The business meetings of a church should be conducted as much as possible in the spirit of devotion, and under a sense of the propriety and sanctity which attaches to all the interests of the kingdom of Christ. Meetings for business should not be needlessly multiplied, nor should they be unwisely neglected. It may not be wise to insist too rigidly on the observance of parliamentary rules, yet it is still worse to drift into a loose unbusinesslike way, which wastes time, accomplishes little, and does wrongly much that is done. ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. The meetings to be opened with reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. 2. The reading, correction, and approval of the minutes of the preceding meeting. 3. Unfinished business, or such as the minutes present, including reports of committees taken in order. 4. New business will next be taken up. Any member may call up new business. But important matters should not be presented, except on previous consultation with the pastor and deacons. NOTE 1.--The pastor is, by virtue of his office, moderator of all church business meetings. If he be not present, or do not wish to serve, any one may be elected to take the place. NOTE 2.--All business meetings, both regular and special, should be announced from the pulpit one Sunday, at least, before they are held. NOTE 3.--Special meetings for business may be called at any time, by consent of the pastor and deacons, or by such other methods as the church itself may direct. NOTE 4.--Though a majority usually decides questions, yet in all matters of special importance a unanimous, or nearly unanimous, vote should be secured. NOTE 5.--Members may be received, and letters of dismission granted, either at the business church meeting, the covenant meeting, or the regular weekly prayer meeting, the church so directing. Some fixed method should be observed. NOTE 6.--Candidates for admission to membership will be expected to retire from the meeting when action is taken on their reception. NOTE 7.--No persons, except members, will be present during the transaction of church business. If present, they may be asked to retire. NOTE 8.--Although the church should endeavor to do nothing which its members will be ashamed or afraid to have known by others, yet every member is bound, by the honor of a Christian, not to publish abroad, nor disclose to those without, the private affairs and business transactions of the body. RULES OF ORDER The following constitute the generally accepted rules of order for churches and other deliberative bodies in business proceedings: _Motions_ 1. All business shall be presented by a _motion,_ made by one member, and seconded by another, and presented in writing by the mover, if so required. 2. No discussion can properly be had until the motion is made, seconded, and stated by the chairman. 3. A motion cannot be withdrawn after it has been discussed, except by the unanimous consent of the body.