The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 1 [of 2]: being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjectsChurch, J. (John)
Religion
The Voice of Faith in the Valley of Achor: Vol. 1 [of 2]: being a series of letters to several friends on religious subjects
Church, J. (John)
Christian life; Church, J. (John), approximately 1780-approximately 1825 -- Correspondence; Clergy -- England -- Correspondence
17.—That when a Person desires to unite with the Church, to break Bread,
and to partake of the various Privileges of the Lord’s House, they are to
intimate the same to the Minister or to the Deacons, or to any Member to
introduce them.
18.—That the Deacons are to enquire into the state of their souls,
respecting a Work of Grace, and if they are satisfied, the Candidate is
to be brought to the Minister, who is to propose them to the Church at
the earliest Meeting thereof. This Examination is to be in a very
faithful, yet candid and affectionate manner. The Deacons are also to
take the earliest opportunity of minutely enquiring into the moral
Character and Conduct of such Persons, and upon approbation the Candidate
must attend at the next Church Meeting.
19.—That Persons wishing to be admitted be also requested to relate to
the Church the dealings of God with their souls; but, if timid, they may
give in a written account of the same, or the Minister to ask them such
questions as relate to the subject; and upon the Candidate’s retirement,
the Deacons are to give an account of the report of their moral conduct,
and if there is a majority of Votes, they shall be immediately admitted
as Members of the Church.
20.—That if such Persons are not baptized by immersion, the subject is to
be particularly explained to them by the Deacons and Members of the
Church, as they have opportunity, but they are not to be admitted to the
Lordly Table till the subject is opened to them.
21.—That any desirous of Baptism, are to signify the same as early as
possible to the Deacons, or Minister, that, when there is a convenient
number, they may partake of that ordinance. Not less than twelve
persons, unless under very peculiar circumstances. And if it be
signified, privately, that any Person or Persons are not able to bear the
usual expence attending the ordinance, the Church is to bear that
expence, as on those occasions there is much damage done to the Chapel.
22.—That the baptized Persons, and all those who were admitted as Members
at the Church Meeting, shall be publicly received at the ordinance of the
Lord’s Supper, when the Articles of Faith shall be read to them, an
address be given them, with singing and prayer, when they are to receive
the right hand of fellowship from the Minister, the representative of the
Church.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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