THE
FOR1M OF GOVERNMENT
AND
THE DISCIPLINE
OF THE
Uhditrd   br.mtrVialn  Ihurrhi
OF
NORTH AMERICA.
P1HILADEtPHIA 
WM. S. YOUNG —1023 RACE STRE T,
1860,




EXTRACT
FROM THE MINUTES OF THE CGENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MET IN PIIILADELPHIA, MAY 23D, 1860.
Resolved, That the Book of Discipline submitted
by the Committee appointed by the last Assembly,
and which has been under the consideration of this
Assembly, be overtured to the Presbyteries for their
consideration, and that they be instructed to report
theirjudgrnent thereon to the next General Assembly.
JOSEPH CLOKEY, Moderator.
JAMES P.ESTLEY, Pril, Clerk.




OF GOVERNMENT.
CHAPTER I.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
SECTION 1. " God alone is Lord of the conscience, and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are
in anything contrary to his word, or beside
it, in matters of faith or worship." It is,
therefore, an inalienable right common to all
men, to worship God according to his word:
and no earthly power can justly deprive
them of the right to worship God according
to the dictates of their own consciences, unless its exercise infringes upon the rights of
others.
2. In harmony with the above principle
of common right, we affirm, that every Christian church, or association of particular
churches, has an unquestionable right to settle and declare the terms of admission into




4
its fellowship, the qualifications of its ministers and members, and the whole system of
its internal polity and government, according to its own views of what Christ hath in
these respects appointed.  In doing this she
may err, in the sight of the church's Head,
to whom alone she is accountable, yet does
not thereby infringe upon the liberty or the
rights of others.
3. The Word of God is the only rule of
faith and practice, and whatever cannot be
established from this word, can have no authority to bind the conscience.  " To the law
and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is
no light in them." All the terms of the
church's fellowship must then be drawn from
the written word, and be such as can be defended by an appeal to its authority, either
express or necessarily inferential.
4. The terms of the church's fellowship
should include both faith and practice. An
unscriptural belief as really sets the authority of God's word at defiance as an unholy
practice. The tendency of the truth is to promote holiness; as our Saviour says, "Sanctify them  through thy truth."  The church
should, therefore, take order that her teachers, other officers and members, be sound in
the faith and holy in their lives.
5. Although the authority to judge, as ne



cessity requires in the present state, be lodged
with fallible men, yet being the ministerial
exercise of Christ's own authority, it should
be submitted to, as far as it is exercised according to the law of his house, laid down in
the holy Scriptures.  "He that heareth you
heareth me." "Whatsoever ye shall bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed
in heaven."
6. As the kingdom of Christ is not of this
world, and the discipline of his house is purely
moral or spiritual, not attended with any civil or penal effects on the bodies or estates of
men, but designed to reach their consciences,
its efficacy must depend on its own justice,
and the approbation and blessing of the great
Head of the Church.
7. That all things may "be done to edifying," and "decently and in order," it is the
right and duty of the church to establish and
ordain such forms and rules of procedure, as
prudence and experience may show to be necessary, for the speedy and orderly transaction of all business in her various assemblies.
1*




6
CHAPTER II.
OF THE CHURCH.
SECTION 1. There is one universal, visible
church, 1 Cor. xii. 12, 13, which consists of
all those persons, in every nation, who profess the true religion of Christ, and obedience
to his laws, together with their children. Rev.
v. 9; Acts ii. 38, 39, 41; 1 Cor. i. 2; 2 Cor.
ix. 13.
2. This church is Christ's kingdom in the
world. Psal. ii. 6; Dan. vii. 14; Eph. i. 22,
23. It is spiritual, free and independent,
subject only to his law, and to be governed
exclusively by officers of his appointment.
3. As the whole multitude constituting the
visible church cannot meet in one place, it is
reasonable, and warranted by Scripture example, that they should be divided into many
particular churches or congregations. Gal. i.
21, 22; Rev. i. 4, 20; ii. 1.
4. A particular church consists of a number of professing Christians, with their children, voluntarily associated together, for the
purpose of observing and enjoying divine ordinances, and submitting themselves to the
laws of Christ's house. Acts ii. 41, 47; 1 Cor.
vii. 14; Acts ii. 39; Mark x. 14.
5. The Lord Jesus has appointed officers,
ordinances and a government in his church.




CHAPTER III.
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
ARTICLE I.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF OFFICERS.
SECTION 1. At the first establishment of the
New Testament Church, our Lord appointed
some extraordinary officers, such as apostles
and prophets, endued with miraculous gifts,
all of which were temporary, and have ceased.
Matt. x. 1, 8; Eph. iv. 11.
2. The ordinary and perpetual officers of
the church, are Bishops or Presbyters, 1 Tim.
iii. 1; Eph. iv. 11, 12, ruling elders, 1 Tim.
v. 17, and deacons. Phil. i. 1.
ARTICLE II.
OF BISHOPS OR PASTORS.
The pastor or teaching elder is the highest,ordinary officer in the Christian Church. Various names are given to him in Scripture,
each expressive of something conspicuous in
his official relations and duties.  Thus, he is
called the "angel of the church," Rev. ii. 1;
i. 20; iii. 1, 7; Mal. ii. 7; " bishop " or " overseer," Acts xx. 28; "pastor," Jer. iii. 15; 1
Pet. v. 2, 3, 4; "minister," 1 Cor. iv. 1; 2
Cor. iii. 6; "presbyter" or "elder," 1 Pet.
v. 1; Tit. i. 5; 1 Tim. v. 1, 17, 19; an ambassador. 2 Cor. v. 20; Eph. vi. 20.




ARTICLE III.
OF RULING ELDERS.
The ruling elder, as the name imports, is
to exercise authority and government in th'e
church, in conjunction with the pastor, and
is, in this respect, his equal.  He is of the
class denominated, in Scripture, "governments," and who are said to "rule well," but
to whom it does not belong to labor in word
and doctrine. 1 Tim. v. 17; Rom. xii. 7, 8;
1 Cor. xii. 28.
ARTICLE IV.
OF DEACONS.
The deacon, as a distinct officer of the
church, is clearly pointed out by the Scriptures. Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 8-15.  His
business is to take care of the poor, and distribute among them the collections raised for
their use. Acts vi. 1, 2. To him may also
properly be committed the management of all
the temporalities of the church. Acts vi. 3,
5, 6.
CHAPTER  IV.
OF THE ORDINANCES OF A PARTICULAR CHURCH.
THE ordinances which Christ, the Head, has
appointed to be observed in every particular
church, are prayer, Acts vi. 4; 1 Tim. ii. 1,
praise, Ps. cxlix. 1-9, 11, Col. iii. 16; reading, Acts xv. 21; Luke iv. 16, 17, expound



ing and preaching the word, Tit. i. 9; Acts
x. 42; xxviii. 23; Luke xxiv. 47; 2 Tim. iv.
2, including catechising and teaching from
house to house, Heb. v. 12; vi. 1, 2; 1 Cor.
iii. 1, 2, administering the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's supper, Matt. xxviii. 19,
20; 1 Cor. xi. 23-26; Mark xvi. 15, 16,
public solemn fasting and thanksgiving, Luke
v. 35; Ps. 1. 14; Phil. iv. 6; Ezra viii. 21,
public vowing or covenanting, Ps. lxxvi. 11;
Neh. viii., ix., x. chaps.; 2 Cor. v. 5; Isaiah
xix. 21; xliv. 5, making collections for the
poor and for other pious uses, 1 Cor. xvi. 1
-4; Gal. ii. 10, exercising discipline, Heb.
xiii. 17; 1 Thess. v. 12, 13, and blessing the
people, 2 Cor. xiii. 14; Eph. i. 2; Deut. x. 8.
CHAPTER V.
OF THE GOVERINMENT OF THE CHURCH AND THE VARIOUS
JUDICATORIES THEREOF.
SEcTION 1. The government of the church
must needs be exercised under some certain
definite form. This the Lord Jesus Clhrist,
the King and Head of the Church, has not
left to be modelled according to the will of
men or the maxims of the world, but has
Himself instituted one unchangeable form of
government. Ezek. xliii. 11, 12.
2. This form of government is Presbyterial, involving in it, as belonging to its essential attributes, representation of the peo



10
ple by their rulers, and equality among these,
as rulers. 1 Peter v. 4.
3. It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of
God, and the practice of the primitive Christians, that the church be governed by congregational, presbyterial, synodical, &c., assemblies, composed of pastors and other elders.
4. The regular subordination of the congregational classis or session to the presbytery; of presbyteries to synod; of synods to
a general assembly, is the form of presbyterial church government.  This subordination
of a part to the whole is rational and Scriptural, and necessary to the unity, peace, and
general edification of the whole body. Acts
xv. 2, 5, 6.
5. The power which is common to all
church assemblies, is that of requiring submission to the laws of Christ's house; and of
excluding  the disobedient and disorderly
from the fellowship of the church. To this
end, they have authority to call offenders before them; to cite witnesses who are under
their jurisdiction; to hear and determine all
such causes and differences as may be brought
before them in an orderly manner, and to inflict merited censure upon offenders. Matt.
xviii. 15 —20; 1 Cor. v. 4, 5.




11
CHAPTER VI.
OF CIIURCH SESSIONS.
SECTION 1. The church session consists of
the pastor or pastors, and the ruling elders of
a particular congregation. 1 Cor. v. 4.
2. In all ordinary cases, two elders, with
the pastor, shall be necessary to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of any business.
3. The pastor of the congregation is the
standing moderator of the session; but where
there is a collegiate charge, either of the pastors may preside, or they may preside alternately, as may be agreed upon by them; and
in such case, the other shall be a constituent
member of the session.
4. When, for prudential reasons, it may
appear advisable that some other minister
should preside, the pastor may, with the concurrence of the elders, invite another, being
a member of the same presbytery, to preside
in that particular case.'The same thing may
be done in case of the sickness or absence of
the pastor.
5. As in all other judicatories of the
church, the moderator of the session has a
casting vote.
6. It is expedient that there be a minister
to act as moderator at every meeting for the
exercise of government and discipline. When,
therefore, a congregation is vacant, the ses



12
sion may either apply to the presbytery to
appoint a minister for that purpose, or they
may invite one, being a member of the presbytery, to preside on any particular occasion.
But where this is impracticable, without great
inconvenience, or would occasion such a delay
as would be injurious to the interests of religion in the congregation, the elders may,
by virtue of their official character and authority, provided there be more than two in the
congregation, appoint one of their own number to preside, and then proceed to transact
any necessary business.
7. The session may be convened by the
pastor when he may judge it requisite, Acts
xx. 17; and he shall always convene them
when requested to do so by two elders. They
may also meet on their own adjournment, and
if there be no pastor, by an agreement among
the members; and they shall always meet
when directed so to do by the presbytery.
8. It is expedient that the congregation
be divided by the session into particular districts, to the special superintendence of each
of which some particular member shall be assigned.
9. The session is charged with the spiritual government and oversight of the congregation, Heb. xiii. 17; 1 Thes. v. 12, 13;
1 Tim. v. 17. To this end, they have power
to inquire into the knowledge, spiritual es



13
tate, and conduct of the members of the
church, Ezek. xxxiv. 4, to call offenders before them, to summon witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce, as they may find necessary, other
witnesses, when their attendance can be procured; to admonish, to rebuke, to suspend
from the sacraments those who are found
worthy of censure, 1 Thes. v. 12, 13; 2 Thes.
iii. 6, 14, 15, to receive persons into the fellowship of the church, to grant letters of dismission to those who are of good character
and standing when applied for, to employ all
other scriptural means, competent to their
office, for promoting the spiritual interests of
the congregation, and to appoint delegates
to the higher judicatories of the church.
10. In the admission of members into the
church, the session, while taking due care
that applicants have competent knowledge
of divine truth, and are of blameless life,
should imitate the example of our Lord in
condescending to the weakness of men. In
the case of persons unknown to the session,
testimonials of character shall be required,
and applicants from other churches shall not
be admitted unless it appear that they are
acting from a solid conviction of duty, and
entertain a spirit of Christian kindness towards the party whose communion is relinquished. Suitable testimonials, if they can
2




14
be obtained, should be required in this latter
case also, 1 Cor. x. 32; xiv. 33.
11. Testimonials shall at all times be given
to members of unexceptionable character,
who are about to remove from the congregation, which, if not more than a year old,
shall entitle them to communion in sealing
ordinances in any congregation under the
inspection of the General Assembly.*
12. When members removing to a distance
have neglected to apply for testimonials, no
subsequent application shall obtain them, unless the session are satisfied that their conversation has been, during their absence, becoming the gospel of Christ.t
13. Testimonials should be signed by order of session, by the minister or clerk of
session.
14. Every session shall keep a fair record
of their proceedings, which record shall be at
least once every year, submitted to the inspection of the presbytery. They shall also
keep a fair register of baptisms, of persons
admitted to fellowship, and of the deaths and
other removals of church members.
CHAPTER VII.
OF THE PRESBYTERY.
SECTION 1. As the church consists of many
separate congregations, and these need su* See Appendix, No. 1.  t See Appendix, No. 2.




15
pervision, mutual counsel and assistance, in
order to maintain soundness of doctrine and
regularity of discipline, and to preserve the
unity and peace of the whole, by common
measures for promoting knowledge and religion, and for preventing infidelity, error,
and immorality,* there should be, according
to the Scriptures, presbyterial and synodical
assemblies. 1 Tim. iv. 14; Acts xv. 2, 3, 4,
6, 22.
2. A presbytery consists of all the ministers and of one ruling elder from each congregation or pastoral charge within a given
district.
3. Ministers without charge shall be accounted members of the presbytery within
whose bounds they reside, and shall enjoy
all the privileges of other members.
4. Though the number of members in a
Presbytery cannot be determined by any
general rule, yet it is proper that a presbytery consist of not less than two ministers
and two ruling elders, and they not connected
with the same pastoral charge.
5. Every congregation which has a settled
* The church at Jerusalem consisted of more than one
congregation, Acts vi. 1, 6; ix. 31; xxi. 20; ii. 41, 46,
47; iv. 4, and these were under one presbyterial government. Acts xv. 4; xi. 22, 30; xxi. 17, 18; sixth
chap. So the church at Ephesus, Acts xix. 18, 19, 20;
1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9, 19, compare with Acts xviii. 19, 24, 26;
Acts xx. 17, 18, 25, 28, 30, 31, 36, 37; Rev. ii. 1-6.




16
pastor or pastors, has a right to be represented by one elder.
6. Where two or more congregations form
but one pastoral charge, they shall have but
one elder to represent them.
7. Every vacant congregation, or two or
more congregations, regularly organized,
and able and willing to support a pastor,
shall be entitled to be represented by one
elder.
8. An elder not known to the presbytery,
or to some member thereof, shall produce a
certificate of his appointment from the church
or churches he represents. Acts xv. 1-6; 1
Cor. xiv. 26, 33, 34.
9. Any two ministers, with as many elders duly appointed as may be present, or
any three ministers, being met at the time
and place appointed, shall be a quorum competent for the transaction of business.  Acts
xiv. 26, 27, compare with Acts xi. 18.
11. The presbytery has power to hear and
issue complaints and appeals from church
sessions, Acts xv. 5, 6, 19, 20, and references
for advice or otherwise that come before them
in an orderly manner, Acts xviii. 24, 27,
compare with Acts xix. 1-7, to examine and
license candidates for the holy ministry; 1
Tim. iv. 14; Acts xiii. 2, 3, to ordain, install, remove, and try ministers of the gospel, Acts xv. 28; 1 Cor. v. 3; to examine




and approve or censure the records of church
sessions; to resolve questions of doctrine or
discipline seriously and reasonably proposed,
Acts xv. 10, compare with Gal. ii. 4, 5; to
condemn erroneous opinions which injure the
purity or peace of the church, Acts xv. 2224; to visit particular churches, for the purpose of inquiring into their state, and redressing evils which may have arisen in them,
Acts xx. 17; vi. 2; xv. 30; to unite and divide congregations, at the request of the
people, or to organize new congregations;
and, in general, to order whatever belongs
to the spiritual welfare and prosperity of the
churches under their care. Eph. vi. 18;
Phil. iv. 6.
11. As an able, faithful, and godly ministry is of the utmost importance to the
church, presbyteries are bound to give diligent attention to training up young men for
that office. It belongs to them to examine
and admit students of theology, and, in the
discharge of this duty, to see that the applicant is of fair moral character, unexceptionable standing as a church member, 1 Tim.
iii. 6, manifes.ts an intelligent attachment to
the principles of his public profession, gives
evidence of a saving acquaintance with divine things, 2 Cor. i. 4, and also that he has
made such attainments in literature and science as will fit him to prosecute, with advan2*




18
tage, theological studies, and that he is endowed with such talents and aptness to teach
as promise public usefulness.
12. Every student shall be regarded as
under the authority of the Presbytery by
which he was admitted, until regularly disnissed to the care of another presbytery.
Yet this shall not be so understood as to
prevent any presbytery, within whose bounds
any student may, for the time being, reside,
exercising a due supervision and care over
him, and if need be reporting any matter in
relation to his deportment to his proper
presbytery.
13. Presbyteries shall meet at least once
in six months, and as much oftener as the necessities of their charge, and the situation of
their members will allow.
14. The Presbytery shall meet on its own
adjournment; but when an emergency shall
require a meeting sooner than the time to
which it stands adjourned, the moderator has
power to call a meeting. The moderator,
or, in case of his absence, death, or inability
to act, the stated clerk, shall, with the concurrence, or at the request of two ministers,
if there be more than three in the presbytery,
if not, of one minister and two elders, the
elders being of different congregations, call
a special meeting. Care must be taken that
sufficient notice be given of the intended




19
meeting.  To this end the moderator or
clerk, as the case may be, shall issue a circular letter to each minister and to the session of every vacant congregation, a sufficient
time previous to the meeting. This circular
shall specify the particular business for which
the judicatory is convened, also the time and
place of meeting, and nothing else shall be
transacted at such meeting, unless, by unanimous consent of the members present, or it
have been distinctly stated in the letter that
other important business may be transacted.
15. At the opening of every meeting the
roll shall be called, and the meeting recorded
by the clerk, who shall enter the names of
the members present, and also of those who
are absent. Reasons fbr non-attendance at
a previous meeting shall be required of absentees.
16. It shall be the duty of the presbytery
to keep a fair record of all its proceedings,
subject to the inspection of synod; and also
to report to synod every year, admissions
of students, licensures, ordinations, instalments, receiving and dismissal of members,
removal of members by death, the union and
division of congregations, and the organization of new ones; and in general whatever
important or interesting changes may lhave
taken place within their bounds during the




20
year. A like report shall also be forwarded
to the General Assembly.
17. At every meeting of presbytery a sermon shall be preached, if convenient; and
every particular session shall be opened and
closed with prayer.
18. Ministers in good standing in other
presbyteries, being present, may be invited
to sit as corresponding members.  Such also
may be the case with ministers of sister
churches. Such members may deliberate and
advise, but shall not vote in any decision of
presbytery.
CHAPTER VIII.
OF THE PARTICULAR SYNOD."SECTION 1. A synod consists of several
presbyteries met together as one body, for
the better management of their common concerns. As the presbytery is an assembly
of the ministers and of duly commissioned
elders, within a given district; so the synod
is an assembly of the same, within a larger
district including at least three presbyteries;
and is in fact only a larger presbytery. The
ratio of the representation of elders in the
synod shall be the same as in the presbytery.
* It is unnecessary here to repeat the scriptures to
which reference has been made under Chapter VII., as
they apply equally to a synod as to a presbytery.




21
2. Any six ministers from two different
presbyteries, who shall convene at the time
and place appointed, with as many ruling
elders as may be present, shall be a quorum
for the transaction of business.
3. The synod shall convene at least once
every year, meeting on its own adjournment.
On a special emergency, it may be convened
by the call of the moderator on the application of a presbytery; in this case the call
shall be made and the business limited as in
a special meeting of presbytery, see Chap.
VII., Sec. 14. At the opening of every
meeting a sermon shall be delivered by the
moderator, or, in case of his absence or inability, by someothermember,who shall hold
the chair till another moderator be chosen;
and every particular session shall be opened
and closed with prayer.
4. The same rule, as to the corresponding
members, which was laid down with respect
to the presbytery, shall apply to the synod.
5. The synod, being immediately superior
to the presbytery, has power to hear and issue all appeals regularly brought up from
the presbyteries; to hear and issue comrnplaints against the proceedings of presbyteries; to decide on references made to them;
to review and censure or approve the records
of presbyteries; to redress whatever has
been done by presbyteries contrary to order;




22
to take effectual care that presbyteries act
in conformity with the word of God and the
standards of the church; to erect new presbyteries, and unite or divide those already
erected; to judge in controversies respecting
doctrine or discipline; to appoint days of
fasting and thanksgiving throughout their
bounds; to employ members of presbyteries,
or probationers belonging to any of them, in
public service; generally to take such order
with respect to presbyteries, sessions, and
the people under their care, as may, in conformlity with the word of God and the established rules of this church, tend to promote
the edification, purity, peace, and prosperity
of the church; and in fine to propose to the
General Assembly for their adoption, such
measures as may be for the advantage of the
whole church.
6. The synod shall keep a full and fair record of its proceedings, submit them annually
to the inspection of the General Assembly,
and report to the Assembly the number of
its presbyteries, and of their members, and
any alterations which have been made in its
presbyteries.
CHAPTER IX.
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
SECTION 1. The General Assembly is the
highest judicatory of the United Presbyte



23
rian Church. It shall represent, by presbyterial delegation, all the particular churches,
Acts xv. chap. and shall be known by the
title of the General Assembly of the United
Presbyterian Church of North America.
2. The General Assembly shall consist of
an equal delegation of ministers and ruling
elders from each presbytery, in the following
proportion, viz.: Each presbytery, consisting
of not more than seven ministers, shall be entitled to send one minister and one ruling
elder; each presbytery consisting of more
than seven ministers and not more than fourteen, shall be entitled to send two ministers
and two ruling elders; each presbytery consisting of more than fourteen ministers and
not more than twenty-one, shall be entitled
to send three ministers and three ruling elders; and in a like proportion for any number of ministers beyond twenty-one; and
delegates, so appointed, shall be styled Commissioners to the General Assembly.
3. One third of all the delegates, duly
commissioned, being assembled at the time
and place appointed, shall be a quorum for
the transaction of business.
4. The General Assembly shall receive
and decide appeals, references, and complaints, regularly brought before them, only
on questions of doctrine and the principles
of ecclesiastical law, and their decision shall




24
be an instruction to the court below how to
proceed and issue the case. But in no instance shall a case be tried on its merits before the Assembly. They shall review and
approve or censure the records of every
synod; in all cases submitted to them, in conformity with the standards of the church
they shall give their advice and instruction,
and they shall constitute the bond of union,
peace, concord, and mutual-confidence, among
all our churches.
5. To the General Assembly also belongs
the power of deciding in all controversies
respecting doctrine and discipline; of warning or bearing testimony against any error
in doctrine or immorality in practice; of
erecting new synods when it may be judged
necessary; of superintending the general interests of the whole church, of establishing
and managing the missionary operations of
the church, whether foreign or domestic, of
corresponding with other churches in such
manner as may be mutually agreed upon;
and, in general, of watching over and adopting measures to promote the interest of truth
and holiness through all the churches under
their care.
6. Before any regulations intended to be
permanent and universal shall be adopted
and binding on the particular churches, it
shall be necessary to transmit them in overture




25
to all the presbyteries, and to receive the
returns of at least a majority of votes of
the whole church approving thereof.  Such
returns of a majority of the presbyteries shall
be regarded as authorizing the assembly to
enact such regulations, unless peculiar circumstances should, in the view of two-thirds
of the whole delegation to the assembly, render it inexpedient.
7. The General Assembly shall meet at
least once every year. At the time appointed,
the Moderator of the last Assembly, or his
alternate, or, in their absence, the oldest
minister present, shall open the meeting with
a sermon, constitute the assembly, and preside until a new moderator be chosen.
8. Every commissioner to  the General
Assembly must produce a commission signed
by the moderator and clerk of the presbytery by which he is sent; nor can he, without such commission, be entitled to a seat.
All commissions shall be examined by the
Moderator and Clerk of the last Assembly.*
9. Each session of the Assembly shall be
opened and closed with prayer, and when the
whole business of the Assembly is.finished,
and a vote taken to dissolve the present Assembly, the Moderator shall say from  the
chair, "By virtue of authority to me delegated by the church, I do hereby dissolve
this General Assembly, and require another
* For form of commission, see Appendix, No. 10.
3




26
General Assembly, chosen in the same manner, to meet at        on the -         day of
A. D.,."   After which he shall
close the sessions by prayer, singing a Psalm,
and the Apostolic benediction.
CHAPTER X.
OF TIHE OFFICERS OF COURTS.
SECTION 1. To the preservation of good
order and the despatch of business, it is necessary that there be certain officers in each
of the afore mentioned courts, viz.: a Moderator and clerk or clerks.
2. The pastor is the standing Moderator
of the session (See Chap. VI., Sec. 3.) The
Moderator of the presbytery shall be chosen
from year to year, or for a shorter period,
as the presbytery may judge best.  The Moderator of the synod, and of the General
Assembly, shall be chosen at each meeting
of those judicatories.
3. The last Moderator, or the member
presiding in his place, shall, immediately
after constituting the synod or assembly, intimate the election of a new Moderator as
the first business. Nominations may then
be made in open court, and if more than one
member be nominated, the election shall be
by ballot.
4. In every judicatory the clerk may be
either a member, or some other person, as




27
shall be deemed expedient.  TIe shall be
chosen by an open vote, unless two or more
persons be nominated, in which case he shall
be chosen by ballot, and his continuance in
office shall be during the pleasure of the judicatory.
5. The Moderator possesses, by delegation
from the whole body, all authority necessary
for the preservation of order, for constituting
and adjourning the court, and for directing
its operations, according to the rules of the
church.  He shall state to the judicatory
every subject that orderly comes before them,
and prevent the introduction of new business
at improper seasons.  He may propose to
the judicatory what appears to him the most
regular and speedy way of bringing any
business to an issue.  He shall prevent members from interrupting one another, except
for explanation, and require them, when
speaking, to address the chair. Hie shall
prevent speakers from using personal reflections, and from wandering from the subject.
When two or more members rise to speak at
the same time, he shall determine which of
them is to proceed.  When members are, in
any respect, out of order, it shall be his duty
to call them to order, and in case of refusal
to obey, he shall admonish or silence them.
He shall prevent members leaving the judicatory without leave obtained from him.




28
When the deliberations on a particular subject are closed, he shall give a concise and
clear statement of the question, take the
vote, and announce the result from the chair.
If the judicatory be equally divided, he shall
have the casting vote; but if he be unwilling
to decide, he may put the vote a second time,
and if the result be the same, and he still
decline to vote, the question shall be lost.
Ile shall appoint all committees, subject to
the approval of the judicatory.  He shall
decide on all points of order, subject, however, to the judgment of the judicatory, and
shall have the power of briefly commenting
on them, without leaving the chair; but if he
would speak on any subject under deliberation, he must invite some other member to
preside till he has concluded his remarks.
On any extraordinary emergency, he shall
be empowered to convene the judicatory, by
his circular letter, before the ordinary time
of meeting.
6. The clerk shall keep a roll of the standing members of the judicatory; shall call it at
the opening of each meeting; enter the names
of those present on a distinct roll, to be
called at the opening of each sitting, and record the transactions of the court under the
direction of the moderator.  He shall preserve the records and all papers not otherwise disposed of, and deliver them to his suc



29
cessor in office, and furnish the moderator
with a list of all unfinished business, and of
all papers presented to the judicatory.  He
shall furnish extracts from the records, and
copies of papers, when properly required;
and such papers, under the hand of the clerk,
shall be considered authentic, vouchers of the
fact or facts which they declare, in any ecclesiastical judicatory, and to every part of
this church.  He shall not, without an order
from the court, let the original documents go
out of his hands.
CHAPTER XI.
OF ORGANIZATION.
UNDER the general head of organization
may be included the erection of congregations, admission of members, licensure of probationers, election of church officers, ordination, translation of ministers, and the dissolution of the pastoral relation.
ARTICLE I.
OF THE ERECTION OF CONGREGATION-S.
SECTION 1. As the church increases and
extends, it becomes necessary to erect new
congregations.
2. This consists in the formation of a number of individuals, agreeing in their religious
views, into a regular society, for the support
3*




30
and enjoyment of all divine ordinances, with
some of themselves chosen and ordained to
bear office and manage their concerns in a
regular and orderly way.
3. When a congregation becomes too numerous conveniently to meet in one place for
public worship, or when for any other reason
it would promote the cause of religion, and
the general interests of the church, to erect
a new congregation, the persons so judging
shall make application to the presbytery
within whose bounds the congregation would
be situated, setting forth the necessity and
propriety of such erection.
4. If, after hearing the reasons of such
application, the presbytery determine to grant
it, they shall appoint a minister to carry the
object into effect; who, having given due notice to the persons who are to compose the
new congregation, of the time and place of
meeting for said purpose, and having at the
same time and place observed the usual exercises of public worship, shall proceed to hold
an election for the proper officers.
5. When the persons who are to compose
the congregation are already members of the
church in full communion, the election of officers, whether ruling elders or deacons, shall
be conducted as in congregations already
organized, as prescribed in Article IV., Sec.
4-7 of this chapter.




31
6. But when the applicants are not in
communion, or not a sufficient number of
them to afford an opportunity of nmaking a
suitable selection, as may be the case, especially in missionary districts, the minister appointed shall first converse individually with
all who propose to unite in forming the congregation; and being satisfied with their religious attainments and character, he shall,
on the day appointed for the organization,
publicly receive their accession, by proposing
to them the questions hereinafter prescribed
in Article II., Sec. 5.  The election shall
then be conducted in the usual way, none
being entitled to vote, or eligible to office,
who have not been received into the communion of the church.
7. When the election is over, the minister
shall announce to the congregation the names
of the persons duly elected; and on their
agreeing to accept the office, and having
been examined by him as to their qualifications for, and their views in undertaking the
office to which they are about to be set apart,
a day shall be appointed for their ordination,
the edict served, and the ordination conducted as in other congregations.
8. The minister presiding shall report to
the presbytery his procedure in the case, with
the names of the officers that have been chosen
and ordained. And these, with the name of




32
the congregation, shall be entered on the
presbytery's list.
ARTICLE II.
OF THE ADMIISSION OF CIIURCH MEMBERS.
As the peace, unity, purity, and prosperity
of the church depend, in a great measure, on
the character of her members, the greatest
care should be exercised by her officers in the
admission of persons to her communion.  To
prevent disorder, and for the guidance of sessions in this matter, let the following directions be observed.
Section 1. In organized congregations,
none are to be admitted to communion but by
the session constituted.
2. Persons desirous of admission to the
fellowship of the church, should embrace
some suitable opportunity of intimating their
desire to the pastor, or officiating minister, or
to an elder, who shall converse with them in
relation to the profession and practice required by the word of God, and the subordinate standards of this church, and shall examine them  personally on their religious
hnowledge and experience; and it shall be
the duty of the minister to give to all some
convenient opportunity for this, previous to
every dispensation of the sacrament of the
Lord's supper.
3. The minister or elder shall then report,




33
without delay, the names of applicants. and
the result of his examination to the session,
that they may have time to inquire into the
character and conversation of the applicants.
If any of the applicants cannot be attested
by some member of session, as to their moral
character, it will be the duty of the session
to require of them some satisfactory voucher
of good moral character; and suchii further
examination shall then be had, as the session
may judge necessary, to determine their right
to membership as communicants,
4. The same regulation shall be observed
with respect to the applications from persons
from other denominations, and from members who have been more than a year absent,
at a distance from the congregation, and do
not produce satisfactory testimonials; or who
have been debarred, by a judicial sentence,
firom the communion of the church, andl are
desirous of readmission.
5. The session being satisfied respecting
the knowledge, principles, motives and character of applicants, shall then take their engagement, by their answering affirmatively
the following formula of questions in presence of the session alone, or, which is earnestly recommended, in presence of the congregation, viz.:
1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments to be the word of




34
Godl, the infallible and only rule of faith and
practice?
2. Do you profess your adherence to the
doctrines set forth and received by this church,
in the Confession of Faith, Catechisms Larger
and Shorter, and Declarations of the Testimony, and to the form of presbyterial church
government, so far as you have been enabled
to understand them, as agreeable to, and
founded on the word of God?
3. Do you profess your resolution through
grace to continue in the faith; to be subject
to the order and discipline of God's house;
to be diligent in your attendance upon divine
ordinances, both teaching and sealing, according to your profession; on secret prayer,
on fltamily worship, as you may have opportunity, or, (if the applicant be the head of a
family,) in observing family worship, and in
the performance of all other duties incumbent on you, whatever station you may occupy in life; that you will study to promote
the peace, purity, and prosperity of this congregation, while you remain a member thereof; and that you will make conscience of
promoting the knowledge of Christ and his
truth, as by other means, so especially by a
holy and godly conversation?
6. After proposing the above questions,
let the moderator address a word of exhortation to the newly admitted members, setting
before them the importance of the relation




35 
into which they have entered, and the necessity of their seeking the sustaining grace
of God.
ARTICLE III.
OF LICENSURE.
SECTION 1. The IHoly Scriptures require
that trial be previously made of those who>
are to be ordained to the gospel ministry,
that this sacred office be not committed to
weak and unworthy men; 1 Tim. iii. 6, not
a novice, 2 Tim. ii. 2, and that the churches
may have opportunity to judge of the qualifications of those by whom  they are to be
instructed and governed.  To this end, presbyteries shall license probationers to preach
the gospel, that after a competent trial of
their gifts, and having received a good report
from the churches, they may be ordained to
the sacred office. 1 Tim. iii. 7, 3 John 12.
2. In ordinary cases, no student of theology can be admitted to trials for license, until
he has completed a course of theological
study of three full years, after the time of
his admission by the presbytery, nor without producing testimonials of unexceptionable conduct, diligence, and proficiency in his
studies.
3. When a student of theology has completed the prescribed course of studies, with
due proficiency, he shall be taken on trials
by that presbytery under whose care he is
placed.




36
4. That the holy ministry be not intrusted
to weak and ignorant men, 1 Tim. iii. 6, 7,
2 Tim. ii. 2, 3 John 12, the presbytery shall
examine each candidate as to his knowledge
of the Latin language, and of the original
languages in which the scriptures were written. They shall examine him on the ordinary branches of literature and science, on
theology, natural and revealed; on the nature of the sacraments, ecclesiastical history,
church government, and the distinguishing
principles of our religious profession. And
to make trials of his talents to explain, vindicate and practically enforce the doctrines
of the gospel, the presbytery shall require
him to deliver before them the following
exercises, namely:
1. An Exegesis.
2. A Homily.
3. A Critical Exercise.
4. A Lecture.
5. A Popular Sermon.
5. Wherever convenient, it is expedient
that these or similar pieces of trial be delivered before the presbytery at different
times, that they may be able to judge of the
progress of the candidate. But the lecture
and popular sermon are to be delivered in
public, and immediately before licensure.
6. The presbytery shall also examine the
candidate respecting his experimental acquaintance with religion, and his motives in




desiring to enter into the work of the gospel
ministry. Rom. ii. 21, 1 Tim. iii. 6, 2 Tim.
ii. 2.
7. The presbytery being satisfied wit;h all
the parts of the candidate's trials, and having
sustained them for license, and having decided to license him, the moderator shall
propose to him the formula of questions,
(see Art. V.) except such as necessarily imply investiture with office. After answering
the questions proposed in a satisfactory
manner, he is to be licensed in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the everlasting gospel as a probationer for the holy
ninistry. It is proper that the moderator
accompany the act of licensure with a suitable word of exhortation.
8. A certificate, which shall be an extract
of the official record of licensure, signed by
the moderator and clerk of the presbytery,
shall be given to probationers.*
9. All probationers shall be under the
direction, and fulfil the appointments given
by the presbytery by which they were licensed, or into whose bounds they may be
regularly sent.
10. When a licentiate shall have been
preaching for a considerable time, and his
services do not appear to be edifying to the
churches, the presbytery may, in their discretion, recall his license.
4         * See Appendix No. VI.




38
ARTICLE IV.
OF THE ELECTION OF CHURCH OFFICERS.
Though the authority by which the officers
of the church hold their respective offices is
conferred through ordination, their right to
exercise their office statedly in any congregation, depends on their election by the
people.
PART I.-ELECTION OF ELDERS AND DEACONS.
SECTION 1. In settled congregations it is
the province of the existing session to judge
when an election of additional elders may
be necessary, and of the session and deacons
to judge when an election of deacons may
be necessary, and to proceed to such election
without an application to the presbytery.
2. When an election of ruling elders or
deacons in any congregation has been appointed, notice shall be given at least ten
days previous, that the people may consult
among themselves, and fix upon some suitable persons.
3. On the day appointed for the election,
which shall be some week day, days of fasting and thanksgiving excepted, after the
close of public worship, the moderator shall
state the object of the meeting, and after
prayer for divine direction, the session having
previously agreed upon suitable persons,
shall nominate them to the congregation,




39
yet this shall not preclude the nomination
of others by any member of the congregation.
4. None shall be eligible to office, nor are
any entitled to vote in such election, but such
as are members in full communion in the
congregation at the time of the election.
5. Nominations having been made; the
vote shall be taken on each candidate separately: it may be taken either with the
uplifted hand, or in such manner as the session may approve, care being taken that it
be a fair and unbiassed expression of the
will of the people; and no person shall be
considered as elected unless he have a majority of the whole number of votes given.
6. The result of the election shall be publicly announced by the Moderator, and if
it be in a vacant congregation, he shall make
report of it to the presbytery as in the case
of organization. (See Art. I.)
PART II.-ELECTION OF MINISTERS.
Section 1. When a congregation after
hearing a minister or probationer, desire to
obtain him for their pastor, the elders shall
convene them, that they may petition the
presbytery, under whose inspection they are,
for the appointment of a member of presbytery to preside in the moderation of a call.
They shall also at the same time appoint one
or more of their own number to present their




40
petition, and give such information in relation to the situation and prospects of the
congregation, and the support which they intend to give their minister, as the presbytery
may require.
2. If the moderation be granted, the presbytery shall appoint one of their own number to preach on a week day, as soon as convenient, in the usual place of worship of the
said congregation, and to moderate in a call.
Due notice of the purpose, time, and place of
the meeting shall be given to the congregation.
But if, from any unexpected circumstance,
a large proportion of the people have been
prevented attending on the appointed day,
the minister may defer the election another
week, without a new order from presbytery.
3. On the day appointed, after the close
of public worship, the minister shall state
the object of the meeting, read a blank call
in the hearing of the congregation, and, after
prayer for divine direction, shall call for the
nomination of a candidate; then, having
twice distinctly announced the name of the
nominee, shall call upon all who favour the
nomination to hold up their right hands, and
afterwards such as are against it.  If there
is more than one candidate, the presiding
minister shall, in the manner just specified,
take the vote on each nomination.
4. None are entitled to vote in the elec



41
tion of a pastor but such as are in full communion at the time of the election; and no
candidate shall be considered as elected who
has not a majority of all the votes.
5. After the election, the result shall be
announced, the blank in the call filled, and
the electors requested to come forward and
affix their signatures to the call. It shall be
signed, first by the elders and deacons, and
then by all the members.  The ordinary
hearers, though not entitled to vote, may, if
they choose, affix their signatures to the call
as adherents. The call thus subscribed, witnessed by two or more respectable persons
not members of the congregation, if they
can be obtained, and attested by the presiding minister, shall be transmitted to the
presbytery by a commissioner or commissioners duly appointed.*
6. In case there be a minority opposed to
the candidate elect, the Moderator shall endeavour to persuade them to acquiesce in the
choice of their brethren.  But if this minority be large and steadily refuse to acquiesce,
he shall report the facts to the presbytery,
that they may judge what is best for the interests and peace of the congregation.
7. The call being now in the hands of the
presbytery it must by them be sustained, be* For the form of a call, and of its attestation, see
Appendix, No. IV. V.
4*




42
fore presentation to the candidate.  And,
when it is known or believed that any other
presbytery is concerned in the matter, i-nformation shall be communicated to said presbytery previous to the presentation.
8. When there are competing calls they
shall be transmitted for presentation to the
presbytery to which the candidate belongs,
or to the Synod, if it is to meet within a reasonable time.
9. No minister or probationer shall receive
a call, except through the hands of a presbytery or synod. When a call is presented
and accepted the way is open for proceeding
to ordination and installation.
ARTICLE V.
OF THE ORDINATION OF CHURCH OFFICERS.
PART I. ORDINATION OF ELDERS AND DEACONS.
SECTION 1. Previous to the ordination of
ruling elders and deacons, the session shall
meet to examine the officers elect, as to their
acceptance of the office, their views in undertaking it, and their qualifications for it.
2. The officers elect having been approved,
and having declared their willingness to accept the office, a day shall be appointed for
their ordination, and public notice thereof
given to the congregation, not less than ten
days previous.




43
3. The public notice of such an appointment shall be accompanied with the serving
of an edict, which is a public intimation that
if any person has anything to object against
the faith or conversation of any of the officers elect, such objection shall be given in
by a specified time, otherwise the ordination
shall be proceeded with.*
4. No valid objection being offered, after
sermon the presiding minister shall briefly
narrate the proceedings already had, and, the
candidates for ordination presenting themselves before the congregation, he shall propose to them the formula of questions annexed to this article, and these questions
being answered in the affirmative, he shall
propose to the members of the church, the
following questions, viz.:
Do you, the members of this church adhere to your choice of and receive this brother as a ruling elder, or deacon, and do you
promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement and obedience, in the Lord, to
which his office entitles him?
The members of the church having answered this question in the affirmative, by
holding up their right hands, the Moderator
shall proceed to set apart the candidates by
prayer. After prayer he shall exhort both
officers and people to their respective duties.
* For form of edict, see Appendix, No. VII.




44
5. At the close of the service, it is proper
that the members of the existing session, in
presence of the congregation, take the newly ordained elder or elders by the hand, saying, "We give unto you the right hand of
fellowship, take part of this office with us."
And before the session adjourns a record of
the ordination shall be inserted in their minutes.
6. An elder or deacon removing from his
own into another congregation, and presenting suitable testimonials of his personal and
official conduct, shall, on his being duly elected by the congregation, be installed as an
elder or deacon without a new ordination.
7. A list of ruling elders in every congregation with the time of their ordination, is
to be given by the minister to the presbytery.
PART II. ORDINATION OF MINISTERS.
Section 1. Where a call has been accepted by a probationer, the presbytery shall appoint him trials for ordination. These shall
consist of an examination on personal religion, theology, natural and revealed, the original languages of the Holy Scriptures, ecclesiastical history and church government, pastoral duties and the principles of our public
profession, together with at least two public
discourses, a lecture and a popular sermon.
2. These trials having been passed to the




45
satisfaction of presbytery, they shall appoint
a day for the ordination of the candidate;
and shall also cause the congregation to be
assembled a convenient time previous thereto, at least ten days; and at that time a written intimation termed an edict shall be publicly read to the congregation, purporting
that, "the presbytery having received a call
for Mr. A. B. preacher of the gospel, to be
their pastor, and finding nothing to hinder
his settlement among them, will ordain and
install him accordingly, if no just objection
be seasonably offered.*
3. The presbytery being met at the time
specified in the edict, the person by them appointed to serve it, or, in his absence, the
clerk of the congregation, or one of the session, shall return it endorsed with his certification, that it has been duly served.  The
presbytery shall then direct him to make
proclamation in the church that they are
now assembled and ready to hear any objection to the life and doctrine of the candidate.
If no objection be made the presbytery shall
proceed with the ordination; but if any be
made, the presbytery shall carefully consider
them, and shall either sustain or over-rule
them, as their nature and proof shall render
necessary.
* See Appendix, No. VII.




46
4. On the day of ordination a solemn fast
shall be observed in the congregation, that
they may more earnestly join in public
prayer for the Lord's blessing on his ordinances, and on the labors of his servant to
whom the administration of these among
them is about to be committed.
5. No valid objection to the ordination
being offered, a member of presbytery, previously appointed, shall preach a sermon
adapted to the occasion. The same, or another member appointed to preside, shall
afterwards briefly narrate the proceedings of
the presbytery preparatory to this transaction, and shall then request the candidate to
present himself. The questions in the annexed formula shall then be proposed to
him.
6. Satisfactory answers being given to
these questions, the presiding minister shall
propose to the people the following questions:
1. Do you, the people of this congregation, still profess your readiness to receive
whom you have called to be
your pastor?
2. Do you promise to receive the word of
truth from his mouth, with meekness and
love; and to submit to him in the due exercise of discipline? Jas. i. 21, HIeb. xiii.
17.




47
3. Do you promise to encourage him in
his labors for your instruction and edification? 1 Thes. v. 12, 13. And do you engage to give him, while he is your pastor,
that competent worldly maintenance which
you have promised, and whatever else you
may see to be needful for the honor of religion, and his comfort among you? 1 Cor.
ix:. 7-15.
4. The people having answered these
questions in the affirmative, by holding up
their right hands, the candidate shall kneel.
Then the presiding minister shall, by prayer,
Acts xiii. 2, 3, and with the laying on of the
hands of the presbytery, 1 Tim. iv. 14,
solemnly ordain him to the office of the holy
ministry. Prayer being ended, the presiding
minister first, and the other members in
order, shall take him by the right hand,
saying, "We give you the right hand of
fellowship, to take part of this ministry with
us."  Gal. ii. 9, Acts i. 25. An appropriate
charge shall then be delivered to both pastor and people; 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2., Mark iv. 24.
After praying and singing, the congregation
shall be dismissed in the usual manner, and
then invited to come forward, and in token
of their regard, take their minister by the
hand. The whole transaction shall be recorded in the presbytery's book.*
* See Appendix No. VITI.




48
8. Installation, which is the establishment
of the relation between a pastor and his flock,
shall always accompany ordination when a
call has been accepted.
9. As in particular emergencies, it may
be desirable and necessary that a licentiate
be ordained to the gospel ministry without
a pastoral charge, in such case the questions
of the formula having reference to a pastoral
charge must be modified according to the
circumstances.
FORMULA OF QUESTIONS FOR MINISTERS, RULING ELDERS
AND DEACONS AT THEIR ORDINATION.
1. Do you believe the holy Scriptures of
the Old and New Testaments to be the word
of the living God, the infallible and only
rule of faith and practice? 2 Tim. iii. 16,
Eph. ii. 20.
2. Do you believe and acknowledge the
doctrines professed by this church, and contained in the Confession of Faith, Catecllisms
Larger and Shorter, and the Declarations of
the Testimony, to be founded on the word
of God, and are you resolved through divine
grace, to maintain and adhere to the same,
in opposition to all errors, and against all
contrary opinions?  2 Tim. i. 13.
3. Do you approve the Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and the Directories for worship, received by this church, as




49
agreeable to, and founded on the word of God;
and are you resolved by the grace of God,
to maintain and defend the same against
all contrary opinions?
4. Do you promise to submit, in the spirit
of meekness, to the admonitions of the brethren of this presbytery, (or of this session)
in subordination to the Synod and General
Assembly, 1 Peter v. 15; and do you promise
to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace; that you will not follow divisive courses, either by complying with the defections of the times, or giving yourself (or
yourselves) up to a detestable neutrality in
the cause of God?  Acts xx. 17-31.
5. Are not zeal for the glory of God, love
to the Lord Jesus, and a desire of being useful in edifying the church of Christ, the chief
motives which induce you to accept the office
of a pastor (or ruling elder or deacon) in
this congregation? 1 Cor. ii. 2, 2 Cor. iv.
5.
6. Have you used any undue methods to
procure your call to the office of pastor,
(ruling elder or deacon) in this congregation?
7. Do you promise through grace, to endeavor, as much as lieth in your power, to
perform all the official duties incumbent on
you with zeal and fidelity; and that you will
be circumspect in your whole conversation,
5




50
following after righteousness, faith, charity?
Epistles to Tim. and Titus.
FOR MINISTERS.
8. Are you now willing to take charge of
this congregation, agreeably to your declaration at accepting their call; and do you
promise to perform all the duties of a pastor
to them, preaching the gospel, not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the
purity and simplicity thereof; not shunning
to declare the whole counsel of God; to catechise and exhort from house to house; to
visit the sick; and to perform whatever other
duties are incumbent upon you, as a faithful
minister of Christ, for the convincing and
reclaiming of sinners, and for building up
saints in their most holy faith?
FOR RULING ELDERS.
9. Do you now accept the call to the
office of ruling elder in this congregation,
agreeably to your former declaration; and
do you promise, through grace, diligently
to discharge all the duties of that office; to
be faithful and impartial in the exercise of
discipline, and to be punctual in attending
the meetings of session, and superior judicatories, as you may be required'? 1 Pet. v. 2.
FOR DEACONS.
10. Do you now accept of the call to the
office of deacon in this congregation, agreeably to your former declaration; and do




51
you promise to attend to the wants of the
poor, with Christian meekness and tenderness, and to manage all such temporalities
of the church as may be committed to your
care with diligence and fidelity, according
to the concurrent advice and directions of
the session?
FOR MINISTERS, ELDERS, AND DEACONS.
11. Do you make these promises as in the
presence of the living God, who searcheth
the hearts, and trieth the reins of the children of men, and as you would desire to
give in your account with joy, at the great
day of the Redeemer's appearance, when he
shall come, and all his saints with him, to
judge the quick and the dead?
ARTICLE VI.
OF THE TRANSLATION OF MINISTERS.
Section 1. As a minister of the gospel is
by his office related to the whole church, he
may, for sufficient reasons, be removed from
one pastoral charge to another.
2. No minister shall be translated from
one charge to another, nor shall he receive a
call for that purpose, but by the authority of
the presbytery or synod of which he is a member.
3. The important interests that are involved in the translation of a minister, and




52
the danger of creating jealousies and dissensions, by which the peace and comfort of the
church may be disturbed, render it obligatory
on presbyteries to proceed with great caution,
deliberation, and tenderness towards all parties interested.
4. A call for a settled minister shall be
prepared and prosecuted in the same manner
as one for a probationer or minister without
charge.
5. Before presenting a call to a minister
who is pastor of another congregation, the
presbytery shall require the congregation calling, by their commissioners, to represent to
the presbytery the grounds on which they ask
for his translation. They shall also summon
the congregation, whose minister is called, to
appear at their next meeting, to show cause,
by their commissioners or in writing, why the
call should not be presented and the translation take place.  This citation shall be read
from the pulpit of that church, by a member
of presbytery, or some other suitable person
appointed by presbytery, immediately after
public worship; so that at least two Sabbaths
shall intervene between the citation and the
meeting of presbytery at which the matter is
to be heard. If the congregation send no representation by commissioners or otherwise,
against the removal of their pastor, and if the
presbytery are satisfied with the reasons as



53
signed for the proposed translation, they shall
forthwith present the call, and if it be accepted, they shall dissolve the pastoral relation
already existing, and translate the candidate
to the other congregation. The day of his
installation shall be fixed, and the edict appointed to be served. But if the congregation whose pastor is called oppose the removal,
the presbytery shall hear the parties, and
after careful and serious deliberation, either
continue him in his present charge, or translate him, as they deem most for the edification of the church; or they may refer the
whole matter to the synod, for advice and direction.
6. When the minister called belongs to a
different presbytery, the presbytery, which
has sustained the call, shall transmit it, together with a statement of the grounds on
which his translation is asked for, to the presbytery of which he is a member, that it may
be presented, or they may authorize the congregation to prosecute the call, by their commissioners, before that presbytery, and that
presbytery having cited him and his congregation, shall proceed to hear and issue the
cause, as before directed. If they agree to
his translation, they shall release him from
his charge; and having given him proper testimonials, signed by the moderator and clerk,
direct him to repair to the presbytery, with5*




54
in whose bounds the congregation calling
him lies, that the proper steps may be taken
for his settlement. The presbytery to which
the congregation belongs, having received a
certificate of his release, shall proceed to install him in his new charge as soon as practicable. No pastor shall be translated without
his own consent.
7. Installation, which consists in constituting a pastoral relation between a minister
and the people of a particular church, may,
in case of a minister previously ordained, be
performed by the presbytery, or a committee
appointed for that purpose, and the following
order shall be observed therein:
8. A day shall be appointed for the instalment, and due notice thereof shall be given
to the congregation. The presbytery or a
committee having met on the day appointed,
they shall proceed as in the case of ordinition and installation. The member who presides shall then address himself to the minister to be installed, proposing to him the 6th,
7th and 8th questions of the formula for the
ordination of ministers, together with the fobl
lowing:
"And all this you promise in agreeableness
to your ordination engagements, and in humble reliance upon divine grace?"
Having received satisfactory answers to all
these, he shall propose to the people the ques



55
tions prescribed in Article V., Part II., Section 6, which having been answered in the affirmative, by holding up the right hand, he
shall solemnly declare said minister to be regularly constituted pastor of that congregation. A charge shall then be given to both
parties, and after prayer and singing a psalm,
the congregation shall be dismissed with the
usual benediction.
9. It is highly proper that after the services, the officers and other members of the
congregation should come forward to their
pastor, and give him the right hand, in token
of their cordial reception and affectionate regard.
10. The presbytery shall always enter upon
their minutes their reasons for translating a
minister; and when that act is likely to give
much dissatisfaction to his people, a copy of
these reasons shall be extracted and sent to
them by their commissioners.
ARTICLE VII.
DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION.
Section 1. As the authority of the presbytery is interposed in the formation of the pastoral relation, so it shall be necessary to its
dissolution.
2. When circumstances arise which seem
to render a dissolution of the pastoral relation necessary, application to this end may




56
be made either by the pastor or people, or by
both united, and shall in all cases be accompanied with a statement of the reasons for
which it is urged.
3. If the application be made by the pastor, the congregation shalr be cited to appear,
as in the case of translation, and if the application be from the congregation, the pastor
shall )e cited to appear, and show cause why
the application should not be granted. As
this is a matter important in its nature and
consequences, the presbytery shall give it the
same careful and serious deliberation prescribed in the matter of translation from one
charge to another.
4. If, upon due consideration of the case,
the presbytery shall judge it for edification
to grant the petition, the congregation shall
be declared vacant, and the minister who has
thus been released shall remain subject to the
orders of the presbytery.




PART II.
OF DISCIPILINE.
CHAPTER I.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
SECTION 1. Discipline is the exercise of
that authority with which the Lord Jesus
Christ has clothed the officers of his house, in
the application of the laws which he has given
in his word. Acts xv. 25-29; Rev. ii. 2, 3.
2. The exercise of discipline is most necessary, because in the imperfect and mingled
state of the visible church, disorders will arise,
not only among carnal professors, but also,
from remaining corruption, among the truly
gracious. Matt. xviii. 7, 15-17.  Its general object is the removal of offences, and preventing their unhappy effects. The special
designs are, vindicating the honor and authority of Jesus Christ, Ezek. xxii. 26; xliv. 68; maintaining the purity of his ordinances
and of his truth, Rev. ii. 2, 3, averting judgments which are threatened on account of offences connived at, Rev. ii. 5, 16, preserving
the cause of God for posterity, Rev. ii. 5; Ps.




58
lxxviii. 5-8; reclaiming offenders, 1 Cor. v.
5, warning others that they may fear, 1 Tim.
v. 20, and promoting the peace and edification of the body of Chist.
3. An offence, the ground of discipline, is
anything in the avowed belief, or in the practice of a church member which is contrary to
the word of God, and the standards of the
United Presbyterian Church; or which in its
nature and circumstances is calculated to lead
others into sin. Rom. xiv. 13, 20, 21; Rev.
ii. 14. Nothing, therefore, ought to be considered by any judicatory as an offence, or
admitted as a ground of censure, which cannot be shown to be such from the word of
God, and the regulations and practice of the
church, or which does not involve those evils
for the prevention of which discipline is intended.
4. The proper exercise of discipline requires,
in the office-bearers of the church, not only
fidelity and firmness, but also tenderness and
moderation, wisdom and discrimination. Scandals of the same kind cannot always be treated in the same manner, in consequence of the
different circumstances that may attend them,
rendering them more or less offensive; and
which may therefore require a different mode
of procedure in similar cases, at different
times, for the attainment of the same end. 1
Tim. i. 20; Gal. v. 12; Jude 22, 23.




59
5. All baptized persons, being members of
the church, are under her care and subject
to her authority and discipline: and having
attained the years of discretion are bound to
perform all the duties of church members.
CHAPTER II.
OF OFFENCES.
Section 1. Offences are either personal or
general, and these may be either private or
public: and the procedure will vary in some
respects, in reference to these several classes.
2. A personal offence is a violation of the
Divine law, considered in the character of a
wrong or injury done to a particular individual or individuals. A general offence is any
heresy or immorality having no personal relation, or apart from it. While, therefore, a
general offence may not be personal, every
personal offence is general.
3. Private offences are such as are known
only to an individual, or at most, to a few
persons. Public offences are such as are
generally known, or are known to many
persons.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE PARTIES IN CASES OF PROCESS.
Section 1. In cases of personal offences
the injured party, whether the offence be
public or private, must first use the means




60
prescribed by our Lord, Matt. xviii. 15-17,
of bringing the offender to a sense of his error, and effecting a reconciliation, before he
can be admitted as a prosecutor.  He must
go to him privately and alone, and endeavor
to bring him to an acknowledgment of his sin,
and to sorrow for it.  If in this he succeed,
the matter shall terminate.  But if he at first
fail, he must continue his dealing, taking with
him others, who may unite with him in, and
be evidences of his Christian expostulations;
failing here he is to tell it to the church.
Failure to comply with our Lord's direction,
by any one lodging information against another, is itself an offence subjecting the informer to censure.  As, however, the interests of religion may require a judicial investigation of a personal offence, as general, the
settlement of the matter between the parties
shall not preclude a church court from investigating it.
2. In all cases of private offences, though
they be general, he or they to whom they are
known, are bound to use the above named
private means for the removal of the scandal,
and no one can be admitted as an accuser who
has not complied with this rule. Where a
private offence is known only to an individual,
and is therefore not susceptible of legal proof,
it is, after serious and close dealing, to be
left between God and the offender's conscience.




61
3. General offences may be brought before
a judicatory either by an individual or individuals appearing as accusers, and undertaking to substantiate the charge, or by information,, where the informer declines to appear as a prosecutor, or by a common fame.
4. In prosecutions by common fame, the
previous steps required by our Lord in relation to personal offences, are not necessary.
Yet, even.here, an offence may be so circumstanced as to render it proper for the court
to appoint a committee of inquiry, in order
to ascertain whether the case be such as requires judicial investigation, and can be prosecuted to conviction, and also to converse
with the offender, and endeavor to bring him
to a sense of his sin, without actual process.
5. Taking up charges on the ground of
common fame, requires caution and prudence
on the part of the judicatory, inasmuch as it
is not every report that amounts to this.  It
must first be determined that a common fame
really exists, and no rumor is to be regarded
as such, unless it specify some particular sin
or sins, is general or widely spread, is not
transient but permanent, generally believed,
and accompanied with a strong presumption
of truth.
6. As, however, a rumor may exist, not
amounting to common fame, affecting the character of an individual, the person affected
6




62
thereby may request a judicial investigation
for his own vindication, and it may be proper
for the judicatory to grant the request.
7. In cases taken up on information, the
name of the informer is not to be given up
without his consent; but if the innocence of
the party accused be clearly made out, the judicatory shall inquire whether the information was lodged through malice, or' imprudence, or otherwise, and deal with him accordingly.
8. In all cases of process on the ground of
common fame, or by information, where the
informer refuses to appear, the judicatory
may appoint an individual member of the
court to act as prosecutor in the management
of the case. A session may appoint any person who is a church member and under their
jurisdiction.
9. All charges must be drawn up in the
form of libel or complaint. A libel is a written charge preferred against an individual or
individuals, in argumentative form. It first
specifies the offence as censurable, and cites
authorities from Scripture and the standards
of the church to prove this, then charges the
offence in point of fact on the accused by
name, including, as far as practicable, a specification of time and place, and concludes
with the inference that he ought to be cen



63
sured.* A complaint differs from this in
omitting the first part, in other respects it is
the same; and as the relevancy of the charge
must be determined by the court, the latter
form is sufficient in all ordinary cases. In
either form the offence must be distinctly specified, with times and places as far as practicable, and the names of witnesses.
10. the original and only parties to a trial
are the accuser and the accused; and in cases
where the court appoints the accuser, he shall
exercise all the rights of an original party.
These parties shall be known in the appellate
courts as the appellant and appellee.
11. In reciving charges, no person can be
admitted as an accuser who is known to indulge an evil spirit towards the accused, is
not of good fame, is under process or censure,
is deeply interested in the conviction of the
accused; and great caution should be exercised where the accuser is rash, litigious, or
imprudent. Persons who appear as accusers,
or who undertake to substantiate a charge,
shall be held subject to censure if they fail in
proof, unless it appear that there were strong
presumptions of the guilt of the accused.
* See Appendix, No. 11.




64
CHAPTER IV.
OF ACTUAL PROCESS.
SECTION 1. When all other means of removing an offence have failed, the judicatory,
which has immediate cognizance of it, shall judicially take it into consideration. But at
the first meeting of the judicatory, when a
libel or complaint has been tabled, no- further
proceedings shall be had, unless by consent
of parties, than to furnish the accused with
a copy of the libel or complaint, and a list of
the witnesses annexed, and to cite all concerned to appear at the next meeting of the
judicatory. Notice shall be given to the
parties and witnesses at least ten days previous to the meeting of the judicatory, and if
the parties be present when the-charge is received, and the time and place of trial appointed, that shall be held as sufficient citation and notification.
2. If the accused party be absent when
the charge is received and trial appointed,
a citation with notification of time and place
of trial, and a list of witnesses, shall be put
into his hands, or left at the usual place of
his residence, by some suitable person appointed for the purpose.*  Citations shall
also be issued to such witnesses as the accused shall name, who are members of the
* See Appendix, No. 12.




church, to appear on his behalf.* And all
citations shall be signed in the name of the
judicatory, by the moderator and clerk.
Other persons can only be requested to attend.
3. In drawing up charges, times, places,
and circumstances should, if possible, be particularly stated, that the accused may have
an opportunity of proving an alibi, or explaining admitted facts in extenuation or
justification of them; and every libel or complaint, except those founded on common
fame, must be thus specific.
4. If an accused person neglects or refuses
to obey the citation, he is to be cited a second time, and, if this be not answered, a
third time, with notification that if he do not
appear, or send a sufficient excuse, the judicatory will proceed to trial as if he were
present, and also censure him for his contumacy.
5. While the time intervening between the
first citation of an accused person and the
meeting of the judicatory at which he is to
appear, must be at least ten days, the time
allowed on a subsequent citation, is in the
discretion of the court; provided always,
however, that it be sufficient for a convenient
compliance. And in every case of unusual
* See Appendix, No. 13.
6*




66
distance from, or difficulty of communication
with the place of meeting, a reasonable time
shall always be allowed.
6. The judicatory, before proceeding to
trial, shall ascertain that their citations have
been duly served, and especially before they
judge a person guilty of contumacy or inflict
any censure for it.
7. Before proceeding to trial, the first
point to be determined is, the admissibility
of the charges. In most cases this will have
been done before the citation of the accused,
yet, as he has a right to be heard on that
point, and may not be present to plead to it,
and as it may be affected, not only by the
position and character of the accuser, but
also by the inadmissibility of the testimony
and the general and indefinite character of
the charges, it ought not, in some cases, to
be regarded as definitely settled till the accused be heard. If the charges be judged
inadmissible, all further proceedings cease.
8. The first thing to be considered on the
trial is the relevancy of the libel, that is,
whether the charges, if proved, be censurable.  On this, the accused, if present, has a
right to be fully heard, but not in making a
plea against the principles of his public profession.  If, on careful consideration, the
charges be found not relevant, all further
proceedings must terminate; but if they are




67
sustained as relevant, the accused is to be
interrogated as to the matters of fact.  If
he admit them, the way is open for a decision, but if he deny them, the judicatory
shall proceed with the trial.
9. The trial shall be fair and impartial.
The witnesses shall be examined in presence
of the accused, or at least after he has received due citation to attend; and he shall
be permitted to cross-examine them, and to
ask any question tending to his own exculpation. After all the evidence has been
taken in confirmation of the charge, the accused shall introduce whatever rebutting or
extenuating evidence he has to offer.
10. The testimony being closed, the accused shall be heard first, and then the
accuser, and the court shall decide whether
the accused shall have an bpportunity of being further heard. The parties being removed, the judicatory shall proceed to examine and weigh the testimony, and give
judgment accordingly.
11. The judgment shall be regularly entered on the records of the judicatory, and
the parties shall be allowed copies of the
whole proceedings, at their own expense, if
they demand them; and in case of the removal of a cause to a higher court, the lower
judicatory shall send a complete authenticated copy of the whole record to the higher
judicatory.




12. The sentence, if it is thought necessary to publish it, shall be published only in
the church or churches which have been
offended; but when the ends of public edification can be as well answered, private censure is to be preferred.
13. As cases may arise in which a considerable time may intervene before it is practicable to commence process against an accused church member, the session may, in
such cases, if they think it necessary to edification, prevent the accused from approaching the Lord's table until the charges against
him can be examined. And if an individual
be evading process, the judicatory shall enter
that fact on its records, together with the
nature of the offence charged, and shall suspend him from all church privileges until he
appear before the court and answer to the
charges against him.
14. If the testimony taken during a trial,
proves a sin, properly denominated by another
name than that designated in the libel, while
the specific charge of the libel must be found
not proved, the accused may be found guilty
of that which appears in proof, and sentence
passed accordingly, provided, nevertheless,
that further time shall be given to him for
defence, if he demand it, or justice require
it.
15. No professional counsel shall be per



69
mitted to appear and plead in cases of process in any of our ecclesiastical courts; but
an accused person may, if he desire it, be
represented by any member of the church,
subject to the jurisdiction of the court before
which he appears. The person so employed,
if a member of the court, shall not be allowed, after pleading the cause of the accused, to sit in judgment on the case.
16. Questions of order, which arise in the
course of process, shall be decided by the
Moderator. If an appeal is made from the
decision of the chair, the question on appeal
shall be taken without debate.  Decisions
on points of order shall always be recorded,
if either party shall request it.
17. The records of the proceedings, in
cases of judicial process, shall exhibit not
only the charges, specifications, and sentence
of the court, but all the testimony and all
the circumstances which had an influence on
its judgment; and nothing which is not contained in the record shall be taken into consideration in reviewing the proceedings in a
higher court.
CHAPTER V.
OF PROCESS AGAINST MINISTERS.
Section 1. As the honor and success of the
gospel is intimately connected with the unblemished reputation of its ministers, both




iv
as to doctrine and conduct, each presbytery
should take special care that charges are not
received against them on slight or frivolous
grounds; nor, wlien received, are they to be
negligently examined, or slightly censured if
found true.
2. Process against a gospel minister shall
always be entered before the presbytery of
which he is a member, and the rules of procedure laid down in Chapter IV., under the
head of Actual Process, are to be strictly observed in every process against a minister.
Process against a licentiate shall be entered,
if practicable, before the presbytery in whose
bounds he is laboring, and if not, before the
presbytery under whose care he is.
3. If the offence with which a minister
stands charged occurred without the bounds
of his own presbytery, that presbytery shall
send notice to the presbytery within whose
bounds it did occur; and request them either
to cite the witnesses to appear at the place
of trial, if within convenient distance, or, if
the distance be so great as to render attendance inconvenient, to take the examination
themselves and transmit an authentic record
of their testimony; always giving due notice
to the accused person of the time and place
of such examination.
4. When a minister is supposed to be guilty
of an offence, at such a distance from the




71
place of his residence, as that it is not likely
to become otherwise known to the presbytery
to which he belongs, in such case, it shall be
the duty of the presbytery in whose bounds
the facts have happened, after satisfying themselves that there is sufficient ground of accusation, to send notice to the presbytery of
which he is a member, which is to proceed
against him, and request the other presbytery to take the testimony as in preceding
section, or they may send a commissioner appointed by themselves for this purpose. In
either case due notice must be given to the
accused party.
5. Process shall not be commenced against
a minister unless at the instance of a responsible party who undertakes to prove the
charge; or unless common fame so loudly
proclaims the scandal that the presbytery find
it necessary to investigate the charge. And
where there is a prosecutor, he should be previously informed that if he fail to show probable cause for the charges, he must himself
be censured as a slanderer of the gospel ministry, in proportion to the malignity and
rashness that may appear in the prosecution.
6. Persons aggrieved by ministers are required to acquaint them with their grievances
in private, whether the offences have been
public or private, and failing to obtain satisfaction, to apply to some other minister of the




72
presbytery for his advice in the case, before
they can be admitted to present a complaint
or libel to the presbytery.
7. Every complaint or libel must be reduced to writing before it is laid before the
presbytery. And after receiving it, the presbytery shall act according to the regulations
laid down, Chapter IV., Section 1, under the
head of actual process.
8. At the next meeting the charge shall be
read to the minister accused, and he shall be
called upon to say whether he is guilty or not.
If he confess, the presbytery shall deal with
him according to their discretion; if he plead
and take issue, the trial shall proceed, as directed in Chapter IV., Sections 7-10. If
found guilty, he shall be censured according
to the degree of his offence.
9. If, on the trial, it appear that the matter complained of amounts to no more than
acts of infirmity which may be amended, and
the people satisfied, so that little remains to
hinder his usefulness, they shall take all prudent measures for the removal of the offence.
10. A minister who has been accused of
scandal, being twice duly cited, and refusing
to attend the presbytery, shall be immediately suspended.
11. A minister, under process for scandal,
shall retain, unimpaired, his right to deliberate anfd vote in other matters, unless the




scandal charged be of such a nature that the
presbytery consider it necessary to suspend
him from the exercise of his ministry till the
charge be investigated.
CHAPTER VI.
OF EXCEPTIONAL CASES.
SECTION 1. There are cases in which the
guilt of an individual is manifest, the offence
being committed in the presence of the court,
or in which trial is rendered unnecessary by
the confession of the party; in such cases
judgment may be given without process.
2. As there is no accuser in such cases, if
the sentence of the judicatory be appealed
from, some person, a member of the court, or
a member of the church, and subject to the
jurisdiction of the same court with the appellant, shall be appointed to defend the sentence in the superior court, and such person
-shall be the appellee in the case.
CHAPTER VII.
OF EVIDENCE.
SECTION 1. A charge of scandal may be
established by the testimony of witnesses, by
the records of a church court, or by written
or published papers.
2. In receiving the testimony of witnesses,
great care and impartiality should be exer7




cised by judicatories. All persons are not
competent as witnesses, and all who are competent are not credible.
3. Incompetency is either absolute or relative. A witness who does not believe in
the existence of God, or in a future state of
rewards and punishments, or is an idiot, is absolutely incompetent. Relative incompetency
arises from a want of proper age or intelligence, a defect in any of the senses, or things
of a like character. Either party has a right
to challenge a witness whom he believes to be
incompetent, and the court shall examine and
decide on his competency.
4. The credibility of witnesses, or the degree of credit to be given to their testimony,
may be affected by their relationship to either
of the parties; by interest in the result; by
infamy of character; by enmity to the accused; by being under censure for scandal or
process for scandal impeaching their veracity;
by general rashness, indiscretion, or malignity of character; and by various other circumstances; to which judicatories should carefully attend, and for which they should make
due allowance in their decision.
5. A husband or wife shall not be compelled to bear witness for or against each
other; nor when either of them is a party
directly interested in the result, shall the




other be a witness, except when the offence
is committed by the one against the other.
6. When the proof of a charge depends entirely upon the testimony of witnesses, two
credible witnesses, at least, shall be necessary
to establish the fact or facts charged. Deut.
xix. 15. But if several different witnesses
bear testimony to different similar acts belonging to the same general charge, or to circumstances necessarily connected with the
truth of the fact or facts, the crime shall be
considered proved. Ex. xxii. 10-13; Deut.
xxii. 23-27; 1 Kings iii. 16-27.
7. A member of the judicatory may be
called upon to bear testimony in a case which
comes before it.  IIe shall be qualified as
other witnesses are; and, after giving his testimony, may resume his seat as a member of
the judicatory.
8. Witnesses, afterward to be examined,
except members of the judicatory, shall not
be present during the examination of another
witness, if either party demand their exclusion.
9. Witnesses before giving their testimony,
are, if it be required, to be solemnly purged
of malice against the accused; and no testimony shall be received but on oath, except
by consent of parties.
10. After a witness has been sworn,* he
* See Appendix. No. XIV.




76
shall be requested first to state what he knows
of the matter charged; if he decline this method, or having given his statement, he shall
be examined by the party introducing him;
then cross-examined by the opposite party;
after which any member of the judicatory, or
either party may put additional interrogatories. The court shall not permit frivolous
questions, or questions not pertinent to the
charge at issue, and every question must be
put through the moderator.
11. Every question put to a witness shall,
if required, be reduced to writing. When
answered, it, together with the answer, shall
be recorded, if either party require it.
12. The testimony given by witnesses shall
be faithfully recorded, read to them for correction and approval, and then being subscribed by them, shall be attested by the moderator.
13. A member of the church summoned as
a witness, and refusing to appear, or having
appeared, refusing to give testimony, may be
censured for contumacy.
14. The records of a church court, or any
part of them, whether original or transcribed,
attested by the moderator and clerk, or
either of them, shall be admitted as legal
evidence in every other judicatory. And in
like manner, testimony taken by one judicatory at the request of another, shall be re



ceived oy the latter as though it had been
taken by themselves.
15. Private writings and printed publications, the genuineness and authorship of
which are clearly established, may also be
received in evidence.
16. Where it may not be practicable to
take a part, or the whole of the testimony of
the witnesses in the presence of the court, on
account of their distance from the place of
meeting, or the impossibility of any of them
attending in person, commissioners shall be
appointed to take the testimony in question;
of which commission, and the time and place
of meeting, due notice shall be given to the
opposite party, that they may attend. And
if the accused party shall, on his part, desire
to take testimony under similar circumstances,
he shall give notice to the judicatory of the
time and place when and where it is proposed
to take it, that a commission, as in the former
case, may be appointed for the purpose. All
testimony thus taken shall be regarded as if
taken in the presence of the judicatory.
17. All evidence is either positive or circumstantial. Positive evidence is that by
which the fact, charged as a crime, is directly
proven.  Circumstantial evidence is that
which proves such circumstances as necessarily or usually attend, or which have a tendency to establish such facts.
7*




18. The evidence of a fact arising from
circumstances necessarily connected with it,
is called violent presumption. Such presumption only can be admitted as sufficient
evidence; and, even then, it must be of
such a nature as to produce full conviction on
the minds of the judicatory. But while, in
some cases, violent presumption may produce
as strong conviction as can be got in any
other way, the greatest caution and circumspection are always to be used in admitting
them, especially in the absence of the positive testimony of at least one credible witness.
19. The evidence of a fact arising from
circumstances which usually attend, or which
have a tendency to establish it, is called probable presumption; this, though it has various
degrees of weight, may be destroyed by contrary presumptions equally probable. Such
presumption can only serve to corroborate
other evidence; of itself it is not sufficient
proof of a fact.
20. The positive testimony of a witness
often affords nothing more than a probable
presumption of a fact, as when there is manifest reason to doubt his veracity, or his right
apprehension of the facts which he gives in
testimony, or the accuracy of his memory, or
when his testimony is contradicted by a witness equally positive and credible. The ju



dicatory is therefore not bound, by their admission of a witness, to give judgment according to his testimony.
21. When a witness gives his testimony as
merely his opinion, his strong impression, or
his uncertain remembrance, it is only probable evidence.  When, however, a witness
gives his opinion, he should be asked to state
the reasons on which it is founded.
22. No second-hand or hearsay testimony
is to be received, unless that which goes to
prove the statements of persons who would
have been credible witnesses, but are deceased; and it shall rest with the judicatory
whether they will receive it or not, and what
weight to allow it, if received.
23. No private knowledge possessed by
members of the judicatory, shall be suffered
to influence the decision, as that must be
based upon what is actually in evidence.
24. If, in the prosecution of an appeal,
new testimony is offered, the appellate court
may, if they find the evidence to be important in its bearing on the case, to have been
unknown, or wholly beyond the reach of the
party offering it, at the time of trial, refer
the cause to the inferior judicatory for a new
trial; or with the consent of parties take the
testimony and issue the case. When, however, this new testimony has had considerable
influence in procuring a reversal of the deci



so
sion of the court below, this fact shall be distinctly stated in the decision of the superior
judicatory.
CHAPTER VIII.
OF SENTENCES,
SECTION 1. A sentence consists in the determination of the degree of censure which is
called for, on the finding of charges against
an individual true.
2. Sentences should always be as nearly as
possible proportioned to the nature and aggravation of the offence, Tit. iii. 10, 11, and
adapted to the end. 1 Cor. v. 5; 2 Cor. ii.
6; Jude 22, 23. And if the libel or complaint contained different charges, the sentence must be founded only on such as are
duly proved.
3. The sentence, when passed, should be
reduced to writing, and read to the party on
whom it has been passed. He shall then be
required to signify his willingness to submit
to it; which if he do, the way is open for its
execution. But if he is not prepared to submit, it rests with the judicatory to determine
whether, in the circumstances of the case, it
will be for edification to grant him time for
reflection till the next meeting.
CHAPTER IX.
OF CHURCH CENSURES.
SECTION 1. The censures of the church are




81
purely spiritual in their character.  Having
been appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ, to
promote the spiritual welfare of his church
and people, and He having promised to bind
in heaven whatsoever his servants bind on
earth, censures administered according to HIis
word cannot be despised or disregarded by
men, without guilt and danger: and great solemnity and gravity should be observed by
those who administer them, as acting in the
name of the great head of the church.
2. There are five degrees of church censure, namely, admonition, rebuke, suspension,
deposition and excommunication.
ARTICLE I.
OF ADMONITION.
Judicial admonition is the lowest degree of
censure.  It consists in gently reproving an
offender for his sin and scandal; warning
him of his guilt and danger, and exhorting
him to be more circumspect and watchful in
the future.  It is to be administered in private.
ARTICLE II.
OF REBUKE.
Rebuke is a higher degree of censure, and
consists in setting forth the great and aggravated character of the offence, with a sharp
reproof for it. Tit. i. 13; ii. 15. Where the




82
offence is private the rebuke should always
be in private, and in all cases where the public interests of religion will not be injured
thereby, it should be in private. But where
the scandal is public, and the sin of an aggravated nature, the censure should be pronounced in public. 1 Tim. v. 20.
ARTICLE III.
OF SUSPENSION.
SECTION 1. Suspension is a censure which
may be inflicted on either a private member
or an officer of the church. In respect to
the former it is a temporary judicial exclusion of an offender from sealing ordinances,*
and of the latter, from the exercise of office,t
and in ordinary cases from  sealing ordinances also.
2; This censure becomes necessary when
very gross offences have been committed, or
when, notwithstanding admonition or rebuke,
an offence is repeated or persisted in, or
when probation is necessary to attest repentance and reformation.
3. Suspension may be for a definite time,
but generally it must be indefinite in duration, and its removal depend upon the evidence of repentance.
4. Suspension should be public, and may
* See Appendix, No. XV. t See Appendix, No. XVI.




83
be administered in the absence of the of
fender.
ARTICLE IV.
OF DEPOSITION.
SECTION 1. Deposition is a sentence depriving a church officer of his office. Ezek.
xliv. 13; 1 Kings ii. 27.
2. This censure should not be inflicted but
with the greatest deliberation, and for the
most weighty reasons, or when lighter censures have failed. It should be preceded
by suspension. In the case of ministers.
where practicable, the presbytery should
seek the advice of synod, and in the case of
ruling elders the session should seek the advice of the presbytery, before proceeding to
it. The sentence of deposition, passed on a
minister, should be publicly intimated in all
the congregations of the presbytery. and his
congregation declared vacant as soon as possible.
ARTICLE V.
OF EXCOMMUNICATION.
SECTION 1. Excommunication is the judicial excision of an offender from the visible
church.*  It does not cut him off from the
kingdom of grace, but declares him unworthy
of a place in the visible church, and to have
* See Appendix, No. XVII.




84
no more communion with it than ",a heathen
man and publican.' Matt. xviii. 17; 1 Cor. v. 5.
2. This fearful sentence should not be
passed except for such gross errors as unhinge the Christian profession, or such violations of the law of God as are peculiarly
flagrant, or for obstinate persevering impeni..
tence in grave offences. 1 Tim. i. 13, 20;
Matt. xviii. 15-17.  And not even then till
all Scriptural means have been used, and
have failed to reclaim the offender. Matt.
xviii. 15-17.
3. Much and solemn deliberation should
be exercised before the judicatory proceed to
this censure. The session, if they judge
themselves shut up to thlis step, shall refer
the matter to the presbytery, who may pass
the sentence, if satisfied of its necessity, and
give directions for its execution. A presbytery also before excommunicating a minister should consult the synod.
4. In every case before this step is taken,
due notice must be given to the offender,
and he warned of the sentence which awaits
him, unless prevented by speedy repentance.
He having been duly notified to attend, the
sentence may be passed by the judicatory
whether he be present or absent.
5. A warrant having been issued by the
presbytery,* for the public intimation of the
* See Appendix, No. XIX.




85
sentence, the officiating minister, after reading the warrant, shall recount the steps
which have been taken in the case, and explain the necessity to which the church has
been reduced, of applying this last remedy;
and having prayed for the Lord's blessing
on his own ordinance, shall solemnly pronounce it in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
6. After intimation of the sentence, the
members of the church should be warned
that the person cast out is no longer to be
viewed as a brother, and warned to have no
unnecessary intercourse with him. 1 Cor.
v. 11-13. Nevertheless, excommunication
does not destroy the bonds of natural and
civil relations, nor free from any of their obligations. I Cor. v. 10; vii. 10-16.
CHAPTER X.
OF THE RESTORATION OF OFFENDERS.
SECTION 1. The Lord Jesus Christ has
given to the officers of his house the power
to loose as well as to bind, and has promised
that whatever they loose on earth, shall be
loosed in heaven. Matt. xvi. 19.
2. No degree of heinousness or aggrava.
tion of guilt precludes restoration to church
privileges on satisfactory evidence of repentance and reformation.
3. It is not, however, every profession of
sorrow for sin, nor every promise of amend.
8




86
ment, nor even a partial reformation, that
should be judged a satisfactory reason for
restoration. But where there is manifested
a spirit of humility and meekness, accompanied with a watchfulness and circumspection
in life and conversation, especially in respect
to the particular sin for which the censure
has been inflicted, the judicatory may feel
themselves warranted in restoring the offender.*
4. The act of restoration shall be public,
if the censure was public, otherwise in private, and by the same court which inflicted
the censure, unless otherwise directed by the
superior judicatory.
5. An offender desirous of restoration
shall make application to the court by which
he was censured, or to the next superior judicatory, expressing his desire to be restored
to the fellowship of the church, acknowledging his sin, and professing his sorrow for
it, and his resolution through grace to study
to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.
This, however, shall not preclude the necessity of his giving satisfaction, public or private, as the case may be.
6. Church officers deposed, should not be
restored to office, even on evidence of repentance, until some time after an exemplary,
humble and edifying conversation.  And
while it might be sometimes proper to restore them to church privileges, they ought
* See Appendix, No. XVIII. XX.




87
not, especially ministers, to be restored to
the exercise of their office, until it is obvious
that the religious community is prepared to
receive them in their official character.
CHAPTER XI.
OF DISSENTS AND PROTESTS.
SECTION 1. A dissent is a formal declaration of disagreement with a decision of the
court. Any member of a court who is present and voting, may dissent from proceedings which he regards as contrary to the
word of God and the standards of the church,
and his dissent shall be entered on the record. By so doing, he saves himself from
any censure which may arise from these proceedings. If he choose to give his reasons
for dissent, these may be placed either on
record or on file for preservation, according
to the pleasure of the judicatory.
2. The right of dissenting cannot be claimed
by a party in a case, nor by any member of
the judicatory who was not present or not
taking a part in the proceedings. Dissents
must be given immediately after the judgment dissented from is pronounced.
3. A protest is a more solemn and formal
declaration of disagreement with a decision
of a court, testifying against it as an erroneous or injurious judgment, and must be accompanied with a statement of the reasons




88
on which it is founded, to be in due time
handed in and answered by the judicatory.
4. The right of protest belongs not only
to the members of the court, but also to
either party in a cause which is the subject
of investigation and decision, and intimation
thereof must be given immediately after the
judgment. But no protest can be admitted,
unless a party protesting at the same time
appeals, or a member protests with a view
to appeal or complain to a higher judicatory.
5. If a protest or dissent be couched in
decent and respectful language, and contains
no offensive reflections or insinuations on the
majority of the court, those who offer it have
a right to have it recorded in the minutes.
6. The judicatory should appoint a com.
mittee to draw up answers to reasons of protest, which, on being adopted, ought to be
inserted in the records. A reply on the part
of protesters to the answers to their reasons
of protest, shall not be admitted. But if
they regard the answers as imputing to to them
opinions or conduct which they disavow, they
may ask leave to take back their reasons,
and modify them, so as to render them more
clearly expressive of their views. Such alteration may be followed by a corresponding
modification of the answers, and here this
matter must terminate.
7. The admission of a protest by a court




89
implies no more than a recognition of the right
of the protester to exonerate his conscience,
or to have a hearing in a superior judicatory.
8. A protest against a decision of the court
of last resort may be entered, with the answers, on the records of the court, but such
protest does not justify the protester in disobedience or non-submission.
CHAPTER XII.
OF THE VARIOUS WAYS BY WHICH A CASE MAY BE CARRIED FROM A LOWER TO A HIGHER JUDICATORY.
SECTION 1. AS the government of the
church is conducted by fallible men, wrong
may be done by them. To remedy this in
an orderly way, is one great design of superior judicatories. When those who had no
concern in the origin of proceedings are
brought to review them, and annul or confirm them, as they may see cause, there is as
great security against permanent wrong as
the present imperfect state admits.
2. Every kind of decision which is formed
in any church judicatory, except the highest,
is subject to review of a superior judicatory,
with the limitation contained in Part I.,
Chapter IX., Section 4, under the head of
the General Assembly, and may be brought
before it in one or other of the following
ways, viz.: by reference, review and control,
8*




90
appeal, complaint, or declinature. And the
members of the lower judicatory, except in
cases of reference, shall lose their right to
deliberate and vote in the higher judicatory
on that particular matter.
ARTICLE I.
OF REFERENCES.
SECTION 1. A reference is a judicial representation, made by an inferior to a superior
judicatory, of a matter not yet decided; which
representation should be always in writing.
2. Proper subjects of reference are, cases
that are new, that are peculiarly delicate
or difficult, the decision of which may establish a precedent of extensive influence, or on
which the members of the judicatory are
much divided.
3. References are either for advice, or for
ultimate trial and decision of the case by the
superior judicatory.
4. In the former case, the reference merely
suspends the decision ofthejudicatory making
it; in the latter case it totally relinquishes
the decision, and submits the whole cause to
the judgment of the superior judicatory.
5. Although a reference ought, generally,
to procure advice from a superior j udicatory,
yet that judicatory is not bound to give a
final judgment in a case, even when requested
so to do; but may remit the whole case, with




91
or without advice, to the judicatory refer.
ring.
6. Notice of reference must be given to
parties who may be interested in a cause,
and the judicatory making Lhe reference
should have all evidence duly prepared and
in readiness, that the superior judicatory
may be able to hear and issue the case with
as little delay as possible.
7. References are generally to be carried
to the judicatory immediately superior.
ARTICLE II.
OF REVIEW AND CONTROL.
Section 1. It is the duty of every judicatory above a church session, at stated periods,
which should be generally once a year, to
review the records of the proceedings of the
judicatories immediately below. And if any
lower judicatory shall neglect to send up its
records for this purpose, the higher judicatory may issue an order to produce them,
either immediately or at some particular
time.
2. In reviewing the records of an inferior
judicatory, it will be necessary to examine,
First, whether the proceedings have been
lawful and regular: Second, whether they
have been equitable, faithful, and prudent:
Third, whether they have been correctly
recorded.
3. The review may be conducted by a




92
committee, who shall report at the meeting
at which they were appointed. If according
to the report of the committee, animadversion
or censure appear necessary, the members
of the inferior judicatory present shall be
heard in defence, and the judgment of the
court reviewing shall be entered on their
own minutes, and on the book reviewed.
4. It may, however, be that in the review,
cases of irregular proceedings may be found
so injurious and disreputable as to require
the interference of the superior judicatory.
In such cases the inferior judicatory may be
required to review and correct its proceedings, and to report the correction as soon as
practicable. If they refuse to correct their
errors they may be proceeded against for
their refusal.
5. No judicial decision, however, shall be
reversed by the judicatory reviewing, unless
it be regularly brought up by appeal or complaint.
6. If the superior judicatory be well advised, by common fame, of neglects and irregularities by the inferior judicatory, of which
their records give no intimation, or make
but an imperfect exhibition, it is incumbent
on them to take cognizance of the same.
In such cases where notorious errors or sins
are suffered to pass without rebuke, and
offenders are permitted to escape proper cen



93
sure, or where there are circumstances of
great irregularity in their proceedings, of
which the records give no notice, they shall
cite the inferior judicatory to appear and
answer, and if it appears that it is culpable,
inflict such censure and give such orders as
may be judged necessary to remedy the evils
exi sting.
7. While the court of last resort may on
all necessary occasions review its own decisions, it is not expedient for an inferior court
to do so, except when directed by a, superior,
or when they become satisfied that there are
grounds for the reversal of the decision to
which they previously came.
ARTICLE III.
OF APPEALS.
Section 1. An appeal is the removal of a
cause which has been already decided, from
an inferior to a superior judicatory. It must
be under a protest.
2. Appeals may be made either from a
definitive sentence as unjust or mistaken, or
from any particular step of the proceedings,
on account of irregularity, a refusal of reasonable indulgence to a party on trial, declining to receive important testimony, hurrying to a decision before the testimony is
all taken, and a manifestation of prejudice in
the case.




94
3. In judicial cases, the right of appeal
belongs only to the party against whom the
decision is made. In all other cases, when
the action or decision of a judicatory inflicts
a wrong upon any party or persons, he or
they may appeal, and when the purity of the
church or the interests of truth and righteousness are affected injuriously by a decision,
any member of the judicatory may appeal.
4. In judicial cases, those who have not
submitted to a regular trial are not entitled
to appeal.
5. Every appellant is bound to give notice
of his appeal to the judicatory before it rises,
and to lay the reasons thereof in writing,
before them at the time, or within ten days
thereafter. In the latter case these reasons
shall %e lodged with the moderator or clerk.
But where members or other persons may,
for good reasons, not have been present or
not have known of the decision, a reasonable
time shall be allowed.
6. Appeals should always be carried, in
regular gradation, from an inferior to the
next higher judicatory.
7. The appellant shall lodge his appeal,
and the reasons of it, with the clerk of the
higher judicatory, at the commencement of
its meeting, and either party may appear in
person or in writing. And it shall always
be deemed the duty of the judicat;ory whose




95
judgment is appealed from, to send authentic
copies of all their records, and of the whole
testimony relating to the matter.
8. In taking up an appeal in a judicial
case, after ascertaining that the appeal has
been regularly conducted, the first step shall
be to read all the records in the case from the
beginning; second, to hear the parties, the
appellant first and then the appellee; third,
the members of the court shall be called on
to give their views, and then the final vote
taken. In all other cases of appeal the order
of proceeding shall be the same as in cases
of complaint.
9. The decision may be to confirm or reverse the decision of the inferior judicatory,
either in whole or in part; or to remit the
cause, for the purpose of amending the record,
should it appear to be incorrect or defective;
or for a new trial.
10. If an appeal be sustained, the judgment
of the inferior court is necessarily reversed;
but if the appeal is not sustained, the judgment is affirmed. In the former case, the
superior judicatory, if they see cause, shall
either try the cause themselves, or direct the
court below how to proceed and issue it.
But in case of an appeal from a decision rejecting an appeal, if the appeal be sustained,
the case comes on for trial before the higher
ju d icatory.




96
11. If an appellant manifest a litigious or
unchristian spirit in the prosecution of his
appeal, he shall be censured according to
the degree of his offence.
12. If an appellant, after entering his appeal to a superior judicatory, fail to prosecute
it, it shall be considered as abandoned, unless
he can make it appear that he was providentially prevented.
13. The operation of an appeal is to suspend all further proceedings on the ground
of the sentence appealed fronm.  But if a
sentence of suspension or excommunication
from church privileges, or of deposition from
office, be the sentence appealed from, it shall
be in force until the appeal shall be issued.
14. In cases where the admission of an
appeal would unnecessarily and injuriously
delay process, it is competent for the inferior court to refuse to admit an appeal, and
having done so, to proceed with the trial,
but in such case a party may protest against
the rejection of his appeal, and appeal to the
superior judicatory.
ARTICLE IV.
OF COMPLAINTS.
SECTION 1. A cause which has been decided in an inferior court, may also be carried before a superior by complaint.




97
2. A complaint is a representation made
to a superior by any member or members of
a minority of an inferior judicatory, or by
any other person or persons being members
of the church, respecting a decision of an inferior judicatory which has been irregular
or unjust.
3. Complaints are proper in all cases of
grievance, whether judicial or not, where the
party aggrieved declines to appeal, or where
the complainants do not possess the right of
appeal, or where the right of appeal is tyrannically refused; and in all other cases
where the complainant is persuaded that the
purity of the church or the interests of truth
and righteousness are injuriously affected by
the decision of an inferior court. But in
judicial cases, a party declining to appeal
shall not be allowed to complain.
4 The same regulations must be followed
in complaints as in appeals. See Article III.,
Sec. 5, of this chapter.
5. A complaint brings the whole proceedings of an inferior court under the review of
its superior, and all parties are thereby
placed at the bar of the superior court.
6. In taking up a complaint, if it appear
that the complaint has been regularly conducted, all the records in the case shall be
read and the parties heard, after which the
court shall proceed to consider and decide
the case.
9




98
7. If on examination it appear that a complaint is well founded, such finding may not
only reverse the decision of the court below,
either in whole or in part, but also subject
the inferior judicatory to such censure as the
case may seem to require.
ARTICLE V.
OF DECLINATURES.
SECTION 1. A declinature is the refusal of
a person under process to submit to a trial
by a particular judicatory.
2. If a judicatory, before a full investigation, by any judicial act prejudge the cause;
if they allow members who are nearly related to the opposing party, or who have
themselves been active as parties, or at variance with either of the parties, still to sit
and vote in the case after objection madein such cases a declinature is warrantable,
if accompanied with an appeal to the next
higher judicatory, to be tried by them.
3. But if a person, in order to evade a
process, or without assigning any just reason, or without an appeal to the next higher
court, declines the authority of his proper
judicatory, such declinature is unwarrantable,
and does not stay the process, but the person
declining may be censured for contumacy.
4. A lawful declinature may be given before any decision is made. But it does not




quash a process. It only removes it to
a higher judicatory, where the same regulations shall be observed in the trial as in the
cases of appeal.
CHAPTER XIII.
OF JURISDICTION.
SECTION 1. A member dismissed from one
congregation, with a view to his joining another, if he commit an offence previous to his
joining the latter, shall be considered under
the jurisdiction of the church which dismissed him up to the time of his actual reception by that to which lie was dismissed.
The process, however, after being commenced
may be transferred to the session of the
church to which he has been dismissed.
2. A minister, in like manner, shall be
considered as under the jurisdiction of the
presbytery by which he was dismissed until
he actually becomes a member of another.
3. Any offence, however, committed by
either a minister or member, between the
time of his dismissal and his actually joining
another body, but which did not come to
light until after he had been received by the
latter, shall be under the cognizance of the
latter body.




100
CHAPTER XIV.
LIMITATION OF TIME.
SECTION 1. No certificate of church membership shall' be considered as valid testimony of the good standing of the bearer, if
it be more than one year old, except in cases
where there has been no opportunity of pre.
senting it.
2. Process, in case of scandal, shall commence within one year after the crime has
been committed, and scandals that have been
known for that time, shall not be made the
subjects of process, unless they have recently
become flagrant. But where a scandal was
committed unknown to the church, though
more than a year has transpired before its
discovery, process may commence as if the
crime had recently become flagrant.
3. Persons who have been tried for an offence and acquitted, or found guilty and
censured and restored, cannot be subjected
to another trial for the same offence.
Respectfully submitted.
J. G. SMART,
J. T. PRESSLY,
J. T. COOPER,
J. CLOKEY,
Committee.




APPENIDIX.
I. TESTIMONIAL OF MEMBERS LEAVING A CONGREGATION.
That A. B. is a member, in full communion, in the
United Presbyterian congregation of -, in the county
of -, State of -, and is hereby dismissed at - own
request, is attested this —- day of -, 18-.
By order of Session,           J. N., Nod.
A. D., Clerk.
II. TESTIMONIAL FOR MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN SOME
TIME ABSENT.
That A. N. was a member in full communion in the
United Presbyterian congregation of -, in the county
of -, State of -, up to the  - day of -, when
- removed from the bounds thereof, and may, as far as
is known to this session, be received into the fellowship
of any Church of Christ, is attested this  day of, 18-.
By order of Session            J. N., IMod.
A. D., Clerk.
III. FORM OF APPLICATION FOR THE MIODERATION OF A
CALL.
The United Presbyterian Church at -, in the county
of -, and State of -, under the inspection of the
Presbytery of -, being at present vacant, anxious to
obtain the stated administration of the word and ordi.
9*




102
nances among them, and finding themselves able and willing to support it, assembled at -, on the  ~ day of
-, 18-, and agreed to petition, and do hereby most
heartily petition, the Presbytery for a moderation of a
call, and appoint A. N. and C. D. their commissioners,
to represent them in this behalf to the Presbytery, at
their next meeting.
By order of the Congregation,   E. F., Moderator.
Done at -, the -    day of -, A. D. 18-.
IV. FonM OF A CALL FOI A MINISTER.
We, the elders and other members of the United Presbyterian congregation of -, in the county of —, and
State of —, taking into our serious consideration the
great loss we suffer through the want of a fixed gosrel
ministry among us, and being fully satisfied, from opp(rtunities of enjoying your public ministrations, that the
great Head of the church has bestowed upon you, Mr.
A. N., such ministerial gifts and endowments, as, through
the divine blessing, may be profitable for our edification:
we, therefore, hereby call and beseech you, to come to
us and help us, by taking the charge and oversight of
this congregation, to labour in it and watch over it, as
our fixed pastor: and on your acceptance of this our call,
we promise you all due support, respect, encouragement
and obedience in the Lord.
In testimony whereof, we have subscribed this our call,
this -    day of —, in the year of our Lord 18-, before these witnesses.
Attest.         C. D.
E. F.J
V. ATTESTATION OF A CALL.
That agreeably to presbyterial appointment, I preached
on the --  day of —, in the congregation of -, under the inspection of the Presbytery of -, in the State
of -, and presided in the moderation of a call for a
pastor to said congregation, which was made out for Mr.




103
A. N., under the inspection of the Presbytery of -, is
certified at -, this -    day of —-, A. D. 18-, by
C. D.
VI. FORM OF AN ACT OF LICENSURE.
The United Presbyterian Presbytery of —, in the
State of  -, having taken Mr. A. N., student of divinity, on trials for license, and he having acquitted himself to their satisfaction, in all the parts of his trials, did
at their meeting on the -    day of -, at -, in the
county of -, and State of -; and hereby do, in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ, allow and appoint him.
the said A. N., to preach the gospel of peace within their
bounds, and in all other places where in Providence he
may be called.
By order of Presbytery,        C. D., A~od.
E. F., Clerk.
Given at -, county of -, and State of, this
-    day of-, A. D. 18-.
VII. FORM OF AN EDTCT.
The United Presbyterian Presbytery of —, in the
State of -, having received a regular call from the
congregation at -, in the --  of —, and State of
-a, to Mr. A. N., preacher of the gospel, to be their
minister; and the said Mr. A. N., having undergone
trials for ordination; and the Presbytery judging him
qualified for the ministry of the gospel, and fit to be pastor of this congregation, the call whereof has been by
him accepted, have resolved to proceed to his ordination
on the - day of -—, unless somewhat occur which
may lawfully impede it; and, therefore, do hereby give
notice to all concerned, that if they, or any of them, have
aught to object, why the said Mr. A. N. should not be
admitted pastor of this congregation, they may repair to
the Presbytery, which is to meet at -, on the --
day of -, with certification, that if no objection be
then made, the Presbytery will proceed without farther
delay.
By order of the Presbytery,        C.D., Mod.
E. F.,Clerk.




104
VIII. CERTIFICATE OF ORDINATION.
The United Presbyterian Presbytery of —, in the
State of —, having had a call from the congregation
of -, county of -, and State of -, to Mr. A. N.,
preacher of the gospel, presented to them, which they
sustained, and which he accepted, took him on trials for
ordination, and having judged him duly qualified for the
office of the gospel ministry, and in particular for the
pastoral charge of said congregation; and being presbyterially met at their ordinary place of public worship, on
the -     day of -, did then and there solemnly set
apart said Mr. A. N. in the face of the whole congregation there present, to the office of the holy ministry in
said congregation, and did afterwards receive him into
ministerial fellowship.*
By order of Presbytery,          C. D., Mod.
E. F., Clerk.
Given at —, on the -     day of -, A. D. 18-.
IX. FORm OF TRANSFER, IN CASE OF A CALL FROM ONE
PRESBYTERY TO ANOTHER.
The United Presbytery of -, in the State of -,
having received from the Presbytery of —, in the State
of -—, a call for Mr. A. N., to the pastoral charge of
the congregation at.-, under the inspection of the
Presbytery aforesaid, and said call being by them approved, and by him accepted; they did, and hereby do,
transfer and remit him to the Presbytery of -, for ordination (or admission) to the pastoral charge of said
congregation.
By order of Presbytery,          C. D., Nod.
E. F., Clerk.
Done at -, on the -    day of -, 18-.' When a candidate is ordained to the ministry at large, or when
the Presbytery cannot meet in the congregation to be settled, the form
ot the testimonials must be varied accordingly.




105
X. FORMI OF A COMIIISSION TO TIlE GENERAL ASSEMIBLY.
It is hereby certified, that the United Presbyterian
Presbytery of —, in the State of —, at their meeting on the -  day of —, did, and hereby do, appoint
Mr. A. N., minister at, Mr. C. D., minister at —,
with Mr. E. F. and Mr. G. HI., ruling elders, their commissioners to the next General Assembly of this church,
to meet at -, on the -  day. of -, next ensuing;
or when and where it shall happen to meet; enjoining
them  to repair thither, and attend at all the sittings
thereof; and there to consult, vote, and determine in all
matters that come before them, according to the word of
God and the standards of this church, as they will be answerable: and that they report their diligence herein at
their return.
By order of Presbytery,         J. K., Hod.
L. M., Clerk.
Done at -, this -    day of -, 18-.
XI. FORm OF A LIBEL.
Libel preferred against A. N., by order of-.
Whereas, (here insert the crime) is a heinous sin and
scandal, contrary to the word of God, (insert passages)
and to the profession of this church, (quote from standards) and injurious to the religion of Christ, and ought
to be censured.
Yet true it is that you, A. N., &c., are guilty in the
matter of scandal above specified, in so far as you, said
A. N. did at -     on the-  day of -, or thereabouts, (here insert facts) being found relevant and
proved against you, you ought to be proceeded against
by the censures of the Lord's house, according to the nature of your said offence and scandal.
Signed,              E. F., Nod.
G. If., C/(rk.
Done in -, at -, this -    day of -, 18-.




106
XII. FORM OF CITATION.
By order of the United Presbyterian Session (or Presbytery) of —, you Mr. A. N., member of, elder or
deacon in, or minister at -, are summoned to appear
before said, and answer to the libel herewith presented, at -, on the  -  day of -, and ato'clock in the.
Signed,                     C. D., Mod.
E. F., Clerk.
Done at -, this.. day of -, A. D. 18-.
XIII. FORM OF CITATION FOR A WITNESS.
Mr. A. N.,
You are hereby summoned by the Session (Presbytery, &c.,) of -, to appear at -, on the —.day
of -, to give testimony in a cause pending between C.
D. and E. F. Lay aside all excuses and fail not to attend.                                 A. N., Mod.
C. D., Clerk.
This -   day of -, and year of our Lord -.
XIV. FORni OF AN OATH TO BE ADMINISTERED TO A WITNESS.
"You swear by the living God, the searcher of all
hearts, that you will declare the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, according to the best of your
knowledge, in the cause now pending, as you shall answer to God at the great day."
XV. FORM OF AN ACT OF PUBLIC SUSPENSION.
Whereas A. N.,* -hath been convicted before thef
* Member, or elder, or deacon, of this congregation; or minister,
elder, deacon, or member of the congregation at
t Session of this church, or Session of the church at -, or Presbytery of —.




107
-     of -      [And whereas the --  have, from time to
time, and in the spirit of meekness, endeavoured, without effect, to reclaim their offending brother; *] and
whereas his continuing in his sin and refusing to listen
to the admonitions of his brethren, render it necessary
for the honour of Christ Jesus, for the purity of his religion, for a warning to others, and for his own benefit,
to inflict on him a public censure of the Lord's house;
the  -   did, and hereby do, in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and as a court constituted in his name, suspend and exclude the said A. N. from the privileges of
the church, till he return from the error of his way, and
give solid proofs of unfeigned repentance.
XVI. FoaRM OF AN ACT OF SUSPENSION 01 DEPOSITION
FROM OFFICE.
Whereas A. N. -     hath been convicted before the
--  of -, and whereas it is especially needful, that
office-bearers in the house of God be sound in the faith,
of good report, and, by their blameless conversation, ensamples to the flock; and whereas the continuance of the
said A. N. in the station which he presently holds, is, for
these reasons, incompatible with the welfare of the church,
the -- aforesaid did, and hereby do, in the name, and
by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, and according to the powers committed by him unto them as a court
constituted in his name,t       the said A. N. from the
office of the: -, prohibiting him from all and any exercise of the said office of the:.-     in the Church of
Christ; till he be lawfully restored thereto.
Signed,                     C. D., Mod.
E. F., Clerk.
Done in —, at —, this --  day of -:.
* The clause included in [-] to be omitted in cases where a public suspension may be necessary without these previous steps.
t Suspend or depose, as the case may require.
t Holy ministry, or eldership, or deaconship, according to his station.
The above form is to be observed in those cases where suspension
or deposition is necessary, whatever contrition be manifested; but
in the event of contumacy, or persisting in the scandal, the following clauses are to be added immediately before the signature of toue
Moderator and Clerk.




108
And whereas the said A. B. hath manifested, and doth
still manifest contumacious resistance to that authority
to which he oweth subjection in the Lord, and refuseth
to make just and scriptural satisfaction for his offence;
the -    farther did, and hereby do, in the same venerable name, suspend and exclude the said A. B. from
the privileges of the Christian Church; with certification,
that if he shall not return unto his duty, acknowledging
the - found proved against him, with his contumacious behavior, and confessing his humiliation and penitence therefor, to the glory of God; and apply to the
- against*        for giving satisfaction with respect
to the whole of this his sinful course and conduct, the.. will then consider on proceeding against him by
some higher censure, as they shall see cause.
XVII. FORM OF A SENTENCE OF EXCOMMUNICATION.
Whereast --  heinous sin and scandal- proved,
at the meeting of the United Presbyterian --  of --
on - day of  ~ against Mr. A. B., and whereas the
Lord Jesus hath especially given it in charge to the Judicatories of his house, not to suffer sin upon a brother,
but, in the fear of God, to endeavor to reclaim him by
authoritatively admonishing, rebuking, and otherwise
censuring him: all which hath accordingly been doneand whereas he remaineth obstinate and contumacious,
without any evidence or sign of repentance, or sorrow
for his said scandal and offence, notwithstanding all the
reclaiming means which have hitherto been used with
him: therefore the-   did, and hereby do, in the name
and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only
king and head of the church, and according to the powers
committed by him to them, as a court constituted in his
name, actually excommunicate the said A. B., casting
him out of the communion of the church of Christ, declaring him to be of those whom the Lord Christ commandeth to be holden by all and every one of the faithful, as heathen men and publicans; and delivering him
* Here insert the time, &c., of satisfaction.
t Matter of, -  or several matters of —, as the ca.se may be.




109
unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the split
may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
C. D., Moderator.   E. F., Clerk.
Done in -, this --  day of
XVIII. FORM OF AN ACT OF ABSOLUTION AND RESTORATION, AS IT IS TO BE INTIMATED TO ONE WHO HAS BEEN
EXCOMMUNICATED.
Whereas thou, A. B., hast, for thy sin, been shut out
from the communion of the faithful, and hast now manifested thy repentance, wherein the church resteth satisfied: the -- in the name, and by the-authority of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and according to the powers committed by him to them, as a court constituted in his name,
did, and hereby do, absolve thee from the censure of
excommunication formerly pronounced against thee, and
do restore thee to the communion of the church, and the
free use of all the ordinances of Christ, that thou mayst
partake of all his benefits to thy eternal salvation.
XIX. FORM OF A PRESBYTERIAL WARRANT FOR INTIMATING THE CENSURE ON EXCOMMUNICATION.
The  ~ of -- having found just cause of excommunication against A. B. on account of -  and of aggravated contumacy and impenitence therein, and having,
at their meeting at  ~ on the  ~ day of -    excommunicated him accordingly; did, and hereby do appoint
you, Mr. C. D., minister of the gospel at    to intimate said censure to the congregation at  on
day, the -    day of -  in the ordinary place of public
warship, and immediately after the conclusion of the
~- service, and in the following words: (Here insert
the act of excommunication.)




110
IX. FORM OF A PRESBYTERIAL WARRANT FOR INTIMATING
THE ABSOLUTION AND RESTORATION OF A PENITENT.
The -  of —  having found just and sufficient cause
of absolving A. B. from the censure of excommunication
under which he presently lies, and of restoring him to
the priviliges of the Lord's house; and having, at their
meeting at -  on the -    day of -    absolved and
restored - accordingly, did, and hereby do appoint
and direct you, Mlr. C. D., minister of the gospel atto intimate  -  absolution and restoration to the congregation at -   on  -  day of -    in the ordinary
place of public worship, and immediately after the conclusion of the -    service, and in the words following:
(Here insert the act of absolution.)