If any members in such a church vote against uniting, they are not thereby cut off from membership in the church, but are entitled to consideration if they continue in fellowship. In the case of a church not hitherto orthodox, coming into fellowship, the minority are not subject to discipline if they decline to accept new creed tests. They still have all their rights as members of the church, and may be dismissed as members in good standing if they request letters, or may continue in fellowship with the church in its new relations. A further word on this subject will be found in the chapter on Church Membership. The Incorporation of a Church. The incorporation of a church is a very simple matter. The laws of the several states are framed to conform to the usages of the various denominations; so that the directions here given will, with slight adaptations, fit the requirements of most states. In case of any doubt it would be well to consult a Christian lawyer, who would furnish the form as required in the statutes of the state in which the church is situated. The following directions are adequate for most cases: Prepare a written notice to be signed by the number of members required by the rules of the local church, and preferably by its Board of Trustees, announcing that at a regular mid-week meeting on a certain date the church will be asked to vote upon the question of becoming incorporated. Let this notice be read from the pulpit one or two Sundays before the date of meeting, according to the rules of the church. This call should be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting. A resolution substantially in the following form may then be presented: "Resolved, that this church apply for incorporation under the statutes of this state; and that Messrs. A. D., C. D., and E. F., now serving as trustees, be the trustees of this incorporation; and that they and the chairman and secretary of this meeting be authorized and instructed to act for the church in the preparation and filing of the necessary papers. The papers to be filed, which should be ready in advance, require in some states the signatures of all the incorporators, who must not be less than three in number. In other states the chairman or secretary of the meeting may make oath to the papers, and merely name the trustees. The following is the form of oath prescribed in some of the states: State of County. SS. I, John Doe, do solemnly swear, that at a meeting of the members of the .... Church of at ...... on ...... ...... held ......, Messrs. A. B., C. D., and E. F. were elected trustees, according to the rules and usages of such church. And said church adopted as its corporate name, "The .... Congregational Church of "' and as its corporate seal, the following words: ... Congregational Church of ... ...... "The with the whole to be inclosed in a scroll, and to be either written, stamped or printed. And at said meeting this affiant acted as chairman (or secretary). This affidavit, with a copy of the constitution of the church, should be filed with the recorder of deeds, or such other officer as the state appoints for this purpose. Corporate Seal. In some of the states a corporate seal is positively necessary. Seal presses such as notaries use are very inexpensive, and a specially de signed seal, with a motto or device, or both, costs very few dollars, and is appropriate. Nearly every church has occasion now and then to execute legal documents, and in addition to this it is appropriate that letters missive, church letters, and similar documents should bear a seal. As illustrations of somewhat elaborate designs made simple and effective, two seals are here given. The First Church of Oak Park is the mother of six daughters; and has adopted as its symbol the seven-branched candlestick. But as the number seven is itself symbolic, of completeness, it would not become inappropriate if another daughter should enter the family. As in Revelation, so in this seal, there are seven stars, the light of heaven mingling with that of earth in the Church of Christ. And the candlestick is placed upon a rugged rock, trebly symbolic of God, the Rock of Ages; the Church established upon a Rock; and the Congregational movement related to Plymouth Rock. The whole is inclosed in a border of acorns and oak leaves. Shawmut seal employs the ancient and beautiful symbol which places X, the Greek initial of Christ, in the intersection of a cross inclosed in a circleChrist for the world-and in the four arms the Latin words Rex, Lex, Dux, Lux-Christ, our King, Law, Captain and Light. The Greek motto signifies, "Not to be ministered unto, but to minister." II. THE CONDUCT OF CHURCH MEETINGS. The Call of the Meeting. The ordinary business of the church may be transacted at any mid-week meeting, or in case of necessity at any Sunday service, without previous notice. It is customary for constitutions to specify the number of members who must be present in order to constitute a quorum. No question involving the appropriation of money, or important change in the policy of the church, or amendment to its system of doctrine or rules, should be undertaken without previous public notice. In general, propositions contemplating the expenditure of money should previously be considered by the trustees, and matters affecting the policy and doctrine of the church should be considered in advance by the deacons. This is not legally necessary, but is a courteous recognition of those in office; and almost invariably a motion gains greatly in favor if the person proposing it is able to say that this has received the approval of the official board whom it most nearly concerns. When special meetings are called by a group of members, or by one of the official boards, the call signed by the members who have drafted it should be read from the pulpit on the Sunday previous to the meeting and incorporated into the minutes of the meetings. The Presiding Officer. Unless the constitution of the church provides otherwise the pastor is the moderator of all business meetings of the church, excepting those which relate to his own work or salary, or which may have been called for the consideration of some matter in which he has a personal interest. In the absence of the pastor the senior deacon may call a meeting of the church to order and call for the nomination of a moderator, or if the meeting be one especially for the consideration of financial business the chairman of the board of trustees, instead of the senior deacon, may call the meeting to order. The church may provide in its constitution for an elected moderator other than the pastor, and in some states the moderator must be elected annually. Records. The clerk of the church should keep a correct record of all business transacted by the church, and should record it in a permanently bound book provided for that purpose. It is not necessary that he should record motions made and lost, nor the names of those who participate in the discussions, nor in general the number of votes cast for or against a motion or a candidate for office. The important items to be entered upon the records are: First, the time and place of the meeting, with a copy of the call, if a special call has been issued. Second, the devotional service with which the meeting is opened. Third, the name of the moderator. Fourth, the reading of past records and their approval by the church. Fifth, the business transacted, including reports of committees, which need not be copied in full, but which should be referred to and kept on file and whose formal recommendations should be included in the minutes. Sixth, the full text of all resolutions or motions passed by the church. Seventh, adjourn ment. Eighth, signature of the clerk. Unless there is a demand for a yea and nay vote the names of persons favoring or opposing a measure should not be recorded. It is not generally necessary or expedient to record the names of persons making routine motions, but formal resolutions should be recorded with the name of the member proposing them, |