be read at the public service on the Lord's Day next preceding the day fixed for such meeting. No special meeting shall be held on the same day on which the notice is given.

on

(3) The annual meeting of the Church shall be held

at which time the annual reports shall be presented and officers elected, and such other business transacted as may be specified in the call or authorized in the By-Laws. This meeting'shall be called by the Clerk in the manner specified in the paragraph next preceding.

(4) At all meetings for business called by the Clerk, a chairman shall be chosen by vote of the Church; but at all other meetings the Pastor shall preside, except that in his absence, or when the business relates to himself, the Church shall elect a chairman.

mem

(5) At the annual and all special meetings. bers shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

IX. DISCIPLINE.

SECTION 1. Should any unhappy differences arise between members, the aggrieved member shall follow, in a tender spirit, the rules given by our Lord in the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew.

SEC. 2. Should any case of gross breach of covenant, or of public scandal, occur, the Church Committee shall endeavor to remove the offence, and if such effort fail shall report the case to the Church.

SEC. 3. If the Church vote to entertain a complaint, which must be made in writing, it shall appoint a reasonable time and place of hearing and notify the person in question thereof, furnishing him with a copy of the charges.

SEC. 4. At such hearing, the accused member may call to his aid any member of the Church as counsel. If he shall not present himself at the time appointed, or give satisfactory reasons for his neglect so to do, the Church may proceed in his absence.

SEC. 5. All such proceedings should be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance, but should an adverse decision be reached, the Church may proceed to admonish or to declare the offender to be no longer in the membership of the Church.

SEC. 6. In case of grave difficulty the Church will

be ready, if requested, to ask advice of a mutual council or of the District Association.

X. CORPORATE SEAL.

This Church shall become (or being) legally incorporated under the laws of the State of

adopts as its corporate seal, a scroll or circle containing the words, "The

Church of

Incorporated

motto and device

., Organized
19.

Congregational 19..... And the following

The same to be written, stamped or printed.

XI. AMENDMENTS.

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any annual meeting of the Church, or at a meeting specially called for that purpose, the proposed amendment being inserted in the call; but no change shall be made in Articles II and III, entitled "Covenant" and " Character, except at an annual meeting, and by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the Church entitled to vote, said proposed change having been laid before the Church in writing at a business meeting not less than one month before the time of the proposed action, and read from the pulpit on the Lord's Day next succeeding such proposal.

After careful deliberation, and after seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have come to regard it as our duty and privilege to associate together as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in this place, and have taken the steps preparatory thereto. We therefore affectionately request you to be present by pastor and delegate in an ecclesiastical council, to be constituted as stated below,

hereby called to meet in our place of worship on.

at.

the

.o'clock..

day of

M., which shall review our proceedings, and consider the need and opportunity for the proposed church; and if the result of such examination be favorable, assist in completing the organization, and extend to it the fellowship of the Congregational churches.

Wishing you grace, mercy and peace,

Committee for the Brethren.

(Date and place.)

The following named churches (and persons) are invited:

This Church, organized as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, upon Congregational principles, earnestly desires the special communion of the Congregational churches, for the enjoyment of their fellowship and participation in common work for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. We therefore affectionately request you to be present by pastor and delegate in an ecclesiastical council, to be constituted as stated below, hereby called to

1 When the names of the members of a committee are not in their own handwriting, all copies of the letters missive should be authenticated by the actual signature of the clerk.

By a slight change in form this form may be adapted to the invitation of an association.

the necessary examinations into our polity, faith, and practice, and if the result be favorable, extend to us the fellowship of the Congregational churches. Wishing you grace, mercy, and peace,

Committee of the Church.

(Date and place.)

The churches (and persons) invited are as follows:

This Church, having devoutly sought the promised guidance of the Holy Spirit, has united in the choice of Mr. A. B. for its pastor and teacher, and he has responded favorably to its call. We therefore affectionately request you to be present by pastor and delegate, in an ecclesiastical council to be constituted as stated below, hereby called to meet in our place of worship on the day of 19. ..., at .o'clock... M., which shall review our proceedings and make the necessary examinations, and if the result be favorable, proceed with us to his ordination as a minister of the Word,

and his installation as pastor of this Church, and extend to him the fellowship of the ministers and churches. Wishing you grace, mercy, and peace,

'Committee of the Church.

(Date and place.)

The churches (and persons) invited are as follows:

Whereas, Mr. A. B., a member of this Church, believing that the Lord has called him to the ministry of the Word, desires ordination in view of special work now before him, namely,1

and trusts that he has obtained the preparation of mind and heart necessary to qualify him for its sacred duties, we therefore affectionately request you to be present by pastor and delegate in an ecclesiastical council, to be constituted as stated below, hereby called to meet in our place of worship on... .the....

day of..

19...

at...

.o'clock

.M., which shall review our proceedings and make the necessary examination, and if the result be favorable, proceed with us to his ordination and extend to him the

1 If a church is in connection with an incorporated parish or society, a committee of the parish should also sign the letter.

1 The work should be specified, such as "pastoral service," "foreign missionary work," "home missionary work," "as an evangelist," etc.