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changeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes
humility, love prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imita-
tion of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means
in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects
in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation
of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard
to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

X. OF SANCTIFICATION.

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, ac-
cording to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holi-
ness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regen-
eration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers
by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and
Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, espe-
cially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchful-
ness, and prayer.

XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS.

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto
the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the
grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial pro-
fessors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare;
and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation.

XII. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchange-
able rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and
good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to
fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their
love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them
through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is
one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace con-
nected with the establishment of the visible church.

XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation
of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and
fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ;
governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by his word; that its only scrip-
tural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose
qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles
to Timothy and Titus.

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XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER.

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water
of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy
Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our
faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect
in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is
prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the
Lord's Supper; in which the members of the church, by the
sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together
the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-
examination.

XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH.

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day,
or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious
purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful
recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of
grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that
rest that remaineth for the people of God.

XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment,
for the interests and good order of human society; and that
magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and
obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the
Prince of the kings of the earth.

XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference
between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as
through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his
esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbe-
lief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this
distinction holds among men both in and after death.

XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME.

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that
at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the
dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn sep-
aration will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged
to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and
that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in
heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

This Declaration of Faith is by J. Newton Brown, D.D., editor of Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.

RULES OF ORDER.

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I. The pastor, or in his absence any member appointed,
shall act as Moderator of all business meetings of the Church.

II. It shall be the duty of the Moderator to keep order;
and in case the Church is equally divided on any question, he
shall give the casting vote.

III. The meeting shall be opened and closed with prayer.

IV. The order of business shall be:

1. Reading of minutes of previous meeting.
2. The reception of members by experience or letter.
3. Granting letters of dismission.
4. Reports of committees.
5. Unfinished business.
6. New or miscellaneous business.

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V. A motion before the Church must be disposed of before
another motion can be entertained, unless the motion be to
amend, postpone, or adjourn, or call for the previous question.

VI. The Moderator may speak on any question by calling
on any brother to preside in his place.

VII. Every member who speaks shall rise and first address
the Moderator.

VIII. The Church in conference shall entertain no proposi-
tion for discussion which has not been presented on motion
of one member and seconded by another.

IX. On any point of order a member may appeal from the
Moderator to the Church, whose decision shall be final.

X. All questions, except that on reception of members,
shall be decided by the vote of a majority.