ARTICLES OF FAITH
AND
COVENANT
OF THI
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CtJURCH,
OF T=x
CITY OF DETROIT.
REVISED AND PRINTED, FEBRUARY 1860.
D ETROIT:
PRINTED BY W. W. HART, BOOK & JOB PRINTlfR
1850.








THE HISTORY  OF THE ORIGIN, &C., OF THE  FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DETROIT.
The First Presbyterian Church of Detroit grew up with the first emigration of Protestant population of sufficient numbers to institute a
church. From the first settlement of the place, the inhabitants were
chiefly French, and belonged to the Roman Catholic faith. In 1816,
on the 6th of June, the Rev. Mr. John Montieth, as a missionary commissioned by the Board of Missions of the General Assembly, of the
Presbyterian Church of the United States, commenced his labors in
this place.  On the 5th of August, of the same year, a meeting of citizens of the Protestant faith, was held, for the purpose of organizing a
society for the support of religious worship. In the following May,
1817, a petition was presented to the Governor and Judges of the
Territory, for a lot to be granted for a Protestant Church. In 1819, in
compliance with that petition the lot now in their possession, was voted to " The First Protestant Society," which was the tittle taken by
the church and congregatio(n. The labors of Mr. Monteith had been
blessed, and, during the previous yea:r he had org'anized a Presbyterian
Church, and ordained as Ruling Elders, Mr. J. Demming, Mr. Levi
Erown, and Mr. Lemuel Shattock.  Ile continued his labors with the
congregation until January 17, 1819, when he was appointed to go
abroad and solicit funds for the erection of a place of worship. On
June 17, 1819, he had returned and reported that he had collected for
that purpose, the sum of $1,122,46.  In 1821, Mr. Montieth ceased
L;is labors, after the first edifice had been erected where the Presbyterian lecture room now stands, on the lot granted by the Governor and
Judges; and on July 23rd, of that year, when about to leave, an address was voted to him by the congregation. On the fifteenth of October, of the same year, measures were adopted to reorganize the society,
which had not yet been incorporated, and, on the 30th of November'
afterwards a new constitution was adopted and the Trustees directed to
procure an act of incorporation. On December 7th, of the same year,




a call was given by the congregation to the Rev. Mr. Barrow, a Presbyterian minister in New York. Failing in this call, on the 10th of
May, 1822, the trustees were authorized to employ the Rev. Mr. Welton as a supply, for such time as the pulpit might be vacant, or an-.other person employed. In July 9, 1822, the Rev. Mr. Grattan,
who had been employed, was paid for one months services as a supply. In July 11th, 1822, the Rev. Mr. Moore, who after Mr. Montieth,:had been appointed and employed by the Board of Missions of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church as a missionary,:arrived and began to labor with the congregation; and on September
-22, 1822, he was employed by the congregation as a stated supply,for one year. He continued to labor in the congregation until July
1, 1824, when he ceased his connection with them. In March 4,
1823. Mr. B. F. H. Witherel was appointed to procure an act of incorporation, and on the 31st of the same month, the trustees were
authorized to employ a successor to Mr. Moore. In August 2nd, 1824,
the Rev. Mr. Cadle was authorized to occupy the pulpit until other
measures be adopted, should Mr. Moore in the mean time decline to
do so. Mr. Moore did not return, and the Rev. Noah M. Wells was
called, and commenced his labors as pastor in itray, 1825. The Elders who had been elected and ordained in 1818, and many of the
members of the church also having removed, and the church being in
need of officers, it was reorganized Jan. 23, 1826, when it was found
to number seven male and thirty-one female members, and Messrs,
Stephen C. Henry, Eurotus P. Hastings, John J. Demming, and
Asbel S. Wells were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. On February 3rd, 1827, Dr. Justin Rice, and Mr. Chas. C. Sears were ordained and added to ti.e elderships. In August 4th, 1833, Benjamin F. Larned, Edward Bingham and HI. Hallock were also ordained
and added to the Eldership. Mr. Wells having resigned his pastorial
relation to the church, in July, 1834, the Rev, John P. Cleveland became the pastor; and in October 8th, of the same year, Mr. Stephen
Wells was ordained an Elder, and added to the session. On November 12th 1835, Mr. Robert Stuart and Chas G. Hammond were
added to the Eldership; and on July 7th, 1838, Messrs. Jonathan
Kearsley and David French were farther added to the session.




The Rev. Mr. J. P. Cleveland having resigned his pastoral relation to the church the Rev. Geo. Duffield, of the city of New York,
having been invited to become the pastor, arnived and began to labor
on the 1st of October, 1838. The call, which was unanimously addressed to him by the church and society on the     of the same
month, was accepted by him, and he was installed on the 1 th of
December following, by the Presbytcly of Detroit. On the 22nd
of May, 1848, Messrs. Thomas Rowland, Alexander MIcFarran, Alanson Sheely and Thomas J. Hulbert, were ordained and added to the
Eldership, and David French was ordained as Deacon in addition to'
E. P. Hastings, who had been ordained such seven years before.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, in publishing new edition of the leading articles of its Faith and Covenant, take
occasion to unfold the views and principles by which they are regulatAd, with respect to the admission of members into fellowship, and to the
nature of the covenant binding all in union.
The Book of Discipline and Form of Government of the Presbyterian
Church, which set forth the principles and order of Presbyterian government, recognize and affirm, that the duty and responsibility of judging
as to the qualifications and admission of members into fellowship and of
return, are devolved on the Elders together with the Pastor, who constitute the Session. (See Form of Gov. ch. 8, sec. 2., and ch. 9, sec. 6.)
They have no power to make laws binding on the conscience, being
merely possessed of declarative, executive and judicial authority, in the
exercise of which functions regard must be had to the Law of Jesus
Christ, the great and only Head of the Church. (See Prel. Prin. of the
Form of Gov. ch. 1, sec. 2-7, ch. 8, sec. 2.) The word of God or Sacred




0
Scriptures, contain the laws by which He is pleased to govern His body;
and therefore nothing oughlt to be, or can lawfully be, made a term of
fellowship, and required in order to admission to the church, but what
Hie has enacted; neither can any thing lawfully be omitted or compromitted, which He has ordained.  (Form of Gov. ch. 1, sec. 7.)  To
prescribe terms of communion which Jesus Christ has not dictated, and
to refuse fellowship to such as do not conform to them, is to trespass on
personal liberty, to usurp His prerogative, and to make those who do so,
"lords over God's heritage," in direct contravention of His o'vn solemn
interdiction.  To give way and admit to fellowship, where there is not
conformity, at least ill tie judgmnent oi charity, an honcst profession, and
a promise of c.)nfornity to tie commands of Jesus Christ, in any resp(ct'lwhatever, is to betray the trust reposed in the office-bearers of the
clhurch by its great Head, to violate their obligations to him, and to
open the door for traitors and enemnies, to the great detriment of true
religion, and injury of His cause iled body.  Such responsibilities require great seriousness, watchfulness, conscientiousness, and intelligent
care and prayerfulness.  Hience conversation with appllicants, to enable
them to examnine themselves, and tender faithful attempts to ascertain their
views and feeilings, their experience and li.ciples, thllat they may thus
better j-udge wiether they possess the qualitications wlhic  Jesus Chllrist
has prescribed, become altogeti:her indispensible.  In judging of these
things, they are to be g'uidled by thoe word of God or sacred Scriptures,
and to extend the privileg( s of His house only to those, who, in the judg?
ment of charity, give credible evidence of their beng' in covenant with
The Church of God, in its external visible relation to HIim, as an organlized body, ori-ginated with the Abralhamic covenant. (Gen. xvii,
1-13.)  The Sinaitic covenalAt was adapted to the political relation of
the Jewish pcople to God, as their national Sovereign and Ruler.  Its
ratification by no means affected the integrity or terms of the Albrahamic covelnant; neither did its abrogation. (Gal. iii, 17.)  The Church
of God has remained one, organized on the same basis, and recognising
the same terms and relation, whether under the Old or New Testament
dispensation. (Eph. ii, 12-22.)  The terms of the Abrahamic covenant
are given in God's offer of himself as the all-sufficient One, first, on His




part, to be " our shield and our exceeding great reward," and next ouii.
consent to the obligation of His command, and our sincere and honest
purpose to " walk before (Him) and be perfect," involving His gracious
tender of himself in like character and relation to our offspring, according to the instituted sign of His covenant, and our recognized obligations
to regard them  as His, and train them  up for Him.  Our cordial acceptance, therefore, of God as He offers himself in Christ, in the fulness
and adaptation of His sufficiency to all our weekness and want,, guilt
and wretchedness, for time and eternity, and the sincere consent and
honest engagement of our hearts with Hiln to keep all His commandmenti, are the gracious term; of the church covenant, which God has
instituted.  We have no righllt to dictate any other.  Refusing to accept
Him as He offers himself to us, and to consent cordially to these obligations, no adult has any iight to claim chiurch or covens n- relationship to
Ilimself.  What these term- were, or dictated to Abraham, they remain
still, the covenant never havino been abrogated.  What are commonly
called church covenants and in common use in churches, are of no value
or authority, if they are founded on any other basis.  They do not, and
cannot of right, originate with the church officers or society of its members, who may agree, or choose to dictate, what they will consent to in
this or the other respect, and whom they will recognise or not, according
to tests of their own devising, as worthy of admission. Unless the terms
are what God prescribes, their covenants are of human origin, and of
no authority.  God alone is Lord of the conscience, and has the exclusive
right to say on what terms IIe will receive any of us into covenant with
Ilimself. Ilavinjg done this in the Old Testament Scriptures, with th;
fuller exposition of the New, they must be our warrant and guide, as
well, in our collective character, as churches, as in our personal character
as individuals. IHe that does not cordially consent to the terms of God's
covenant, and engage intelligently and cod:ally to keep all His commandments, cannot and ought not to be recognized as being in covenant with God, nor admitted to the fellowship of His church. It is at
the peril of God's displeasure, and to the great injury of the church and
use of Jsus Christ, and to the peace, purity and brotherly affection of
its members, that the officers of the church admit any other than those
iwhoiy cedibIeeviileence oftitse tw, facts, viz. that they do intelli:ly,




8
with all the heart, accept and avouch God as their God, according to the
offer He makes of Himself, through Jesus Christ, and as honestly and
sincerely own their obligations, and engage to keep all His commandments.
The phraseology of the formula according to which this covenant engagement with God is made, as given in this edition, is substantially in all
respects the same with that heretofore in use in this church, and is also
the same in substance with that which God dictated to Abraham,
though expressed in language more extended and specific, and adapted
to the clearer revelations of the New Testament. That part of it which
specifically relates to the covenant with the church and its members, as
a whole, is but the recognition of, and assent to, admitted obligations,
both on the part of the members received, and of the church, as to duties which God has enjoined on all His people assumed into covenant
relationship with Himself.
That the views and principles on which the Session proceed, in
judging of the qualifications of those applying to be received as members of Christ's body, and what they judge to be credible evidence,
of Christian character, or of genuine conversion to God, on the part
of those desiring to be admitted to the fellowship of the church, there
has been introduced an enumeration of certain duties and obligations
which the officers of their church and its members from the beginning believe to be required and imposed directly or indirectly, in the
word of God, on all who would be accounted in very deed the covenant people of God. The specification is by no means carried out in
the full detail in which it is found in the word of God, but it is given
merely, in some, respects as the testimony in relation to the duties of
holiness to be discharged,and the sins to be avoided, by all true christians
who, to be such, must cordially recognize the authority of Jesus Christ,
and the obligations Hie imposes on all his covenant people and followers, without exception, to keep all the commandments of God. This
testimony is given, that all may understand both the principles, and
rules of God's word according to which, an estimate of christian cbaracter and of credibls profession, is made in this church on the part of
its officers and admitted members, and also the duties and obligations
of holiness, to which, all who cordially enter into covenant with God,,




are required sincerely to consent to, conscientiously to aim to discharge, before God, and unblameably to observe before men. They are
also part and parcel of,hat testimony, which as witnesses for Jesus
Christ, all his piofessed followers are bound, in their lives and conversation, to bear, according to His word, for the reproof and benefit
of a world which lieth in wickedness, as well as for His glory.  With
his deficiencies in heart before God in any respect, each one has to do
with Him alone, in the way of private confession to Him, and repentance
before Him.  As to instances of failure, in the sight of mnan, through
prevalent temptation  on the part of any who profess religion,
while the obligation binds to warn, repr:ove, rebuke, exhort, and
entreat, as the circumstances of tlhe case may require, the sacred
Scriptures impose on the officers of the church, solemn responsibilities, duly to weigh all those circumstances, and to judge whether there has been such an absolute vitiation of all claims to christian character, as to call for their ejection from  the  fellowship
of the church, and how far forbearance and forgiveness may be rendered necessary to reclaim the erring and bring the backsliding to repentance.  Occasional acts, determined by the force of temptation,
hold a very different place in the estimate of cllhristian character, from
those which are wilful, deliberate, repeated, persisted in and habitual,
proving the settled bias of the will or inclination and purpose of the
heart.
There have been added also, as helps for holy living and self-examination, various resolutions and questions which are recommended to
the occasional perusal of the members of the chllurh, and which it is
hoped may be blessed of God to their advancement and stability in
the divine life.
In conclusion, the officers of the church desire and solicit the constant prayers and the cordial, conscientious and brotherly co-operation
of allihe members of the church over whom they are called to watch
as those who must give an account, so that God's blessing may ever
rest upon us as His covenant people, and He be graciously pleased to
own and employ us, as instruments in His hand, not only for our mutual
edification, but for the conviction and conversion, and bringing into
His covenant, of them that are without,
2




10
FORM  OF INTRODUCTION  INTO THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DETROIT, MICH.
(The pastor shall address the persons, whom the Session have admitted, when. upon their names being called, they shall have appeared before the church, immediately prior to the administration of the
Lord's Supper; and he shall make the following or similar remarks:)
ADDRESS.
BELOVED IN THE LORD: YOU, who for the first time approach this
table of the Lord, have here presented yourselves, before God and
this church, to profess your faith in Jesus Christ, and your covenant
engagements to serve Him, and also publicly to incorporate yourselves
with these its members in full and visible membership. Your present
act does not constitute you members, having already been admitted
as such by the vote of the Session. It merely introduces you to your
brethren and sisters in Christ, with whom you engage to walk according to the faith and order of the gospel as professed by this church.
Neither does your present act create any obligations to serve God,
that did not previously exist; but merely recognizes, and renews your
assent to, those which you now see you ought to have discharged,
ever since you were capable of understanding the divine claims upon
your conscience. It is your sin that you have so long refused to own
them. And you now confess your past rebellion, and declare your
hearty surrender of yourselves to God, the Father, the Son, and the
IHoly Spirit, in all the offices they discharge for the government and
salvation of men, as well as your deliberate purpose to live in subjection to Christ, and to identify your interests, for ever with Him and
His church.
We trust that this thing has been seriously and carefully considered by you. It is solemn in its nature; and its consequences will be
eternal. God, angels and men, are witnesses of this transaction. It
will be recorded in Heaven and on earth, and will live in your own
delightful or mournful remembrance, amid the songs of the redeemed
or the wailings of the lost.




1!
Yet with these reflections you need not be overwhelmed. You
come at the command of Jesus Christ to confess Him before men as
your divine Lord and Master, who has said, "My grace is sufficient
for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Gal. 12: 9.
You, too, beloved, who have been received into the fellowship of
this church, upon your letters of dismission and recommendation from
sister churches, do also here present yourselves, to own your obligations, and to covenant to walk in fellowship with this church according to the faith and order of the gospel here professed. We cordially greet you, and welcome you to this fold of Jesus Christ, hoping
and praying, that your fellowship with us, may be as profitable and
pleasurable to you, as that from which, in the providence of God, you
have been removed. Attend to the
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
I.
There is ONE GOD, Father, Son, and Holy Gost, who created all
things by the word of His power, for His own glory.
Dut. vi. 4; 1 Cor. viii. 6; 1 John. v. 7; 2 Cor. xiii. 14; Col. i. 16.
II.
God is eternal in his existence, immutable in his purposes, universal in his providence, infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and
truth.
1 Tim. i, 1'7; 3 Psh. i, 9-11; Luk. xii, 5-7; Jude. v, 25-2.
III.
God is the only proper object of religious worship, and is worthy of
supreme love, and constant obedience.
1 Thes. i, 10; Exod. xx, 3-5; Math. xxii, 3'7; John. xv, 10.
IV.
JESUS CHRIST is God and man, having two.distinct natures and
one person.
Phil. ii, 5-11; Heb. i, 3-8-10; ii, 14; Col. i, 15-19.
V.
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by in.
spiration of God, and are a perfect rule of faith and practice.
2 Tim. iii, 16-1'7; 1 Pet. i, 10-12; 2 Pet. i, 16-20.




1-9
VI.
MIan was originally created in a state of innocence, but by voluntary
transgrcssion, became a sinner, and all his posterity are naturally dectitute of holiness, and, therefore, under condemnation by the law of God.
Gen. i, 26; Eccl. vii, 29; Rom. v, 12; viii, 5-8.
VII.
Jesus Christ, as the only Mediator between God and man, has made
an atonement for the sins of the world, so that God is just in justifying all who bclievc upon His name.
1 Tim. ii, 5-6; 1 John. ii, 1-2; Rom. iii, 25-26.
VIII.
The justification of a sinner before God, is an act of His grace, by
which He accepts him  as righteous, not for any worthiness of his
own, but wholly on account of the righteousness of Jesus Christ received by fiaith.
Rom. viii, 1-4; iii, 28; iv, 5-8.
IX.
Justifying faith is not mere knowledge or assent, but a believing
with the heart; and its virtue to save, is not because of its being a
deed of lighteousness, the substance of holiness, or the sum of obedience; but as it is the means of union W'ith Christ, of adoption into His
family, and of receiving tl e benefits of His redemption.
Rom. x, 3-10; Tit. iii, 4-7; Gal. ii, 16-21; John. i, 12.
X.
Love to God, repentance for sin, and a life of holiness, are the certain
consequences and the indispensable evidence of justification by faith.
Rom. vi, 1-33.
XI.
Nothing preven's repentance and salvation but voluntary  continuance in sin, yet none will ever repent, or be saved, without th  infuence of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Jer. vii, 23-28; 1 Cor. xii, 3.
XII.
God has determined to secure the salvation of some, and all such
will be renewed by his Spirit, kept by his power, and saved by his grace.
Eph. i, 4, 5; 1 Pet. i, 3-8.




13
XIII.
The Sacraments of the New Testament are baptism, and the Lord's
Supper.  The former is to be administered to such as publicly profess
their faith in Ch:ist and to their households; the latter, only to those
members of christian churches, who are in good standing.
Math. xxviii, 19; 1 Cor. xi, 23-26; Acts. viii, 37; xvi, 31-33.
XIV.
There will be a resurrection of the dead; both of the righteous and
the wickeJ.
Dan. xii, 2; John. v, 28-29.
VII.
There will be a day of general Ju Igment, when all mankind will
receive a just sentence of retribution, according to the deeds done in
the body; and the punishment of the wicked, as well as the happiness
of the righteous, will be ENxDLESS.
Rev. xx, 12, 13; xxi, 7, 8.
Thus you profess to believe: attend now to
THTE COVENANT.
You do now, in the sight of God, confess vour past opposition to
Him,l your impenitent and unbelieving rejection of Christ,2 and the
manifold transgressions of your lives,3 in your unconverted state; all
which you cordially condemn and renounce;4 but believing, that there
is mercy freely offered to you through Jesust Christ,5 — and that you
have in His Word an ample warrant6 to look to Him  for pardon and
Saivation,7 to confide in, and appropriate Him,s as your prophet to instruct you,9 your priest to atone for your sins,10 and your King and
Lord to Shave dominion over you," —you do so!emn!y avouch"- God
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the One only living and
true God, to be your God. l: the object of your supreme affection, and
your everlasting portion,14 —freely accepting and choosing the Father
to be your Father,'5 the Son to be your all sufficient Redeemer,'6
Intercessor, and only Mediator,'7 and the Holy Spirit to be your
Teache, Sanctifier, Comforter and GTuide.'8
l Isai. i,2. 2 Isai. liii, 3. 3Psalm xxxii, 3: li. 3.  4Job xlii, 6.  5Jer. iii, 12:
Jude 21.  6 Palm cxix, 58.  7 Isai. xlv, 22.  8Psalm lxii, 8.  9Deut xviii, 15.
C6ieb. iv, 14-1,. " Jsai. xxvi, 13. 12Deut. xxvi, 17, 18. 13 Psalm xlviii, 14:
lxviii, 20.'4 Psalm xviii 1, 2: cxix, 57. 15 sai. lxiii, 13: xiv; 8. 16 Psalm xix,
14   I  Tim. ii, 5.e 18John Xiv. 15,16, 26.




14
Renouncing the world,1 the flesh,2 and the devil,3 with all their
ungodly and worldly lusts,4 you do now freely, in the fixed choice and
purpose of your hearts,5 give up yourselves, soul, spirit and body, to
be the Lord's6 for ever.
1 Jam. iv, 4: 1 John ii, 15. 2 Gal. v, 24. 3 II Tim. ii, 25, 26: I John iii, 8, 10.
4 Tit. ii, 12. 5 Psalm 1vii, 7: Psalm lxxiii, 24-26. 6 I Thes. v, 23: Psalm xvi, 2:
Josh. xxiv, 15.
You promise and covenant, to walk before Him in Holiness and
Righteousness, all the days of your life,' sincerely endeavoring, in reliance on His grace, to perform every known duty, to forsake every
known sin, especially your besetting sins,2 to conquer every sinful
passion,3 to walk after the example of Christ,4 to avoid all sinful
stumbling blocks, and occasions of offence, as becomes the disciples of
the meek and lowly Jesus, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.5'. I Thess. iii, 12, 13: II Cor. vii, 1. 2 Eph. v, 21, 22, 25: vi, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9: I Pet.
ii, 13, 14. 3 Gal. v, 24: I Pet. ii, 11. 4 Eph. v, 1,2: I Pet. ii, 21. 5 Gal. v. 19-26:
Tit. ii, 10-12.
You receive the members of this church as your brethren and sisters in Christ, and promise to exercise, with tenderness and fidelity, a
christian watch and care over them, as far as you may have knowledge and opportunity.1
1 Heb. iii, 12,13: I Thess. v, 14.
You promise also and covenant, to submit to the government of
Christ, in his church, and while you continue with us, to the regular
and lawful administration of the same, in this church in particular, 1
which, to be such, must be agreeably to the Confession of Faith, the
Form of Government, and Book of Discipline, which form the
oonstitutional standards of the Presbyterian church in these United
States,2 and which we recommend to your frequent perusal; and
when, in the providence of God, you may be called to reside elsewhere, to ask and take with you, letters of dismission and recommendation, with a view to enter into visible fellowship with some christian church, where the ordinances of the gospel may be maintained,
and your lot may be cast.3'Heb. xiii, 7, 17: I Tim. v, 17: I Thess. v, 12, 13.  2Phi. iii, 16,17-19: II Thess.
iii, 6. 3 I Cor. xiv, 33.




15
THE TESTIMONY.-AcTs I, 8: MAT. X, 32, 33.
(Here the pastor shall address the persons covenanting, briefly, or
in a more extended manner, according as he may think time or circumstances may require or suggest, and either refer to, or read at length,
the following testimony as to the life of holiness which God requires,
and the church expects, in all her members.)
Ordinarily, he may say to them:
In thus covenanting with God and this church, we expect you cordially and conscientiously to unite with us, by your blameless walk
and conversation, in maintaining that TESTIMONY, according to the
word of God, borne by this church, in favor of the duties of holiness,
which all who porfess the religion of Jesus Christ, are bound to lead,
and against those sins of the world that lieth in wickedness, which all
are bound to forsake.
(When the above is read, the following is to be omitted; or, on
particular occasions, he may omit the foregoing, and read as follows:)
In thus covenanting with God and his church, beloved brethren and
sisters in Christ, we expect you cordially and conscientiously to unite
with us in bearing common TESTIMONY by a blameless walk and conversation, in favor of the duties of a life of holiness, and against the
sins of the world that lieth in wickedness, Eph. i, 4, and iv, 17-19;
according as the word of God sets forth those obligations, viz:
I. To OBSERVE SECRET AND FAMILY PRAYER. Mat. vi, 5, 6: Josh.
Xxiv, 15.
II. To SANCTIFY THE SABBATH —by abstaining from all worldly business, traveling, and recreations on that day, and by appropriating
it to the purposes of divine worship. Isai. lviii, 13: Exod. xx, 8, &c.
III. To OBSERVE THE ORDINANCES WHICH GOD HAS APPOINTED:
1. By attending and contributing to maintain His worship and the
preaching of His gospel, especially as established in this church..
Heb. x, 25: Luke i, 6.
2. By frequenting the Lord's Supper, especially when here administered. 1 Cor. xi, 23-26.
3. By dedicatiing to Him, in Baptism, when parents, the children
God bath given, and by training them up to walk in obedience to His




1:8
commands, and observance of His ordinances.  Gen. xvii, 7-14: Rom.
xi, 11-18,; Rom. ii, 28, 29: iv, 9-16: Col. ii, 11, 12: Acts ii, 38,
39: xvi, 31, 33: 1 Cor. i, 16.
IV. To CULTIVATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND BROTIIERLY LOVE:
1. By studying to be more and more conformed, in spirit and behaviour, to Jesus Christ.  Eph. v, 1, 2.
2. By not taking up a reproach against a brother or sister.  Psalm
xv, 3: Lev. xix, 16-18.
3. By not impeaching the motives, nor condemning the character
and conduct of a brother or sister on mere rumor or suspicion. Mat.
vii, 1-5.
4. By refraining from all back-biting, speaking evil of, and circulating injurious accusations, against the chlaracter of a brother or sister;
especially, if there is not personal knowledge of the things alleged; or
there may be an unwillingness and neglect to visit, and in private conversation, obtain, if false, denials of such injurious accusations or reports; if misstatements, such explanations'is may remove the scandal;
or if true, to do what Christ has enjoined to bring the offending to
repentance, or to promote the peace, purity and welfare of the church.
Psalm xv, 3: Mat. xviii, 15-17.
5. By maintaining uprightness, honesty, and sincerity, in worldly
transactions and social intercourse.  Psalm  xv, 2, 4: 1 Col. v, 8: 2
Cor. i, 12.
6. By guarding against whatever, in conduct or conversation, is inc-onsistent with a christian profession, and injurious, to the spiritual
welfare of christian brethren, to the reputation, influence and usefulness of the church, and to the interests of vital godliness.  Psalm
101: 1-7: 1 Thess. iv, 12: v, 22: Phil. iv, 8.
V.'To RENOUNCE THE WORLD WHICH LIETH IN WI:ICKEDNESS:
1. By coming out from the fellowship of wicked and ung,)dly men.
2 Cor. vi, 17, 18: Eph. v, 11: 1 Cor. v, 9-11: 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14,
15.
2. By refusing to co-operate with wicked and ungodly persons in
their sinful works and enjoyments. Psalm cxli, 4




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VI. To AVOID ALL THOSE CUSTOMS AND RECREATIONS WHICH LEAD
OTIIERS TO SIN:
1. Such as giving and partaking of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.*  1 Tim. v, 22: Rev. xviii, 3: Heb. ii, 15: 1 Cor. ix, 22, 27
Rom. xiv. 21: Eph. v, 7, 18: Isai. v, 12.
2. Public balls, dancing parties, theatres, and whatever places of
amusement are inconsistent with, and destroy confidence in, christian
character and profession, wound the-cause of Christ, injure the godly
reputation of the church, or prove stumbling blocks in the way of
impenitent and unbelieving men. Isai. v, 12: iii, 16: Mack. v, 22:
Rom. xiii, 13: Eph. ii, 2, 3: vi, 11, 15: 1 Pet. iv, 3: Rom. xiv, 13:
xii, 1-3: Phil. i, 27.
(Here all the members of the church rising, the minister shall address those introduced at the time, as follows, in testimony of ACCEPTANCE:)
BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: We, the members and
officers of this church, being pleased and satisfied with your professions and engagements, cordially recognize you as members with us,
and welcome you to our fellowship; and we promise and covenant,
through divine grace, to receive and love you as christians, to exercise a brotherly watch and care over you, to pray for you and to seek
your confidence as long as you shall continue with us.
(The church being seated, the minister will address the new mem —
bers as follows, in some such words of EXHORTATION:)
BELOVED IN THE LORD: You have witnessed a good confession; you
have recognized and assented to engagements from which you can
never escape. Your vows will meet you at the bar of God. You can
* NOTE. This testimony the church adopted specially, after the matter had
been submitted by the Session for consideration, and discussed at four successive
meetings of members. It was embodied in a report brought in by Messrs. E.
Bingham, Geo. E. Hand and A. Sheeley, adopted by the church March 31, 1841,
and pressed on the attention of all in a pastoral letter, addressed to the members
inpursuance of said report, and adopted by the Session April 22, 1841, and signed by the mroderator and all the elders.
Copies of the resolutions of the Churchl and Session will be found in the ap}en(lix.




18
never be as you have been, but must henceforth and forever be the
servants of God. Apostacy will lead to perdition. From the holy
and reasonable obligations you have just recognized, you can never absolve yourselves. Nor can you separate yourselves from God's visible
church, and cease to walk with his professing people, without being
guilty of covenant breaking, becoming traitors to Jesus Christ, and
exposing yourselves to the righteous displeasure of God. You cannot
be justified in absenting yourselves from  the worship and ordinances
of Christ's house, for any other reason than such as may be resolved
into the directing overruling and controling providence of God. You
are the Lord's by your own act of self-commitment and conecration,
and we trust that you will ever hereafter sincerely desire and consistently aim to live for His glory to whom you have now consecrated
yourselves. The eyes of the world will be upou you. As you demean yourselves consistently or otherwise, so will religion, and this
church, through you, be honored or disgraced. If you live according
to the gospel, you will be a comfort to us, but if not, a stumblingblock, a grief and a vexation. And if there be a wo pronounced upon him who offends ofne of Christ's little ones, wo! wo! wo! be to the
person who offends a whole church. But, beloved, we hope better
things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus
speak. We charge you forget not this day and these engagements.
Be faithful unto death. Be holy in all manner of conversation and
godliness, "looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
God;" and may the God of all peace and consolation keep your minds
and hearts in Christ Jesus, waiting for the mercy of God unto eternal
life. Grace be with you all. Amen.




AP PEND I X.
RESOLUTIONS AND QUESTIONS.
The following resolutions, designed to direct the members of the
church in maintaining a consistent walk, are recommended to their careful observance and frequent perusal:
1. Resolved. That I will make it a matter of conscience to attend all
the meetings for social worship appointed by the church, except when
prevented by the providence of God, and endeavor not to fear or be
ashamed when called on to take part in them.
2. Resolved, That I will make it a matter of conscience to do what
I can by my pecuniary ability, to promote the cause of the Redeemer,
and that I will take care punctually to discharge my pecuniary obligations to this church as they become due.
3. Resolved, That I will sincerely desire, and pray, and labor, for the
salvation of my children, and such youth, whether apprentices or others,
as may be committed to my care, making it a matter of conscience to
maintain regularly the worship of God in my family.
4. Resolved, That I will keep my tongue from  speaking evil of a
brother or sister of the church, and if in any thing I becomnie displeased
with such, I will follow the gospel rule and tell him or her my feelings
between ourselves alone.
5. Resolved, That I will cultiva.e a spirit of christian tenderness towards the failings and imperfections of my brethren, and if at any time
I think their conduct reprehensible, I will admonish them before I allow myself to speak of it to others.
6. Resolved, That I will make it a matter of conscience never to visit
any place of amusement, or seek any place of pleasure, on which I cannot first ask the divine blessing, or where it may be deemed intrusive to
introduce the subject of religion.




20
7. Resolved, That I will hold myself ready to forgive, and will pray
for my enemies.
8. Resolved, That I will deny myself every sinful gratification, and
the indulgence of every improper passion, and endeavor to be instrumental in bringing sinners to repentance.
9. Resolved, That in the prosecution of my worldly business, I will
rather suffer loss than be guilty of any act of injustice, oppression, deception, or fraud.
10. Resolved, That I will never abuse or impeach the motives of my
fellow christians when they may ask me for pecuniary aid for some benevolent purpose, and that I will endeavor to act in all cases agreeably
to the obligations that rest on those whom God holds responsible as his
stewards.
[The following questions are affectionately recommended to the prayerful and frequent perusal of each member of this church, and are designed to aid in the discharge of the duty of self-examination:]
1. Are you in the practice of daily secret prayer?
2. Are you in the practice of daily family prayer?
3. Do you, daily, with a prayerful desire to improve in christian
knowledge, read the word of God? and do you feel it to be your duty
to attend, whenever you can, the weekly lecture, at which the sacred
scriptures are regularly expounded?
4. Do you feel it to be your duty to do something, as opportunity offers, to bring sinners to repentance?
5. Do you pray every day that God would bless his truth to the
conviction and conversion of sinners? 
6. Are you doing any thing to further the salvation of the rising
generation, in Sabbath schools and Bible classes?
7. Are you at peace with all who love Christ?
8. If you are at variance with a christian professor, will you go
without delay, and if you have been injured, proffer forgiveness, and if
you have done the injury, profess repentance and make amends for it?
9. Are you as tender of the reputation of a brother as of your own?
10. Do you labour to promote your own and the sanctification of
your brethren?




21
11. Do you pray daily for your minister:,nd tleo, officers of this
church?
12. Do you labor to keep your heart constantly alive to a sense of
obligation. 1. To God. 2. To all the friends of the Saviour. 3. To
your perishing fellow creatures?
13. Do you feel it to be your duty to consecrate all you have and
are, to the Lord?
14. Have you done or said any thing out of revenge or envy, and if
so, will you immediately repent of it?
15. Do you maintain strict temperance in eating and drinking, abstaining from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage and front all
appearance of evil?
16. Are you careful when you hear an ill-natured or injurious remark in reference to a christian brother, either to admonish the person
who has made it or never repeat it yourself?
17. Are you careful in narations never to speak ally thing as true
except, what you know to be so, and do you beware of asserting as truth
what is only your own inference or conjecture or suspicion.
18. Do you sanctify the Sabbath by avoiding all trifling conversation, and paying of visits on that day, and the spending more than an
ordinary portion of it in sleep, by appropriating it carefully to the purposes of divine worship, and especially some portion of it more than ordinary to secret prayer and meditation?
19. Do you extend your christian charity to the members of all such
religious denominations as profess Evangelical piety?
20. Will you read these questions and the preceding resolutions before each communion season at least, and pray God to search your
heart in reference to the several points of christian practice suggested
by them.
NOTICES.
Public worship is observed every Sabbath at stated hours, varying according
to the season.
There is a weekly Lecture every Wednesday evening, and a general prayer
meeting every Friday evening.
A Female Bible class is held every Thursday afternoon during the winter season, and the children catechised the same afternoon.
The first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September and November,
are the stated periods for the commemoration of the death of Christ, ill the sacrament of the Lord's Supper,




22
RESOLUTIONS
Adopted at a meeting of the Members of the First Presbyterian
Church of Detroit, held March 31, 1841.
WHEREAS, intemperance prevails to a sad extent in this place, notwithstanding all the efforts heretofore made to prevent it; and whereas,
christian duty, and consistency of christian conduct in the exhibition of
examples of temperance and self-denial, and every virtue, impose especial
obligations and responsibilities, on members of the church of Jesus
Christ; and whereas, the renewed zeal of the friends of temperance, and
present circumstances propitious to the reformation of the habits of society, in reference to the use of intoxicating drinks, together with the
success attendant on the judicious efforts of temperance societies, call
for an expression of our sentiments and action, appropriate to our character as professed friends and followers of Jesus Christ: therefore,
Resolved, That as members of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we approve of temperance societies formed on the principle of entire
abstinence from intoxicating liquors used as a beverage, and recommend
them as being calculated to prove efficient means of preventing the increase and ravarges of intemperance; and we feel bound in duty to God,
to his cause, to our fellow men, and to the interests of society, to abstain ourselves entirely from the traffic in, or use of, intoxicating liquors
as a beverage, and to withhold the presentation of them in our families, to others, and to discourage by our example and influence, the use
of them in society.
Resolved, further, That although we cannot but regret, if any of our
immediate brethren, or any of the members of any other church of our
Lord Jesus Christ, whatever, should not feel it to be their duty to practice entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, and to discourage the
use of them in others, yet, nevertheless, without attempting or claiming any right to judge our brethren, we would earnestly recommend to
such, the serious and prayerful consideration of this subject, and affectionately to inquire whether they should not feel themselves morally
bound, if not to adopt the temperance pledge, at least, themselves, to
practice on the principles of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors
as a beverage, and to discourage the use of them in others.




23
Resolved, That the preamble and resolutions just adopted, be copied
into a blank book of suitable size, and placed in the hands of the pas.tor; and that every member of this church be affectionately requested
to subscribe his or her name to the same. That the Pastor and members of the session be requested to sign their names first.
Resolved, That the resolutions lately adopted on the subject of temperance, be transmitted to the session, with our earnest request that
they will recommend such further measures, as may be the best and
most efficient for the church to take in this matter.
April 15, 1841, the above resolutions were laid before session; wereupon,
The session, after having maturely considered the subject, unanimously adopted the following resolutions, and directed the clerk to
spread them upon the records:
Resolved, That we deem it important for the advancement of any
great enterprise, yea, essential to its ultimate and permanent success,
that the members of the church of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
should be united in their views and practice, and both individually and
conjointly endeavor, by the avowal of their principles, and by conformity and harmony of practice, to promote it.
Resolved, That the evils of intemperance are so great and wide
spread, and desolating, that it behoves every member of the church to,
set his face against it, and to endeavor, to the utmost extent rof his in —
fluence, to counteract it.
Resolved, That the true and only consistent example of temperance
which can be set by members of the church, is to abstain entirely from:
the use, manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and
to withhold the presentation of them to others, and that the session of
this church feel bound and determined, themselves, to maintain such
an example.
Resolved, That we feel it to be very desirable that all the members
of this church should embody their influence, and by a uniform, consistent example of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, bear their
testimony in favor of the temperance cause, and therefore earnestlyand affectionately recommend to all, both male and female, seriouslyand prayerfully to consider the resolutions adopted at a meeting of the




24
church, either by the avowal of their determination, or by attaching
their signatures to some temperance pledge, to express their purpose
of co-operation in the important efforts now making for the prevention
oi intemperance.
Resolved, That while we feel bound to disapprove every thing like
an attempt to institute a summary test of pity, or to appoint terms of
church membership which Jesus Christ, the great Head of the church,
has not appointed, and while we deprecate and condemn all rash, hasty
and invidious use of the system  of pledges for this purpose, we nevertheless feel bound to declare that as office bearers in Christ's church, on
whom devolves the responsibility of admitting members, we cannot
but deem it to be utterly inconsistent with a credible profession of true
religion, for those, who having been enlightened on the subject of the
immorality of the use, sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors as
a beverage, nevertheless, refuse to discontinue the same.
Resolved, That the session deem it expedient, at present, to take any
action in reference to the enrolment of the members of the church, in
a book, agreeably to their third resolution, but that the Pastor and
Elder Bingham, be a committee, to prepare a pastoral letter from the
session, to accompany the resolutions from the church and session, and
cause the same to be printed, and a copy to be furnished to each member of this church.
(From the records.)
B. F. LARNED,
Clerk.
EtRlAT'A. —Page 3, Ine 12, for Protestant, read Presbyterian. Insert in the
blank, on page 5. " 2d of October, 1838." Page 8, line 15 from the bottom, for
tceir, read t/ is.