A
C.
HANND BOOK
FOR THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHUIRCH
MINNESOTA,
DESIGNED TO PROMOTE ORDER IN AND LIOVE FOR THE
SANCTUARY,
"Let all things be done decently and in order."-Paul to the Chur?ch
at Corinth. 
I'REPARED "Y"
EDWARD D.YKEILL.
_
PIHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED  BY  HENRY  B.  ASItILEAI),
GEORGE STREET ABOVE ELEVENTIH.
1856.
a
X~ t  iv- /,'7?o, )i!
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"WHAT constitutes a Church?
Not Ronin -basi{c- or Gothic pile,
With fretted roof, tall spire, and long-drawn aisle,
These only mock thy search; 
Fantastic sepulchres, when all is said,Seek not the living Church among the dead.
" What is a Church, indeed?
Not tripled hierarchy or throned priest,
The stolen trappings of the Romish beast,
Altar or well-sung creed,
Rites magical to save, to sanctify,
Nor aught that lulls the ear, or lures the eye.
"A band of faithful men
Met for GOD'S worship in an upper room,
Or canopied by midnight's starry dome,
On hill-side or lone glen,
To hear the counsels of His Holy Word,
Pledged to each other, and their common Lord.
"These, few as they may ~,;. 
Compose a Church, such asr in pristine age,
Defied the tyrant's zeal, the bigot's rage,For where but two or three,
Whatever place in Faith's communion meet,
There, with CHFIST'S presence, is a Church complete."
0  
8cipfqle  ge~ edi0a
"How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0 Lord of hosts I
" My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for the courts of
the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living
God.
"Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even
thine altars, 0 Lord of hosts; my King and my God.
"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will
be still praising thee.
"Behold, 0 God, our shield, and look upon the face of
thine anointed.
" For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I
had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than
to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
Ps. lxxxiv. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, lo, 11.
,?4jae!W
//   ~' 31
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a 
IN giving a brief sketch of the First Presbyterian
Church organized in the white settlements of Minnesota, it is proper to glance at the ecclesiastical
condition of the country before the passage of the
organic act creating it a separate Territory.
The Presbyterian branch of the Church was the
first to commence missionary operations in the valleys of the Minnesota and Upper Mississippi.
The Jesuits, as early as the year 1671, erected a
temporary'residence of birch bark, at La Pointe in
Wisconsin, on Lake Superior, and from thence despatched presents to the " Nadouessi," the Dakotas
of Minnesota.
The Dakotas or Sioux, as they are nicknamed,
returned the gifts, and making an attack on La
Pointe, drove the distinguished Father. Marquette
and his Indian friends of the Ojibway stock, to
Mackinaw.
Shea, in his History of the Roman Catholic Missions, remarks
"Father Menard  projected a Sioux mission;
MIarquette, Allouez, Druilletes, all entertained hopes
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ifiato~t. 
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of realizing it, and had some intercourse with
that nation, but none of them ever succeied in
establishing a mission among them."
This was reserved for Presbyterians.
In the spring of 1834, the Rev. T. S. Williamson, M.D., a member of the Presbytery of Chilicothe, under the direction of the American Board
of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, visited the
I)akotas, for the purpose of ascertaining what could
be done to improve their condition. After making
necessary inquiries he returned to Ohio, and in
May, 1835, he landed at Fort Snelling with a missionary band, and was hospitably entertained by
Majors Bliss and Loomis, U. S. A.
While there, the officers and soldiers showed a
desire to know something of the Prindb of Peace,
and Major Ogden, lately deceased at Fort Riley,
became a member of the Church that was organized
in June of that year.
The first Communion ever celebrated in Minnesota was in one of the company rooms at Fort Snelling, on the second Sunday of June, 1835, and at
that time twenty-two individuals of European extraction partook of the Sacrament, and were recognized
as the Presbyterian Church of Fort Snelling. This
Church is still in existence and holds its meetings
at the school-house near " Ha Ha Falls."
As soon as Dr. Williamson was sufficiently ae
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quainted with the habits of the Indians, he left the
protection of the Fort, and went to Lac-qui-parle.
He was there warmly welcomed by Joseph Renville, a gentleman of French and Indian extraction,
formerly a Roman Catholic, and a captain in the
British service, but then connected with the American Fur Trade.
Renville became an elder in the Mission Church,
"and his wife was the first full Dakota that joined
the Church of Christ, of whom we have any record,
and the first that died in the joy of the Christian
faith."*
In 1846, Dr. Williamson removed to the Kaposia
band of Dakotas, four miles below the site of the
city of St. Paul.
This city was then unknown, but a few log huts
marked the place as a small Indian trading post,
called by the Dakotas "Imnisia ska," or White
Rock.
It was the custom of the missionary at Kaposia
to preach occasionally at the log-house of Henry
Jackson, that stands in ruins at the corner of Bench
and Saint Charles streets.
Through his instrumentality, Miss Bishop, the
first school-teacher, was introduced to Saint Paul,
having been brought to the place by him; as also the
first Presbyterian minister, Rev. Edward D. Neill.
* Annals of Minnesota Historical Society, 1853, p. 15.
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The latter arrived in April, 1849, and preached in
the little brown school-house, now a shop, near the
church edifice on Saint Anthony street. Having
been appointed a commissioner to the General Assembly, after preaching his first sermon, from the text
"How is it that thou being a Jew, asketh drink of
me, which am a woman of Samaria?" (John iv. 9,)
he was absent until the commencement of July.
Services were held for a time in the building
known as the Central House, on the corner of Bench
and MIinnesota streets, it being the temporary Capitol.
About the last of August a small house of worship, erected through the liberality of a few relatives and friends of the minister, was completed on
Washington street, the first Protestant church edifice
in the white settlements.
On November 26th, 1849, a meeting was held of
those desirous to form a church, and it was resolved
that they should be known as the " First Presbyterian Church of Saint Paul."
The first communion took place on the first Sunday in January, 1850; Dr. Williamson of Kaposia,
assisting in the services, and some Dakota female
converts of his mission partaking of the Sacrament.
In May, 1850, the house of worship was destroyed
by fire. The congregation then worshipped in an unplastered building that afterwards became the front
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part of a store, lately occupied by H. C. Sanford,
and consumed by fire.
At this time Dr. Williamson used to preach to
the Dakotas, at the log-house of Joseph R. Brown,
on the opposite corner, now the office of the Express Company. One Sunday, while the white congregation was worshipping in the rude "shanty,"
the distinguished authoress of Sweden,  Frerika
Bremer, was in attendance. The present edifice
was so far complete as to accommodate the congregation on November 10th, 1850.
In a religious journal there is the following communication from the minister:
" Since my last I have commenced preaching in
the new brick church edifice, which has been erected
in the place of the building that was destroyed by
fire last May.
"About noon on the Saturday before we began
to worship there, a bell for the use of the church
arrived in a steamboat. By dint of labor, and
pressing ropes and blacksmiths into the service, it
was, after a few hours, swung in the unfinished
belfry; and at nine o'clock that night, its'great
iron heart began to throb.'
"Its solemn pulsations were joyous to every man,
woman, and child in St. Paul; but productive of
trembling astonishment to the painted Dakotas encamped on the opposite bank of the river. 
10
"Many, that still, moonlight night, and on the
bright, glorious and mild Sabbath morn which
succeeded; wished what Schiller has so well expressed in the'Lay of the Bell:'
"'Let it be a voice from Heaven,
Joined with the starry hosts afar,
By which high praise to God is given,
And which leads on the crowned year.
And be its metal mouth devoted
Only to grave and solemn things.
It feels for none, yet shall its swinging
Accompany life's changeful play;
And as away its music fadeth,
That strikes so grandly on the ear,
So may it teach, that nought abideth,
That all things earthly disappear.'
"The captain of the steamboat who brought the
bell, was a member of the Second Presbyterian
Church of Galena; and on Sunday morning his boat
was seen, (an unusual sight,) safely moored at the
landing, no longer belching forth vapor and red-hot
sparks, and black sulphurous smoke-but resting
and remembering the day, quietly reclining upon
the waves, which whispered soft and gentle music
as they laved her sides.
"The church that day was unusually full, in consequence of many of the boat's crew and passengers
being present." 
11
On the first Sabbath of January, 1851, for the
first time, a public profession of religion was made.
A Dakota missionary, in a newspaper called the
"Dakota Friend," formerly published at St. Paul,
alludes to the fact in an editorial:
"The first Sabbath of January was emphatically
one of the days of the Son of Mian.
"The fountain of natural light glided up the
eastern sky, adding charms to beauty, until he had
reached the midway point in his upward flight,
when the soul-charming sound of the church bell,
as a voice from the upper world, broke the solemn
stillness, calling the humble worshippers together
into the presence-chamber of the King of kings.
"At St. Paul, a' little flock' drew around the
sacramental board, on the very spot of ground formerly polluted by Pagan rites, to show forth redeemning love in obedience to that command of the
suffering Saviour,' Do this in remembrance of me.'
"One at least of that little conpany, then, for
the first time, partook of the emblems of the body
and blood of the Redeemer of men.
"What angel bands hovered over that place!
There is joy in heaven at such a sight. It was our
lot on that day to speak of the divine love of Jesus
to a band of his professed disciples assembled at
the MJission Hlouse at Kaposia, who, but a few years
since, stood beside Pagan altars. With them we
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ate bread and drank wine, in remembrance of Him
who died for us."
In February, 1854, Rev. E. D. Neill was unanimously elected Pastor. He declined the office, and
continued preaching to the congregation until the
fall of 1855, when he commenced a Presbyterian
mission on Walnut Street.
In the month of November, 1855, the Rev. J.
R. B3arnes, of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, was engaged to supply the pulpit for the winter. 
Tibe fog o  of  fope."
The duties of the Rev. M1r. Neill, President elect
of the "College of St. Paul," not interfering at
present with his preaching, the following circular
was issued:
"THiE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION, that was commenced in April, 1849, and discontinued in consequence of the formation of the First Presbyterian
Church on November 26th, of the same year, will
be resumed by the Rev. Edward D). Neill.
" As the only part of the city entirely destitute
of church privileges, is that beyond Eagle Street,
service will be held every Sunday afternoon, at fifteen minutes after three o'clock, in the lower room
of the District School House,'on Walnut Street, near
Fort, commencing November 25th, 1855.
" The Apostle Paul saith I God loveth a cheerful
giver,' and almsgiving is inseparable from pure
Christianity. To develope charitable inclinations,
a collection will be taken as in Apostolic days,' on
the first day' of each week, and will be appropriated
for the poor and sick, for the dissemination of religious literature, and the incidental purposes of the
mission.
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"As it is expected that the whole congregation
will unite as far as practicable in the singing, a
number of hymn-books have been provided.
" If not inconsistent with your religious views
and engagements, it would be agreeable to have the
attendance of yourself, family, and friends."
" St. Paul, November 22, 1855." 
The congregation, from the first, was unexpectedly
large; and on December 24th, 1855 (the anniversary of the death of a young lawyer of St. Paul,
who had left five hundred dollars for church extension,) a church was organized by the name of
" The House of Hope," and placed under the care
of the Presbytery of Minnesota, in connection with
the General Assembly that met at St. Louis in
1855.
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It is so called because governed by Presbyters,
and not by Prelates.
The Dutch Reformed, the German Reformed, and
the Scotch Church are Presbyterian.
Dr. Baird, in his history of "Religion in America," remarks -"Presbyterians believe that the
Apostles, in organizing the Church, were accustomed
in every city or place where a congregation was
gathered, to appoint a number of officers for the instruction and spiritual government of the people,
and for the care of the sick and poor.
" The former class of the officers were called
Presbyters, the latter Deacons. Of these Presbyters, some labored in word and doctrine, others in the
oversight and discipline of the flock, according to
their gifts, or to their designation when ordained.
As the terms Bishop and Presbyter were indiscriminately used to designate the spiritual instriutors
and governors of the congregation, in every church
there came to be three classes of officers-the Bishops or Pastors, or Teaching Presbyters; the Ruling
Presbyters, and the Deacons."
The census of 1850 reports 36,000 churches in
the United States; about 18,000' of which are Calvinistic in their articles of faith, and Presbyterian
in their views of the ministry, and of the position
of the lait.
O 
PRESBYTERIANISM  is not the production of a
Calvin or Knox, but is a form of worship and doctrine, which, if not the exact counterpart, approxijnates very nearly to the simplicity of the primitive
church.
A'large majority of the Protestant world are
Presbyterians in their doctrinal belief.
Presbyterianism does not consist in opposition to
clerical robes. In the language of Luther, it says,
" Let a man have a cassock to preach in; let him
havesthree cassocks, if he find benefit in them."
Nor does it consist in the rejection of a liturgy.
It allows each congregation to adopt such forms of
devotion as to them may appear most edifying. It
dieis from Episcopacy in its rejection of three orders in the ministry, and the doctrine of apostolic
succession, and in a belief in the parity of the ministry. It differs from Independency, not in its doctrinal belief so much as in its polity.
Independency asserts that the affairs of the
church should be managed by the vote and action
of the mass of believers in each church.
Presbyterianism asserts that the source of power
TAC~o~4p~v~en toot t4 gb~foi so fol).
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is in the people, but that the affairs of Christ's
kingdom are better managed by delegating power
to the more discreet and experienced. It is republican, rather than purely democratic, in its constitution. American Presbyterianism, while the same
in all'essentials, is less severe in its conformity to
the letter, than that of Scotland. This freedom is
not the result of laxity in belief, but arises from
the influence of a Republic where all religions are
tolerated, and where each branch of the Church is
entirely free from the patronage of the State.
Excepting one or two feeble organizations on the
Peninsula of MIaryland, the First Presbyterian
Church of Philadelphia, of which the Rev. Albert
Barnes is pastor, is the oldest in the United States.
2*
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ii  flee any   of  le  ~ebo
iltlioo.
AccUSTOMED to an educated ministry, the Presbyterian congregations at this period were highly
intelligent.
While the Episcopal and Methodist ministry almost all stigmatized Hancock, Adams and Washington, as rebels, the Presbyterian ministry defended them.
Before the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia, a number of Presbyterians at Mecklenburg,
in North Carolina, had sent forth the same sentiments.
William B. Reed, Esq., in an address before the
Philomathean Society of the University of Pennsylvania, quotes a letter which shows how Presbyterians were esteemed by royalists in those days.
A gentleman in New York, on May 31st, 1774,
thus wrote to a friend in London:
" You will have discovered that I am no friend
to Presbyterians, and that I fix all the blame of
these extraordinary American proceedings upon
them. You will perhaps think it proper to ask
whether no Church of England people were among
3 
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them. Yes, there were, to their eternal shame be
it spoken; but in general they were interested in
the motive either as smugglers of tea, or as being
overburdened with dry goods they knew not how to
pay for.:        *     *   X    -         -     *
" Believe me, the Presbyterians have been the
chief and principal instruments in all these flaming
measures, and they always do and ever wifl act
against government, from that restless and turbulent anti-monarchical spirit wi'hich has always distinguishecl them everjy where."
CHAPLAINS OF THE  FIRST CONGRESS.-Those
first elected were the Rev. Mr. White, of the Episcopal Branch of the Church, afterwards Bishop of
Pennsylvania; and the Rev. MIr. Duffield, of the
Third Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, the
grandfather of the Rev. Dr. Duffield of Detroit.
t
e 
$sespgsabJsen.
JONATHAN  EDWARDS, President of Princeton
College, the author of the work on the "Will,"
which has given him the name of one of the master
intellects of his age, though originally of another
denomination, became a Presbyterian. In a letter
to Dr. Erskine of Scotland, he writes:
" You are pleased, dear sir, very kindly to ask me,
Whether I could sign the Westniinster Confession
of Faith, and submit to the Presbyterian Form of
Government? As to my subscribing to the substance of the Westminster Confession, there would
be no difficulty; and as to Presbyterian Government, I have long been perfectly out of conceit
of our unsettled, independent, confused way of
Church government in this land, and the Presbyterian way has ever appeared to me most agreeable
to the word of God, and the reason and nature of
things."
JOHN WITHERSPOON, was the successor of Edwards, in the direction of Princeton College; and
was eminent as a statesman as well as a theologian.
His name appears, with others from New Jersey,
as a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a
measure which his eloquence had aided.
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When the committee on the subject of the Independence of the Colonies reported, there was some
irresolution in Congress. Some trembled at taking
such a step. Rising from his seat, the old minister
of the Gospel spoke these memorable words, that
silenced doubt forever:
"There is a tide in the affairs of men-,I nick
of time. We perceive it now before us. To hesitate is to consent to our own slavery. That noble
instrument on your table, which insures immortality to its author, should be subscribed this morning by every man in this house.
"Hle that will not respond to its accents, and
strain every nerve to carry out its provisions, is unworthy the name of a freeman.
" For my own part, of property I have some; of
reputation more. That reputation is staked, that
property is pledged on the issue of this contest.
"And although these gray hairs must soon descend to the sepulchre, I would infinitely rather
they should descend thither by the hands of the
public executioner, than to desert at this crisis, the
sacred cause of my country."
BENJAMIN  RUSH, the erudite  physician, and
signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a
man of piety and accustomed to worship in the
Presbyterian Church.
(ATtARLES THOMISON, the Secretary of the Con
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22
tinental Conigress, and the only translator of the
Septuagint Scriptures into English, was a member'
of the Presbyterian Church; and known among the
Indians by the name of " The Man of Truth."
DAVID RITTENHOUSE, LL. D., the distinguished
astronomer, President of the American Phildsophical Society, and Treasurer of Pennsylyania from
1777 to 1789, was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church.
General JOSEPIH REED, the friend and Aid of
General Washington, and President of the State of
Pennsylvania, was much attached to the Presbyterian doctrine and form of worship. He worshipped
in the Church in Philadelphia of which Dr. Brainerd
is pastor. A few extracts from his life are subjoined.
Speaking of the Presbyterian Church, General
Reed remarks:
"When I am convinced of its. errors, or ashamed
of its characters, I may perhaps change it.  Till
then I shall not blush at a connection with a people,
who in this great controversy are not second to any
in vigorous exertions and general contributions, and
to whom we are so eminently indebted for our deliverance from the thraldom of Great Britain.
"Their great misfortune is that artful men of
other parties and persuasions, have always found
means to dupe them into divisions, discord, and
weakness." 
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ELIAS BOUDINOT, LL. D., the successor of Rittenhouse, as Director of the United States Mint,
the President of Congress in 112, and the first
President of the American Bible Society, was an
attached son of the Presbyterian church.
ANDREW JACKSON, the President of the United
States, was a son of a Presbyterian mother. In
the prime of life he was reckless and wicked, but
in old age became a child of God.
From one of the newspapers we clip an incident
in his life:  " Not long after General Jackson's return to the
Hermitage,-having held the highest office, received
the homage and largest honors of this great nation,
and having gladly returned to his ownsweet home,the most estimable Christian lady, the wife of his
immediate neighbor and friend, (but not political
supporter,) W. D., Esq., departed this life.
" I was invited to accompany the late most worthy Capt. John Nichol, to the Hermitage, to attend
that funeral.
" We accompanied Gen. Jackson to the house of
Esq. D., where were assembled many neighbors,
anxiously awaiting the arrival of one of the Presbyterian clergymen of Nashville, to address the assembly, and superintend the last respects of the deceased;
but ere long intelligence was received that prior, or
very urgent engagements, prevented the attendance
of such minister. 
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"Gen. Jackson then placed one hand upon my
shoulder, and with his other grasped one of Capt.
N.'s, and said: 4et this occasion be improved-let
some appropriate services be performed; we are disappointed of the presence of Dr. E. and Mr. L.,
but you are both elders in the Presbyterian Church,
the deceased was a worthy member, a good woman,
a good Christian; something ought to be said; good
may be done. Engage in prayer, and make some
suitable remarks-they will be acceptable.'
" Thus urged by one so aged, so venerable, so
respectfully authoritative,-now a brother, an humble
Chtristian, a man of faith and prayer, in the same
Church with us,-hat could we do but take the
course urged b  this servant of the Lord,-and looking to God for his help, guidance and approbation,
we each successively engaged in prayer, in singing,
and addressed a few remarks to the audience.' We
did what we could.'.
" And then all accompanied the deceased to the
private cemetery, not far from the residence, where
occurred a scene so solemn and impressive as to
merit the finest touches by the pencil of American
art, to do it justice.
" There stood by the open grave the aged mother
of the deceased, and an only sister, Martha, by
whose side stood that venerable man, deserving to
be the'cynosure of all eyes-the observed of all 
25
observers.' And as the coffin was lowered into the
grave, the bereaved sister seeming frantic with grief,
and ready to sink also into the grave, as in the bitterness of her soul she cried out,' My dear, dear
sister-gone!  I shall never see her more!'-that
aged man placed his arm around her waist, and
said,'IIartha, iMartha, do not say so; you know
she was a Christian, and you, as a Christian, may be
sure to see her again. Do not weep-she is not
dead, but sleepeth.'
" That look, that attitude, those snow-white locks,
then uncovered, those words of comfort, that cain,
dignified, accomplished grace of the hero, the patriot, the statesman, the gentleman,-with the halo
of the Christian around his brow! It was a scene
I hleave often studied, and yet reflect upon with
pleasure."
3
le 
FOR THE
WORSHIP OF GOD,
IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCIIH.
CHAPTER I.
Of the Srtnctification of the Lord's Day.
I. IT is the duty of every person to remember
the Lord's day, and to prepare for it before its approach. All worldly business should be so ordered
and seasonably laid aside, as that we may not be
hindered thereby fromnt sanctifying the Sabbath, as
the Holy Scriptures require.
II. The whole day is to be kept holy to the Lord,
and to be employed ill the public and private exercises of religion. Therefore, it is requisite, that
there be a holy resting, all the day, from unnecessary labors; and an abstaining from those recreations which may be lawful on other days; and also,
as much as possible, from worldly thoughts and
co)iversation.
III. Let the provisions, for the support of the
family on that day, be so ordered that servants, or
others, be not improperly detained from the public
Zxfl4ef's flood flie Jsitefo~f
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27
worship of God; nor hindered from sanctifying the
Sabbath.
IV. Let every person, and family, in the morning, by secret and private prayer, for themselves and
others, especially for the assistance of God to their
minister, and for a blessing upon his ministry, by
reading the Scriptures, and by holy meditation, prepare for communion with God in his public ordinances.
V. Let the people be careful to assemble at the
appointed time; that, being all present at the beginning, they may unite, with one heart, in all the
parts of public worship; and let none unnecessarily
depart till after the blessing be pronounced.
VI. Let the time, after the solemn services of
the congreoation in public are over, be spent in
reading, meditation, repeating of sermons, catechising, religious conversation, prayer for a blessing
upon the public ordinances, the singing, of psalms,
hymns, or spiritual songs, visiting the sick, relieving the poor, and in performing such like duties of
piety, charity, and mercy.
CHAPTER II.
Of the asse,?~bliig of the Congregation, and their behaviour
duriiy Divcine Service.
1. When the time appointed for public worship 
28
is come, let the people enter the church, and take
their seats in a decent, grave and reverent manner.
II. In the time of public worship let all the people attend with gravity and reverence; forbearing
to read anything, except what the minister is then
reading or citing; abstaining from all whisperings,
from salutations of persons present, or coming in,
and from gazing about, sleeping, smiling, and all
other indecent behavior.
CHAPTER IV.
Of the Singiny of Psalms.
I. It is the duty of Christians to praise God, by
singing psalms, or hymns, publicly in the church,
as also privately in the family.
II. In singing the praises of God, we are to sing
with the spirit, and with the understanding also;
makling melody in our hearts unto the Lord. It is
also proper that we cultivate some knowledge of the
rules of music, that we may praise God in a becoming
manner with our voices, as well as with our hearts.
III. The whole congregation should be furnished
with books, and ought to join in this part of worship.  It is proper to sing without parceling out
the psalm line by line. The practice of reading
the psalm, line by line, was introduced in times of
ignorance, when  manay in the congregation could 
29
not read: therefore, it is recommended, that it be
laid aside, as far as convenient.
IV. The proportion of the time of public worship to be spent in singing is left to the prudence
of every minister: but it is recommended, that more
time be allowed for this excellent part of divine servi(e, than has been usual in most of our churches.
CIIAPTER VII.
Of the Admiaistration of Baptism.
I. Baptism is not to be unnecessarily delayed,
nor to be administered, in any case, by any private
person; but by a minister of Christ, called to be
the steward of the mysteries of God.
II. It is usually to be administered in the churclh,
in the presence of the congregation; iand it is convenient, that it be performed imlmediately after serilion.
III. After previous notice is given to the miniister, the ehill to be baptized is to be presented, by
one or both the parents; signifying their desire that
the chill mlay be baptized.
IV. B3efore baptism, let the minister use some
words of instruction, respecting the institution, nature, use, andl ends of this ordinance; showing,
" That it is instituted by Christ; that it is a seal
of the righteousness of faith; that the seed of the
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la 
30
faithful have no less a right to this ordinance, under the Gospel, than the seed of Abraham to circumcision, under the Old Testament; that Christ
commanded all nations to be baptized; that he
blessed little children, declaring that of such is the
kingdom of heaven; that children are federally
holy, and therefore ought to be baptized; that we
are, by nature, sinful, guilty, and polluted, and have
need of cleansing by the blood of Christ, and by the
sanctifying influences of the Spirit of God."
The minister is also to exhort the parents to the
careful performance of their duty; requiring,
"That they teach the child to read the word of
God; that they instruct it in the principles of our
holy religion, as contained in the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament; an excellent summary of
which we have in the Confession of Faith of this
Church, and in the Larger and Shorter Catechisms
of the WA estmiinster Assembly, which are to be recommended to them, as adopted by this Church, for
their direction and assistance, in the discharge of
this important duty; that they pray with and for it;
that they set an example of piety and godliness before it; and endeavor, by all the means of God's
a,ipointment, to  bring up their child in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord."
Y. Then the minister is to pray for a blessing to
attend this ordinance; after which, calling the child
by its name, he shall say, 
31
"I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize
the child with water, by pouring or sprinkling it
on the face of the child, without adding any other
ceremony: and the whole shall be concluded with
prayer.
Although it is proper that baptism be administered in the presence of the congregation, yet there
may be cases when it will be expedient to administer this ordinance in private houses; of which the
minister is to be the judge.
CHAPTER VIII.
Of the Administration of the Lord's Sttpper.
I. Thle communion, or supper of the Lord, is to
be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minister and eldership of eatch congregation, as they may judgte most for edification.
IT. The ignorant and scandalous are not to be
admitted to the Lord's supper.
III. It is proper that public notice should be
given to the congregation, at least, the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, aind that
either then or on some day of the week, the people
be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation
la 
for it; that all may conie in a suitable manner to
this holy feast.
IV. When the  sermon  is ended, the minister
shall show,
" That this is an ordinance of Christ, by reading
the words of institution, either from one of the
Evan-elists, or from 1 Cor. xi. chapter; which, as to
him may appear expedient, he may explain and ap ply; that it is to be observed in renmembrance of
Christ, to show forth his death till he come; that
it is of inestimable benefit, to strengtthen his people
against sin; to support them  under troubles; to
encourage and cquicken them in duty;  to inspire
them with love and zeal; to increase their faith and
holy resolution; and to beget peace of conscience,
and comfortable hopes of eternal life."
Hle is to warn the profane, the ignorant, and the
scandalous, and those that secretly indulge themselves in any known sin, not to approach the holy
table.  On the other hand, hie shall invite to this
holy table such as, sensible of their lost and helpless state by sin, depend upon the atonement of
Christ for pardon and acceptance with God; such
as, being instructed in the Gospel-doctrine, have a
omnpetent knowledge to discern the Lord's body,
and such as desire to renounce their sins, and are
determined to lead a holy and godly life.
V. The table on which the elements are placed,
" 2 
33
being decently covered, the bread in convenient
dishes, and the wine in cups, and the communicants
orderly and gravely sitting around the table, (or in
their seats before it,) in the presence of the minisister, let them set the elements apart, by prayer and
thanksgivin,g.
The bread and wine being thus set apart by prayer
and thanksgiving, the minister is to take the bread
and break it, in the view of the people, saying, in
expressions of this sort,
" Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the same night in
which he was betrayed, having taken bread, and
blessed, and broken it, gave it to his disciples; as I,
ministering in his name, give this bread unto you,
saying, [here the bread is to be distributed,] Take,
eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this
do in remembrance of me."
After having given the bread, he shall take the
cup, and say,
"After the same manner, our Saviour also took
the cup; and, having given thanks, as hath been
done in his name, he gave it to the disciples; saying, [while the minister is repeating these words,
let him give the cup,] This cup is the new testa ment in my blood, which is shed for many, for the
remission of sins: drink ye all of it."
The minister himself is to communicate, at such
time as may appear to him most convenient.
0 
34
The minister may, in a few words, put the communicants in mind,
"Of the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, held forth
in this sacrament; and of their obligation to be the
Loidcl's; and may exhort them to walk worthy of
the vocation wherewith they are called; and, as
they have professedly received Christ Jesus the
Lord, that they be careful so to walk in him, and to
maintain good workLs."
l-t may not be improper for the minister to give
a word of exhortation also to those who have been
only spectators, reminding them,
"Of their duty; stating their sin and danger, by
living in disobedience to Christ, in neglecting this
holy ordinance; and calling upon them to be earnest in making preparation for attending upon it, at
the next time of its celebration."
Then the minister is to pray, and give thanks to
(Xsod,
"For his rich mercy, and invaluable goodness,
vouchsafed to themn in that sacred communion; to
implore pardon for the defects of the whole service;
and to pray for the acceptance of their persons and
performances; for the gracious assistance of the Holy
Spirit, to enable them, as they have received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so to walk in him; that they mnay
hold fast that which they have received, that no
man takle their crown  that their conversation mav 
35
be as becomleth the Gospel; that they may bear
about with them, continually, the dying of the Lord
Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested
in their mortal body; that their light may so shine
before mien, that others, seeing their good works,
;iay glorify their Father, who is in heaven."
The collection for the poor, and to defray the expense of the elements, may be made after this: or at
such other times as may seem meet to the eldership.
Now let a psalm or hymn be sung, and the congreg,ation dismissed, with the following, or sonie
other gospel benediction
" Now the God of peace, that brought again from
the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of
the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, make you perfect in every good work to
do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be
glory for ever and ever.   Am~ei."
V1. As it has been customary, in some parts of
our Church, to observe a fast before the Lord's supper; to have sermon on Saturday and MIonday; and
to invite two or three ministers, on such occasions;
and  Is these seasons have been blessed to many
souls, and may tend to keep up a stricter union of
ministers and congregations, we think it not improper that they, who choose it, may continue in this
practice.
0 
36
CHIIAPTER IX.
Of the Admission of Persons to Sealing Ordinances.
I. Children born within the pale of the visible
church, and dedicated to God in baptism, are under
the inspection and government of the church; and
are to be taught to read, and repeat the Catechism,
the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. They
are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to fear God,
and to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. And, when
they come to years of discretion, if they be free
from scandal, appear sober and steady, and to have
sufficient knowledge to discern the Lord's body,
they ought to be informed it is their duty, and their
privilege, to come to the Lord's supper.
II. The years of discretion, in young Christians,
cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to the
prudence of the eldership. The officers of the
church are the judges of the qualifications of those
to be admitted to the sealing ordinances; and of
the time when it is proper to admit young Christians
to them.
III. Those who are to be admitted to sealing ordinances, shall be examined as to their knowledge
and piety.
IV. When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the church, they shall, in ordinary cases, 
— o7
after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their
faith, in the presence of the congregation; and
thereupon be baptized.
CHAPTER XII.
Of the Visitation of the Sick.
I. When persons are sick, it is their duty, before
their strength and understanding fail them, to send
for their minister, and to make known to him, with
prudence, their spiritual state; or to consult him
on the concerns of their precious souls. And it is
his duty to visit them, at their request, and to apply himself, with all tenderness and love, to administer spiritual good to their immortal souls.
II. He shall instruct the sick, out of the Scriptures, that diseases arise not out of the ground, nor
do they come by chance; but that they are directed
and sent by a wise and holy God, either for correction of sin, for the trial of grace, for improvement
in religion, or for other important ends: and that
they shall work together for good, to all those who
make a wise improvement of God's visitation, neither
despising his chastening hand, nor fainting under
his rebukes.
III. If the minister finds the sick person to be
grossly ignorant, he shall instruct him in the nature
4 
38
of repentance and faith, and the way of acceptance
with God, through the mediation and atonement of
Jesus Christ.
IV. He shall exhort the sick to examine himself,
to search his heart, and try his former ways, by the
word of God; and shall assist him, by mentioning
some of the obvious marks and evidences of sincere
piety.
V. If the sick shall signify any scruple, doubt,
or temptation, under which he labors, the minister
must endeavor to resolve his doubts, and administer
instruction and direction, as the ease may seem to
require.
ArI. If the sick appear to be a stupid, thoughtless
and hardened sinner, he shall endeavor to awaken
his mind; to arouse his conscience; to convince
himn of the evil and danger of sin; of the curse of
the law, and the wrath of God due to sinners; to
bring him to a humble and penitential sense of his
iniquities; and to state before him the fullness of
the grace and mercy of God, in and through the
glorious Redeemer; the absolute necessity of faith
and repentance, in order to his being interested in
the favor of God, or his obtaining everlasting happiness.
VII. If the sick person shall appear to have
knowledge, to be of a tender conscience, and to have
been endeavoring to serve God in uprightness, though 
39
not without many failings and sinful infirmities; or
if his spirit be broken with a sense of sin, or through
apprehensions of the want of the divine favor; then
it will be proper to administer consolation and encouragemient to himi, by setting before him the freeness and riches of the grace of God, the all-suffi.
ciency of the ri,liteousness of Christ, and the supporting promises of the Gospel.
VIII. The minister must endeavor to guard the
sick person against ill-grounded persuasions of the
mercy of God, without a vital union to Christ; and
against unreasonable fears of death, and desponding
discouragements; against presumption upon his own
goodness and merit, upon the one hand, and against
despair of the mercy and grace of God in Jesus
Christ, on the other.
IX. In one word, it is the minister's duty to administer to the sick person, instruction, conviction,
support, consolation, or encouragement, as his ease
may seem to require.
At a proper time, when he is most composed, the
minister shall pray with and for him.
X. Lastly, the minister may improve the present
occasion to exhort those about the sick, to consider
their mortality: to turn to the Lord, and make
their peace with him; in health to prepare for
sickness, death, and judgment. 
40()
CHAPTER XV.
The Directory for Secret and Family Worship.
I. Besides the public worship in congregations,
it is the indispensable duty of each person, alone,
in secret, and of every family, by itself, in private,
to pray to and worship God.
II. Secret worship is most plainly enjoined by
our Lord. In this duty every one, apart by himself,
is to spend some time in prayer, reading the Scriptures, holy meditation, and serious self-examination.
The many advantages arising from a conscientious
discharge of these duties are best known to those
who are found in the faithful discharge of them.
III. Family-worship, which ought to be performed
by every family, ordinarily, morning and evening,
consists in prayer, reading the Scriptures, and singing praises.
IV. The head of the family, who is to lead in this
service, ought to be careful that all the members of
his household duly attend; and that none withdraw
themselves unnecessarily from any part of familyworship; and that all refrain from their common
business while the Scriptures are read, and gravely
attend to the same, no less than when prayer or
praise is offered up.
V. Let the heads of families be careful to instruct
their children and servants in the principles of reli 
41
gion. Every proper opportunity ought to be embraced for such instruction.   But we are of opinion,
that the Sabbath-evenings, after public worship,
should be sacredly preserved for this purpose.
Therefore, we highly disprove of paying unnecessary private visits on the Lord's day; admitting
strangers into the families, except when necessity
or charity requires it; or any other practices, whatever plausible pretences may be offered in their favor, if they interfere with the above important and
necessary d(luty.
4* 
ZxivActs ftoi the Eovi  of eobeqpipeft.
OF THE CHURCII.
" Jesus Christ, who is now exalted far above all
principality and power,* hath erected, in this world,
a kingdom, which is his church.t
* Eph. i. 20, 21.-When he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this
world, but also in that which is to come. Psal. lxviii. 18.
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
t Psal. ii. 6.-Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill
of Zion. Dan. vii. 14.-There was given him dominion,
and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and
languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his
kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed. Eph. i. 22,
23. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him
to be the head over all things to the church, which is his
body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 
" The universal church consists of all those persons, in every nation, together with their children,
who make profession of the holy religion of Christ,
and of submission to his laws.*
" As this immense multitude cannot meet together, in one place, to hold communion, or to worship
God, it is reasonable, and w'.arranitedZ by Scrptutre
exam~ple, that they should be divided into many
particular churches. t
'"A particular church consists of a number of
professing Christians, with their offspring, voluntarily associated together, for divine worship, and
* Rev. v. 9.-And hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call. 1 Cor. i. 2, compared with 2
Cor. ix. 13.
t Gal. i. 21, 22. Afterwards I came into the regions of
Syria and Cilicia; and was unknown by face unto the
churches of Judea which were in Christ. Rev. i. 4, 20.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be
unto you and peace, from him which is, and which was,
and which is to come: and from the seven spirits which are
before his throne.-The mystery of the seven stars, which
thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest
are the seven churches. See also Rev. ii. 1.
4 i 
44
godly living, agreeably to the holy Scriptures;*
and submitting to a certain form of government."
OFFICERS.
" Our blessed Lord, at first, collected his church
out of different nations,+ and formed it into one
* Acts ii. 41, 47.  Then they that gladly received his
word, were baptized; and the same day there Were added
unto them about three thousand souls.-Praising God, and
having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to
the church daily such as should be saved.  1 Cor. vii. 14.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and
the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else
were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
Acts ii. 39. M'ark x. 14, compared with Mat. xix. 13, 14,
and Luke xviii. 15, 16.
t Heb. viii. 5. Who serve unto the example and shadow
of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when
he was about to make the tabernacle; for, See (saith he)
that thou make all things according to the pattern showed
to thee in the mount. Gal. vi. 16. And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and
upon the Israel of God.
I Psal. ii. 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the
heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of
the earth for thy possession. Rev. vii. 9. After this I
beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. 
body,* by the mission of men endued with miraculous gifts, which have long since ceased. t
"The  ordinary and perpetual officers, in the
church are, Bishop)s, or Pastors;l the representatives of the people, usually styled Ruling Elders~
and Dcacons."IIl
BISHOPS OR PASTORS.
" The pastoral office is the first in the church,
both for dignity and usefulncss.~ The person wrho
fills this office, hath, in Scripture, obtained different
names expressive of his various duties. As he has
the oversight of the flock of Christ, he is termed
* 1 Cor. x. 17. For we, being many, are one bread, and
one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. See
also Eph. iv. 16. Col. ii. 19.
t  Mat. x. 1, 8. And when he had called unto htim his
twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease, &c.
I 1 Tim. iii. 1.-If a man desire the office of a bishop,
he desireth a good work. Eph. iv. 11, 12. And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ.
Q 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well, be counted
worthy of double honor.
11 Phil. i. 1.-To all the saints in Christ Jesus which are
st Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
* r om. xb 13.
4r5 
bishop.* (a) As he feeds them with spiritual food,
he is termed pastor.t As he serves Christ in his
church; he is termed minister.1 As it is his duty to
be grave and prudent, and an example of the flock,
and to govern well in the house and kingdom of
Christ, he is termed presbyter or elder.~ As he is
the messenger of God, he is termed the angel of the
church.11 As he is sent to declare the will of God
* Acts xx. 28.  Take heed therefore, unto yourselves,
and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers [bishops,] to feed the church of God, which
he hath purchased with his own blood.
t Jer. iii. 15. And I will give you pastors according
to my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and
understanding. 1 Pet. v. 2, 3, 4.
1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Cor. iii. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers of
the New Testament.
Q i Pet. v. 1. The elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings
of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be
revealed. See also Tit. i. 5. 1 Tim. v. 1, 17, 19.
11 Rev. ii. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus
write. Rev. i. 20.-The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches. See also Rev. iii. 1, 7. Mial. ii. 7.
(a) As the office and character of the Gospel minister is
particularly and fully described in the Holy Scriptures,
under the title of bishop; and as this term is peculiarly
expressive of his duty as an overseer of the flock, it ought
not to be rejected.
46 
47
to sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled
to God through Christ, he is termed ambassador.*
And, as he dispenses the manifold grace of God, and
the ordinances instituted by Christ, he is termed
steward of the mysteries of God."t
ELECTION AND DEDICATION OF BISHOPS.
"When any probationer shall have preached so
much to the satisfaction of any congregation, as
that the people appear to be prepared to elect a
pastor, the session shall take measures to convene
them for this purpose: and it shall always be the
duty of the session to convene them, when a majority of the persons entitled to vote in the case,
shall, by a petition, request that a meeting may be
called.
" When such a meeting is intended, the session
shall solicit the presence and counsel of some neighboring minister to assist them in conducting the
* 2 Cor. v. 20.  Now  then we are ambassadors for
Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray
you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Eph.
vi. 20.
t Luke xii. 42. —Who then is that faithful and wise
steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. —Aoreover, it is required in stewards, that
a man be found faithful. 
48
election contemplated, unless highly inconvenient
on account of distance; in which case they may
proceed without such assistance.
"On a Lord's day, immediately after public worship, it shall be intimated from the pulpit, that all
the members of that congregation are requested to
meet, on                 ensuing, at the church, or
usual place for holding public worship; then and
there, if it be agreeable to them, to proceed to the
election of a pastor for that congregation.
"On the day appointed, the minister invited to
preside, if he be present, shall, if it be deemed expedient, preach a sermon; and after sermon he shall
announce to the people, that he will immediately
proceed to take the votes of the electors of that congregation, for a pastor, if such be their desire; and
when this desire shall be expressed, by a majority
of voices, he shall then proceed to take votes accordingly. In this election, no person shall be entitled
to vote who refuses to submit to the censures of the
church, regularly administered; or who does not
contribute his just proportion, according to his own
engagements, or the rules of that congregation, to
all its necessary expenses.
" When the votes are taken, if it appear that a
large minority of the people are averse from the
candidate who has a majority of votes, and cannot
be induced to concur in the call, the presiding mi 
49
lister shall endeavor to dissuade the congregation
from prosecuting it further. But if the people be
nearly, or entirely, unanimous; or if the majority
shall insist upon their right to call a pastor, the
presiding minister, in that case, after using his utmost endeavors to persuade the congregation to unanimity, shall proceed to draw a call, in due form.
and to have it subscribed by the electors; certifying at the same time, in writing, the number and
circumstances of those who do not concur in the
call: all which proceedings shall be laid before the
presbytery, together with the call.
"The call shall be in the following, or like form,
viz.:
" The congregation of                    being, on
sufficient grounds, well satisfied of the ministerial
qualifications of you                    and having
good hopes, from our past experience of your labors,
that your ministrations in the Gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call
and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in
said congregation; promising you, in the discharge
of your duty, all proper support, encouragement,
and obedience in the Lord. And that you may be
free from worldly cares and avocations, we hereby
promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the sum
of                              in regular quarterly
(or half yearly, or yearly) payments, during the
5. 
50
time of your being and continuing the regular
pastor of this church. In testimony whereof, we
have respectively subscribed our names, this
day of             A. D.
"Attested by A. D., Moderator of the meeting.
"But if any congregation shall choose to subscribe their call by their elders and deacons, or by
their trustees, or by a select committee, they shall
be at liberty to do so. But it shall, in such case,
be fully certified to the presbytery, by the minister,
or other person who presided, that the persons
signing have been appointed, for that purpose, by a
public vote of the congregation; and that the call
has been, in all other respects, prepared as above
directed.
" When a call shall be presented to any minister
or candidate, it shall always be viewed as a sufficient petition from the people for his instalment.
The acceptance of a call, by a minister or candidate, shall always be considered as a request, on
his part, to be installed at the same time. And
when a candidate shall be ordained in consequence
of a call from any congregation, the presbytery
shall, at the same time, if practicable, install him
pastor of that congregation.
"The call, thus prepared, shall be presented to
the presbytery, under whose care the person called
shall be; that, if the presbytery think it expedient
a 
51
to present the call to him, it may be accordingly
presented: and no minister or candidate shall receive a call but through the hands of the presbytery.
" If the call be to the licentiate of another presbytery, in that case the commissioners deputed from
the congregation to prosecute the call, shall produce, to that judicatory, a certificate from their
own presbytery, regularly attested by the m6derator and clerk, that the call has been laid before
them, and that it is in order. If that presbytery
present the call to their licentiate, and he be disposed to accept it, they shall then dismiss him from
their jurisdiction, and require him to repair to that
presbytery, into the bounds'of which he is called;
and there to submit himself to the usual trials preparatory to ordination.
" Trials for ordination, especially in a different
presbytery from that in which the candidate was
licensed, shall consist of a careful examination as
to his acquaintance with experimental religion; as
to his knowledge of philosophy, theology, ecclesiastical history, the Greek and Hebrew languages, and
such other branches of learning as to the presbytery may appear requisite; and as to his knowledge
of the constitution, the rules and principles of the
government, and discipline of the church; together
with such written discourse, or discourses, founded
a 
52
on the word of God, as to the presbytery shall seem
proper.* The presbytery, being fully satisfied with
his qualifications for the sacred office, shall appoint
a day for his ordination, which ought to be, if convenient, in that church of which he is to be the
minister. It is also recommended that a fast day
be observed in the congregation previous to the day
of ordination.t
"The day appointed for ordination being come,
and the presbytery convened, a member of the
presbytery, previously appointed to that duty, shall
preach a sermon adapted to the occasion. The
same, or another member appointed to preside, shall
afterward briefly recite from the pulpit, in the audience of the people, the proceedings of the presbytery preparatory to this transaction: he shall point
out the nature and importance of the ordinance;
and endeavor to impress the audience with a proper
sense of the solemnity of the transaction.
"Then, addressing himself to the candidate, he
shall propose to him the following questions, viz.:
"1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments to be the word of God, the
only infallible rule of faith and practice?I
* See the proofs in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, of chapter iv.
t Acts xiii. 2, 3.
t2 Tim. iii. 16. Eph. ii. 20. 
53
"2. Do you sincerely receive and adopt the confession of faith of this church, as containing the
system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scripture?*
"3. Do you approve of the government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church in these United
States?t
"4. Do you promise subjection to your brethren
in the Lord?I
"5. Have you been induced, as far as you know
your own heart, to seek the office of the holy ministry from love to God, and a sincere desire to promote
his glory in the Gospel of his Son?~
"6. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful in
maintaining the truths of the Gospel, and the purity and peace of the church; whatever persecution
or opposition may arise unto you on that account?1II
"7. Do you engage to be faithful and diligent
in the exercise of all private and personal duties,
which become you as a Christian and a minister of
the Gospel; as well as in all relative duties, and the
public duties of your office; endeavoring to adorn
the profession of the Gospel by your conversation;
and walking with exemplary piety before the flock
over which God shall make you overseer? t
* 2 Tim. i. 13.          t See 2 Tim. i. 13.
1 1 Pet. v. 5.           ~ 1 Cor. ii. 2.  2 Cor. iv. 5.
Acts xx. 17-31.
See the epistles to Timothy and Titus throughout.
5* 
;54
" 8. Are you now willing to take charge of this
congregation, agreeably to your declaration at accepting their call? And do you promise to discharge the duties of a pastor to them, as God shall
give you strength?*
"The candidate having answered these questions
in the affirmative, the presiding minister shall propose to the people the following questions:
" 1. Do you, the people of this congregation, continue to profess your readiness to receive
whom you have called to be your
minister?
" 2. I)o you promise to receive the word of truth
from his mouth, with meekness and love; and to
submit to him in the due exercise of discipline?t
"3. Do you promise to encourage him in his
arduous labor, and to assist his endeavors for your
instruction and spiritual edification?I
"4. And do you engage to continue to him, while
he is your pastor, that competent worldly maintenance which you have promised; and whatever else
you may see needful for the honor of religion, and
his comfort among you? ~
* 1 Pet. v. 2.
t James i. 21. Heb. xiii. 17.
J 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.
{ Cor. ix. 7-15. 
"The people having answered these questions in
the affirmative, by holding up their right hands, the
candidate shall kneel down in the most convenient
part of the church. Then the presiding minister
shall, by prayer,* and with the laying on of the
hands of the presbytery,t according to the apostolic
example, solemnly ordain him to the holy office of
the Gospel ministry. Prayer being ended, he shall
rise from his knees; and the minister who presides
shall first, and afterward all the members of the
presbytery in their order, take him by the right
hand, saying, in words to this purpose,'We give
you the right hand of fellowship, to take part of
this ministry with us.'l After which the minister,
presiding, or some other appointed for the purpose,
shall give a solemn charge in the name of God, to
the newly ordained bishop,~ and to the people,ld to
persevere in the discharge of their mutual duties;
and shall then, by prayer, recommend them both to
the grace of God, and his holy keeping, and finally,
after singing a psalm, shall dismiss the congregation with the usual blessing. And the presbytery
shall duly record the transaction.
* Acts xiii. 2, 3.
: Gal. ii. 9.   Acts i. 25.
11 Mark iv. 24. Heb. ii. 1.
xiii. 17.   1 Thess. v. 12, 13.
10
t 1 Tim. i. 14.
Q 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2.
See also James i. 21. Heb.
I Cor. ix. 7-15.
)5 
56
" As it is sometimes desirable and important that
a candidate who has not received a call to be the
pastor of a particular congregation, should, nevertheless, be ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, as an evangelist to preach the Gospel, administer sealing ordinances, and organize churches, in
frontier or destitute settlements; in this case, the
last of the preceding questions shall be omitted, and
the following used as a substitute, viz.
"Are you now willing to undertake the work of
an evangelist; and do you promise to discharge the
duties which may be incumbent on you in this
character, as God shall give you strength?"
THIE CHURCH SESSION.
"The Church session consists of the pastor or
pastors, and ruling elders, of a particular congregation.*
"Of this judicatory, two elders, if there be as
many in the congregation, with the pastor, shall be
necessary to constitute a quorum.
"The pastor of the congregation shall always be
the moderator of the session; except when, for prudential reasons, it may appear advisable that some
* 1 Cor. v. 4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the
power of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
other minister should be invited to preside; in
which case the pastor may, with the concurrence
of the session, invite such other minister as they
may see meet, belonging to the same presbytery,
to preside in that case. The same expedient may
be adopted in case of the sickness or absence of the
pastor.
"It is expedient, at every meeting of the session,
more especially when constituted for judicial business, that there be a presiding minister. When,
therefore, a church is without a pastor, the moderator of the session shall be, either the minister appointed for that purpose by the presbytery, or one
invited by the session to preside on a particular
occasion. But where it is impracticable, without
great inconvenience, to procure the attendance of
such a moderator, the session may proceed without it.
"In congregations where there are two or more
pastors, they shall, when present, alternately preside in the session.
" The Church session is charged with maintaining the spiritual government of the congregation;*
* Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account; that they may do
it with joy, and not with grief. 1 Thess. v. 12, 13; and 1
Tim. v. 17.
u
.57 
58
for which purpose, they have power to inquire into
the knowledge and Christian conduct of the members of the church;* to call before them offenders
and witnesses, being members of their own congregation, and to introduce other witnesses, where it
may be necessary to bring the process to issue, and
when they can be procured to attend. to receive
members into the church; to admonish, to rebuke,
to suspend, or exclude from the sacraments, those
who are found to deserve censure;t to concert the
best measures for promoting the spiritual interests
of the congregation; and to appoint delegates to
the higher judicatories of the church.t
"The pastor has power to convene the session
when he may judge it requisite;~ and he shall
* Ezek. xxxiv. 4.
t 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.  And we beseech you, brethren, to
know them which labor among you, and are over you in
the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very
highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace
among yourselves. See also 2 Thes. iii. 6, 14, 15. 1 Cor.
xi. 27 to the end.
I Acts xv. 2, 6. When therefore Paul and Barnabas
had no small dissention and disputation with them, they
determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of
them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and
elders, about this question.-And the apostles and elders
came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts xx. 17. 
59
always convene them when requested to do so by
any two of the elders. The session shall also convene when directed so to do by the presbytery.
" Every session shall keep a fair record of its
proceedings: which record shall be, at least once
in every year, submitted to the inspection of the
presbytery.
"It is important that every church session keep
a fair register of marriages; of baptisms, with the
times of the birth of the individuals baptized; of
persons admitted to the Lord's table, and of the
deaths, and other removals of church members."
I 
of fbe  h
Extracts from the Statute of Minnesota, concerning
Religious Societies,
"It shall be lawful for all persons of full age,
belonging to any church, congregation, or religious
society not already incorporated, to assemble at the
church or meeting-house, or other place where they
may statedly attend for divine worship, and by a
plurality of votes to elect any number of discreet
persons of their church, congregation, or society,
not less than three nor more than nine in number,
as Trustees, to take charge of the property and estate
belonging thereto, and to transact all affairs relative
to the temporalities thereof."- Section 1st.
"Notice of elections must be given at least fifteen
days before, and for two successive Sabbaths.-See
Section 3d,
"Reading certificate of election.-The certificate
of election of the Trustees must be acknowledged
and recorded, in accordance with provisions of sta.
tute.
" Any two Trustees may call a meeting.
" No person, after the first election, shall be enti.
tled to vote, until he shall have been an attendant
0 
61
on public worship at least six months before election,
and shall have contributed to the support of the congreqation according to their usages.
" The clerk of the Trustees shall keep a register
of all the stated hearers, and the time they became
members of the congregation.
"The salary or compensation of minister to be
fixed, not by the Trustees, but by a majority of the
society convened for the purpose."
6 
Cat  of   C~tirckea
1)tdcr the care of Presbytery of linntesota, int 1855.
First Presbyterian Church,
The House of Hope,    -
First Presbyterian Church,
i      is c        v 
cs c    a c        v 
-   Saint Paul.
-   Stillwater.
-   Little Falls.
-   Minneapolis.
-   Oak Grove.
-   Shakopee.
-   Kaposia.
-   Red Wing.
-   Hastings.
-   Superior, (Wis.)
0 
eoQfeagsoQ of    t  a    Cobenant
OF THE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA.
BELOVED FRIENDS:
You have presented yourselves before God and
his people, and the world, to make a solemn confession of your religious faith, and to take upon
you everlasting obligations.   We  trust you have
duly considered the nature of the professions you
are about to make, and of the engagements into
which you are about to enter.
They will be heard on high, and will be exhibited, on your trial, at the last day. Yet be not
overwhelmed.
If you are sincerely desirous to be the Lord's;
to believe all his declarations, and to obey all his
commands, he will compassionate your weakness,
will make you wise by his wisdom, and will conduct
you safely to his heavenly kingdom.
Attend, then, to the
I& 
64
Abstract of the Confession of Faith of the Pres               byterian Church.
ARTICLE I.
You believe in the existence of one God in three
persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
ARTICLE 9.
You believe that God is a Spirit, self-existent,
eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom,
power, and goodness; that he is the Creator, and
Preserver, and Governor of all things; that his
law is holy, just and good; and that his providence
extends to all his creatures, and all their actions,
yet not so as to make him the author of sin, nor to
destroy the free-agency of man, nor to impair the
force of moral obligation.
ARTICLE 3.
You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments are the word of God, and that they
should be received by all men as the only perfect
rule of faith and practice.
ARTICLE 4.
You believe that our first parents were created
holy, and that in consequence of their apostasy, all
men, unless renewed by the Holy Ghost, are ene
0 
65
mies of God, and under the curse of the Divine
Law.
ARTICLE 5.
You believe in the divinity of the Lord Jesus
Christ; that he assumed our nature; that he suffered and died in the place of sinners, and thereby
made atonement for transgression; that it is only
on account of his merits that men can be pronounced
just before God; that he rose from the dead, and
ascended into heaven, where he ever liveth to make
intercession; and that God can now be just and yet
the justifier of him that believcth in Jesus.
ARTICLE 6.
You believe in the personality and divinity of
the Holy Ghost; that he alone renews and sanctifies the heart; that he is given to the people of
God to enlighten their minds, to guide them in the
path of duty, to comfort them in affliction, and to
sustain them in the hour of death.
ARTICLE 7.
You believe that the law of God is binding as a
rule of life on all mankind; that a holy life is the
only certain evidence of true religion, and is necessary to adorn the Christian profession, or to honor
God; and that the habitual violators of that law
will be excluded forever from the kingdom of God.
6'* 
ARTICLE 8.
You believe that the soul is immortal, and at the
last day Christ will raise the dead and judge the
world in righteousness; and that the righteous will
be received into eternal life, and that the wicked
will go into everlasting punishment.
ARTICLE 9.
You believe that the sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lord's Supper; that
only members of the visible church of Christ, in
regular standing, can properly partake of the Lord's
Supper, and that they and their children only are
the proper subjects of Baptism.
With God and this Church you will now enter
into covenant.
And now, conscious of your sinfulness and desert
of God's displeasure, and penitent, as you trust, for
your sins; and relying upon the merits and intercession of Christ, you do avouch the Lord Jehovah
to be your God, the Lord Jesus Christ to be your
Saviour, and the Holy Spirit to be your sanctifier
and guide.
And you do this day dedicate yourselves to the
service of Jesus Christ, resolved by his grace to
adorn his doctrine, and by your prayers and exertions to sustain his worship, and extend his cause.
6(; 
You covenant, also, to walk with this Church in
love and Christian fellowship, to submit to its discipline, and in all things to  seek  its peace and
welfare, so long  as  you  shall remain  connected
with it.
Tlte Cli rc7t, risiii firom their seats, the Pastor,
ilt their bcha7, s7irll giL: thc.follow',g
]RESPONSE:
And now do I, in behalf of the members of this
church, receive vou to our communion.   You come
to unite in our prayers and songs of praise, and to
partake with us of the emblems of the Saviour's
body and blood.  Let it be impressed upon your
minds, that you have entered into solemn engagements, which you can never renounce.
Wherever you may be, these vows will remain
with you. Should you be among friends or strangers, with the people of the world or the people of
the living God, you are to remember that you have
solemnly given yourselves to the service of the
Lord Jesus.
Ithereafter the eyes of the world will be upon you,
and many there will be who will watch for your fall.
The honor of the church is in some measure
committed to you. You will now be known as one
of us.  Your inconsistent lives will pain and injure
us, as your holy walk will give us joy. Not one
6T 
68
step will you take, not one word will you utter, not
one plan will you form, which will not do something to honor or dishonor religion.
"The Lord bless you, and keep you."
" The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and
be gracious unto you."
"The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace." AMEN.
eobepqt eptered into b 
AT THE
BAPTISM OF THEIR CHILDREN.
BAPTISM was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ,
to be a seal of the covenant of grace under the new
dispensation, as circumcision was under the old. It
is a sign of consecration to God. When it is applied to believers, it denotes their voluntary consecration of themselves to the Lord. When applied to
their children, it denotes the consecration of them,
by their parents, to God and his Church, and involves an obligation to train them up for his service
and glory.
The water in this ordinance implies guilt and 
69
pollution, and represents regeneration and sanctification by the Holy Spirit.  But relmember, no outuwar-l FOR.IMS can cleanse the soul.  The blood of
Christ must be applied to the conscience for the
remnoval of guilt, and the truths of the gospel, rendered effectual by the Divine Spirit, must renew
and sanctify the heart.  As soon, therefore, as your
children are capable of receiving instruction, it becomes your duty to have them taught to read God's
Holy Word; to instruct them in the principles of
the Christian religion, of which there is an excellent
summary in the Shorter C(atechism; to pray for and
?ith themi; to set an example of piety and godliness before them; and by all the means of divine
appointment, to bring them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord.
By presenting your children in this ordinance,
you dlo solemnly renew the professions and engagements involved in your own baptism. You express
your desire that "the promise mnay be confirmed,"'
not only "unto you," but also "to your children."
You engage to bring them up in the faith of the
Gospel. You bind yourselves, as they grow up, to
explain to them the nature and import of their baptism; the blessings it signifies, the obligations it
imposes, and the guilt of deliberately refusing to
render obedience to the authority and commands of
God.
0 
(Qqetiopg for  6eif,exq~ipntiop.
THE following questions for self-examination, in
connection with the Covenant on another page, ought
to be frequently and prayerfully perused, especially
previous to every communion season:
1. Am I thoroughly convinced of my lost condition by nature, and of my entire unworthiness in
the sight of God?
2. Do I trust in Jesus Christ, as my only Saviour? Do I love him supremely, and earnestly
strive in all things to follow him?
3. Do I hate all sin, and strive continually to
overcome it, avoiding even the appearance of evil?
4. Do I sincerely desire to know and do my whole
duty?
5. Do I pray in secret frequently and fervently?
Do I love communion with God; or am I drawn
reluctantly to my closet by a sense of duty, or driven
by the rebukes of conscience?
6. Do I diligently and prayerfully study the Bible,
to find principles and motives of action? Are its
truths my light, my treasure, my joy?
7. Do I keep the Sabbath holy, and do all in my
power to promote its sacred observ,ance?
..
..~
*..~ 
71
8. Do I perform all my duties to the church?
Do I cherish Christian feelings towards all its members and officers?  Do I attend to all its stated
meetings, when it is in my power to do so? Do
my example, my prayers, and my conversation tend
to promote its purity, its peace and prosperity?
9. Do I believe that my unconverted relatives
and neighbors are exposed to eternal death? Am
I doing all that I can to awaken them to their condition, and persuade them to escape for their lives?
Ihave I, during the past day or week, affectionately
and faithfully urged any sinner to repentance? Is
it owing to my neglect that so few are converted?
10. Do I realize the wretched condition of the
heathen? Do I, as a servant of God, devote my
time, my influence, and my property, to the extension of Christ's kingdom in the world?
11. If I should continue to live as I now do, till
called to give up my account, could the Judge then
say to me, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant?" 
LIST OF OFFICERS AND CO.AIMUNICANTS
OF
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA,
Jacuary 1, 1856.
Statted Supply.
REv. J. R. BARES,
Sesso88 Oli.
J. W. SELBY,
W. H. TINKER,
JAMES BREWSTER.
LIST OF PRESENT MEMIBERS,
William H. Tinker,
Elizabeth Tinker,
George L. Becker,
J. W. Selby,
Stella Selby,
James Brewster,
Esther Brewster,
Luke Marvin,
Mary Ann Marvin,
Agnes Taylor,
Henry F. Masterson,
Margaret Halsted,
P. W. Nichols,
Mrs. H. Nichols,
Wm. S. Combs,
Mrs. Delia Butler,
Daniel Rohrer,
Mrs. Sarah Matthews,
Maria Wolff,
" Electa Barnes,
"   Elizabeth Spence,
Henry L. Moss,
Mrs. Amanda Moss,
"   Melissa Irvine,
Col. F rancis Lee, U. S. A.
Helen E. Barnes,
.:
.... ~,
I [ary Brewster,
James Drysdale,
Ira Sanford,
Mrs. Emineline Sanford,
"  Mary Miasterson,
Helen Finch,
Mary Calkins,
Alpheus G. Fuller,
Mrs. Lilliore Fuller,
H" Harriet Kellogg,
Almida Twitchell,
Mrs. A. B. Bell,
J. Primrose,
Javin B. Irvine,
Laysell P. Wait,
Isaac P. Wright,
Mrs. A. Wright,
" A. T. Blue,
Horace Penfield,
Mrs. Horace Penfield,
N. K. Wright,
Catharine Nichols,
Mrs. Louisa Gale,
" Eliza Green,
" Mary Richardson,
Louisa Ray.