NOTE 5.--The call to a pastor issues from the _church_ as a body, which also designates the amount of salary to be paid. It is in some sections usual, though not essential, to have subsequently a meeting of the entire congregation or society to approve or confirm the call. In some States it is necessary for the trustees, as the legal representatives of the corporation, to confirm the action officially, so far as the salary is concerned, before it can become legal. NOTE 6.--The number of deacons is optional with the church. It is usually from _three_ to _seven._ Let it be so many as the church needs and can find suitable as candidates for the office. But they should never be elected simply to fill the office, and never unless they be persons whose fitness for the office is generally conceded. NOTE 7.--The relations between pastor and the church may be dissolved at the option of either, by giving _three months'_ notice; or otherwise, by mutual consent. Between the deacons and the church, the relations may be dissolved at the option of either without previous notice. NOTE 8.--A church _clerk_ is elected annually, at a business meeting, by a majority vote. It is an office of convenience, for keeping the minutes and preserving the records of the body. Also _trustees_ are elected by the church, or if the law so requires, by a _society._ Their duties are the care of the property and the management of finances. But these are not considered Scriptural church officers; deacons might properly discharge all the functions of these offices.[2] NOTE 9.--The offices of trust and service in a church should be as widely distributed among the members as possible, consistently with the welfare of the body. This rule should seldom be disregarded. No one man should hold more than one office at the same time, unless the interests of the body absolutely demand it. If offices are honors, they should be widely dispensed; if they are burdens, they certainly should be. For the same man to hold two or three offices is as unjust to him as it is to his brethren. NOTE 10.--A church cannot unite in any corporate capacity with other organizations for religious, benevolent, moral reform, or other purposes; but it may cooperate with these for any good object, and give to such societies its moral support, sympathy, and pecuniary aid. NOTE 11.--But members of churches can, as individuals, unite with outside organizations, for any purpose, not inconsistent with their profession as Christians, and not injurious to their church relations and duties. NOTE 12.--Churches cannot alienate their responsibilities, nor delegate their authority to any man, or to any body of men, to act officially for them. But they can appoint persons to bear messages, and to perform services for them, under instruction, and to report their action to the body. +FOOTNOTES:+