humiliation, his holy obedience, his sufferings, his death on the cross, and his resurrection, became a perfect Redeemer, whose sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and sufficient ground of forgiveness and of reconciliation with him.

VII. We believe that Jesus Christ, after he had risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, as the one Mediator between God and man, he carries forward his work of saving men; that he sends the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, and to lead them to repentance and faith; and that those who through renewing grace turn to righteousness, and trust in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, receive for his sake the forgiveness of their sins, and are made the children of God.

VIII. We believe that those who are thus regenerated and justified grow in sanctified character through fellowship with Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the truth; that a holy life is the fruit and evidence of saving faith; and that the believer's hope of continuance in such a life is in the preserving grace of God.

IX. We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the kingdom of God, the reign of truth and love, righteousness and peace; that to Jesus Christ, the Head of this Kingdom, Christians are directly responsible in faith and conduct; and that to him all have immediate access without mediatorial or priestly intervention.

X. We believe that the Church of Christ, invisible and spiritual, comprises all true believers, whose duty it is to associate themselves in churches, for the maintenance of worship, for the promotion of spiritual growth and fellowship, and for the conversion of men; that these churches, under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures and in fellowship with one another, may determine each for itself their organization, statements of belief, and forms of worship; may appoint and set apart their own ministers, and should cooperate in the work which Christ has committed to them for the furtherance of the gospel throughout the world.

XI. We believe in the observance of the Lord's Day, as a day of holy rest and worship; in the min

istry of the Word; and in the two Sacraments, which Christ has appointed for his Church: Baptism, to be administered as the sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and of the impartation of the Holy Spirit; and the Lord's Supper as a symbol of his atoning death, a seal of its efficacy, and a means whereby He confirms and strengthens the spiritual union and communion of believers with himself.

XII. We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of Christ over all the earth; in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in a final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment, and everlasting life.

A MORE SIMPLE CREED.

Objection is raised in many quarters to the Creed of 1883, and there are frequent requests for a creed more brief and simple. The following has been adopted by a number of churches, and is here recommended:

The following Declaration, while not to be used as a test of individual fitness for church membership, which is determined by faith in Christ and righteous living, is adopted as a testimony of faith and of the spirit in which this Church interprets the Word of God, to which final appeal is directed for authority in matters of faith and practice:

Article I.

We believe that there is one only living and true God; that He possesses in an infinite degree every attribute of perfection; that He is the Creator, Preserver and Governor of the Universe; and that He is revealed in the Scriptures as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Article II.

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testaments were given by inspiration of God; that they contain a revelation of His will; and that they are sufficient for our guidance in all matters of religious faith and practice.

Article III.

We believe that man was created in a state of moral innocence; that by voluntary transgression he became

a sinner; and that he can attain unto salvation only by the grace of God.

Article IV.

We believe in the humanity and in the divinity of Jesus Christ; and that through the love of God, manifested in Him, pardon and salvation are bestowed upon those who repent of sin and accept Him as Saviour and Lord.

Article V.

We believe that all who exercise repentance and faith attain unto fellowship with Christ; and that by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God's Word, they may grow in grace and Christlikeness of character, and be kept by His power through faith unto salvation.

Article VI.

We believe in the Church of Christ, the Gospel Ministry, and in the Christian Sabbath; and that the ordinances of the Church are Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Article VII.

We believe that it is the duty and privilege of all the children of God to make a public confession of their faith by uniting with the visible Church of Christ.

Article VIII.

We believe that it is the duty of Christians, united in the fellowship of the Church, to proclaim the Gospel throughout all the world; to support institutions of charity and compassion; and to labor for the spread of justice, righteousness, temperance, and peace in all the earth.

Article IX.

We believe that the wages of sin is death; and that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord; and that those who through faith in Him share in His risen life, escape from the second death, and have part in a glorious resurrection, and in the life everlasting. Amen!

THE CONSTITUTION OF A CHURCH.

I. NAME.

This Church shall be called the. Congregational Church of. . . . . .

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II. COVENANT.

The covenant by which this Church exists as a distinct body, and which every member accepts, is as follows:

Acknowledging Jesus Christ to be our Saviour and Lord, and accepting the Holy Scriptures as our rule of faith and practice, and recognizing the privilege and duty of uniting ourselves for Christian fellowship, the enjoyment of Christian ordinances, the public worship of God, and the advancement of his kingdom in the world, we do now, in the sight of God and invoking his blessing, solemnly covenant and agree with each other to associate ourselves to be a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, as warranted by the Word of God.

We agree to maintain the institutions of the gospel, to submit ourselves to the orderly administration of the affairs of the Church, and to walk together in brotherly love.

And this we do depending upon the aid of our heavenly Father, who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for our salvation, and of Jesus Christ, who hath redeemed us with his blood, and of the Holy Spirit our Comforter and Guide.

III. CHARACTER.

SECTION 1. Polity. Its government is vested in the body of believers who compose it. It is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body, but it recognizes and sustains the obligations of mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among Congregational churches, and it is in fellowship with all churches which acknowledge Jesus the Christ to be their divine Redeemer and Lord.

SEC. 2. Doctrine. It receives the Scriptures as its authority in matters of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is in essential accord with the belief of the Congregational churches of the United States, and substantially as set forth by unanimous vote of the National Council of 1865, or by the National Council's Commission in 1883,

and is also contained in the Declaration of Faith printed in this Manual.

IV. MEMBERSHIP.

SECTION 1. Qualifications. Its membership consists of such persons as confess Jesus Christ to be their Saviour and Lord, and who, (1) after due examination, either by the Prudential Committee or by the Church itself, as to their Christian experience, and, if coming from other churches, as to their letters of dismission and recommendation or satisfactory substitutes therefor, and (2) after proposal from the pulpit on some Lord's Day prior to that of their reception, (3) have been accepted by vote of the Church and, having been baptized, (4) enter into its Covenant and subscribe to its By-Laws, and are formally received into its fellowship.

SEC. 2. Reception. The reception of members shall ordinarily be upon some Lord's Day when the Lord's Supper is administered, and shall be in the form appended to the Constitution.

SEC. 3. Duties. Members are expected, first of all, to be faithful in all the spiritual duties essential to the Christian life; and also to attend habitually the services of this Church, to give regularly for its support and its charities, and to share in its organized work.

SEC. 4. Rights. Such members as are in full and regular standing, and do not hold letters of dismission and recommendation, and have attained the age of twenty-one years, and such only, may act and vote in the transactions of the Church.

SEC. 5. Termination. The continuance of membership shall be subject to the principles and usages of the Congregational churches, and especially as follows:

(1) Any member in good and regular standing who desires a letter of dismission and recommendation to any other evangelical church is entitled to receive it upon his written request. In case of removal to another community he should promptly make such request. This letter shall be valid as a recommendation for only one year from its date, unless renewed, and this restriction shall be stated in the letter.

(2) If a member desires to join a religious body with which this Church is not in fellowship, or which would not receive its letter, the Church may, at his request, give him a certificate of his good standing and terminate his membership.