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Organized, June, 18-35. 1' " The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there." Psa. Ixxxvii. 6. ** His mercy visits every house That pay their night and morning vows ; But makes a more delightful stay Where Churches meet to praise and pray." I'RI^TED BY G. M. KKtLlNO, GUELPH< ^( a^cr^ L^\ <-eA d/i) J JUN ?0 1935 I' \' -> COINSTIITTION, ifcc. I. ARTICLES OF FAITH. 1. We believe in the Divine authenticity of the different Revelations made at sundry times to the Patriarchs, Pro- phets, and A postles : and which are now embodied m the books of the Old and New Testaments. 2. We believe in one only living and true God, and cordially assent to the representation of his character mthe Bible as eternal in his existence, spiritual in his nature, invincible in his power, unerring in his wisdom, sovereign in his will, inviolable in his faithfulness, inexorable m his justice, immaculate in his holiness, and illimitable m his 3.* We believe that in this mysterious Jeh.ovah,. there exist three distinct, persons, possessing the same perfec- tions, performing the same operations, and having a claim to the same adoration, worship, and obedience. 4. We believe that the Divine Trinity, from^ eternity, formed one simple, unalterable, sovereign, all-wise, equit- able purpose, which embraces all the movements ol the universe,— and whatever appears to us contingent and ac- cidental, is under its influence. . 5. We believe that the Creator made man upright, pos- sessing the moral image of God, and enjoying the friendly smiles of his Maker,— and, that while man was m that state, God entered into covenant with him, as the federal head of his posterity, and connected with that covenant remu- nerative and penal sanctions. From this happy state man fell by transgression, and his descendants are fallen in him. The whole human race are naturally the subjects of entire depravity— the Divine image is lost— the Divine vengeance provoked— and the tremendous penalties attached to the covenant broken, are incurred. I h 6. We believe, and rejoice, in tlie stupendous display 01 love and compassion in llie economv of KedeniDtion as revealed in the Scriptures of truth. In this economy God the Fatiier, Son and Holy Ghost, are equally enga-^ed.- 1 he Father declares his willingness to extend hil mercv to our fallen race. The Son engages to become the surety ol his people, and to satisfy every demand of injured ius- Die. I lie Holy Ghost freely engages to reveal the plan of Redemption, and apply its blessings to the souls of sin- ners. In consequence of this all-gracious covenant, in 'the fulness of time God the Son appeared in our wwTd by taking our nature into mysterious union with his own, that by thus connecting the humanity with the Divinity in one complete person, he might officiate as oar^diator, and be quahfied to sustain the three-fold character of Pronhet Priest, and King. In this capacity, the Lord Jesus Christ comn ist'd » • f • ' ^'.T'"'^^' engagements, and ac- complished an infinite righteousness for the justification of his people,-and it is by the imputation of his righ eou - ness alone totally independent of any excellence or ment m the creature, that a sinner can be acceptable to God, or n'.rl?n? ^''"rl'V!"^'"''""'''- Faith in Christ is the instrument by which this righteousness is embraced. This conTefi'tioL ""' "^^ P'"'^"''"^ °'''°''"''' '" '''■'= ""J esLI^I'f'-^ "'^.°P^'-^;'°ns "f 'he Holy Ghost to be essential to quicken Irom death in sin to a life in righteous- ness_m implanting those graces which it is his prerogative to bestow -and in sanctifying us body, soul and spirit, that Sts in"^.,!'.^ '"""'''' "'"^^' '°' "'^ inheritanLof the dp5 T^.J^^^.r '!"' "'^'■^ "'"' ^^ ^ resurrection of the dead, both small and great, and a general judgment both of he righteous and the wicked-that the latter shall be pun- enter inll l7' ."'""P destruction, and the former shall enter into lite eternal. 9. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are njzj ^ 'dous display demption as conomy God y engaged.— d his mercy ne the surety ' injured jus- e it honora- tl the plan of souls of sin- enant, in the ur world by lis own, that inity in one ^diator, and of Prophet, Jesus Christ \ substitutive ts, and ac- 'tification of 3 righteous- nce or merit J to God, or Christ is the aced. This 5 in life and 'host to be n righteous- prerogative 1 spirit, that ance of the ion of the lent both of dl be pun- rmer shall 5upper are divine ordinances in the Church, of perpetual obligation. — Baptism is the application of water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and is to be administered only to believers and their households. — The Lord's Supper is the social and solemn partaking of the bread and the cup in remembrance of the dying love of Jesus Christ, and should be celebrated by all who be- lieve in Him. 10. We believe in the Christian Sabbath,— and that it is our duty and interest to aUend the public worship of God on that day, acd at convenient seasons on other days, according to the law of God, and the example of the prim- itive Christians. 11. We believe each congregation of professed disciples of Christ meeting in one place, and united by mutual cove- nant, is a complete Church, having no superior but the Lord Jesus Christ, and subject to no authority but his,— and as such it derives from him the right to choose and to remove its own officers, and to administer the ordinances and discipline appointed by the word of God. The officers of the Church are Bishops and Deacons. The former to take the spiritual oversight thereof, and the latter to take care of the temporal affairs, and to discharge such other offices as the exigencies of the Church may require. II. CHURCH GOVENANL Applying the foregoing doctrines to our own souls, \ye, trusting in Divine grace for strength, covenant and promise to forsake sin, and to walk in His ordinances blameless.-- We also give ourselves to each other according to His word,— and solemnly engage as members of His body, and of this particular branch of His visible Church upon earth, to fulfil, as far as in us lies, the sacred duties incumbent upon us, as enjoined in the Holy Scriptures. And we pray the God of all grace to give us strength from above to ena- ble ns to practise and carry out, to His glory and our mu- if s « tual benefit, this solemn covenant, that we may be foumi blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be admitted into the eternal fellowship of His saints with un- speakable joy. III. RULES FOR CHURCH ORDER AND GOVERNMENT. I. For th preservation of truth and order, and the pros- perity of the Church, members shall be admitted either on a proiession of faith in Jesus Christ, or by letters missive from other Churches. In the reception of members, the Church should be unanimous. If any member object to the reception of a candidate, such objector shall be requir- ed to state the nature of the objection, that the Church may judge whether it be suflicient to prevent the reception of said candidate. John vi. 47. 1 Cor. xvi. 3. Acts ix. 26—28- 2. As it is the duty and privilege of believers to watch over each other for good, to bear each other's burdens, to love and pray for each other, and for the peace and pros- perity of Zion, the Church will assemble at such stated times as shall be agreed upon, for prayer and for confer- ence, in conformity with the custom of the primitive Churches— a custom which has generally prevailed among Congregational Churches from age to age. Acts ii. 4£ Heb. X. 25. AIal. iii. 16, 17. 3. Every member shall feel it to be a duty and a privi- lege to contribute towards the support of the cause of Christ, especially in connexion with this branch of the Church universal, for the purpose of meeting the expenses necessary in sustaining the worship and ordinances of God amongst us,--and it is highly desirable, as far as possible, that such contributions be n\ade weekly, or at least oneo every quarter. Phov. xi. 25. 2 Cor. ix. C, 7. I Can, xvi. 2 4. For the purity of the Church and the honor of Christ, the m.^ nbers shall watch over each other in love, and if any :xMs:^^sxi~ ly be ft)unii 'ist, and be nts with un- ERNMENT. nd the pros - id either on ers missive embers, the !r object to II be requir- the Church le reception }. Acts ix. rs to watch burdens, to e and pros- luch stated for confer- 2 primitive iled amonof CTs ii. 4ii id a privi- ; cause of tich of the e expenses cesof God js possible, least once . 1 Can. r of Christ, and if any brother or sister fall into immorality of conduct, lalse and e roneous doctrine, stir up strife, and engender divisions or in any way depart from the rule of the w6rd of God, so a. 10 bring scandal upon his cause, such persons shall be subject tS the discipline of the church, and, if proved cruiity. shall be susPiiNDED or excluded, as the case may fn the judgment of the Church require. Lph. v. 1 1. 1 itus iii. 10. Rom. xvi. 17. . • u f 5. As the object of Church censures is not P"n'shmen but reformation and recovery, every possible ellort should be made to produce conviction, and penilence,-and wherever expedient, .mpenslon for a time rather than ex- pulsion, shall be adopted. Gal. v.. 1. Matt. vu. 2.- f '"11 Tin referencft to offences between members, in all cases, the rule laid down by the Saviour shall be followed — " If thy brother shall trespass agamst thee, go ami tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shal hear thee, thou hnst gained thy brother. But if he w 1 not hedr thee, then take wilh thee one or two moie, H'^t '" he mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be j" ,Ub. lished. And if he shall neglect to hear ihem. tel it unto the Church. But if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. — Matt, xviii. 15 — 17. . . , 7. There shall be a standing Committee, comprising the Pastor, Deacons, and competent members sumcient to make the number of said Committee, seven. Ahemem^ bers not in oifice to be elected annually at the July Church Meetinjr. The duties of said Committee shall be to manage all financial affairs, examine questions of difficidty betNyeen members of the Church, and to report to the Church in all cases for a final decision. The Pastor is not to be consid- ered bound to preside on financial affairs. But he shal in every case appoint a chairman before vacating it. Provided that the Pastor be not obliged to attend financial meetings. 1 CoR. xiv, 40. Pnov. xi. 14. , . .^l i, r • 8. It shall be the duty of members of this Church livmg at a distance, to report themselves at least ones in a }ear to this body, and that any member absent for one year, not complying with this rrgulation, shall be liable to have his or her name erased from the Church Records, at the discretion of the Church. 9. Every member, wishing to make a motion, shall be requested to write down the same, with the name of the seconder attached, and hand such motion to the chairman. It ^S3!S rariS l. u< » » a- i_,^ one year, )le to have rds, at the 1, shall be ame of the : chairman.