. Charter and amendments. 461 2. The plan of the Assem- bly adopted by the trustees. 463 3. Report of the Standing Committee on Theological Seminaries, 1893. Approval withheld 463 4. Reorganization r e c o m - mended. Committee of Visi- tation appointed. The semi- nary restored to full stand- ing 463 5. Report of the Special Com- mittee to visit Lane, 1895.. .464 6. Final report of the Special Committee to visit Lane, 1896 465 7. Answer of the trustees to the Assembly, 1895 466 8. Answer of the trustees, 1896 466 9. Answer of the trustees, 1897. 466 10. Action of the Assembly, 1897 468 V. Union Theological Semi- nary 468 1. The agreement of 1870 . . .468 2. The veto of Prof. Charles A. Briggs, D.D 468 3. Report of Committee of Conference, 1892 469 4. Agreement recognized as binding 469 5. Paper adopted by the joint conference, 1892 469 6. Report of Union Seminary on the status of Prof. Briggs, 1892 470 7. Request of Union Semi- nary for the annulment of the agreement of 1870 470 8. The Assembly declines to break the agreement of 1870.470 9. The Assembly proffers arbitration 471 10. Report on arbitration, 1893 471 11. The resolution of tlie direc- tors, May 16, 187C, rescinded, and the arrangement be- tween the Union Theologi- cal Seminary and the Gen- eral Assembly alleged to be terminated 472 12. Action of the Assembly, 1893. All responsibility for teaching disavowed. Re- ports declined 473 13. The Board of Education enjoined to aid such students only as are in attendance upon seminaries approved by the Assembly 475 14. Action of the directors on the Assembly's plan of 1894.475 15. Action of the Assemblv, 1896 "..475 vi. Danville Theological Seminary 476 1. Plan as amended by the Assemblv, 1873 476 2. Charter 486 3. Action of the Assemblv of 1873 :...489 4. Answer of the Board of Directors, l.'^94 489 5. Answer of the Board of Trustees, 1894 490 6. Action of the Assemblv, 1895 '.491 vii. The McCormick Theo- logical Seminary 491 1. Constitution 491 2. Charter and supplements. 495 3. Relations to the General Assemlily 499 4. Answer of the McCormick Boards, 1895 499 5. Answer of the Board of Directors, 1896 500 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. 6. Answer of the Board of Directors, 1897 500 7. Answers of the Assembly. 501 viii. Blackburn University . . .501 1. History of relation to the General Assembly 501 ix. San Francisco Theological Seminary 502 1. Revised plan 502 2. Action on the Assembly's plan of 1894 508 X. German Theological School of the Northwest 510 1. Articles of incorporation. .510 2. Action on the Assembly's plan of 1894 512 xi. German Theological School of Newark, N. J . . . . 512 1. The charter 512 2. Supplement 513 3. Constitution 514 4. Action on Assembly's plan of 1894 516 xii. Lincoln University 516 1. The charter 516 2. Supplements to the charter 517 Amendments, 1897 519 3. Action on the Assembly's plan, 1894 519 xiii. Biddle University 520 1. The charter 520 xiv. Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha 522 1. Articles of incorporation. .523 2. Act of Legislature of Nebraska 523 3. Action of Board of Direc- tors, 1895 524 Chapter XIIL Of Electing and Ordaining Ruling Elders and Deacons. Section 1. Necessity for regula- tions 524 Section 2. Mode of election. Quali- fications 525 1. Elders must be duly elected and set apart 585 2. The Session may propose names to the congregation. .525 3. A meeting for the election of elders can be called regu- larly only by the Session, or by some higher court . . . .525 4. Relation of the Session to the meeting of the electors 526 5. The pastor is Moderator ex- officio of a meeting to elect elders and deacons 526 6. A superior judicature may authorize the meeting 526 7. The remedy in case the Ses- sion refuse to convene the congregation is to complain to Presbytery 526 8. Irregularity in call of meeting does not necessarily invali- date the election 526 9. Ministers are not eligible to the eldership 527 An exception allowed in the case of foreign missionaries, .529 10. Uniformity in the mode of election deemed impractica- ble 529 11. The mode most approved and in use may be changed by the congregation. Direct vote advised 529 12. The right of the superior judi- catory to interfere with the mode in use disavowed 530 13. Who are the electors of ruling elders and deacons 1 530 [a) Members not commiinicants, where such is the usage . . . .530 (6) Only baptized persons al- lowed to vote for ruling elders 530 (c) Neither the presiding officer nor the Session may dis- qualify voters whose stand- ing has not been impaired by judicial process 531 {d) Most consonant to our form of government that commu- nicants only be the electoTS.531 (e) No distinction to be made as to the age of electors 531 (/) The roll of members is the list of voters 531 {g) Two-thirds vote recom- mended in some cases 532 14. All oflice-bearers must faith- fully accept the Standards. .532 15. Mode of electing for a term of years 532 16. No authority for the election and ordination of deacon- esses 532 17. Systematic training of women workers commended 532 Sections 3-5. Mode of ordination.. 533 1. Mode of ordination. Laying on of hands approved 534 2. Ordination essential to the validity of the judicial acts of an elder 53i 3. Irregularity in mode of elec- tion does not invalidate ordination 534 4. Installation required on re- suming the office 534 5. An elder who has removed or resigned, if reelected, must be again installed 535 XXVlll SYLLABUS. 6. Mode of installation of an elder already ordained 535 Section 6. Perpetuity of office 535 1. Perpetuity of the office affirmed 536 Length of service left to the decision of the church 536 2. Restoration to church privi- leges does not restore to the eldership 536 3. An elder without charge can sit in no church court 537 Section 7. Withdrawal from ser- vice 537 1. Elders who cannot acquiesce in the decisions of the superior courts should re- sign • • • 537 3. Elders may cease to act in order to promote the peace of the church 537 3. The superior court directs an elder to cease to act 538 4. The Presbytery without the request of the Session or of the members of the church, may declare that an elder shall cease to act 538 5. If a member of Session be un- acceptable, and the matter cannot be arranged by con- sent, the proper step is to memorialize Presbytery . . . .538 6. Resignation of an elder or deacon to be tendered to the Session, and to take effect when accepted 538 7. The removal of suspension restores all rights and privi- leges to an elder 538 8. When an elder resigns, the Presbytery is not competent to order his restoration 589 9. The official relations of an elder to his church terminate with his dismission 540 Section 8. Term service 541 1. Elders not reelected on the adoption of term service cease to be acting elders in that particular church 541 2. When reelected, should be re- installed 541 3. The above not retroactive, and does not invalidate the actioii of the Session 541 4. Reinstallation of a reelected elder not essential to the validity of his office, but is more orderly 542 5. One or two elders may be elected under Sec. 8 542 6. In introducing term service, one or more classes may be elected for less than three years 542 7. The term must be three years and the classes three 543 8. Elders not reelected under this section may be dele- gates to the superior judi- catories 543 Chapter XIV. Of Licensing Candidates or Probationers to Preach THE Gospel. Section 1. Need for probation . . . .543 1. Preaching without licensure condemned as irregular 543 2. On the licensing and ordain- ing of women to preach the Gospel 544 3. Women may not fulfill the offices of public preachers . .544 The above reaffirmed 544 4. The Board of Education 545 Section 2. Presbytery with which connected 545 1. The usage under the Synod, prior to the adoption of the Constitution 545 2. Licensure by bodies other than those within wliose bounds the candidate ex- pects to labor disapproved. .545 3. Candidates should be placed under the care of Presbytery 546 4. Instructions to the Presbytery of New York in tlie case of theological students pur- suing studies in certain theological seminaries 546 5. The above action explained and reaffirmed ; does not relate to the licensing of candidates 547 6. The above action (4 and 5) universal in application . . . .548 7. Careful supervision to be ex- ercised both in receiving candidates and over their studies 548 8. No candidate to be received by the Board until he has been a church member one year, and passed classical studies for one year 549 9. Candidates must connect themselves with the Presbj'- tery to which they naturally belong 549 Should retain their connection with that Presbytery 549 FORM OF GOVERNMENT. XXIX Exceptional case where no Presbytery exists 549 10. A mission lias no authority to license or ordain 549 11. Deliverance on the relation sustained by students who have been taken under the care of a Presbytery to the Presbytery receiving them. .550 12. The Assembly's power over the education of students. Presbyteries directed to supervise 551 13. Presbyteries to choose semi- naries, etc., for all students.552 14. Rules of the Board of Educa- tion in relation to students.. 553 Section 3. Testimonials 552 1. A liberal education required. .552 To keep pace with the progress of society and of letters 552 Letterto David Rice on thorough literary training for the ministry 553 2. Liberal education waived in certain cases 553 Case of John Griffith 553 Case of John Gloucester, a colored man . .558 3. Great caution prescribed in exceptional licensures. ... .553 4. In what cases aid shall be witlidrawn 553 5. A candidate must be a mem- ber of some particular Pres- byterian church 554 Section 4. ExaminatioTi of candi- dates 554 1. The "Latin Exegesis" not stricken out 554 2. Presbytery has discretion as to a substitute 555 3. Examination in the English Bible mandatory (Constitu- tional Rule No. 2) 555 Section 5. Examination continued555 1. Examination in the Cate- chisms recommended 555 Section 6. Academic and theologi- cal studies 555 1. Effort to extend the time of study to tliree years 555 Rule of a lower judicature un- constitutional 556 Overture sent down, but not adopted 556 2. Full term of three years urgently recommended 556 3. A pledge to a three years' course not unconstitutional. 556 4. Regulations as to extraor- dinary cases . 557 Section 7. Manner of licensure . . .557 1. Form for licensure of local evangelists 557 Section 8. Form of licensure 557 1. Record of licensure may be made in " like form " 558 Section 9. Candidate removing out of bounds 558 Section 10. Licentiate removing out of bounds .558 Section 11. Recalling of license. . .559 1. Limitation of the time to which a license may extend to four years 559 2. Length of license of local evangelists 559 3. The above rule does not abridge the power of the Presbyteries to license in extraordinary cases 559 4. Discretion of the Presbytery in granting and recalling licenses 560 5. Licentiates belong to the laity and are subject to the Ses- sion 560 6. A licentiate may solemnize marriage if authorized by law561 Chapter XV. Of the Election and Ordination of Bishops or Pas- tors, AND Evangelists. Section 1. Meetings for election of pastors, how called 561 1. Steps to be taken by a vacant congregation looking to the election of a pastor 561 Section 2. Minister to assist 563 Section 3. Notice of election 563 Section 4. Procedure at election . .563 1. Who may vote in the elec- tion of a pastor 563 {a) Action of the General Pres- bytery, 1711 563 (&) The presiding officer may not disqualify voters whose standing has not been im- paired by judicial process. . .563 (f) Right of voting not limited to communicants unless ex- pressly so declared 563 (d) Overture confining the vote to communicants not adopt- ed 564 (e) All communicant members have right to vote in electing a i)astor 564 (/) Members of the congrega- tion who contribute to the support of the church en- titled to vote in the election of a pastor 564 (g) Authoritative lists of voters. 565 Section 5. Majority and minority.. 565 SYLLABUS. Section 6. Form of call 565 1. Early action. Glebe and parsonage recommended . . .565 2. Adequate provision to be urged 566 3. Liberality in the support of the ministry urged 566 4. Presbytery may refuse to in- stall when the salary is in- sufficient 567 5. Congregation urged to pro- cure parsonages 567 Section 7. Subscription to call. . . .568 Section 8. Installation •. . .568 1. Installation of pastors-elect in- sisted on, and none to be designated as P. E. whose call has not been regularly acted on. Who may not be reported as P. E... .' 568 Section 9. Presbytery and the call. 568 1. The Presbytery may refuse to permit a call 569 Complaint of the Kev. Mr. Edgar 5<)9 Section 10. Call to licentiate of an- other Presbytery 569 Section 11. Trials for ordination. .569 1. Ordination on the Sabbath discouraged, but at the dis- cretion of the Presbytery. . .570 Section 12. Questions to candidate at ordination 570 1. The assent embraces the Larger and Shorter Cate- chisms 571 2. Ordination l)y a commission unconstitutional 571 Section 13. Questions to people at ordination 571 Section 14. Form of ordination . . .571 1. Lay ordination invalid 572 2. Elders not to participate in the orilinalion of ministers by the laying on of hands. .572 3. An elder, being moderator of Presbytery, cannot pre- side at the ordination of a minister, nor propound tlie constitutional questions, nor take part in the laying on of hands of the Presbytery, nor make the ordaining prayer.. 572 4. Tlie part which ministers of other bodies may take in or- dinations and installations. .573 Section 15. Ordination of evange- lists 573 1. Ordination as an evangelist to labor in feeble churches. .573 2. Ordination of a licentiate who proposed to continue teaching 573 3. Presbyteries should not or- dain the candidates of other Presbyteries 573 4. Ordination sine titiilo 574 5. Ordination sine titulo. Over- lure on, rejected 574 6. Censure of Synod for ordina- tion sine titulo not sustained. 575 7. Missionaries may not ordain ministers 575 8. Nor organize a church with- in the limits of a Presbytery without its leave 575 Chapter XVI. Op Translation, or Removing a Minister from One Charge to Another. Section 1. Translation only by Presbytery 575 1. Removal without consent of Presbytery 575 Section 2. Mode of translation in same Presbytery 575 1. Consent of parties may shorten process 576 Section 3. Mode of translation in another Presbytery 576 1. Pastor and church must be- long to the same Presbytery. 576 Sections 4-7. Manner of installa- tion 576 Chapter XVII. Of Resigning a Pastoral Charge. 1. Whether the relation shall be dissolved at the meeting where the recjuest is made, left to the discretion of the Presbytery 578 2. If the parties are agreed, the relation ma}^ be dissolved at the first meeting 578 3. A pastoral relation ceases with the action of the Pres- bytery dissolving it, when no other time is designated. .578 4. A meeting of the congrega- tion without the presence and cooperation of the pas- tor is valid, he having re- quested the dissolution .. .578 5. Where a Synod, on appeal, dissolves the pastoral rela- tion on petition of a minority, it is sustained 579 6. Tlie rule should be strictly observed and enforced 580 7. Presbytery may dissolve a ])astoral relation without a meeting of the congregation being held 580 FORM OF G0VERT5MENT. Chapter XVIII. Op Missions. 1. The Standing Committee of Missions appointed 581 2. The Board of Missions 582 3. Enlargement of powers 583 4. Synodical sustentation . .583 5. Presbyterial oversight of va- cant churches 584 Chapter XIX. Op Moderators. Section 1. Need of Moderator . . . .584 Section 2. Powers of Moderator . .584 1. The Vice-Moderator 684 2. The Moderator not necessa- rily a member of the judica- tory 584 Section 3. Who maj be Moderator.585 Chapter XX. Op Clerks. 1. The term of service of their Stated Clerks is at the discre- tion of the several judicato- ries 586 2. The Clerk not necessarily a member of the judicatory. . . 586 Chapter XXI. Op Vacant Congregations Assembling for Public Worship. Vacant congregations to meet for worship on the Lord's Day 587 Elders of vacant congrega- tions should be interrogated as to the observance of this rule 587 3. Right of ruling elders, in the absence of the pastor, to ex- plain the Scriptures and to exhort 587 4. Presbyterial oversight of va- cant churches 588 Chapter XXII. Op Commissioners to the General Assembly. Section 1. Time for appointment.. 588 1. The rule not enforced in the case of missionary Presbyte- ries 588 2. No election through the Pres- bytery failing to meet 589 3. Commissioner enrolled on petition of members of his Presbytery 590 4. Commissioners from new Presbyteries 590 5. Commissioners, not ruling elders, under the Plan of Union 591 6. Commissioners should attend to the close of the Session.. Presbyteries to call their commissioners to account. . .591 7. A commissioner, having taken his seat, may not resign it to his alternate or principal. 592 8. Rule dispensed with under jieculiar circumstances 593 9. The right of alternates to sit is at the discretion of the j udicatory 594 10. Atan adjourned meetingalter- uates enrolled 594 11. Ratios and excess of represen- tation 595 12. Ruling elder need not be a member of the Presbytery. .595 13. Ruling elders who have been dismissed from the church in which thej' served, to an- other, cannot be elected. . . .595 14. Power to expel commissioners. 595 Section 2. Commissions 595 1. The rule must be complied with. A certificate of ap- pointment is not a commis- sion .595 2. Irregularities and defects in commissions, commissioners received. The usage .596 3. Some evidence of appoint- ment necessary ,597 4. The Assembly will not go be- hind a commission 597 5. Assembly's Permaneut Com- mittee on Commissions 597 6. Advisory members 597 7. Corresponding members 598 (a) Officers of t^ie Assembly. . .598 (b) Secretaries of the Boards.. .598 (c) Delegates from correspond- ing bodies. Ministers casu- ally present are not .598 Section 3. Provision for expenses. 598 1. The Commissioners' Fund. Former plans 598 2. Mileage and Contingent Funds 598 Entertainment Fund 6U0 XXX 11 SYLLABUS. When the apportionment should be forwarded to the Stated Clerk 600 3. None of the church judicato- ries have power to assess a tax upon the churches 600 Stated Clerk authorized to pay additional bills 601 Power of the Assembly over these funds 601 Sections 1-7 1. Duty of the Stated Clerk in reference to answers to over- Chapter XXIII. Op Amendments 602 tures. Committee of Can- vass, and action of the As- sembly 603 PART IV. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. [Chapter I. Op Discipline : Its Nature, Ends, and Subjects. Section 1. Definition of discipline. 604 Section 2. The ends of discipline. .604 1. Prompt discipline best fitted to secure a happy issue 604 2. The censure must be propor- tionate to the offence. Sen- tence reversed where the censure was too severe 604 3. The decisions of the civil courts not conclusive in the judicatories of the Church. Every member of the Pres- byterian Church entitled to a fair trial according to the methods of his church, be- fore condemnation 605 4. Greattenderness enjoined . . .606 Section 'S. An offence defined 606 I. Doctrine 606 II. Morals 606 1. Breach of Sabbathobservancp. 606 2. Theatrical exhibitions and dancing condemned 607 3. Popular amusements in gen- eral 609 4. Card-playing and games of chance. The dance and the theatre. Progressive euchre. 612 The theatre and the opera 612 5. Gambling, lotteries, horse- racing, betting, etc 615 Duelists excluded from church I^rivileges. Ministers should not attend the funeral of a fallen duelist 617 Slavery and slaveholding. . . .617 On the lynching of Negroes. .617 Intemperance 618 Total abstinence from the use of wines, liquors, etc., urged 619 Manufacture and traffic in ardent spirits condemned. . .621 12. The manufacture and sale of intoxicating drinks an offence 621 6. 9. 10. 11. Those engaged in the manu- facture or traffic in intoxi- cating liquors should not be received or retained in the church 624 13. Prohibitory laws 624 14. A gainst the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors and renting property for such uses 625 15. The "saloon," licensed or unlicensed, a curse to our land 626 16. The Presbyterian Woman's Temperance Association in- dorsed 626 17. The deliverances of the past eighty years to be printed . .626 18. Temperance training and edu- cation for the young 627 19. Men of intemperate habits and official position 627 20. Political parties and licenses. 628 21. Temperance Sabbath 628 22. Communion wine 628 23. Permanent Committee on Temperance 628 24. Relation ol temperance and other moral societies to the Church 628 25. Temperance delegates 630 26. Purity in literature and art . .6i0 27. Cruelty to animals 630 Section 4. The Holy Scriptures and offences 631 1. New terms of communion cannot be sanctioned 631 2. Each case must be judged by its own circumstances 631 3. Sins forbidden in the Ten Commandments, Larger Catechism 632 Section 5. Church membership of children 634 BOOK OF DISCIPI.INK, XXXlll Chapter II. Of the Parties in Cases of Process. Section 6. Prosecutor necessary. . .635 Section 7. Evidence necessary to process 635 Section 8. Reconciliation in private cases 635 1. No testimony may be intro- duced injurious to parties not on trial 635 Section 9. Private conference 636 Section 10. Prosecutor in public cases 636 Section 11. Prosecuting Comniittee636 1. The right of the Prosecuting Committee to appeal and to conduct the prosecution as representing an original party maintained 637 Section 13. Investigation of slan- der 637 1. Such . investigation is at the discretion of the Presbytery, subject to review as to mis- use or abuse 638 Section 13. Caution as to accusa- tions 638 1. Admonition to prosecutors. . .638 Section 14. Censure on rash prose- cutor 639 1. Failure to show probable cause for charges, involves censure for slander 639 2. The character of one absent and not on trial not to be impeached 640 3. Censure for slander may not be inflicted upon a private prosecutor unless the case be fully issued 640 Chapter III. Op Charges and Specifications. Section 15. Contents of charges and specifications 640 1. The charge must be specific. .640 2. All charges in cases cf heresy must be as definite as pos- sible 641 Section 16. Number of charges and votes 641 Section 17. Proof of attempted rec- onciliation 641 Chapter IV. Op Process : General Section 18. Original jurisdiction. .642 Section 19. Procedure at first meet- ing 642 1. Censure without trial is un- constitutional 642 2. A judicatory may not suspend a minister without trial 642 3. Censure upon an absent per- son without citation disap- proved 642 4. Exclusion from the pulpit or from communion may not be without trial and conviction. 643 5. The accused may not be re- quired to declare what he expects to prove by his wit- nesses 643 Section 20. Service of citations. . . .643 Section 21. Procedure with absen- tees 643 1. Contumacy not to be hastily inferred. One may excuse himself by letter 643 2. Contumacy not to be charged on first citation 644 3. Contumacious person may be restored on submission 644 4. To proceed in the absence of the accused without a second citation irregular ; but the right to complain waived by appearing afterward and pleading 644 c Rules Pertaining to all Cases. 5. In the absence of the accused, counsel must be assigned . . .645 6. When the judicatory has taken the testimony as above, it may proceed to trial and final judgment as if the accused were present.. 645 Section 22. Procedure at adjourn- ed meeting 650 1. .ludicial cases should be con- tinued without interruption. 650 Section 23. Procedure continued. .651 1. The withdrawal of parties, counsel, etc., construed lit- erally 651 2. Exclusion of stenographer of tiie accused questionable . . .653 3. Testimony not on record ad- mitted by consent 653 Section 24. Record of the case. . . .653 1. Everj'thing influencing the judgment of the judicatory must be spread upon the records 653 2. Minutesof interlocutory meet- ings in judicial cases should be recorded ; also report of judicial committee in the case 653 3. Reasons not recorded and records deficient. Case re- manded 653 Section 25. Exceptions 654 XXXIV SYLLABUS. Section 2G. Counsel 654 1. Counsel assigned by request of the parties 654 3. No one not a member of the judicatory may act as counsel. 654 3. Professional counsel under all circumstances excluded 655 Section 27. Questions of procedure. 655 Section 28. Voters. Calling of roll.655 1, By consent, members who had been absent for brief periods allowed to vote 655 Section 29. Copies of the record and transmission 655 1. Appellants entitled to a copy of the sentence ... .655 3. The records of church judica- tories are public document8.655 Section 30. Forms of censure 6.i6 Section 31. Private sessions 656 Section 32. Suspension of accused pending trial 656 1. The accused may be suspend- ed pending the issuing of the case 656 2. Suspension from the ministry during process 656 3. Suspension from privileges of membership 657 Chapter V. Special Rules Pertaining to Cases Before Sessions. Section 33. Contumacy 657 Section 34. Kinds of censure 657 1. Censure is not to be removed without evidence of repent- ance 657 2. Deposition and excommuni- cation are distinct acts 657 Section 35. Publication of sentence. 658 Chapter VI. General Rules Pertaining to the Trial of a Minis- ter, Elder, or Deacon. 1. Section 36. Honor of the ministry. 658 Section 37. Offences committed in distant places 658 Discipline of a minister can be only by his own Presby- tery 658 2. Even when non-resident . . . .658 3. Boards have no authority to sit in judgment on ministers. 659 4. Discipline "by Boards of Mis- sions, etc., not recognized. .659 5. Ecclesiastical power of a mis- sion 659 6. Duty of a Presbytery to give notice of an offence 659 A suspended licentiate can be restored only by the Presby- tery which suspended him. Another may take testi- mony 660 Such Presbytery has no power to try, but only to take tes- timony 660 Section 38. Contumacy 660 Section 39. Judicatory may with- draw rights of accused 660 Section 40. Form of sentence 660 1. Sentence may be passed on confession 660 2. A suspended minister may not exercise any function of the ministry 661 7. 8. 3. Does not rank as a " common Christian in good standing ".661 4. The name of a suspended minister is to remain upon the roll 661 Section 41. Heresy and schism. . . .661 Section 42, Acts of infirmity 661 Section 43. Restoration 661 1. One Presbytery may not re- store a minister deposed by another 662 2. Restoration of a deposed min- ister conditioned on conduct under sentence 662 3. The Assembly recommends restoration, the ends of dis- cipline being gained 663 4. When the names of deposed ministers are to be pub- lished 663 Section 44. Effect of sentences 663 1. A minister who has been de- posed returns to the condi- tion of a private member, and must be reordained if restored 664 Section 45. Suspension pending trial 664 Section 46. Provisions applicable to elders and deacons 664 Chapter VII. Of Cases without Process. Section 47. Self-accused persons. .664 Section 48. Members declining communion 665 Section 49. Absentee communi- cants 665 1. When one whose name is erased may be received by another church 665 Section 50. Communicant neglect- ing ordinances 665 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. 1. Willful absenting one's self from the ordinances of God's house is an ofl'ence 665 2. Disagreement with a pastor no excuse for willful ab- sence , 666 3. Discipline enjoined for will- ful absence 666 4. Excommunication may not be without trial 666 Section 51. Demission of the min- istry 667 Section 52. Communicant w i t h- drawing irregularly 667 Section 53. Minister withdrawing irregularly 667 1. To strike from the roll the name of a minister with- drawing while under investi- Chapter VIII Section 54. Care as to testimony. .669 Section 55. Competent witnesses .669 1. A prosecutor may testify . . . .669 Section 56. Credibility of witnesses669 1. The credibility of a witness to be determined by the judi- catory 669 Section 57. Married persons 670 1. Husband and wife are compe- tent witnesses in the same case 670 Section 58. Kinds of evidence and number of witnesses 670 1. When one of two specifica- tions of a charge is proved the charge itself is proved. .670 2. When the offence charged is not sustained the verdict should be " not guilty" . . . .671 Section 59. Exclusion of witnesses672 Section 60. Examination of wit- nesses 672 Section 61. Oath or affirmation., 672 1. The authority for administer- ing a judicial oath 672 2. Testimony should be under oath and recorded . .... .673 Section 62. Record of testimony . .673 Section 63. Records are evidence .673 Section 64. Testimony valid in all judicatories. . /. 673 Section (55. Commission to take testimony 673 Section 66. Members of judicatories as witnesses 673 gation, is unconstitutional and void 667 2. A minister's name may not be stricken from the roll, except by his consent, or by discipline, or by his having recognized some other juris- diction, or by becoming in- dependent 668 3. Those who entertain views irreconcilable with our Standards urged to with- draw 668 4. Names of ministers whose residence is unknown to be kept on a reserved roll 668 5. Minister absent and residence unknown, stricken from the roll without prejudice to ministerial standing 669 Op Evidence. 1. A member of the judicatory required to testify ; to refuse is contumacy 674 Section 67. Contumacious w i t - nesses 674 1. A minister cited to testify be- fore a Session 674 Section 68. New evidence 674 1. New trial may be had on the allegation of new testimony. 674 2. If the judicatory refuse to grant a new trial upon the allegation of new testimony a complaint will lie 675 3. Appeal remitted for new trial on new tcstimt'ny 675 4. A superior judicatory may not order a new trial with- out the allegation of new testimony 675 Section 69. New evidence 675 1. On the giound of new testi- mony, the case referred 676 2. The fact and importance of new evidence must be shown 676 On examining the new testi- mony the decision affirmed. .676 3. The Assembly, afier investi- gation, refuses to refer the case, despite alleged new testimony, or to grant any further judicial trial 677 Chapter IX. Op the Ways in which a Cause may be Carried from A Lower to a Higher Judicatory. Section 70. Extent of review 677 1. A judicial case can come be- fore the Assembly only in some one of the above men- mentioned ways 6T8 XXXVl SYLLABUS. I. Op genekal review and CONTROIv. Section 71. Proceedings of tlie church. Frequency of review. 678 1. The incorporation of church proceedings is mandatory. Explanation of the meaning of this rule 678 2. The incorporation in Session records of the minutes of the Board of Deacons is discre- tionary 679 3. Annual review of the records of all the judicatories re- quired 679 4. The Synods required to send up their records annually. . .679 5. After records have been ap- proved corrections can be made only by recurrence to the judicatory approving . . .680 6. Leave given to correct the record on error shown 680 7. A minute recording a fact can be amended or stricken out only by a unanimous vote or by reconsideration of the original action 680 8. A case judicially issued may be reviewed 680 9. Copies of original records accepted in certain cases. . . .681 10. Records in print must con- form to the requirements.. . .681 Section 73. Purposes of review. . .681 i. Whether the proceedings are correctly recorded 681 1. Omitting to record the open- ing and closing with prayer.681 2. Failing to record absentees. 681 3. Churches not represented must be recorded 682 4. The roll should be called prior to adjournment 682 5. The narrative of the state of religion to be recorded 682 6. Cases acted upon must be described, and the disposal made of them indicated . . . .682 ii. Whether they have been con- stitutional and regular 688 1. Unconstitutional and irregu- lar proceedings 683 2. A Synod may not institute and prosecute judicial pro- ceedings 683 3. A Synod may not refuse to receive the members of its Presbyteries 683 4. A superior judicatory may not compel an inferior court to reverse its decision, with- out assigning specific rea- sons 684 5. The reasons assigned are subject to review 684 6. Censure without due exami- nation condemned 684 7. No second approval of the minutes necessary 684 iii. Whether they have been wise, equitable, and for the edification of the Church. . .685 1. The lower judicatories must respect the decisions of the superior 685 2. Synods censured for insub- ordination and disrespect. . .685 3. Irregularities recited and animadverted on. Com- plaint will lie against de- cisions not judicial. Action insufficient and unjust. A member of the court may be called as a witness. Min- utes should be approved be- fore adjournment 686 4. Approval of the minutes does not afi'ect the right of appeal or complaint against any action taken 687 5. The approval of the minutes does not validate all action had 687 6. Review and control does not extend to statistical items in Session records. . . .688 7. Nor to the agreement of the action of Sessions with Pres- byterial rules for Sessions, not warranted by the Con- stitution 688 8. Action modified or reversed by the reviewing judicatory may be excepted to 688 Section 73. Voters on review 688 1. Cases cited 688 Section 74. Action in review . . . .688 1. The Assembly may not re- verse the judicial acts of a former Assembly, except in case of manifest injustice.. .689 2. But will correct error when shown to exist 689 3. The Assembly, on memorial, and error proven, revokes its action and remands the case 690 4. Exceptions must be recorded by the judicatory excepting. 690 5. Irregular and injurious pro- ceedings censured. Reasons for discipline must be given. 691 6. Judicial decisions may not be reversed on review, but must be respected until passed upon by the superior judicatory 691 7. On review a Synod is directed to review and correct its proceedings 691 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. Section 75. Unconstitutional pro- ceedings of lower judicatory693 Section 7»). Neglect of duty by lower judicatory 693 1. Citation of judicatories on review or on advice 693 11. Of REFEUEiSCES. Section 77. Ucfinition of refer- ence 693 1. Reference is voluntary 693 Section 78. Subjectsof references693 1. Cases in which references have been entertained 693 3. When the review of a de- cision without new testi- mony is desirable, the case should be referred to the next higher judicatory 693 Section 79. Objects of refereLces.694 1. Reference. Disposal of the Barnes case 694 3. When reference has been made the judicatory refer- ring can regain jurisdiction only by the action of the superior judicatory 695 3. Reference must be carried to the next higher judica- tory 696 Section 80. Voters on references. 696 Section 81. Higher judicatory may remit references 696 1. A memorial treated as a reference ... ... .696 Section 83. T r a n s m i s s i o n of record 696 1. Testimony attested by the Moderator and Clerk suffi- cient 696 8. A superior judicatory may entertain a reference which is not accompanied by the testimony and proceed itself to take it 697 III. Of complaints. Section 83. Definition of com- plaint 697 1. Complaints by judicatories. .697 3. The distinction between an appeal and a complaint must be observed 697 3. Tlie same matter may be the subject both of appeal and complaint 698 4. Complaint not allowed against a judicatory for obeying the orders of the superior judicatory 698 5. Complaint not allowed against advice given on memorial 698 6. Complaint not allowed against a refusal to adopt a proposed paper 698 7. Complaint not allowed against an opinion expressed by the superior judicatory. .703 8. Nor against a judicatory for the exercise of its discretion. 703 9. Discretion is reviewable as to its abuse or misuse 703 10. Complaint not allowed in a case already decided by the Assembly 703 11. Nor against a decision of the Moderator unappealed from at the time 703 13. Nor from the decision of a commission not yet con- firmed 704 13. Nor where the action com- plained of does not con- travene the doctrine or the Constitution of the Church. 704 14. Nor where there is no suffi- cient ground of complaint. .705 15. Nor where the complainant is not subject and submit- ting to the judicatory- com- plained of 705 16. Nor in a case of mere review of records 705 17. Nor against the refusal to read the printed minutes... .706 18. Nor against postponement of action on a report of a Committee 706 19. Complainant has It ave to withdraw with or without reasons 706 30. Withdrawal of complaint may have the same efiect as its dismissal 707 31. Leave to withdraw, the end desired being accomplished. 707 33. Complainants have leave to withdraw because : l . The proceedings of a civil court are not conclusive as against the ecclesiastical ; 3. Trial by a commission is not ground of complaint ; 3. In- formality in the decision does not invalidate the re- sult intended to be reached. 707 33. Complaints dismissed and leave to withdiaw, because, 1. Of the indefiniteness of the complaints, and 3. That the matters should be left to the wisdom and discretion of the Synod ....709 24. Leave to withdraw on re- quest of the parties 710 25. Complaint dismissed because no parties were aggrieved . .711 26. Complaint dismissed as not in due form. To strike from the roll without notice or citation disapproved 711 SYLLABUS. 27. Subject matter of complaints entertained 711 28. Complainants satisfied by conference and leave to withdraw 713 Section 84. Notice and records. .714 1. Reasons as well as notice must be given 714 2. Notice and reasons must be given within ten days after the action is taken 714 3. Complaint dismissed when no notice has been given. . .714 4. Complaint against the ac- tion of a judicatory can law- fully be signed only by those who signed it, or gave no- tice of their intent within the constitutional limit of time 715 5. Complaint and appeal dis- missed as not lodged in time and no one appearing to prosecute the complaint ... 715 6. Dismissed because no notice of complaint given 715 7. Evidence must be furnished that notice was given 716 8. Right to complain lost by failure to observe the rules .716 9. A judicial case once adjudi- cated may not be revived on memorial 716 Section 85. Etlect of complaint in certain cases 717 Section 86. Lodgment of com- plaint ". 717 Section 87. Steps in hearing 717 Section 88. Etiect of complaint, if sustained ... 717 1. The judicatory issuing a com- plaint may not decline to adjudicate the merits of the case, and must observe the alternatives of the Book. It may not assume original jurisdiction 717 2. Reversal places matters in statu quo 718 3. Does a complaint suspend the dissolution of a pastoi-al relation V ....718 4. Censure of the lower j udica- tories 718 5. Complaint sustained and the errors of the inferior judica- tories detailed 719 Section 89. Parties in cases non- judicial 719 Section 90. Voters on complaints. 719 Section 91. Right of appeal 719 Section 92. Papers and records to be sent up 719 1. In the absence of the respon- dent and of the papers in the case decision suspended un- til the record is produced . .720 Section 93. Consolidation of ap- peal and complaint . . . ." 720 IV. Of Appeals. Section 94. Definition of appeal. Parties. 720 1. The death of the appellee bars the prosecution of an appeal 721 2. Appeals limited to judicial cases 721 3. Original parties only may appeal, others may com- plain 721 4. Decisions as to original par- ties 721 («) The person prosecuted and the prosecutor 721 (h) The person claiming to be aggrieved and the judicatory appealed from 722 (c) The prosecuting commit- tee and the appellee 728 {d) The appellant and the ap- pellee 722 5. Members of the judicatory tr^'iug a case are not parties in the case and may not ap- peal 722 6. An appeal may be made to the next superior judicatory by either of the parties to a complaint 723 7. No constitutional provision for a second appeal 723 Section 95. Grounds of appeal . .723 1. Appeals have been enter- tained and issued for refus- ing to permit a call 734 2. Appeal against an installa- tion in the face of a protest. 724 3. Appeal against a refusal to obey the superior judicatory. 734 4. Appeal for refusing to re- ceive an applicant 725 5. Against an order or decision of a judicatory 725 6. An appeal will not lie against a judicatory for obe5Mng the order of its superior 725 7. An appeal dismissed because no evidence is presented to sustain tlie allegation 726 8. Appeal will not lie against a refusal to adopt a paper or to determine a constitutional question in thesi 726 9. Nor where a judicatory acts within the limits of its power and authority 727 10, Nor where the action was regular and equitable 727 11 Nor when the appeal is in- definite and general 727 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. XXXIX 12. Where no question of doc- trine or law is assigned, tlie appeal not entertained 728 Section 96. Notice and records.. .729 1. Notice of appeal, with rea- sons in writing, must be given within ten days after judgment 729 2. Evidence required that no- tice has been given 730 3. When a new trial is granted by the superior judicatory, notice must be given by the appellant of his intent to prosecute 730 4. Failure of the judicatory to receive notice does not bar the appellant 781 5. Leave to show that notice has been given to the judi- catory appealed from 731 6. On evidence of notice the case reinstated 731 Section 97. Appearance of appel- lant and lodgment of appeal. 731 1. Personal attendance of the appellant is not necessary. .732 2. Where neither the appellant nor any one in his behalf appears the appeal is dis- missed 732 8. In the absence of the appel- lant the judicatory assigns counsel 782 4. In the failure of the com- plainant to appear and prose- cute, the complaint dismiss- ed and defendant sustained. 783 5. Case continued on satisfac- tory reasons given 733 6. Dismissed as not lodged in time 738 7. Right to appeal lost by de- fault of the appellant 734 8. The appellant must furnish the necessary documents. . .784 9. Deferred in the absence of necessarj' documents 735 10. Where the appeal was in the house in season the rule is virtually complied with. . . .735 11. The rule interpreted liber- ally where due diligence has been used 735 12. In the absence of records through the non-attendance of the commissioner, the ap- peal received and refeiTed. .786 13. Where the appeal failed to be lodged in due time through mistake of the ap- pellant, it was entered and referred 736 14. Where the case is continued at the request of the appel- lant, the sentence remains in full force until the case is issued 737 15. Dismissed in absence of the appellant, with privilege of renewal 737 16. When an appeal has been dismissed in error, the As- sembly grant a restoration when satisfied of the error. .787 17. The original rule as to abandonment of an appeal ..738 Section 98. Voters on appeals. . . .739 1. The Moderator, being a mem- ber of the judicatory appeal- ed from, will not sit 739 2. An interested party should not sit on a trial 739 3. Members of the judicatory appealed from may not vote. 740 4. Members of a judicatory ap- pealed from may speak on postponement . .740 5. An elder belonging to the judicatory appealed from, though not a member of the judicatory when the case was issued, may not sit 740 6. Ministers who have been dis- missed to otlier bodies be- fore the action complained of are not excluded 741 7. A case is remanded where members of the judicatory appealed from, act in their own case 741 Section 99. Steps in hearing ap- peal 741 i. Initiation of proceedings. 1. The appeal or complaint is transmitted to the Judicial Committee 743 2. The Judicial Committee and its duties 742 3. In the absence of records the decision of the appeal should be suspended. Parol evidence will not supply the place of the records 743 4. The appeal (or complaint) found in order 743 5. The judgment notice of ap- peal, etc, read 745 6. The appeal entertained 745 ii. Reading the record. 1. Reading of the documents by consent dispensed with. 745 2. Certified copies distributed by consent 747 3. Matters foreign to the issue may by consent be omitted in the reading 747 4. Documents not read may be used in pleading 747 5. Reasons assigned by an ap- pellant must be recorded. They must be couched in xl SYLLABUS. decent aud respectful lan- guage 748 iii. Hearing the parties. 1. Case remanded for new trial because the original parties had not been heard. 748 2. Case issued aud complaint sustained where no person appears on behalf of the re- spondent 748 3. Time limit for hearing 748 4. Case of Charles A. Briggs, D.D., 1892 748 5. Case of Charles A. Briggs, D.D.,1893 749 6. Case of Henry Preserved Smith, D.D., 1894 749 iv. Hearing members of the judi- catory appealed from. 1. Interpretation and applica- tion of section 99 749 V. Hearing members of the supe- rior judicatory. 1. Limitation of time to speak- ers 750 2. Constitutional right to be heard cannot be destroyed though time limit may be set. Speeches by roll call. .750 vi. Taking the vote. 1. The final vote must be taken 750 2. It is taken separately on each charge 751 3. The final vote taken and the appeal sustained 751 vii. Case may be submitted to a judicial commission. 1. The Judicial Committee ap- pointed such commission.. . .752 2. Report of judicial commis- sion , 752 3. Findings of judicial com- mission 752 4. Case of William P. Craig, complainant, vs. the Synod of California 755 5. Complaint of David R. Breed et al. vs. the Synod of Pennsylvania 756 viii. Decisions and their effect. (1) The decision may confirm that of the lower judicatory. 1. Section 99 (5) explained... .757 2. Decision confirmed 757 3. In confirming the decision the Assembly directs that if a new trial as ordered be not instituted within six months the decision shall be final. . .758 (2) The decision may reverse that of the lower judicatory. 1. Reversed on review of tes- timony 759 2. Reversed without assigning a reason for its action 759 3. Reversed because of dispro- portionate censure 759 4. Reversal on the ground of undue severity, does not determine tlie innocence of the accused nor relieve him from other process.. 759 5. Decision of Synod reversed as in error in prescribing a form of dismission 760 6. Reversed because of uncon- stitutional action of the judi- catory appealed from 760 7. Where sentence is reversed for irregularity either party may institute a new trial. If process be not commenced within the time limited he may demand a letter as in good standing 761 8. Reversed for haste and un- constitutional action 761 9. Sentence reversed and the appellant declared to be in regular standing 762 10. The decision may declare the acts of the lower judica- tories void 762 11. The reversal annuls the acts complained of . .... 762 12. The decision reversed and the case remanded 763 (3) The decision may confirm or reverse in part. 1. Reversed in part on the ground of irregularity. Sus- tained in part 763 2. Reversed in part on the ground that irregularity of proceedings does not neces- sarily invalidate 764 3. Sustained in part, reversed in part. Minute in the case. 764 4. The decision censures the irregular excommunication of a member and prescribes the steps which should have been taken 765 5. The decision finds error in the judicatories below. A Presbytery may not unduly direct and control a Session. Synod may not refuse an appeal from a party ag- grieved 766 (4) The decision may remit the case to the lower judi- catorj'. 1. It may remand the cause for reconsideration 767 2. A Synod required to re- mand the case to a Presby- tery for rehearing 767 8. Complaint sustained and Synod ordered to hear and issue the case 768 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. xli 4. Judgment reversed and case remanded for new trial 768 5. Judgment reversed and case remitted on grounds stated.. 768 6. Referred back to the judi- catory below witli instruc- tions 769 7. Tlie decision details the ir- regularities of the judica- tories below 769 8. Tlie case remitted with in- structions 771 9. Unconstitutional acts de- tailed. The case remanded. 772 10. Referred back by consent of parties 773 11. Discretion of a judicatory not subject to review 773 12. Remitted on the recom- mendation of the Judicial Committee 773 13. In passing judgment a judi- catory may not open a case already settled 773 14. The decision sustains the lower judicatory in part, but a person once restored can be condemned again only by new process and convic- tion 774 15. The decision reverses all the judicatories below and restores the appellant 774 16. The decision declares and decides the several issues in- volved 774 17. The decision restores the status quo 775 18. A superior judicatory may not compel an inferior to reverse its decision without assigning reasons 775 19. The decision explains tlie true intent of the action com- plained of. Deposition by another denomination after reception to membership in Presbytery does not impair good standing 776 Section 100. Effect of notice of appeal 777 1. An appeal arrests all further proceedings until it be is- sued 777 2. Interpretation of Section 100.777 3. To proceed to trial while the appeal is pending is uncon- stitutional and void. The Assembly and not the in- ferior judicatories is the judge of the question of con- stitutionality 778 4. Susptyision is continued until the issue of the appeal, which must be at the next meeting of the judicatory above 778 5. An appeal against a certain action does not debar the judicatory from acting on the continued disturbed state of the church 778 6. Where a Session is dissolved an appeal continues the rights of the elders as to the higher judicatories until it is issued 779 Section 101. Records must be sent up 779 1. Copies made by an appel- lant not sufficient. The rec- ords or authenticated copies required 779 2. On the failure of the judica- tory to send up authenticated copies of the testimony the appeal is sustained 779 3. Where judicatories fail to send up documents the case is remanded 780 4. The judicatory directed to perfect its records and send up to the Assembly its rea- sons for the action com- plained of. .... 780 5. .Judgment suspended until a record is supplied on which the issue may be tried 780 6. In the absence of papers re- ferred to in the records and of attested copies of the charges the case postponed.. 781 7. Case remanded with direc- tions as to procedure and as to the records 781 8. In the absence of records the Synod censured and the case postponed 781 9. The case dismissed and the papers returned. . ....781 10. Where the absence of papers is the fault of the defendant, the case dismissed and the judgment affirmed 782 Section 102. Appeals to next superior judicatory 782 1. Appeals may be carried di- rectly to the Assembly 782 2. Appeals dismissed because not first brought in the lower judicatories and no sufficient reasons given 784 3. Where there is no common relation a complaint is allowed 785 xlii SYLLABUS. Chapter»X. Op Dissents and Protests. Section 103. Definition of a dissent. 786 1. Dissent entered without re- ply. Dissent with reasons is a virtual protest 786 Section 104. Definition of protest. 786 1. The riglit to protest for the relief of conscience 786 2. The dissent or protest must be entered before the rising of the Assembly ..786 3. A protest arguing the case is refused 786 4. The protest must confine itself to the reasons on which it is founded 786 5. A protest calls attention to the action protested against.787 Section 10.5. To be entered on records 787 1. Protests admitted to record without answer 787 2. Protests refused record as being disrespectful 788 3. A protest should be recorded only by order of the judica- tory 789 4. Protest received and put on record 789 5. Protest, if in order, must be recorded and filed with the clerk. A printed copy duly signed is valid 789 Section 106. Answers to protests. 790 1. No answerdeemed necessary when the assumptions have been refuted 790 2. The answer denies the im- putations of the protest 790 3. The answer defines the ac- tion protested against 790 Section 107. Who may dissent or protest 791 1. Protests will not be received from those not members of the body 791 2. A protest can be brought only by the minority of a judicatory itself 791 Chapter XI. Op Jurisdiction in Cases op Dismission. Section 108. Jurisdiction over offences 791 1. Cases connected with extinct Presbytery 791 2. Reception of a member on a qualified letter is void 791 3. Jurisdiction over one cliarged with an offence is in that Presbytery of which he is a member 791 4. A Presbytery within whose bounds an ofTence is com- mitted fulfills its duty in notifying the Presbytery to which the offender belongs. 792 Section 109. Jurisdiction over dis- missed members 792 1. A suspended member may not be received on profession by another church. If re- ceived without knowledge of the facts, his name to be stricken from the roll 793 2. A letter of dismission takes effect as soon as granted so far as rights and privileges are concerned 793 Section 110. Jurisdiction over dis- missed ministers 793 1. Jurisdiction over a deposed minister is in the Presbytery which deposed liim 794 2. Where a minister is deposed the name sliould not be formally stricken from the roll until the proceedings are finally issued 794 3. The privileges of membership cease with the granting of the letter 795 4. While a minister is in transitu he is a member of the Pres- bytery which gave him his letter 795 5. A suspended minister is under the jurisdiction of the Pres- bytery which suspended him. When sentence has been reversed for infor- mality, if process is not commenced in six mouths, a dismission in good standing may be claimed 795 6. A minister holding a letter of dismission is a member of the Presbytery dismissing him until received by another body 796 7. Where the reception was in- valid bj^ reason of fraud he remains under the jurisdic- tion of the Presbytery dis- missing him 796 Section 111. Certificates of dismis- sion must name body 796 1. Presbytery must specify the body to which a member is dismissed 796 2. He must unite with the body designated 796 3. The Presbytery receiving a minister on a certificate must notify the Presbytery that dismissed him 796 DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. xliii 4. The dismission may not be by a standing committee... .796 Section 112. Extinct church 796 1. Membersof an extinct church amenable to Presbytery. . . .797 Section 113. Extinct Presbytery. .797 Chapter XII. Of Removals, and Limitations op Time. 1. Section 114. Rules as to certificates of members 797 A certificate of dismission should be required 797 2. Names of baptized children, not adults or communicants, should be included 798 3. To receive members of churches of our own con- nection without a certificate is irregular 798 4. Members received from other denominations without tes- timonials or evidence, to be received on profession 798 5. Dismission to join another denomination 798 6. The form of dismission to other denominations left to the discretion of the Session798 7. Dismission of a suspended member 799 8. A suspended person being restored by the superior judicatories may claim dis- mission in good standing. . .799 9. A dismission may be irregular and yet valid 799 10. Members removing should be furnished with testimonials of standing, and should be counseled to transfer their relation 799 11. Churches receiving members by letter should notify the church from ■which they come. Blank forms of the Board of Publication com- mended 800 12. The limit of one year does not ordinarily exclude, where the Session has knowl- edge of the reasons and of the religious life 800 13. Certificate of dismission granted only by vote of the Session regularly constitutedSOO 14. The above modified. The Moderator or Stated Clerk may be authorized to issue letters in the interim 801 Section 115. Rules as to certificates of ministers 801 1. Notice of reception to be given 801 Section 116. Certificates of ab- sentee members 801 1. The standing of members ab- sent and unknown. Such absence without a certificate is itself censurable. If will- ful, they should be cen- sured 801 Section 117. Limitation on prose- cutions 802 1. Limitation not to be pleaded against the order of a superior j udicatory 803 2. The plea is good where the offence was known to mem- bers of the judicatory more than a year before process was begun 803 Chapter XIII. Op Judicial Commissions. Section 118. What judicatories may appoint 803 1. The Judicial Committee may be appointed a Judicial Commission 803 Section 119. Cases to be submitted, and powers 803 1. Matters of law referred to the appointing judicatory 803 Section 120. Times of meeting and quorum 805 Chapter XIV. Op Differences between Judicatories. Section 121. Steps in procedure. . .805 Section 122. Committee of prose- cution 805 Section 123. Power of judicatory having jurisdiction 805 PART V. THE DIRECTORY FOR THE WORSHIP OF GOD. Chapter I. Of the Sanctipication op the Lord's Day. Section 1. The duty 806 1. The Assembly petition Con- gress against carrying and distributing the mails upon the Sabbath 806 Section 2. The whole day to be kept. 808 xliv SYLLABUS. 1. Deliverance on the profana- tion of the Sabbath Disci- pline enjoined 808 2. The observance of the Sab- bath indispensable to the preservation of civil and re- ligions liberty 809 3. For the better observance of theSabl)ath 810 4. Church Sessions enjoined to greater fidelity 811 5. Resolutions on the sanctifica- tion of the Sabbath 813 6. The opening of art galleries on the Sabbath disapproved. Deliverances of former As- semblies reaffirmed. ... 812 7. Traveling on the Sabbath con- demned 812 8. Duty of all to sanctify the Sabbath. Testimony against its desecration by railroads and by recreations 813 9. Former deliverances affirmed and enlarged upon 814 10. The divine sanction and obli- gation of the Sabbath 815 11. Reading of secular newspa- pers on the Sabbath discoun- tenanced 816 12. The value and necessity of Sabbath observance 816 13. American Sabbath Union. . . .817 14 The Columbian Exposition. .818 15. The divine authority and uni- versal and perpetual obliga- tion of the Sabbath. Na- tional Sabbath Societies 819 16. Decoration of soldiers' graves on the Sabbath disapproved. 821 Section 8. Family arrangements. .821 Section 4. Private devotions 821 Section 5. Attendance on religious services 821 Section 6. Use of time after relig- ious services 821 1. Instruction in the Holy Scrip- tures 821 2. On Sabbath-schools and in- struction of the j'oung 822 3. Pastoral letter on Sabbath- schools 824 4. Catechetical instruction en- joined 826 5. Relation of Sabbath-schools to the family 826 6. Relation of the Sabbath- school to the Session 827 7. Superintendents to be ap- pointed or approved by the Session 829 8. Teachers to be approved by Session 839 9. Primary instruction to be given 839 10. The Shorter Catechism to be taught in the schools 839 11. The schools to be supported by the churches 830 13. Sessions to supervise the con- tributions of the schools. . . .830 13. Children's day commended. .830 14. Presbyterian Lesson Helps to be used 830 15. Loyalt}' to our own Sabbath- school agencies recom- mended 830 16. Standing Committees of Pres- byteries and Synods on Sab- bath-school work 830 17. Systematic Bible study by the whole congregation 831 Chapter II. Of the Assembling op the Congregation and Their Behavior During Divine Service. Sections 1,3 831 1. Posture in public prayer 831 Chapter III. Of the Public Reading of the Holy Scriptures. Section 1. Ministers' duty 833 Section 2. Most approved transla- tion 833 The Revised Version. 1. The Assembly expresses neither approval nor disap- proval 833 2. Inexpedient to authorize its use in public worship 832 3. Inexpedient to direct its use in public worship 833 4. No official sanction of its use necessary 833 5. Appointment of commission declined 833 Section 3. Extent of reading 833 1. The early rule for the reading of the Scriptures 833 2. Responsive services in public worship unwise 833 3. Responsive reading not a sub- ject of church discipline. . . .834 4. Responsive reading judicially declared not to he a viola- tion of the Constitution. . . . 834 5. The present freedom of wor- ship under the Directory re- liable and edifying 835 G. The Apostles' Creed may be used in public worship 835 DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP. xlv Chapter IV. Op the Singing op Psalms. Section 1. The duty of praise 835 1. Earl}' action on the subject of psalmody 835 Section 2. Manner of praise 836 1. The Book of Tunes 836 2. The Hymnal 836 3. The " Social Hymn and Tune Book" 836 4. The report on sacred music. The Hymnal commended... 837 5. The Presbyterian Hymnal ac- cepted and approved 837 6. Hymns for social meetings and the Sunday-school 837 7. The new Hymnal 837 Section 3. Congregational singing.837 Section 4. Amount of time allowed. 837 1. Church music is under the control of the minister and the Session 837 Chapter V. Op Public Prayer. Section 1. Invocation 838 Section 2. Prayer before sermon. .838 Section 3. Prayer after sermon. . . .839 Section 4. Minister's duty and au- thority 839 1. Liturgical forms not needed. .839 2. Book of Forms. Liberty to use the forms of the Re- formed Churches 840 Chapter VI. Of the Worship op God by Offerings. Section 1. The duty 840 Section 2. Order and nature 840 1. General recommendations . . .840 2. Inquiry to be made by the Presbytery as to compliance with the recommendations of the Assembly 841 3. Plan for securing pledges and contributions from each member of each congrega- tion 841 4. Collections ordered must be taken... 842 5. Proportionate giving 842 6. Individual pledges 842 7. Combination of collections discouraged 842 8. Fairs, etc., discountenanced .842 9. Money value of boxes 842 10. Public announcement of oft'er- ings 843 11. Offerings to be made as acts of worship 843 Section 3. Distribution 843 1. Schedule for contributions .. .843 2. Designated mouths for the Boards 843 Section 4. Duty of minister 843 1. Ministers to furnish informa- tion , 844 Chapter VII. Op the Preaching op the Word. Section 1. Importance 844 1. Reading sermons 844 Section 2. Subjects of sermons . . .844 1. Expository preaching com- mended 844 Section 3. Method of preaching.. .845 Section 4. Sermons not to be lengthy 845 Section 5. Close of service 845 Section 6. Who may preach 845 Chapter VIII. Op the Administration op Baptism. Section 1. When and by whom to be performed 845 1. Age of infancy not deter- mined 845 2. Baptism by Unitarians, Ro- mish baptism, etc 846 Section 2. Where usually to be administered 846 Section 3. Presentation of chil- dren 846 1. Who may be presented for baptism 846 2. The duty of Christian mas- ters to have their servants baptized, etc 846 3. Orphan children of heathen parents in the care of our missions 846 Section 4. Addresses preceding baptism 847 1. Obligations and qualifications of parents 848 2. Parents required to enter into engagements 848 3. Instruction to be given and discipline urged for neglect. 848 Section 5. Order of administra- tion 849 1. Mode of baptism 849 xlvi SYLLABUS. Chapter IX. Of the AoMiNrsTRATroN op the Lord's Suppee. Section 1. Times of celebration.. 849 1. Where there is no church organized 849 2. Not usually in the bounds of a congregation without con- sent 849 3. Where a minister may stated- ly preach he may administer the Lord's Supper 850 4. Administered in a private house in sickness 850 Section 2. Who to be excluded. . .850 Section 3. Public notice and in- struction 850 Section 4. Address before ad- ministration 850 1. The ignorant and scandalous excluded 851 2. Not the custom to invite those wlio have not pro- fessed Christ 851 3. Church membership is im- plied in the invitation to commune 851 4. Baptism with water is essen- tial to communion in the Presbyterian Church 851 5. Communicants' classes com- mended 852 Section 5. Order of adniinistra- ticn 852 1. Communion wine, the purest attainable to 1)e used 853 2. Unfermented fruit of the vine fulfills every condition 853 3. Individual communion cups not approved 853 4. The number of cups left to the discretion of the Session. 854 5. No rule as to persons to aid the minister 854 6. Deacons may aid in the dis- tribution of the elements. . .854 Section 6. Preparatory services. 854 Chapter X. Of the Admission op Persons to Sealing Ordinances. Section 1. Duties and privileges of baptized children 854 1. Pastoral care over baptized children 855 2. Discipline of baptized chil- dren. The subject post- poned 855 3. Diligent oversight enjoined in the care of the baptized children 855 4. The duty of home training urged upon the attention of the Church 855 5. Children should be trained in the faith of our fathers 856 6. Catechetical instruction en- joined on parents 856 7. Family training essential to the increase of the ministry and of the Church 856 8. Placing children in Romanist schools a violation of cove- nant engagements 856 Section 2. Years of discretion 857 Section 3. Examinations of appli- cants 857 1. Universalists not to be ad- mitted to sealing ordinances.857 2. Persons refusing to present their children in baptism not to be refused communion, but the expediency of re- ceiving them to be judged of by the Session 857 3. Duelists to be received only on evidence of repentance. .858 4. Postmasters officiating on the Sabbath 858 5. Proprietor of mail stages run- ning on the Sabbath 858 6. Persons engaged in the sale of intoxicating drink 858 7. Subjection to the discipline of the church requisite 859 8. To be admitted only by a Ses- sion regularly constituted.. .859 9o Session the judge of the quali- fication of candidates for membership . 859 10. Question as to the baptism of a member of the Society of Friends 859 11. Intercommunion with those who maintain an irregular ministrj^ discouraged 859 12. Polygamists cannot be re- ceived into the church while remaining in that relation. .860 13. Examination of candidates ought ordinarily to be in the presence of the Session 860 Section 4. Public profession by unbaptized persons 861 1. Baptism may follow upon a general profession of faith. 861 2. An excommunicaied member, if restored, is not to be rebap- tized 861 3. To admit to sealing ordinances belongs exclusively to the Session. Forms of admis- sion 861 DIRECTORY FOR WORSHIP, xlvii Chapter XI. Op the Modp: op Inflicting and Removing Censures. Section 1. Tenderness toward of- fenders 862 Section 2. Form of sentence 862 Section '6. Prayers for offenders . .863 Section 4. Restoration upon re- pentance 863 Section 5. Excommunication may be necessary 863 Section 6. Form of excommunica- tion 863 Section 7. Restoration after ex- communication 863 Section 8. Discretion of judicatory as to censures 864 Chapter XII. Of the Solemnization of Marriage. Section 1. Marriage not a sacra- ment 864 Section 2. Cliristian marriage to be by a minister 864 1. Marriage solemnized l)y licen- tiates' 864 2. Marrying in the Lord defiued864 Section 3. Who may marry 864 Section 4. Consent of parents and guardians 864 1. Clandestine marriage dis- couraged 865 Section 5. Rights of parents 865 Section 6. Public notice and obe- dience to the law 865 1. Publication of purpose of marriage 865 2. Caution enjoined in solemniz- ing marriages 865 Section 7. Witnesses and certifi- cate 866 Section 8. Form of marriage 866 Chapter XIII. Op the Visitation op the Sick. Sections 1-10 ; 867, 868 Chapter XIV. Op the Burial op the Dead. Sections 1,2 869 | 1. Carousing and ostentatious ' parades discountenanced .. .869 Chapter XV. Of Fasting, and of the Observation op the Days op Thanksgiving. Section 1. The Lord's Day the only holy day 869 Section 2. Fasting and thanks- giving Scriptural 869 1. The duty of foisting 869 2. Churches should observe days appointed by the local au- thorities 870 Section 3. Who should observe. . .870 Section 4. Who may appoint 870 Special days appointed by the supreme judicatory. 1. Upon the occasion of the French War 870 2. On the war with Spain 870 3. On account of trouble with England 870 4. Before the second war with England 870 5. During the second war with England 871 6. On the outbreak of the Civil War 871 7. On account of the profana- tion of the Sabbath 872 8. For the conversion of the world 872 9. The week of prayer. The first entire week in January. 872 10. Day of prayer for colleges, theological seminaries, etc. .874 11. Monthly concert of prayer for missions 874 12. Children's day, special ser- vices to be heid 874 Section 5. Public notice 875 Section 6. Public worship obliga- tory 875 Section 7. Method of observing fast days 875 Section 8. Method of observing thanksgiving days 875 xlviii SYLLABUS. Chapter XVI. The Directory for Secret and Family Worship. Sections 1-5 875, 876 1. Duty of ministers to urge family religion 876 2. The evening of the Lord's Day especially set apart for family training. The Stand- ards need no change to fit them for the present time. . .876 ADDITIONS TO ACTS, DECISIONS, AND DELIVERANCES. Qualifications of voters for pas- tors, elders, and other offi- cers 878 Close of the ecclesiastical year. .880 Annual Narrative of the State of Religion 880 Reorganization of the Board of Home Missions 881 Action as to legacies, etc., Board of Relief 881 Act relating to the reception and probation of ministers from other Churches 881 ^ndex 883-909 DIGEST ACTS AND DELIVERANCES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PART I. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. I. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 1. The General Presbytery. [Note.— We have no history of the organization of the First Presbytery in what is now " The United States of America." No record is to be found prior to Decem- ber 27, 1706, when we find tlie Presbytery in session engaged in the work of examin- ing Mr. John Boyd as a candidate for ordination, in the manner and form familiar to us at this day. — Records of the Presbyterian Church, 1706, p. 9. It seems to have had no other designation tlian " The Presbytery," and was, until 1717, the supreme judicatory of our Church.] 2. The General Synod. In 1716 the Presbytery adopted the following: It having pleased divine Providence so to increase our number, as that, after much deliberation, we judge it may be more serviceable to the interest of religion, to divide ourselves into subordinate meetings or Pres- byteries, constituting one annually as a Synod, to meet at Philadelphia or elsewhere, to consist of all the members of each subordinate Presby- tery or meeting for this year at least: Therefore it is agreed bv the Presbytery, after serious deliberation, that the first subordinate meeting or Presbytery, to meet at Philadelphia or elsewhere, as they shall see fit, do consist of these following members, viz. : Masters Andrews, Jones. Powell, Orr, Bradner and Morgan. And the second to meet at New Castle or elsewhere, as they shall see fit, to consist of these, viz. : Masters Anderson, McGill, Gillespie, Wotherspoon, Evans, and Conn. The third to meet at Snow Hill or elsewhere, to consist of these, viz. : Masters Davis, Hampton and Henry. And in consideration that only 2 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. our brethren Mr. McNif^h and Mr. Pumry are of our numl)er upon Long Island at present, we earnestly recomnieud it to them to use their best endeavors with the neighboring brethren that are settled there, which as yet join not with us, to join with them in erecting a fourth Presbytery. And as to the time of the meeting of the respective Pres- byteries, it is ordered that that be left to their own discretion. — 1716, p. 45. Our next meeting being appointed as a Synod, it was ordered that the present Moderator (Rev. George McNish) open the same by preaching. .... Appointed that the first meeting of our said Synod be at Phila- delphia, on the third Tuesday of September in the year 1717. — 1716, p. 46. 3. The General Assembly. a. Preparatory act. The Synod, considering the number and extent of the churches under their care, and the inconvenience of the present mode of government by one Synod, Resolved, That this Synod will establish out of its own body three or more subordinate Synods, out of which shall be composed a General Assembly, Synod or Council, agreeably to a system hereafter to be adopted.— 1786, p. 517. b. The Synod divided and the General Assembly constituted. Resolved unanimoxisly , That this Synod be divided, and it is hereby divided, into four Synods, agreeably to an act made and provided for that purpose in the sessions of Synod in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty -six; and that this division shall commence on the dissolution of the present Synod. Resolved, That the first meeting of the General Assembly, to be con- stituted out of the above said four Synods, be held, and it is hereby appointed to be held, on the third Thursday of May, one thousand seven hundred and eighty -nine, in the Second Presbyterian Church in the city of Philadelphia, at eleven o'clock a.m.; and that Dr. Wither- spoon, or, in his absence. Dr. Rogei's, open the General Assembly with a sermon, and preside till a Moderator be chosen. — 1788, pp. 547, 548. II. ADOPTION, ETC., OF THE STANDAEDS. /. THE ADOPTING ACTS OF 1729 AND EXPLANA TOR Y A CTS. 1. The Overture laid over for a year. There being an overture presented to the Synod in writing, having reference to the subscribing to the Confession of Faith, etc. , the Synod, judging this to be a very important aflair, unanimously concluded to defer the consideration of it till the next Synod, withal recommending it to the members of each Presbytery present to give timeous notice thereof to the absent members. — 1728, p. 91. ADOPTION OF THE STANDARDS. 6 2. The Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Assembly adopted. a. Act relating to Subscription. The committee brought in an overture upon the affair of the Confes- sion, which was agreed upon in hcec verba : Although the Synod do not claim or pretend to any authority of imposing our faith upon other men's consciences, but do profess our just dissatisfaction with and abhorrence of such impositions, and do utterly disclaim all legislative power and authority in the Church, being willing to receive one another as Christ has received us to the glory of God, and admit to fellowship in sacred ordinances all such as we have grounds to believe Christ will at last admit to the kingdom of heaven, yet we are undoubtedly obliged to take care that the faith once delivered to the saints be kept pure and uncorrupt among us, and so handed down to our posterity. And do therefore agree that all the ministers of this Synod, or that shall hereafter be admitted into this Synod, shall declare their agreement in and approbation of the Confession of Faith, Avith the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Assembly of Divines at Westmin- ster, as being, in all the essential and necessary articles, good forms of sound woi'ds and systems of Christian doctrine, and do also adopt the said Confession and Catechisms as the confession of our faith. And we do also agree, that all the Presbyteries within our bounds shall always take care not to admit any candidate for the ministry into the exercise of the sacred function, but what declares his agreement in opinion with all the essential and necessary articles of said Confession, either by subscribing the said Confession of Faith and Catechisms, or by a verbal declaration of their assent thereto, as such minister or candidate shall think best. And in case any minister of this Synod, or any candidate for the minis- try, shall have any scruple with respect to any article or articles of said Confession or Catechisms, he shall at the time of his making said declar- ation declare his sentiments to the Presbytery or Synod, who shall, notwithstanding, admit him to the exercise of the ministry within our bounds, and to ministerial communion, if the Synod or Presbytery shall judge his scruple or mistake to be only about articles not essential and necessary in doctrine, worship or government. But if the Synod or Presbytery shall judge such ministers or candidates erroneous in essential and necessary articles of faith, the Synod or Presbytery shall declare them uncapable of communion with them. And the Synod do solemnly agree that none of us will traduce or use any opprobrious term of those that differ from us in these extra-essential and not necessary points of doc- trine, but treat them with the same friendship, kindness and brotherly love, as if thev had not differed from us in such sentiments. — 1729, p94. b. The Adopting Act proper, f On the afternoon of the same day, All the ministers of this Synod now present, except one * that declared himself not prepared, viz. : Masters Jedidiah Andrews, Thomas Craig- head, John Thomson, James Anderson, John Pierson, Samuel Gelston, Joseph Houston, Gilbert Tennent, Adam Boyd, Jonathan Dickinson, John Bradner, Alexander Hutchinson, Thomas Evans, Hugh Stevenson, * Daniel Elmer, who subscribed the next year.— 1730, p. 97. t See p. 5. 4 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. William Tennent, Hugh Conn, George Gillespie and John Wilson, after proposing all the scruples that any of them had to make against any articles and expressions in the Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, have unanimously agreed in the solution of those scruples, and in declaring the said Confession and Catechisms to be the confession of their faith, excepting only some clauses in the twentieth and twenty -third chapters, concerning which clauses the Synod do unanimously declare that they do not receive those articles in any such sense as to suppose the civil magistrate hath a controlling power over Synods with respect to the exercise of their ministerial authority, or power to persecute any for their religion, or in any sense contrary to the Protestant succession to the throne of Great Britain. The Synod, observing that unanimity, peace and unity which appeared in all their consultations and determinations relating to the affair of the Confession, did unanimously agree in giving thanks to God in solemn prayer and praises. — 1729, p. 95. 3. The "Directory" recommended. The Synod do unanimously acknowledge and declare, that they judge the Directory for Worship, discipline and government of the Church, commonly annexed to the Westminster Confession, to be agreeable in substance to the word of God, and founded thereupon, and therefore do earnestly recommend the same to all their members, to be by them served as near as circumstances will allow and Christian prudence direct.— 1729, p. 95. 4. Intrants and candidates to adopt the Confession in the same manner and as fully as those then present. a. Whereas some persons have been dissatisfied at the manner of wording our last year's agreement about the Confession, etc.; supposing some expressions not sufficiently obligatory upon intrants ; Overtured, That the Synod do noAV declare that they understand these clauses that respect the admission of intrants or candidates in such a sense as to oblige them to receive and adopt the Confession and Catechisms at their admission in the same manner and as fully as the members of the Synod did that were then present. Which overture was unanimously agreed to by the Synod.— 1730, p. 98. b. Ordered, That the Synod make a pai'ticular inquiry during the time of their meeting every year, whether such ministers as have been received as members since the foregoing meeting of the Synod have adopted, or have been required by the Synod, or by the respective Presbyteries, to adopt the Westminster Confession and Catechisms with the Directory, according to the acts of the Synod made some years since for that purpose, and that also the report made to the Synod in answer to said inquiry be recorded in our minutes. — 1734, p. 109. 5. To be inscribed in the book of each Presbytery. Ordered, That each Presbytery have the whole Adopting Act inserted in their Presbytery book. — 1735, p. 115. ADOPTION OP THE STANDARDS. 5 6. An act explaining the Adopting Act. Au overture of the committee upon the supplication of the people of Paxton and Derry was brought in and is as followeth: Tliat the Synod do declare, that inasmuch as we understand that many persons of our persuasion, both more lately and formerly, have been oflended with some expressions or distinctions in the first or preliminary act of our Synod contained in the printed paper, relating to our receiving or adopting the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, etc. ; That in order to remove said offense, and all jealousies that have arisen or may arise in any of our people's minds on occasion of said distinctions and expressions, the Synod doth declare that the Synod have adopted and still do adhere to the Westminster Confession, Catechisms and Directory, without the least variation or alteration, and without any regard to said distinctions. And we do further declare that this was our meaning and true intent in our first adopting of said Confession, as may particularly appear by our Adopting Act which is a.s folloAveth : ' 'All the ministers of the Synod now present (which were eighteen in number, except one that declared himself not prepared), after proposing all the scruples any of them had to make against any articles and expressions in the Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, have unanimously agreed in the solution of these scruples, and in declaring the said Confession and Catechisms to be the confession of their faith, except only some clauses in the twentieth and twenty - third chapters, concerning which clauses the Synod do unanimously declare, that they do not receive these articles in any such sense as to suppose the civil magistrate hath a controlling power over Synods with respect to the exercise of their ministerial authority, or power to perse- cute any for their religion, or in any sense contrary to the Protestant succession to the throne of Great Britain." And we hope and desire that this our Synodical declaration and explication may satisfy all our people, as to our firm attachment to our good old received doctrines contained in said confession, without the least variation or alteration, and that they will lay aside their jealousies that have been entertained through occasion of the above hinted expressions and declarations as groundless. This overture approved nemine contra- dicente.—nSQ, p. 126. 7. Mode of adopting the Confession. The Synod of New York and Philadelphia adopt, according to the known and established meaning of the terms, the Westminster Confession of Faith as the confession of their faith, save that eveiy candidate for the gospel ministry is permitted to except against so much of the twenty- third chapter as gives authority to the civil magistrates in matters of religion. The Presbyterian Church in America considers the Church of Christ as a spiritual society, entirely distinct from the civil government, having a right to regulate their own ecclesiastical policy, independently of the interposition of the magistrate. — 1786, p. 519. 8. The Directory for Worship and Form of Government. The Synod also receives the Directory for public worship and the Form of church government recommended by the Westminster Assembly as in substance agreeable to the institutions of the New Testament. This mode of adoption we use, because Ave believe the general platform of our 6 IIISTOKICAL DOCUMENTS. government to be agreeable to the sacred Scriptures; but we do not believe that God has been pleased so to reveal and enjoin every minute circumstance of ecclesiastic government and discipline as not to leave room for orthodox churches of Christ, in these minutiae, to differ with charity from one another. — 1786, p. 519. 9. Authority of Pardovan's Collections. The rules of our discipline and the form of process in our Church judicatures are contained in Pardovan's (alias Stewart's) Collections, in conjunction with the acts of our own Synod, the power of which, in matters purely ecclesiastical, we consider as equal to the power of any Synod or General Assembly in the world. Our Church judicatures, like those in the Church of Scotland, from which we derive our origin, are Church Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods, to which it is now in contem- plation to add a National and General Assembly. — 1786, p. 519. It was moved and carried. That the Form of Process in Stewart of Pardovan's Collections, be read and considered as a basis of deliberation along with the draught. — 1787, p. 535. 11. THE CONSTITUTION OF 1788. 1. The Constitution revised and amended. [Note.— In 1786 the " Book of Discipline and Government " was referred to a com- mittee " to digest such a system as they shall think to be accommodated to the state (jf the Presbyterian Church in America." Tlie committee consisted of Urs. Wither- spoon, McWhorter, Rodgers, Sproat, Diiffield, Alison and Ewing, Mr. Matthew Wilson and Dr. Smith, with Isaac Snowden, Esq., Mr. Robert Taggart and John Pinkerton, Elders.— 1786, p. 525. In 1787, the Synod, preparatory to forming the General Assembly, ordered a thor- ough revision of the standards, altering the articles excepted to in the Adopting Act of 1729, and making such amendments as were found to be necessary.— 1787, p. 539.] 2. Form of Government, Discipline, and Confession of Faith, ratified and adopted. The Synod having fully considered the draught of the Form of Gov- ernment and Discipline, did, on a review of the whole, and hereby do ratify and adopt the same, as now altered and amended, as the Constitu- tion of the Presbyterian Church in America, and order the same to be considered and strictly observed as the rule of their proceedings, by all the inferior judicatories belonging to the body. And they order that a correct copy be printed, and that the Westminster Confession of Faith, as now altered, be printed in full along with it, as making a part of the Constitution. Resolved, That the true intent and meaning of the above ratification by the Synod is, that the Form of Government and Discipline and the Confession of Faith, as now ratified, is to continue to be our Constitution and the confession of our faith and practice unalterable, unless two- thirds of the Presbyteries under the care of the General Assembly shall propose alterations or amendments, and such alterations or amendments shall be agreed to and enacted by the General Assembly. — 1788, p. 546. 3. Directory for Worship and Catechisms, Larger and Shorter. The Synod having now revised and corrected the draught of a Directory for Worship, did approve and ratify the same, and do hereby appoint the OBLIGATION OK TIIK STANDARDS. 7 said Directory, as now amended, to be the Directory for the wor.ship of God in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. They also took into consideration the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and having made a small amendment of the Larger, did approve, and do hereby approve and ratify the said Catechisms, as now agreed on, as the Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church in the said United States. And the Synod order that the said Directory and Cate- chisms be printed and bound up in the same volume Avitli the Confession of Faith and the Form of Government and Discipline, and that the whole be considered as the standard of our doctrine, government, disci- pline and worship, agreeably to the resolutions of the Synod at their present sessions. — 1788, p. 547. 4. Assembly enacts part of the Directory. Dr. Witherspoon , Dr. Smith, and the Moderator, were appointed a committee to revise the chapter of the draught of the directory, respect- ing the mode of inflicting church censures, and to lay it, as by them revised, before the General Assembly at their first meeting, to be by them considered and finally enacted —1788, p. 547. The committee appointed by the late Synod of New York and Phila- delphia, to revise the chapter of the Directory entitled, " Of the mode of inflicting church censures," laid before the Assembly the chapter, as by them revised; which, being considered and amended, was finally enacted, and ordered to be printed and published with the Constitution. —1789, p. 9. ///. THE OBLIGATION, ETC., OF THE STANDARDS. 1. The Adopting Acts and their force. [Note. — For the text of the adopting acts and the acts explanatory of them, see pp. 2 and 5.] 2. Use and obligation of the Standards. 1. That, in the opinion of this Assembly, Confessions of Faith, containing formulas of doctrine, and rules for conducting the discipline and wor.ship proper to be maintained in the house of God, are not only recognized as necessary and expedient, but as the character of human nature is continually aiming at innovation, absolutely requisite to the settled peace of the Church, and to the happy and orderly existence of Christian communion. Withm the limits of Christendom, few are to be found in the attitude of avowed hostility to Christianity. The name of Christian is claimed by all, and all are ready to profess their belief in the Holy Scriptures, too many reserving to themselves the right of putting upon them what construction they please. In such a state of things, without the aid of Confessions, Christian fellowship can exist only in a very limited degree, and the disorder of the Corinthian Church, condemned by the apostle, would be realized : " / am of Paul and I of Apollos. ' ' 2. That, though the Confession of Faith and Standards of our Church are of no original authority, independent of the Scriptures, yet we regard them as a summary of those divine truths which are difl^used throughout the sacred volume. They, as a system of doctrines, therefore, cannot be abandoned, in "8 HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS. our opinion, without an abandonment of the word of God. They form a bond of fellowship in the faith of the Gospel, and the General Assem- bly cannot but believe the precious immortals under their care to be moi'e safe in receiving the truth of God's holy word, as exhibited in the standards of our Church, than in being subject to the guidance of any instructor, whoever he may be, who may have confidence enough to set up his own opinions in opposition to the system of doctrines which men of sound learning, full of the Holy Ghost, and mighty in the Scriptures, have devised from the oracles of the living God. It should never be forgotten, that the Church is solemnly cautioned against the danger of being carrie