It has been a source of grief to many pious, grace-taught, and conscientious persons, that there is so great a neglect of the order of the gospel amongst us, as professing to believe in, and love the Lard Jesus, by the teaching of his Spirit—permit me to say, that this is a reason why the Lord has thus so deeply afflicted us. I have been constantly preaching the word, as far as I was taught, and helped, to the Lord’s people amongst us, for some years: God has given his testimony to the word of his grace, and there has been an assembling in his house, a submission to the ordinance of baptism, by the majority, and a constant attendance at the Lord’s table. This was well as far as it went; but it is necessary to stand complete in the _whole_ will of God, and to act in _all_ things, consistent with the rules laid down in his word. The precepts of the New Testament are the laws of Christ, as king in Zion, and they must form our rule of conduct in the Church, and in the world. A wilful neglect of this rule, is an insult upon the Saviour, and he will resent such conduct in his own People. Let us therefore search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord. I have frequently endeavored to rectify the error into which we have fallen, viz. The neglect of Church order. Some years ago, I published a pamphlet, entitled “The Nature of a Gospel Church,” with the covenant into which all the members were to enter, upon their admission to the Lord’s table. But, alas! this has scarcely ever been noticed since: it was approved of, but never practised. I hope, at a future day, to revise that little book, and add the following Articles, which appear to me to be important, to the founding and establishing the Church in future, and for the glory of the Saviour; but till we are settled again, as a congregation, I take this opportunity of sending you what I humbly conceive to be the Spirit’s mind, concerning the well-being of the Church of Christ. These Articles, I pray the God of all grace, to enable us constantly to observe, with the rules laid down in the members covenant, and the confession of faith there published. The Articles, I hope, will be punctually attended to. I know your concern of mind on this subject, and have no doubt, by prayer and perseverance, but the Lord will succeed our humble attempt to glorify his holy name.—Christian love to Mrs. F. I remain, your’s truly, in gospel bonds, _Ruhamah_. Rules of the Ruhamah Society. 1.—That as many Deacons be chosen, as the circumstances of the Church may require: that they may be men taught of God, and good moral characters, and who are Baptists, both in Principle and Practice.