FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH
+Let the service be conducted as on the other occasions of public
worship—only the hymns (e. g. 783-780,) prayer, lesson, and sermons,
should be adapted to the occasion. The lessons may be Gen. xxviii.
10-22, and Heb. x. 19-25, or any other at the discretion of the
minister.+
FIRST LESSON. GEN. xxviii. 10-22.
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted
upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was
set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his
pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and
behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to
heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of
Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land whereon thou liest,
to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the
dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the
east, and to the north, and to the south; and in thee and in thy seed
shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with
thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will
bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have
done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob, awaked out of his
sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none
other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob
rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his
pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city
was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will
be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me
bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's
house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I
have set for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt
give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
SECOND LESSON. HEB. x. 19-25.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for
us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; having an high-priest
over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,
and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the
profession of our faith without wavering: for he is faithful that
promised: and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to
good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as
ye see the day approaching.
+The Collection (if any) may follow the sermon. The officers of the
Church shall then address the minister in the following language:+
We present to you this house, to be set apart from all unhallowed or
common uses, for the worship of Almighty God.
+Then shall the minister request the congregation to stand, while he
pronounces the following Sentence of Dedication:+
SENTENCE OF DEDICATION
Forasmuch as God has put it into the hearts of his people to build this
house for his worship, and has blessed them in their undertaking, we
solemnly dedicate it to his service, for the reading and expounding of
his holy word, the administration of his ordinances, and for all other
acts of religious worship. That he may graciously accept this labor of
our hands, let us devoutly pray.
+Then shall be said, all kneeling:+
Almighty and everlasting God, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens,
cannot contain thee, much less this house which we have built; yet thou
dost humble thyself to behold the inhabitants of the earth, and dost
promise that in all places where thou dost record thy name thou wilt
meet with thy people, and bless them. Let thy name be recorded in this
place, and here let thine honor dwell. Preserve this house, which we set
apart to thy service, from injury and desecration. Accept the worship
which shall be here offered to thy name. Let thy Holy Spirit accompany
thy word and ordinances, which shall be here administered, so that they
may prove means of grace to all who shall receive the same. May many
sons and daughters be here born to the Lord Almighty. Let thy people be
abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and make them drink
of the river of thy pleasures. Let their children be here fed with food
convenient for them, and be brought up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord. Let living waters go forth from this sanctuary, carrying life
and joy to all around. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy
glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be
upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea the work
of our hands establish thou it. Now, therefore arise, O Lord God, into
thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy strength; let thy ministers
be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. We
beseech thee, O Lord, to overlook our unworthiness, forgive our sins,
and make us a habitation of God through the Spirit. We offer all our
offerings through the ever-blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, to whom, with thee, and the Holy Spirit, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and ever.
Amen.
+The service may then be concluded with the Doxology and Benediction.+
CHAPTER LI.
THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING DEACONS
+When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after a suitable sermon
or exhortation, one of the Elders shall present unto the Bishop all them
that are to be ordained, and say:+
I present unto you these persons present, to be ordained Deacons.
+Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the
people:+
Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or crime in
any of these persons presented to be ordained Deacons; for the which he
ought not to be admitted to that office, let him come forth in the name
of God and show what the crime or impediment is.
+If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from
ordaining that person unto such time as the party accused shall be found
clear of that crime. Then shall be read the following collect.+
THE COLLECT.
Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast appointed divers orders
of ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thy apostles to choose
into the order of Deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen, with others:
mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the like office and
administration; replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and
adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word and good example
they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name,
and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now
and forever.
Amen.
+Then the Bishop or one of the Elders appointed by him, shall read the
Epistle.+
THE EPISTLE. 1 TIM. iii. 8-13.
Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to
much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre: holding the mystery of the faith
in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them
use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their
wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the
Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own
houses well. For they that have used the office of a Deacon well,
purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
+Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who are to be
ordained, in the press of the people, after this manner following:+
Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon
you the office of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for
the promoting of his glory and the edifying of his people?
Ans. I trust so.
The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical Scriptures of
the Old and New Testament.
Ans. I do believe them.
The Bishop. Will you diligently read or expound the same unto the people
whom you shall be appointed to serve?
Ans. I will.
The Bishop. It appertaineth to the office of a Deacon to assist the
Elder in Divine service, and especially when he ministereth the holy
communion, to help him in the distribution thereof, and to read and
expound the Holy Scriptures: to instruct the youth; and in the absence
of the Elder to baptize.
And, furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick, poor, and
impotent, that they may be visited and relieved.
Will you do this gladly and willingly?
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
The Bishop. Will you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your
own lives (and the lives of your families) according to the doctrine of
Christ; and to make both yourselves, and them, as much as in you lieth,
wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you reverently obey them to whom the charge and
government over you is committed, following with a glad mind and will
their godly admonitions?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.
+Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the head of every one
of them, shall say:+
Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of
God; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
+Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the Holy Bible,
saying:+
Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church of God,
and to preach the same.
+Then one of them appointed by the Bishop shall read the Gospel.+
THE GOSPEL. LUKE xii. 35-38.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return
from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto
him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh
shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself
and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,
and find them so, blessed are those servants.
+Immediately before the benediction shall be said these Collects
following:+
Almighty God, giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness hast
vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants into the office of
Deacons in thy Church: make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest,
humble, and constant in their ministration, and to have a ready will to
observe all spiritual discipline; that they having always the testimony
of a good conscience, and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son
Christ, may so well behave themselves in this inferior office, that they
may be found worthy to be called unto the higher ministries in thy
Church, through the same thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom be
glory and honor, world without end.
Amen.
Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and
further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun,
continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally,
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Benediction
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our
Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
CHAPTER LVIII.
THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING ELDERS.
+When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be a sermon or
exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be
admitted Elders; how necessary that order is in the Church of Christ,
and also how the people ought to esteem them in their office. After
which one of the Elders shall present unto the Bishop all them that are
to be ordained, and say:+
I present unto you these persons present, to be ordained Elders.
+Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the
people:+
Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, this day to
ordain Elders. For after due examination, we find not to the contrary,
but that they are lawfully called to this function and ministry, and
that they are persons meet for the same. But if there be any of you who
know any impediment or crime in any of them, for the which he ought not
to be received into this holy ministry, let him come forth in the name
of God, and show what the crime or impediment is.
+If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from
ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall be
found clear of that crime.+
+Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel as followeth:+
THE COLLECT.
Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast
appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church, mercifully behold
these thy servants, now called to the office of Elder, and replenish
them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of
life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve
thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of
thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.
THE EPISTLE. EPH. iv. 7-13.
Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift
of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what
is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the
earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and
some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
THE GOSPEL. ST. JOHN x. 1-16.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into
the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the
sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth
forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for
they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee
from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake
Jesus unto them, but they understood not what things they were which he
spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are
thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by
me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and
find pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his
life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the
sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the
sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my
life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be
one fold, and one shepherd.
+And that done, the Bishop shall say unto them as hereafter followeth:+
You have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination, (as in
the exhortation which was now made to you,) and in the holy lessons
taken out of the Gospel, and the writings of the apostles, of what
dignity, and of how great importance, this office is, whereunto ye are
called. And now again we exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you have in remembrance into how high a dignity, and to how
weighty an office ye are called: that is to say, to be messengers,
watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to premonish, to feed
and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are
dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this evil
world, that they may be saved through Christ forever.
We have good hope that you have all weighed and pondered these things
with yourselves long before this time; and that you have clearly
determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this office,
whereunto it hath pleased God to call you: so that, as much as lieth in
you, you will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all
your cares and studies this way, and that you will continually pray to
God the Father, through the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus Christ,
for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost: that by daily reading and
weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your
ministry; and that ye may so endeavor yourselves from time to time to
sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the rule
and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly examples and
patterns for the people to follow.
And now that this present congregation of Christ, here assembled, may
also understand your minds and wills in these things, and that this your
promise may the more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer plainly
to these things, which we, in the name of God and of his Church, shall
demand of you touching the same.
Do you think in your heart that you are truly called, according to the
will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the order of Elders?
Ans. I think so.
The Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain
sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined, out of the said
Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to
teach nothing, as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that
which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the
Scriptures?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, by God's grace.
The Bishop. Will you then give your faithful diligence, always so to
minister the doctrine and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as
the Lord hath commanded?
Ans. I will so do, by the help of the Lord.
The Bishop. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and
drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word;
and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well
to the sick as to the whole within your charge, as need shall require,
and occasion shall be given?
Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the Holy
Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same,
laying aside the study of the world and the flesh?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion yourselves, and
your families, according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both
yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and
patterns to the flock of Christ?
Ans. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you,
quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people, and especially
among them that are or shall be committed to your charge?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you reverently obey your chief ministers, unto whom is
committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind
and will their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to their godly
judgment?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
+Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say:+
Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant
also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may
accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Amen.
+After this the congregation shall be desired secretly in their prayers
to make their humble supplications to God, for all these things: for
which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.+
+After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the persons to be ordained
Elders all kneeling,) Veni, Creator, Spiritus: the Bishop beginning, and
the Elders and others that are present answering by verses, as
followeth:+
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire.
=And lighten with celestial fire.=
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
=Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.=
Thy blessed unction from above
=Is comfort, life, and fire of love=.
Enable with perpetual light
=The dullness of our blinded sight=.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
=With the abundance of thy grace=
Keep for our foes, give peace at home
=Where thou art guide no ill can come=
Teach us to know the Father, Son.
=And thee of both, to be but one=
That through the ages all along,
=This may be our endless song=;
Praise to thy eternal merit,
=Father, Son and Holy Spirit=.
+That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, Let us pray+
Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and
goodness toward us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved
Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life;
who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was
ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his apostles, prophets,
evangelists, doctors and pastors; by whose labor and ministry he
gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth
the eternal praise of thy holy name; for these so great benefits of thy
eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy
servants here present to the same office and ministry appointed for the
salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks: we praise
and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed
Son, to grant unto all who either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy
name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for
these, and all other, thy benefits; and that we may daily increase and
go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy
Spirit: so that as well by these thy ministers, as by them over whom
they shall be appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may be forever
glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son
Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity
of the same Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen.
+When the prayer is done, the Bishop and the Elders present shall lay
their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the
Order of Elders, the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the
Bishop saying,+
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost, for the office and work of an
Elder in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of
our hands. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of
his holy sacraments: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost.
Amen.
+Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them kneeling, the Bible,
into his hands, saying:+
Take thou authority to preach the word of God, and to administer the
holy sacraments in the congregation.
+Then shall the Bishop say:+
Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants
thy heavenly blessing; that they may be clothed with righteousness, and
that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may
never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace to hear and
receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeable
to the same, as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and
deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and
further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun,
continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally,
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BENEDICTION
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our
Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
+If on the same day the Order of Deacons be given to some, and that of
Elders to others, the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the
Elders. The Collects shall both be used; first that for Deacons, then
that for Elders. The Epistle shall be Eph. iv. 7 to 13, as before in
this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained
Deacons shall be examined and ordained as is above prescribed. The one
of them having read the Gospel which shall be St. John x. 1-16, as
before in this office, they that are to be ordained Elders shall
likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed.+
THE FORM OF CONSECRATING A BISHOP.
THE COLLECT.
Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy
apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock:
give grace, we beseech thee, to all the ministers and pastors of thy
Church, that they may diligently preach thy word, and duly administer
the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the people, that they may
obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of
everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+Then shall be read by one of the Elders.+
THE EPISTLE. ACTS xx. 17-35.
From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know from the
first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you
at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with
many tears and temptations, which befell me by the laying in wait of the
Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have
showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound
in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall
me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city saying, that
bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me,
neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my
course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord
Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I
know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that
I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare
unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves,
and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his
own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples
after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now,
brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them
which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or
apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto
my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all
things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to
give than to receive.
+Then another shall read+
THE GOSPEL. ST. JOHN xxi. 15-17.
Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than
these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He
saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou
knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the
third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all
things, thou knowest that I love thee, Jesus saith unto him, Feed my
sheep.
OR THIS. ST. MATT, xxviii. 18-21
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
+After the Gospel and sermon are ended, the elected person shall be
presented by two Elders unto the Bishop, saying:+
We present unto you this holy man, to be ordained a Bishop.
+Then the Bishop shall move the congregation to pray, saying thus to
them:+
Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of St. Luke, that our Saviour
Christ continued the whole night in prayer, before he did choose and
send forth his twelve apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the
Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did fast and pray,
before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas, and sent them forth. Let
us, therefore, following the example of our Saviour Christ, and his
apostles, first fall to prayer, before we admit and send forth this
person presented unto us, to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost
hath called him.
+Then shall be said this prayer following:+
Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by the Holy Spirit hast
appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church: mercifully behold
this thy servant, now called to the work and ministry of a Bishop; and
replenish him so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn him with
innocency of life, that, both by word and deed, he may faithfully serve
thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edifying and
well-governing of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world
without end.
Amen.
+Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to be ordained:+
Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture commands that we should not be
hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to government in the
Church of Christ, which he hath purchased with no less price than the
effusion of his own blood: before I admit you to this administration, I
will examine you on certain articles, to the end that the congregation
present may have a trial, and bear witness, how you are minded to behave
yourself in the Church of God.
Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this ministration,
according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Ans. I am so persuaded.
The Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain
sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation,
through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined, out of the same
Holy Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge; and to
teach or maintain nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation,
but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the
same?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and determined, by God's grace.
The Bishop. Will you then faithfully exercise yourself in the same Holy
Scriptures, and call upon God by prayer for the true understanding of
the same, so as you may be able by them to teach and exhort with
wholesome doctrine, and to withstand and convince the gainsayers?
Ans. I will so do, by the help of God.
The Bishop. Are you ready with faithful diligence to banish and drive
away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word, and
both privately and openly to call upon and encourage others to the same?
Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; that you may
show yourself in all things an example of good works unto others, that
the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as shall lie in
you, quietness, love, and peace among all men: and such as shall be
unquiet, disobedient, and criminal, within your district, correct and
punish according to such authority as you have by God's word, and as
shall be committed unto you?
Ans. I will so do, by the help of God.
The Bishop. Will you be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands
upon others?
Ans. I will so be, by the help of God.
The Bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, and be merciful, for Christ's
sake, to poor and needy people, and to all strangers destitute of help?
Ans I will so show myself, by God's help.
+Then the Bishop shall say:+
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who hath given you a good will to do
all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the
same; that, he accomplishing in you the good work which he hath begun,
you may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the last day, through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+Then shall Veni, Creator, Spiritus be said:+
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire.
=And lighten with celestial fire.=
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
=Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.=
Thy blessed unction from above
=Is comfort, life and fire of love,=
Enable with perpetual light
=The dullness of our blinded sight.=
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
=With the abundance of thy grace.=
Keep far our foes, give peace at home
=Where thou art guide no ill can come.=
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
=And thee of both, to be but one=
That through the ages all along,
=This may be our endless song;=
Praise to thy eternal merit,
=Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.=
+That ended, the Bishop shall say+
Lord, hear our prayer.
Ans. =And let our cry come unto thee.=
+Bishop, let us pray.+
Almighty God and most merciful Father, who of thine infinite goodness
hast given thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our
Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life; who, after that he had
made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven,
poured down his gifts abundantly upon men, making some apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and doctors to the edifying and
making perfect his Church: grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant,
such grace that he may evermore be ready to spread abroad thy gospel,
the glad tidings of reconciliation with thee, and use the authority
given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt but to
help; so that as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their
portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth
and reigneth, one God, world without end.
Amen.
+Then the Bishop and Elders present shall lay their hands upon the head
of the elected person, kneeling before them upon his knees, the Bishop
saying:+
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost, for the office and work of a
Bishop in the Church of God now committed unto thee by the imposition of
our hands; in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.
Amen.
And remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is given thee; for
God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and
soberness.
+Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying:+
Give heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things
contained in this book. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming
thereby may be manifest unto all men. Take heed unto thyself, and to thy
doctrine; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that
hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them,
devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken,
bring again the outcasts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you may
not be too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy;
that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the
never-fading crown of glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
+Immediately before the benediction shall be said the following prayer:+
Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send down upon this thy servant
thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he,
preaching thy word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and
rebuke with all patience and doctrine, but may also be to such as
believe a wholesome example, in word, in conversation, in love, in
faith, in chastity, and in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his
course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness laid
up by the Lord, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth, one God
with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.
Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and
further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun,
continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally,
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE BENEDICTION.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
=APPENDIX.=
CHAPTER I.
BISHOPS AND GENERAL OFFICERS
BISHOPS
Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D., 335 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia.
Bishop Isaac Lane, D. D., 422 LaConte St., Jackson, Tennessee.
Bishop R. S. Williams, D. D., 912 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, Georgia.
Bishop E. Cottrell, D. D., Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Bishop C. H. Phillips, A. M., M. D., D. D., 123-14th Ave., Nashville,
Tennessee.
Bishop R. A. Carter, A. M., D. D., 398 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia.
Bishop N. C. Cleaves, D. D., 633 S. Lauderdale St., Memphis, Tennessee.
GENERAL OFFICERS
Rev. J. A. Hamlett, A. B., Editor Christian Index, Jackson, Tennessee.
Rev. J. C. Martin, D. D., Agent, 109-11 Shannon St., Jackson, Tennessee.
Rev. J. C. Stanton, D. D., Editor Eastern Index, Pittsboro, North
Carolina.
Rev. J. R. Starks, D. D., Editor Western Index, Dallas, Texas.
Rev. R. S. Stout, D. D., LL. B., Secretary Church Extension, Pine Bluff,
Ark.
Rev. J. H. Moore, D. D., Secretary Missions, Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Rev. J. A. Bray, A. M., LL. D., D. D., Secretary Education, P. O. Box
576, Birmingham, Alabama.
Rev. A. R. Calhoun, D. D., Secretary Epworth League, Pine Bluff,
Arkansas.
Rev. J. W. Gilbert, A. M., D. D., Secretary Sunday School Department,
Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. T. H. Copeland, D. D., Secretary Superannuated Preachers, Widows
and Orphans Department, Hopkinsville, Ky.
CONNECTIONAL CONTRACTORS
Mr. Wm. Burrows, 1272 Keel Ave., Memphis, Tennessee.
Mr. J. W. Trotter, 436 South Liberty Street, Jackson, Tennessee.
Mr. H. Whitworth, Winston-Salem, N. C.
Mr. J. W. Golden, Kansas City, Mo.
SECRETARIES OF GENERAL CONFERENCE
Rev. M. F. Brinson, D. D., Fort Valley, Ga.
Prof. Geo. S. Goodman, B. Sc., Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Rev. J. E. Raines, Denison, Texas.
Prof. W. M. Bobo, Cotton Plant, Ark.
COMMISSIONS
UNIFICATION
Bishops R. S. Williams, R. A. Carter, N. C. Cleaves; Revs. J. A. Bray,
Jno. W. Gilbert, R. S. Stout; Drs. J. F. Lane, J. A. Lester and W. A.
Bell.
SELECTING AND BUILDING BOOK HOUSE
Bishops C. H. Phillips, R. A. Carter, N. C. Cleaves; Revs. J. C. Martin,
P. J. Coleman; Prof. G. F. Porter and Mr. G. W. Chandler.
COMPILATION AND CODIFYING DISCIPLINE
Bishops N. C. Cleaves, R. A. Carter, C. H. Phillips; Revs. J. C. Martin,
J. A. Bray, M. F. Brinson; Profs. G. S. Goodman, G. F. Porter, N. G.
Walker.
FEDERAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA
Bishops C. H. Phillips, R. S. Williams, E. Cottrell; Reverends C. H.
Tobias, J. A. Hamlett, G. T. Long, J. A. Walker, J. W. Gilbert, Dr. J.
T. Phillips, L. H. Brown, S. B. Wallace.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
PUBLISHING BOARD
Bishop R. S. Williams, Revs. J. C. Martin, J. A. Hamlett, G. T. Long, H.
P. Porter, J. A. Ragan, C. W. Holsey, W. J. Turner; Profs. F. R. Baker,
D. C. Potts, A. Hawk.
MISSIONARY BOARD
Bishop N. C. Cleaves, Revs. J. H. Moore, G. L. Word, G. T. Long, W. Q.
Hunter, L. H. Brown, W. P. Pipkins, A. L. Jennings, W. M. Womack.
CHURCH EXTENSION BOARD
Bishop R. A. Carter, Revs. R. S. Stout, W. D. Booker, G. W. Young, W. M.
Crain, H. P. Porter, C. L. Howard, J. H. Howard, J. A. Ragan, G. T.
Long, L. H. Brown, G. M. Noble; Profs. G. F. Porter, G. S. Goodman, Mr.
C. H. Franklin.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Bishop R. A. Carter, Drs. J. A. Bray, C. L. Bonner, J. T. Speed, I. C.
Snowden, C. H. Tobias, J. A. Lester; Profs. G. A. Payne, D. C. Fowler.
EPWORTH LEAGUE BOARD
Bishop E. Cottrell, Revs. H. B. Leach, W. Q. Hunter, J. H. Coleman, A.
R. Calhoun, J. H. Hudson, G. W. Young.
BOARD OF SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS FUND
Bishop N. C. Cleaves, Revs. T. H. Copeland, J. C. Martin, G. W. Stoner,
N. L. Smith, I. P. Norman, C. M. Newell.
SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD
Bishop R. S. Williams, Revs. J. W. Gilbert, M. F. Brinson, C. H. Tobias,
C. L. Bonner, W. Y. Bell, J. C. Stanton, J. A. Winters, J. A. Walker.
EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS
Drs. J. A. Bray, F. H. Rodgers, J. F. Lane, John W. Gilbert; Profs. G.
A. Payne, W. R. Banks, A. M. D. Langrum.
AUDITING COMMITTEE
Drs. R. T. Brown, J. A. Lester, Prof. W. M. Bobo.
CHAPTER II.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR PREACHERS
PREAMBLE TO THE COURSE OF STUDY
All candidates for the ministry are urged before entering the traveling
connection, to secure, if possible, as much training in literary and
Theological studies as they can. Certificate of graduation from any
secondary school of good standing may be accepted by the examining
committee in lieu of the English branches prescribed in the course for
candidates for admission on trial. A diploma from any college of our
church or any other reputable college, may be accepted in lieu of any or
all collegiate subjects prescribed for conference under-graduates, and a
diploma from any Theological seminary or Biblical Department of any
college of standard repute, may be accepted in lieu of the Biblical and
Theological subjects prescribed for candidates for admission, or for
conference under-graduates.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR LOCAL PREACHERS
FIRST YEAR
1. Bible with Granberry's Dictionary.
2. Theological Compend, Benny's.
3. Discipline and Holsey's Manual.
4. Hamilton's Hand Book and Plain Account.
To be read: Wesley's Notes. Bible Study Popularized—Lee.
SECOND YEAR
1. Wesley's Sermons Vol. 1.
2. Life of Wesley and History of Methodism,—Williams.
3. Bible and Watson's Dictionary.
4. Discipline and Holsey's Manual.
5. Essay—Repentance.
To be read: Life of Christ—Stalker. Training for Service.
THIRD YEAR
1. Pope's Higher Catechism of Theology.
2. Plain Account of Christian Perfection—Wesley.
3. Short History of the Christian Church.
4. Wesley's Sermons, Vol. 2.
5. Written Sermons—Regeneration.
To be read: Life of St. Paul—Stalker.
FOURTH YEAR
1. Introduction to the New Testament—Dodd.
2. Methodist Polity—Tigert.
3. Clark's Outline of Christian Theology.
4. The Bible and Watson's Dictionary.
5. New Testament Period and its Leaders—Lee.
6. Written Sermon—Christian Perfection.
To be read: Ethics—Fairchild; Love Enthroned—Steele.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR TRAVELING PREACHERS
ADMISSION ON TRIAL
1. History of United States; English Grammar; Reading; Spelling; Arithmetic.
2. Discipline and Holsey's Manual.
3. Hamilton's Plain Account.
4. Bible Geography; Bible Dictionary; Side Lights on the Bible.
To be read: Plain Account of Christian Perfection—Wesley.
FIRST YEAR
1. Outline of Bible History—Dean.
2. Wesley's Sermons; Vol. I. Sermon 1-26.
3. Baptism—Merrill.
4. History of the C. M. E. Church—Phillips.
5. The Apostolic Age—Purvis.
6. The Tongue of Fire—Arthur.
7. Preparation and Delivery of Sermons—Broadus.
8. Written Sermons—Repentance.
To be read: Telford's Life of John Wesley.
SECOND YEAR
1. Wesley's Sermons; 27-52.
2. System of Christian Doctrine; Parts 1, 2, and 3—Sheldon.
3. New Testament Period and its Leaders—Lee.
4. History of Methodism—McTyre.
5. Preparation and Delivery of Sermon—Broadus.
6. The Training of the Twelve—Bruce.
7. Pastoral Theology—Kidder.
8. Written Sermon—Justification by Faith.
To be read: Doctrine of the Prophets; Kirkpatrick; History of the
American Negro—Brawley.
THIRD YEAR
1. System of Christian Doctrine, Parts 4 and 5; Sheldon.
2. Elements of Psychology—Davis.
3. History of Methodism—Dubose.
4. Extemporaneous Preaching—Buckley.
5. Ministry to the Congregation—Kern.
7. Written Sermon—Witness of the Spirit.
To be read: The Pastor and Modern Mission—Mott; How to Conduct a Sunday
School—Lawrence; Life of Bishop A. W. Wilson.
FOURTH YEAR
1. Grounds of Theistic and Christian Belief—Fischer.
2. History of the Christian Church—Fisher.
3. Elements of Logic—Jevons.
4. Constitutional History of Methodism—Tigret.
5. Life and the Epistles of St. Paul—Conybear & Howson.
6. Studies in Immortality—Coburn.
7. Written Sermon—Sanctification.
To be read: Francis Asbury, The Prophet of the Long Road—Tipple.
Plain Account of Christian Perfection—Wesley. Morning Meditations and
Other Selections—Carter.
CHAPTER III.
RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
I. ORGANIZATION
1. Upon the convening of the General Conference, and after religious
exercises, the Secretary of the preceding General Conference shall call
the roll. If a quorum be found present, the General Conference shall
elect a Secretary and as many assistant secretaries as may be necessary.
2. The Presiding Bishop shall appoint a committee on Credentials,
consisting of one member from each Episcopal District.
II. TIME OF MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT
After the first day's session the time of the opening shall be 9 o'clock
a. m. and 1:30 p. m., respectively. However, these time limits may be
changed at the discretion of the General Conference. A ten minutes
recess shall be taken at 11:30.
III. THE PRESIDENT'S DUTIES
1. At the appointed hour the President shall take the chair, and after
devotional exercises, a quorum being present, the minutes of the
preceding session shall be read and approved. The President for the day
shall then take up the business of the Conference in the regular order
according to these Rules of Order, and other rules and regulations
adopted by the General Conference.
2. The President shall decide all questions of order, and his decision
shall be subject to an appeal to the General Conference. And when an
appeal from his decision has been made, such appeal shall be decided
without debate, provided the President shall be allowed to state the
grounds of his decision and the appellant the grounds of his dissent.
3. Unless otherwise ordered by the Conference, the President shall
appoint all committees.
4. When the President accords the floor to a member, he shall distinctly
announce the name of said member and the Annual Conference he
represents.
IV. ORDER OF BUSINESS
The following shall be the Order of Business:
1. Devotions.
2. Reading the Journal of the previous session.
3. The calling of the roll of Conferences in alphabetical order for the
presentation of appeals, resolutions, and miscellaneous business for
immediate consideration. The member introducing a proposition under this
call may speak to it if it be seconded. If a motion to refer be made, it
shall be entertained and decided without debate; or if the question of
consideration be raised immediately after the proposition has been
offered, and immediately before the person who introduced the
proposition has spoken, the question of consideration shall then be put
without debate. If there be a two-third vote against consideration, the
proposition will not be entertained.
4. Reports of the standing committees, then those of special committees;
provided always, that each call shall have been completed before either
preceding one shall be repeated.
5. Miscellaneous business.
V. DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS
1. When a member rises to speak or to present to the Conference any
matter he shall respectfully address the President, and shall not
proceed until recognized by him. The member desiring to speak must
address the President from the place assigned the delegation of his
Annual Conference.
2. The President may call to order any speaker who may be out of order.
There shall be no unwarranted interruption of the speaker by any other
member. However, any member may call the attention of the President when
he deems any speaker out of order. Also any member has the privilege of
explanation when he is misrepresented by the speaker.
3. When a speaker raises a question of privilege it shall not be in
order for him to speak to it until the President shall have decided it a
question of privilege. The following are questions of privilege: matters
relating to the rights and welfare of the individual member or of the
whole body. Such matters must be imperative in character in order to
justify the interruption of the regular order.
4. No member shall speak more than twice on any question without the
consent of two-thirds of the members present; nor may he make a second
speech until every member choosing to speak thereto shall have spoken.
In no case shall any speech be more than five minutes in length unless
by consent of the Conference, provided, however, that the chairman of a
committee making a report or one of its members selected by the chairman
or the committee shall in all cases be entitled to close the debate with
a five minutes speech, despite the motion to lay the report on the
table, or the call for the previous question. When a report consists of
two or more propositions, the right of the committee, its chairman or
its appointee, shall be the same as above defined, even though the
propositions be debated and voted on separately.
5. No member shall absent himself from the sessions of the Conference
without leave unless he is sick or unable to attend.
VI. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
1. The mover of every resolution shall present it in writing and in
duplicate. If the President, Secretary or any member request it, any
motion shall be reduced to writing.
2. All written motions and communications to the Conference shall be
read by a Secretary of the Conference.
3. All motions and resolutions when properly introduced and seconded and
all reports read by the Secretary to the Conference or stated by the
President, shall be deemed the property of the Conference. But the mover
of any resolution or motion may withdraw it at any time before amendment
or decision.
4. The following motions shall be undebatable: (a) To adjourn; (b) To
suspend the rules; (c) To lay on the table; (d) To take from the table;
(e) The question of consideration; (f) The call for the previous
question.
5. Every motion or resolution must be disposed of before a new one can
be considered. Procedure in the order of motions shall be according to
the following table: (a) To fix the time to adjourn; (b) To adjourn; (c)
To take recess; (d) To lay on the table; (e) The previous question; (f)
To postpone to a given time; (g) To refer; (h) To substitute; (i)
Amendment; (j) To postpone indefinitely.
6. The motion for the previous question cannot be laid on the table.
7. It shall be in order to move only one amendment to an amendment. But
it shall be in order to move a substitute to the main question, and the
substitute may be amended. If the substitute is accepted, it shall take
the place of the original question.
8. The motion to adjourn is always in order except in five instances, to
wit:
(1) When a member has the floor.
(2) When a question is about to be put or a vote is about to be taken,
or final decision reached.
(3) When a question is pending on sustaining the demand for the
previous question.
(4) When the previous question has been called and sustained and action
is pending.
(5) When a motion to adjourn has been voted down and no business or
debate has intervened.
9. Any member who in the first instance voted on a motion or resolution
with the prevailing side is entitled to make the motion for a
reconsideration, but no one else shall.
10. All resolutions contemplating verbal alterations of the Discipline
shall state the language of the paragraph and the line to be altered,
and also the language to be substituted. Two hours each day or such
amount of time as is necessary to deal with the disciplinary changes
offered, shall be given to the revision of the Discipline, taking it
chapter by chapter, and all amendments shall be offered while the
section is under consideration; and each section shall be amended and
passed before proceeding to another.
VII. VOTING
1. Unless excused for special reasons by the Conference, every member
within the bar of the Conference must vote upon every question submitted
for voting. Voting shall be done by standing, or by "yeas" and "nays"
except that voting on all questions relating to the Episcopacy shall be
done by ballot.
2. On a call for the "yeas" and "nays" by any member, the call shall be
sustained by a one-third vote of the members present except on subjects
relating to the Episcopacy.
VIII. MEMORIALS, RESOLUTIONS AND PAPERS FOR UNANIMOUS REFERENCE
1. Memorials, resolutions and miscellaneous papers not presented for
immediate consideration, shall be placed in the hands of the Secretary
without announcement. Such papers as above referred to must have written
in plain hand on the back of them:
(1) The name of the member presenting the paper.
(2) The Conference to which he belongs.
(3) Subject to which it relates.
(4) Committee to which he desires it referred.
2. On the call of Conferences for the presentation of resolutions,
petitions, etcs., no Conference shall be allowed to offer more than
three resolutions, petitions or memorials before the call of Conferences
has gone through the entire list of Conferences.
IX. COMMITTEES
The standing committees shall be:
1. Episcopacy.
2. Itinerancy.
3. Boundaries.
4. Revision.
5. Education.
6. Sunday School.
7. Church Extension.
8. Literature.
9. State of the Church.
10. Publishing Interests.
11. Temperance and Prohibition.
12. Missions.
13. Epworth League.
14. On Entertaining the next General Conference.
15. Finance.
16. State of Country.
The several Annual Conference delegations shall appoint one member for
each committee.
The report of the General Officers shall be made in the following order:
1. The Quadrennial Address of the Bishops.
2. The Book Agent's Report.
3. The Secretary of Church Extension.
4. The Secretary of Missions.
5. The Secretary of Epworth League.
6. The Secretary of Education.
7. Ministerial Aid.
8. Superintendent of African Missions.
The reports shall be made during the first days of the General
Conference session, and shall be referred to the appropriate committees.
X. MISCELLANEOUS
1. No person shall be allowed to stand in the open spaces of the
Conference room.
2. There shall be appointed a sufficient number of Orderlies to keep the
aisles clear, and none shall be admitted within the enclosure
constituting the bar of the Conference except delegates and visitors
invited therein by the Conference.
3. The Conference shall be governed in all matters not herein provided
for by the common practices of parliamentary usage.
4. These rules shall not be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of
the members present and voting.
J. A. BRAY, Chairman,
C. H. TOBIAS, Secretary,
R. S. STOUT,
J. H. MOORE,
N. L. SMITH,
L. H. BROWN,
E. W. WHITE.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY
I. NAME
This organization shall be called the Woman's Missionary Society of the
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.
II. OBJECT
The object of this society shall be to promote the welfare of women and
children at home and abroad through educational and evangelistic work,
to stimulate united prayer and study, to secure a fuller development of
resources and to foster religious movements and community betterment.
III. BOARD OF MISSIONS
There shall be a Woman's Board of Missions with headquarters located in
the city of Nashville, Tennessee.
IV. MEETINGS
1. Annual meetings shall be held for conference and the transaction of
business and in such place and at such time as the Board shall
determine.
2. Special meetings may be called by the President and two other members
or by the Executive Committee.
V. OFFICERS
The officers of the Woman's Board of Missions shall be a President,
Vice-President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, a Superintendent
of Young People's and Children's work, a Recording Secretary, and an
Organizer and such other officers as shall be found necessary. The
officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting.
VI. MEMBERSHIP
These officers and the President and Corresponding Secretary of each
conference Missionary Society shall constitute the membership of the
Board of Missions.
VII. FUNDS
The funds of this organization shall be derived from membership dues,
special contributions at meetings appointed in the interest of the
society, mite boxes, donations, bequests, or by any other means approved
by the Board.
VIII. COMMITTEES
There shall be an Executive Committee, such Standing Committees and such
Special Committees as shall be deemed necessary.
IX. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a two-third vote at any annual
meeting. No change which was not submitted to the previous annual
meeting shall be voted on.
NOTE.
In the Index, which follows, the first figures refer to page, and the
second to Article or Section. An expression like this, 232:6, is read,
Page 232, section 6. This expression, 210:IV:I, is read, Page 210,
Article 4, Section 1. This brief statement will serve as a key to the
Index given below.
INDEX
Abstinence, 33;78:4.
=Admission of=, ministers on trial, 82;
ministers into full connection, 83.
Adults, baptism of, 278.
=Agent=, book, see Book Agent;
for Bible Society, 70:1:b;
Sunday School, 70:d;
literary institutions, 71:1:e.
American Bible Society, 70:1:b.
Alms giving, Article, 28.
=Annual Conference=, members of, 43:1-4;
number and boundary of, 44;
Enabling Act, 44;
time and place of meeting, 45:3-4;
presiding officer, 45:5;
order of business, 46;
preachers on trial, 82:1;
discontinued, 83:3;
in full membership, 83:2;
located, 101:3;
institutions of learning, 50; 214; 237;
parsonages and churches, 51; 166;
committees of examination, 51;
candidates for the ministry, 52:5;
examinations, standard of, 52:6;
General Minutes, 53:8;
Statistical secretary, 53.
Apparel, General Rule, 30.
=Appeals=, right of, 41:5;
of a member, 149:3; 156; 60;
of a local preacher, 144; 155;
of a traveling preacher, 140; 150;
courts of, Quarterly Conference, 149;
Annual Conference, 144;
ministerial court of, 150;
General Conference, 153:1-2.
=Arbitration=, stewards on, 107:2;
disputes between members, 148; 215:1.
=Articles of Religion=, 15;
not to be changed, 40.
Auditing Committee, 189:3.
=Baptism=, Article on, 23;
administered to: infants, 273;
to adults, 278;
to be recorded by pastor, 80:12;
administered by deacon, 87:3;
elder, 89:3;
a sacrament, 22.
Baptized children, 121.
Benediction, Apostolic, 117:4.
Bible Classes, 122:5.
Bible, only rule of faith and practice, 17; 33.
Bible Society, American, 70.
=Bishops=, election and duties of, 69; 227:8; 232:6; 197:7;
consecration of, 339;
support of, 164:3; 179:IV:1;
retirement of, 74:15;
organize annual conferences, 74:10;
president of boards, 75:18; 188:2; 202:II; 210:IV:1; 214:2; 229:3.
=Boards=, Church Extension, Missions, Publishing, Education,
Sunday School, Superannuated Preachers, Widows and Orphans, Epworth
League, see departments of;
of Finance, see Joint Board;
directors, 229;
Equalization, 177:II;
General Departments, members of, 357.
=Book Agent=, 53:8; 177:2; 178:2-3;
duties of, 179; 180:5-6; 182:7; 190; 191:2-6;
salary, 191:2; 197:2.
Book House, 190:1.
Books and periodicals, 79:9; 187:3-5; 224:3.
Books, reading of, General Rule against, 30.
Borrowing, rule, 31.
Boundaries of Annual Conferences, 247.
Building Churches and parsonages, 166.
Burial of the dead, form of, 295.
Buying and selling, General Rules, 30.
Buying church property, 170.
Call to preach, 97.
=Candidates=, for the ministry, recommended by quarterly conference,
59:6; 62:13-14;
directed to studies, 77:8;
to be admitted, on trial, 82;
into full connection, 83;
for deacons, 86;
for elders, 87;
course of study, 361.
Canonical Books, Article on, 17.
Catechism, to be used, 122:4; 224:2.
Ceremonies, Article on, 26.
=Certificate of membership=, 81;
ministers from other churches, 93:4.
Chaplaincy, provision for, 70.
Charitable institutions, 166:1.
Children, instruction of, 121.
Children's Day, 233.
=Christian Index=, 187;
Editor of, 188:5; 191:1-2;
price of, 188.
=Christian Man's Oath=, Article on, 28;
goods, Article on, 28.
Church, Article on, 21.
Church Conference, 63.
=Church Extension=, Board of, 358;
members of, 202;
authority of, 202:2-4;
executive committee, 203:III:1-3;
Secretary of, 203:IV:1-7;
revenue, 205:5;
form of application, 206:7;
further authority of, 206:6;
conference board of, 207:8;
books, 208:10.
=Church membership=, how secured, 115;
baptism, form of, 278;
reception, 285;
how lost, 33; 144;
record of, 80:13;
members from other churches, 115.
=Church=, laying corner stone of, 305;
dedication of, 311;
buying lots, 170;
division or sale of church property, 172;
building churches, 166;
building parsonages, 169;
trustees of, 110.
Circuits, stations and missions, uniting and dividing, 73:8.
Circulation of books and periodicals, 79:9; 187:3; 198:4; 224:3.
Class Leaders, 104.
Class Meetings, 119.
=Collections=, Class, 104;
General Funds, 178;
missionary, 194:4; 205:5; 219; 231.
=Commissions=, Unification; Book House; Federal Council; Churches of
Christ; Compilation of Discipline; Educational Standards, 357.
=Committees=, of examination, 51;
of investigation: of Bishops, 129;
of presiding elders, 135;
of traveling preachers, 134;
of local preachers, 141;
of members, 145:a.
Communion, see Lord's Supper.
Community of goods, not enjoined, Article, 28.
Complaints, 60;
against a traveling preacher, 138:5.
=Conferences=, General, 37;
Annual, 43;
District, 54;
Quarterly, 57;
Church, 63;
records of: Church Conferences, 64:2;
Quarterly Conferences, 60:8;
District Conferences, 55:4;
Annual Conferences, 57:3.
Confirmation, not a sacrament, Article 22.
=Constitutions=, Church Extension, Epworth League, Education,
Missions, Publishing, Sunday School, Superannuated Preachers, Widows
and Orphans; Woman's Missions, see departments of.
Conversation, uncharitable, General Rule, 30.
Corner Stone laying, 305.
Council, Federal, Churches of Christ in America, 357.
=Course of Study=, local preachers, 361;
traveling preachers, 362.
Court of Appeals, 150.
=Credentials=, Elders and deacons, deprivation of, 158:1;
restoration of, 158:2;
local deacons and elders, deprivation of, 159:1;
restoration of, 159:2.
Cross Bearing, General Rule, 32.
Cup of the Lord, Article, 24.
Dancing, 147:2.
Day of the Lord, not to be profaned, General Rule, 30.
=Deacons=, how constituted, 86:1;
missionary rule, 87;
qualifications, 82:2;
duties of, 87:3;
local preachers, 99:2;
ritual of ordination, 317.
=Decision=, Episcopal, 72;
Presiding Elder, 76:5.
Deed of settlement, 170.
=Delegates=, General Conference, clerical and lay, 37;
restrictive rule, 40-42;
laymen to Annual Conference, 43:1-3; 56:3;
laymen to District Conference, 55:2.
Deprivation and restoration of Credentials, 158.
Diligence and frugality, General Rule, 32.
Directions to preachers, 84.
Directory, to be kept by pastors, 79:10.
Disputes, how settled, 148.
Dissension, sowing of, 147:3.
Districts, Annual Conference, 73:7;
General conference, 74:12.
Division, transfer, and sale of church property, 172.
Divorced women, preachers not to marry, 59:6.
=Doctrines of the church=, 15;
contrary one not to be disseminated, 138:4; 143;4.
Dress, General Rule, 30.
Drunkenness, General Rule, 30.
Eastern Index, 237.
=Editors=, Christian Index, 188:5;
duty of, 191:5;
salary of, 191:2;
Eastern & Western Index, 188:6;
salary, 192:3.
=Education=, Board of, 358;
constitution of, 214;
General Secretary, 218;
salary, 219:8;
meetings, 216:4;
revenue, how derived, 220:9;
vacancies in, 217:3;
Annual Conference Board, 220:10;
educational standards, 221.
=Elders=, how constituted, 87:1;
qualifications, 88;
duties, 89:3;
local, 99;
restoration of credentials, 158:2; 159:2;
ritual of ordination, 324.
=Election of=, Bishops, 69:1;
general officers, see constitutions of departments;
delegates to General Conference, 37:1-2;
to Annual Conference, 56:3;
to Orders, 46; 47:9-16; 86.
Enabling Act, 44.
Episcopacy: see Bishops.
Episcopal decisions, how guarded, 72.
=Epworth League=, object of, 209:2;
departments of, 209:3;
boards of, 210:4;
duties of secretary, 212;
revenue of department, 213:7;
Annual Conference, District Conference, and local, chapters, 210.
Evil Speaking condemned, General Rule, 30.
=Examination= of, preachers, 51; 82.
Exhorters, license, 102:1;
duties, 103:2;
further directions, 103:3.
Extreme Unction, not a sacrament, 22.
Family and private prayer, 33.
Fasting and abstinence, 33; 78:4; 84:2.
Fighting, general rule, 30.
=Finance=, Joint Board of, how constituted, 184:2;
duties of, 185; 53:9;
Recording Steward, 186.
=Financial plan=, general assessment and division, 177:1-2;
Board of Equalization, 177.
Founder's Day, 245.
Free Will, Article, 19.
Frugality, General Rule, 32.
Full Connection, 83.
=General Conference=, how composed, 37:1-2;
delegates, clerical and lay, 37;
voting by Orders, 38:3;
time and place of meeting, 38:4;
special session and delegates, 38;
quorum, 39:8;
presiding officer, 39:9;
restrictions: cannot change articles of religion, 40:1;
restrictive rule for election of delegates, 40:2;
Episcopacy, not to be destroyed, 41:3;
General Rules, not to be revoked or changed, 41:4;
right of appeals, not to be destroyed, 41:5;
how to change restrictive rules, 41;
unconstitutional laws, 42.
=General Missionary Society=, members of, 193:2;
authority of, 194:3;
revenue, 194:4;
General Missionary Day, 234:2; 195:5;
the secretary and his duties, 196.
=General Rules=, 29;
must be read by pastors, 78:3.
Ghost, the Holy, Article, 16.
God, Article, 15.
Gold, putting on, General Rule, 31.
Good doing, General Rule, 31.
Good works, Article, 20.
Goods, Christian man's, Article, 28.
Goods, not paid for, General Rule, 30.
Government, duty to, 27.
Grace, means of, 32; 116; 235.
Holy Ghost, Article, 16.
Holy Scriptures, Article, 17.
Hospital, 166:1.
Index, Christian, 187:4;
Editor of, 188:5; 191:5;
price of, 188:4.
Index, Eastern, 237;
Editor of, 188; 236.
Index, Western, 236;
Editor of, 188; 236.
Infant Baptism, Article on, 23;
ritual for, 273.
=Institutions=, of learning, provisions concerning, 50:8; 214; 237;
charitable, 166:1.
Investigation, see committees of.
=Joint Board of Finance=, how constituted, 184:2;
duties of, 53:9; 185;
recording Steward, 186.
Junior Stewards, 108:5.
Junior Stewardesses, 109:2.
Journal of Conferences, 53:7; 60:8.
Judicial administration, 129.
Justification, Article, 19.
Law, Bishops' decisions on, and appeal from, 72:5.
Law, Presiding Elders' decisions on, and appeal from, 76:5.
Law, going to, Rule, 30.
Laying Corner Stone, 305.
Lay delegates, 37:1; 43:2; 56:3.
Leaders, Class, 104:1.
Leaders' meeting, 235.
League, Epworth, see Epworth League.
Lessens in Public Worship, 116:1.
Local Deacon, 99:2.
Local Elder, 99:3.
Local Preachers, 98.
Locate preachers, 101:3.
Lord's Day, not to be profaned, General Rule, 30.
Lord's Prayer, in Public Worship, 116:1.
Lord's Supper, Article, 24;
General Rule, 33.
Love Feasts, 120.
Magistrates, speaking evil of, 30.
Marriage of ministers, Article, 26;
not to marry divorced women, 59.
Marriages to be recorded, 80:12.
Marriage performed by: deacon, 87:3;
elder, 89:3.
Masses condemned, 25.
Matrimony, not a sacrament, Article, 22;
ritual, 290.
Means of Grace, 32; 116; 235.
Meditation and prayer, 85:3.
=Members of the Church=, how received, 115;
ritual, 285;
removal, 81;
trial, 144;
appeal, 156.
Ministers of other churches, how received, 91.
=Ministers of the Gospel=, (pastors and preachers), members of
annual conferences, 43:2;
examination of, 51-52;
duties of, 78-81; 121-122;
deacons, 86;
elders, 87;
how appointed, 70:b;
advice to, 84-86;
trial of, 134;
appeal of, 140; 150;
unacceptable, 138;
support of, 163;
credentials, deprivation of, 158:1;
restoration of, 158:2;
ceasing to travel, 101:3.
Ministerial Court of Appeals, 150.
Ministerial Delegates, 37.
Ministers, speaking evil of, 30.
Ministry of the Word, 32.
=Ministry=, support of, pastors, 163;
presiding elders, 163;
bishops, 164.
Missionaries, provisions for, 197:7; 199:2.
Missionary on foreign fields admitted in full connection, 84:3.
Missionary Department, General, see General Missionary Department.
Missionary Board, Woman's, see Woman's Missionary Board.
Missionary Society, Woman's General, see Woman's General Missionary Society.
Neglect means of grace, 235.
Oath, Christian man's, Article, 28.
Obedience to civil authority, Article, 27.
Oblation of Christ, Article, 25.
Official Board, or Leaders' meeting, 235.
Old Testament, Article, 18.
Order of Public Worship, 116.
Orders, not a sacrament, 22.
=Orders=, deacons, 86;
local, 99;
Elders, 87;
local, 100;
examination necessary, 86-88.
Orders, voting by, 38.
=Ordination Ritual=, Deacons, 317;
Elders, 324;
Bishops, 339.
Original sin, Article, 18.
Orphans and widows of ministers, provisions for, 228.
Parsonages, building, 169;
securing, 170;
sale, 172.
Pastors, see ministers.
Pastoral Visitation, 79:10; 85.
Pelagianism, 18.
Penance, not a sacrament, 22.
Periodicals, 187:3; 224:3.
Poor, collections for, 106:2.
Post Office Addresses, 355.
=Prayer=, family, 33;
public, 116;
Lord's Prayer to be used, 116.
Prayer Meetings, 118.
Preachers in charge, duties of, 78.
Preachers, local, 98;
on trial, 82:1.
Preachers from other churches, 91.
=Presiding Elders=, appointment, 71:2;
duties, 75;
support, 163;
trial, 134.
Probationers for the Ministry, 82.
Public Worship, enjoined, 32;
how conducted, 116.
=Publishing Department=, object of, 187:3;
the Index, 188:4;
management, 188:5;
members of Board, 188:II;
annual meeting, 189:II:3;
Auditing Committee, 189:III;
Agent, see Book Agent;
editors, see Editors;
publishing fund, 177; 182:7;
surplus, 192:VI:1.
Punctuality, enjoined, 85:2.
Purgatory, 21.
=Quarterly Conference=, how composed, 57:1;
time and place, 57:2;
presiding officer, 57:3;
business, 58-60;
order of business, 60-63.
Quorum, 39:8; 189:3; 203:2.
Readmission, to Annual Conference, 46; 59:6.
Reading the Scriptures, 33.
=Reception= of members, into church, 115;
on trial, 82:1;
into ministry, 83.
=Recommendation=, to Annual Conference for admission on trial, 82:2;
local deacon, 99:2;
local elder, 99:3.
Recording Steward, 60; 109; 186:4.
=Records of=, membership, 80:12-13;
Church Conference, 64:2;
Quarterly Conference, 60:8;
District Conference, 55:4;
Annual Conference, 53:7;
investigation: of Bishops, 130;
of preachers, 135;
trial of, local preachers, 145:4;
members, 146:d.
Refusing to attend work, minister, 139:6.
Representation in General Conference, ratio of, 37:1.
Reproach of Christ, General Rule, 32.
Restoration of credentials, 158:2; 159:2.
Restrictive Rules, 40.
Resurrection of Christ, Article, 16.
Retired Bishops, 74:15;
support of, 164:3; 179:2.
Riches, laying up, General Rule, 31.
Right of trial and appeal, 41.
Rites and ceremonies, Article, 26.
Ritual, 261.
Rulers of the United States, Article, 27.
Sabbath breaking, General Rule, 30.
Sacraments, 22.
Saints, not to be envoked, 21.
=Schools and Colleges=, 50:8; 214; 237;
consent of conference necessary to build, 50:1.
=Scriptures=, canonical, 17;
duty of searching, 33;
sufficiency of, Article, 17;
Testament, the old, Article, 18.
Secretary, general, see departments.
Securing churches and parsonages, 170.
Self denial and cross bearing, General Rule, 31.
Self indulgence, General Rule, 31.
Sick, visiting the, 85:3; 106:2; 320.
Sin original, Article, 18.
Singing, directions concerning, 118.
Slander forbidden, General Rule, 30.
Societies, see departments.
Softness, General Rule, 31.
Songs, rule against, improper, General Rule, 30.
Speaking in strange tongues, Article, 22.
Special or called session, General Conference, 39:6.
Spirituous liquors, General Rule, 30.
=Standing Committees=, Annual Conference, committees on Course of Study, 51.
Statistics, 53; 77:9; 81:15; 47.
Statistician, 53.
Stewards, 105;
Junior, 108:5;
Recording, 60; 109:6; 186:4.
Stewardesses, 109:7;
Junior, 109:VII:2.
Study, Course of, 361.
=Sunday School=, 123;
department of, 223;
superintendent of, 59:7; 60; 123;
object, 224:2;
editor, 224-225;
Sunday School Boards in Annual, District and Quarterly Conferences, 226:7;
appointment of boards, 227:8;
order of business, 228.
Superannuated Preachers, 47; 90;
provisions for, 228.
=Superannuated Preachers, Widows and Orphans=, object of, 228:1:2;
Board of Directors, 229:3-5;
Secretary-Treasurer, 229-230;
funds of, 231:III:1-2;
payment of superannuates, 231;
claims of widows and orphans, 232:V:1-3;
report from Joint Boards, 185, a-b; 233:I:4.
Supererogation, Article, 20.
Supernumerary preachers, 89.
=Support of ministry=: pastors, 163;
presiding elders, 163;
Bishops, 164.
=Suspension=, by a Bishop, 71:3;
of a Bishop, 130;
of a traveling preacher, 136.
Temper, improper, 147:2; 137:3.
Temperance, General Rule, 30.
Testament, the Old, see scriptures.
Time, profitable employment of, 85.
Tongues, speaking in unknown, Article, 22.
Tracts, 77; 224:3.
Transubstantiation, Article, 24.
Traveling preachers, see minister.
Treasure on earth, General Rule, 31.
Trial of those who think they should preach, 97.
=Trials=, right of guaranteed, 41:5;
of a Bishop, 129;
of a traveling preacher, 134;
of a local preacher, 141;
of a member, 145.
Triers of appeals, 150.
Trinity, Article 15.
Trustees of church property, 110.
Tunes, directions concerning, 118.
Unacceptable preachers, 138:5.
Unction, extreme, 22.
United Society, rise of, General Rule, 29.
Usury, General Rule, 30.
Vacancies, Joint Board, 184:2;
in departments, see constitutions of.
Veto, 42.
Visiting from house to house, 85.
Voting, by orders, 38:3;
two-third vote, 41.
=Widows and Orphans= of: preachers, 48;
provisions for, 232;
bishops, 165:6; 179:3.
Will, free, Article, 19.
Witness, see trials of members, preachers, etc.
Woman's General Missionary Society, 375.
=Woman's Home Missionary Society=, constitution of, 199;
object of, 199:2;
controlled by Annual Conference, 199:3;
officers, 200:4;
revenue, 200:5.
Word, the, Article, 15.
=Works=, good, Article, 20;
supererogation, Article, 20.
=Worship=, attending, General Rule, 32;
neglect of, 235;
order of public, 116.
Year Book, 54.