CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL

CHURCHES.

A knowledge of it important. Early developements of the

Congregational plan. The Leyden church. Settlement

of New England. The denomination in England.

Character of the settlers of New England. State of so-

ciety. The first ministers. Discussions of church poli-

ty. Platforms. Present character of the New England

churches.

Page 13

CHAPTER II.

PRINCIPLES OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SYSTEM.

Constitution of churches. Members. Church power. Offi-

cers. Creeds. Independence and self-government of

the churches. Practical results of the System.

CHAPTER III.

CHURCH COVENANT AND WATCH.

Nature of the Covenant. Mutual watch of members. Ob-

ject-spirit and manner-and importance of the duty.

36

74

CHAPTER IV.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

Ends of discipline. Means. Private offences-our Sa-

vior's rule-remarks. Public offences-specification of

them-manner of proceeding-rules of evidence. For-

saking communion. Miscellaneous and general remarks

on discipline. Treatment of excommunicated persons.

CHAPTER V.

CHURCH MEETINGS AND CHURCH BUSINESS.

Duty of attending such meetings-order to be observed

in them. Articles of practice-terms of admission and

membership-pledges. Standing Committees.

CHAPTER VI.

RELATIONS OF PASTOR

AND PEOPLE.

The pastoral office-value of a settled ministry. Itiner-

ants. Settlement for life-settlement for a limited time-

evils of frequent dismissions. Prerogatives of the pas-

tor-nature and measure of his authority-his rights in

regard to the pulpit-his right of private judgment-the

freedom of the pulpit invaded by different sorts of per-

sons, on account of its influence. Rights of the people

in regard to the pulpit. Conventional rights-how in-

vaded.

84

135

144

CHAPTER VII.

DEACONS.

Origin-qualifications-duties-manner of introduction in-

Call and settlement of a pastor-order of proceeding-the

contracting parties. Support of the pastor-the grounds

of that duty-inferences. Different modes of providing

for parish expenses-taxation-rent of pews-subscrip-

tion-funds-Sabbath collections. Meeting houses and

lecture-rooms. Secular use of churches. Parsonages

and libraries. Young men.

CHAPTER IX.

175

RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE OF CHURCHES

WITH ONE ANOTHER.

Dismission of members from one church to another. Coun-

cils-occasions on which they are called-mutual and

ex-parte-consociations-powers of councils. Associa-

tions. Discipline of ministers. Church membership of

ministers.

CHAPTER X.

221

DEPORTMENT TOWARDS OTHER DENOMINATIONS.

It should be liberal and candid-not bound to encourage

them to the disparagement of ourselves. Proselytism-

its unworthy arts. Joint ownership of meeting houses-

Union meetings-Catholicism.

CHAPTER XI.

DOCTRINES AND MEASURES.

Doctrinal system of our churches-importance of a faithful

adherence to it. Measures-system of means appointed

by/Christ-importance of relying on that system rather

than on human expedients. Lay-preaching. Female

speaking in promiscuous assemblies. Hasty admissions

to the church. General observance of order.

THE

PRACTICAL CHURCH MEMBER.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

Ir every man should know something of the history of his own religious communion, it is especially desirable that such a history as that of the founders of the Churches of New England should, by every means, be kept alive in the minds of their posterity. The character of our Pilgrim Fathers, the causes and objects of their removal hither, the hardships they suffered more for the sake of us their children, than for their own,-have a most sacred claim upon our memory. It is a history which every son of New England