The preparation of the present manual was undertaken at the request of, and by an arrangement with the pastor, R. S. MacArthur, D.D., on behalf of Calvary Baptist Church, New York City, for the special use of that church. Something was desired smaller than the "Directory," and more full than the "Star Book," embracing certain features of the "Short Method." When completed, it was thought to be, on the whole, so much superior to anything ever before prepared, as a manual for general use in Baptist churches, that by mutual consent, it was decided to have it published for general circulation, rather than confine it to the use of a single church. To both ministers and members, such a manual, it is hoped, will prove a valuable helper in the interest of church order, and of denominational unity and prosperity. Especially for the younger members, so many thousands of whom are yearly admitted to the fellowship of the churches, with an unlimited franchise, while but imperfectly instructed as to either doctrines or order, it should prove a most valuable assistant. Concise and accurate in statement of facts, transparent in arrangement of matters, convenient in form, and cheap in cost, pastors will find it to their own advantage, as well as to that of their members, to see that their churches are liberally supplied with copies. The pastor of one of our very largest and most prosperous churches, for whose use its preparation was undertaken, shows his estimate of its value, and sets other pastors a wise and worthy example, by ordering in advance of publication, _one thousand copies_ for his church. May the Divine blessing make this, as other works have been made, a means of furthering good order, spiritual vitality, and efficient service for Christ, in the churches for which it is designed. E. T. H. MOUNT VERNON, N. Y. January 24, 1890. CONTENTS CHAPTER I A CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHAPTER II CHURCH OFFICERS CHAPTER III CHURCH ORDINANCES CHAPTER IV CHURCH-MEMBERSHIP CHAPTER V CHURCH DISCIPLINE CHAPTER VI CASES OF APPEAL CHAPTER VII CHURCH BUSINESS CHAPTER VIII CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE CHAPTER IX OPTIONAL STANDING RESOLUTIONS CHAPTER X BAPTISM CONSIDERED CHAPTER XI THE LORD'S SUPPER CHAPTER XII INFANT BAPTISM CHAPTER XIII CHURCH GOVERNMENT CHAPTER XIV CHURCH OFFICERS CHAPTER XV BAPTIST HISTORY +STANDARD MANUAL FOR BAPTIST CHURCHES+ +CHAPTER I+ A CHRISTIAN CHURCH The word "church" is, in common language, used with large latitude of meaning. It is applied to a building used for Christian worship, to a congregation of Christian worshipers, to a religious establishment, to a given form of ecclesiastical order, to the aggregate of all Christian believers, and to a local company of Christian disciples associated in covenant for religious purposes. The latter is its common use in the New Testament.