PREFACE

That the people, into whose hands this book may fall, may not be ignorant of the circumstances under which the Church, whose doctrines and polity are herein contained, came into existence, we offer the facts set forth in this preface.

I was sanctified in 1890 at Bismark, Mo., at a District Conference, under a sermon preached by Beverly Carradine, D. D. I came to North Carolina, my native State, to preach the blessed doctrine of full salvation to my own people, and in 1896, the great Holiness Movement broke out in North Carolina, chiefly under my own ministry, in which hundreds and thousands came into the experience of salvation. In October 1899 I was tried under the charge of immorality, for preaching the glorious doctrines of Methodism, when asked not to do so by a Methodist preacher, after which I withdrew from the Methodist church for the sake of peace and harmony, and with others organized the Holiness Church, that those who had been saved and sanctified, many of whom belonged to no church, and many of whom had been turned out of their churches for professing Holiness, might

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PREFACE

have a congenial church home. This organization was formed in the Spring of 1900 at Fayetteville, N. C. There was a discipline framed which did not well represent our doctrines and polity, and at our last convention which met at Magnolia, N. C., November, 1901, I was appointed by the brethren to frame one which would truly represent our doctrines and polity, as they were agreed upon in that Convention. How well the task has been performed, those can judge who may read this book.

To the Holiness people of every land and clime, this volume is dedicated with the prayer that God's blessings may rest upon it, and that it may be used of Him, to bring His people into the experience of full salvation, and into a church whose doctrines are scriptural and whose government cannot be used to oppress the least of His children.

A.B. CRUMPLER.

SECTION I.

ARTICLES OF FAITH

I.

THE GODHEAD.

There is but one true God, everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things; and in unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

II.

THE SON OF GOD.

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures-that is to say, the Godhead and manhood - were joined together in one person, who truly suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, rose from the dead, and took again his body with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God to make intercession for us, till he return to reign with his saints a thousand years.

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III.

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God; under whose personal supervision the Church was placed at Pentecost till the return of Jesus.

IV.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

The Holy Scriptures contain the revealed will of God; and interpreted by the Holy Spirit is the only sufficient rule of our faith and practice.

The following are the names of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Songs of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi. The following are the twenty-seven books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians,

II Thes-

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salonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon₅ Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude, Revelation. The Old and New Testament are not contrary to each other; for salvation is offered to man, through Christ, in both. The law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians; yet no Christian is free from obedience to the moral law which is summed up in the Ten Commandments.

V.

MAN’S NATURE

Man is an accountable being with two distinct natures - physical and spiritual. He is a spirit or soul and body combined. Physical death is the separation of soul and body, the body returning to dust and the soul or spirit to God who consigns it to a place suited to its own character where it is in conscious pain or joy, awaiting its final punishment or reward. All men since the fall of Adam are hopelessly lost and ruined without Christ whose vicarious death made a full and complete atonement for man’s sins and opened up a way by which man can escape sin in this world and hell in the next.

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VI.

REPENTANCE.

Bible repentance is Godly sorrow for all sins committed; followed by a full confession and forsaking of the same, and restitution up to the measure of our ability.

VII.

SAVING FAITH.

Having repented scripturally, we are then able to exercise faith in Christ as our personal Saviour, which brings pardon and the "new birth" or regeneration to the trusting soul.

In consequence of this two-fold change from guilt to innocency and from death to life, we are "new creatures" in Christ, having righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This is real conversion and includes justification and regeneration.

VIII.

THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

When a repenting sinner exercises saving faith in Christ by virtue of which he appropriates the atonement and becomes a child of God, the Holy Spirit witnesses to his spirit, immediately informing him that his sins are all forgiven and he is made a child of God, in consequence of which he re-

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joices with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

IX.

A HOLY LIFE.

The Sriptures teach us that after we are justified and regenerated or born again, we must live a holy life, or forfeit our acceptance with God. In other words we must live without sinning, if we would remain in the favor or grace of God.

X.

ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION.

Our own hearts as well as the Scriptures teach us that even in the hearts of those who are justified and regenerated there remains something that "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." That something is variously termed in Scripture the "carnal mind," "our old man," "the sin which doth so easily beset us" and the flesh that lusteth against the spirit.' The Christian finding himself in this condition and desiring to escape the corruption of the "old man" consecrates himself definitely and wholly to God (Rom. 12:1) with all he has or ever expects to have or be; and then he is able to exercise sanctifying faith in Jesus (Acts 16:18) who baptises him (Matt. 3:11) with the Holy Ghost and fire which bap-

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tism destroys inbred sin and brings purity - a state of perfect holiness to the heart. This is entire sanctification. This is the second blessing or second work of grace. This is perfect freedom from sin - all sin - both inward and outward. There is now nothing in the heart but love and Jesus is crowned within.

XI.

GROWTH IN GRACE.

All regenerated people who live up to their privileges make some progress in grace; but they grow much faster in grace after they are wholly sanctified, because there is nothing in the heart then to obstruct or retard the blessed life.

XII.

FALLING FROM GRACE.

It is possible for a wholly sanctified person to yield to temptation and commit sin. And should he do this he thereby becomes a child of the devil (I John 3:8) and must remain such unless he repents and returns unto the Lord.

XIII.

DIVINE HEALING.

The healing of the body of its sickness is a blessed provision of the atonement which

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is to be appropriated according to James 5:14-15, and other Scriptures. We do not consider it an evidence of sin or a mark of divine displeasure because a person is sick or employs medical aid. Neither do we believe that it is an evidence in itself that a person is of God because he is healed in answer to prayer.

XIV.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.

According to the Scriptures we look for the personal pre-millennial return of Jesus to this earth to raise the holy dead, translate the holy living, to take or yield vengeance on them that know not God, in the "battle of that great day of God Almighty," to imprison the devil, and to reign over the whole earth for a thousand years; at the close of which the devil will be loosed for a little season, the wicked dead raised and the "last judgment" take place and the new heavens and new earth ushered in to abide forever.

XV.

THE DESTINY OF MAN.

We believe the Scriptures teach the everlasting punishment of those who die in rebellion against God and His Son, and the everlasting happiness of those who die in the love and service of God.

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XVI.

THE CHURCH.

A Christian Church is a society of Christian people assembling at a specified place and time for religious worship and fellowship in the Lord, with Christ as its only head and the word of God as its only rule of faith and practice.

XVII.

There are but two sacraments ordained of Christ in the gospel-Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. These have a wholesome effect in such only as receive them worthily; but they purchase condemnation to themselves who receive them unworthily.

XVIII.

WATER BAPTISM.

Water baptism is not essential to salvation. Therefore it is not required as a condition of membership in the churches adopting our book of discipline. All candidates for baptism shalt have the right of choice between the modes of baptism as practiced by the various evangelical denominations. Christian parents and guardians shall have liberty of conscience in the baptism of their children.

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XIX.

THE SUPPER OF THE LORD.

The Supper of the Lord is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death. It points us to the return of Jesus and to Calvary whose blood cleanseth uS from all sin and prepares us for His blessed coming again. It should he administered to all Christians in both kinds. The Lord's Table should be open to all who love Him, and all of the Lord's children should be invited to His table to commemorate together the death of their common Lord.

XX.

THE MINISTRY.

We believe the Holy Spirit calls saved and sanctified people regardless of sex from the common walks of life into the work of the ministry and the salvation of souls.

SECTION 2.

GOVERNMENT.

ARTICLE I.

This body of Christian worshippers shall be known as The Holiness Church. Isa. 62:12.

ARTICLE II.

The form of Government shall be congregational and independent of every other religious body, except by consent of a majority of the members composing the local church; when they may be joined to other bodies of like faith for purposes of mutual strength and fellowship.

ARTICLE III.

All difficulties arising between members of the Holiness Church shall be settled according to Matthew 18:15-18.

ARTICLE IV.

When any rumor is circulated detrimental to the moral character and religious standing of any member of this Church, the Member who shall first hear of such a rumor has reported it to the brother or sister about whom such rumor is circulated or he shall report it to the pastor or some member of

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the Official Board. And if any member of the Holiness Church shall help to circulate such damaging report before taking the foregoing step or shall talk it to others after he has reported it to the brother or sister about whom the damaging rumor is circulated, or the pastor, or to some member of the Official Board, he shall himself be reprimanded before the Official Board and on a second offense shall he subject to trial and expulsion from the church.

ARTICLE V

The Official Board of this Church shall he composed of at least one Elder, one Deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent, the Trustees of Church property and the Pastor. The qualifications and manner of election described elsewhere in our book of discipline.

ARTICLE VI.

If any member or minister of a local church shall teach or preach any doctrine not found in our articles of faith or that is contrary to the general tenor of the Scriptures and that tends to break the unity and disturb the harmony of the Church and bring confusion among our people he shall be advised of such error by the Official Board of the Church to which he belongs

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and if he persist in such a course he shall be brought before the Official Board and make his defense and if the Board shall vote him out of harmony with our doctrines and government, his name shall be erased from the roll of members and the Church shall withdraw its endorsement from him. But if he should not be satisfied with the decision of the Board, or if a number of the members of said Church equal to the number of the Official Board that rendered the decision shall be dissatisfied with the decision of the Board, in this instance or any other, they shall have the right of appeal to the whole church, a majority vote of which shall be final.

ARTICLE VII.

If any member of the Holiness Church shall make any remarks about a brother or sister derogatory to the Christian character of the same; or shall speak of the faults of an absent brother or sister except for the purpose of enlisting the prayers of others in behalf of the one whose faults are under consideration; or shall carry news from one to another that is calculated to raise disturbances between the members of our Church; or shall speak against the Holiness Church; or refuse to submit quietly and meekly to its rulings and decisions shall be

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summoned to meet the Official Board or a committee appointed by said Board and shall he required to apologize to the offended party and ask to be forgiven for said offense. And if the offending party shall refuse to meet the Board or Committee appointed by the Board, or shall refuse to make the proper apology and to ask forgiveness at the hands of the offended party, he shall be suspended from the membership of the Holiness Church, till such requirements are met, when he or she may be restored to membership in the Church by a majority vote of the same. And if the offended party shall refuse to freely and fully forgive the offending party on such confessions and apologies as the Official Board or Committee may accept he shall himself be dealt with the same as the offending party who refuses to meet the requirements demanded of him. But in either case the condemned party shall not be denied the right of appeal to the whole Church, if he or she shall express his or her intention to do so at the time of his or her suspension.

ARTICLE VIII.

Any local church may adopt any rule or regulation for its own government other than those written in this discipline provid-

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ed such rules and regulations do not annul or conflict with what is herein written.

ARTICLE IX.

The Church adopting this discipline shall not engage in festivals, ice-cream suppers, Oyster-stews, fairs, bazaars, or in any other business in the name of the church for the purpose of its financial support, but each member shall give directly of his means to the support of the cause, as the Lord has prospered him. While the individual member is left free to decide for himself the amount which be ought to give to God, yet we, as a church, believe that one-tenth of our net income, is claimed by the Lord for the support of His cause, and to which He always adds His blessings.

SECTION 8.

FORMS AND CEREMONIES.

FORM ONE.

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.

(Persons applying for membership into the Holiness Church shall be placed conveniently before the Congregation and the Pastor or if there be no pastor the Elder, or some other Member of the Official Board shall say;)

"Brethren the Church is of God and will be preserved to the end of the age for the promotion of His worship and the due administration of His word, the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline, the edification of believers and the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord. All, of every age and station, stand in need of the means of grace which it alone supplies; and it invites all alike to become fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. It is therefore the duty of all, who desire to be admitted into its communion, to express their faith in its doctrines and disciplines, and to assume its obligations. It is our duty therefore to demand of these persons present whether they are resolved to resume the same."

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(Then shall the minister address the candidate as follows:)

"Dearly Beloved, have you read or heard read and been caused to understand our Articles of Faith and Government contained in this book of Discipline?"

Answer: "I have."

"Do, you believe they are Scriptural, and do you here express your willingness by the help of God to abide by them?"

Ans.-"I do, God being my helper."

Congregation shall respond "The Lord is our help and our shield." Ps. 33 :20.

Have you been born again? And have you the witness of the Spirit that you are numbered among the Sons and Daughters of the Lord God Almighty?

Ans.-I have.

Congregation respond: "And because ye are sons (and daughters) God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying Abba Father." Gal. 4:6. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the household of God.

If you should be admitted into Our communion, and into church fellowship with us, will you do all in your power to live holy in thought, Word and deed, relying entirely upon the grace of God?

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Ans.-I will in His strength and by the help of His Blessed Holy Spirit.

Congregation respond: "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not." I Jno. 5:18.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Jas. 1:27

Question: Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed, and have you now the witness that you are entirely sanctified ?

Ans.-I have.

The Congregation shall respond: "For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us. Heb. 10:14, 15.

Or candidate may answer, "I have not."

In which case the congregation respond, "The very God of Peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole Spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thess. 5:23. And that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with

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all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and heighth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph. 3:17-19.

Do you earnestly desire the baptism of the Holy Ghost which sanctifies wholly and brings into the heart the perfect image of Jesus Himself?

Ans.-I do.

Congregation respond, "Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." Matt. 5 :6.

Will you seek this great salvation on every proper occasion until your faith claims the victory and you realize the blessed work is done ~

Answer -"I will."

Congregation respond, "Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation." II Cor. 6:2.

[Any other proper question may be asked by the Pastor or congregation. On motion of any member present the candidates may be received by a majority vote of the church after which an extemporaneous prayer, or prayers shall be offered, the congregation kneeling; after which the congregation comes forward and gives to the new members the right hand of fellowship.)

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THE LORD’S SUPPER.

FORM TWO.

(At the close of the sermon, or scripture lesson, or at any other time that may be deemed proper, the Pastor with any other ministers present and with the Elders or Deacons who are to participate may gather round the table and kneel with the whole congregation and the following prayer, or an extemporaneous one if preferred shall be offered.)

PRAYER.

"Almighty God, our Heavenly Father we praise Thee for Thy great love expressed in the gift of Your Blessed Son who suffered death upon the cross for our redemption and made there a full and sufficient sacrifice and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world and did institute this blessed memorial to be a perpetual memory of His precious death until He comes again. We pray Thee that Thou wilt grant that we receiving these Thy creatures of bread and wine, emblems of His broken body and shed blood in remembrance of His death and passion, may be partakers of His nature by faith in His precious blood: Who in the same night that He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks he break it and gave it to His disciples, saying, 'Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise after

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supper He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, 'Drink ye, all of this; for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins, do this as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me.' Amen."

(Here the minister may partake of the communion in both kinds himself and deliver to the others around the table the people still kneeling and repeating the Lord's prayer after the minister, after which a suitable song may be sung, and all christians present, regardless of denomination, shall be invited to the altar to commemorate together the death of their blessed Saviour. In the administration of the elements the parties carrying the bread and giving to the participants may say:)

"The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee, preserve Thee unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him by faith with thanksgiving.'

(And the one that delivereth the cup shall say:)

"The blood of our. Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thee unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance of His shed blood and be thankful and rejoice in Him."

(After all have partaken the service may close with a prayer or a song or the Benediction or all of these:)

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FORM THREE.

ADULT BAPTISM.

(Those desiring baptism shall be invited before the altar or to the river's edge, or to any other place where the baptism is to be performed according to the desire of the candidate, and the administrator shall say:)

"Well, Beloved, who have come hither desiring baptism at our hands, and according to our office and ministry we cheerfully comply with your desire that your heart may be satisfied and that in all things you may have a conscience void of offense toward God and man.

"Have you read or been caused to understand the articles of faith and government as set forth in our book of discipline 1"

Answer: "I have."

"Do you desire to be baptized into this faith I"

Ans.-"I do."

"Will you obediently keep God's holy will and commandments regardless of what men may say or do I"

Ans.-"I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper."

[The administrator shall here offer the following prayer, or some other, at his discretion:)

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"0 Lord our Heavenly Father, we come to thee in Jesus' precious name for these persons, now to be dedicated to thee and to thy service in baptism. Grant that they may have power and strength to have victory over the Devil, the world and the flesh. Grant that they being here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues and everlastingly rewarded through Jesus Christ our Lord, who did shed out of His most precious side, both water and blood and gave commandment to His disciples that they should go teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; regard, we beseech thee the supplications of this congregation and grant that the persons now to be baptized may ever remain in the number of thv faithful and elect children through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

(If the candidates are to be sprinkled they shall remain on their knees, and if they are to be immersed they shall be led down into the water, and the administrator shall say, calling them by their full

christian name:)

"I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen." And may add any other invoca-

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tion at his discretion, or call on the congregation to sing a suitable song.

INFANT BAPTISM.

[Christian parents, or guardians, desiring their children to be baptized, shall bring them to the altar, then shall the people stand up and the minister shall say :)

"Hear the words of the gospel written by St Mark in the 10th chapter at the 13th verse, 'They brought young children to Christ that He should touch them, and His disciples rebuked those that brought them; but, when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them."

[Then the minister addressing the parents or guardians presenting the child shall say:)

"In causing this child to be dedicated to God by baptism, it is your duty to teach him as soon as he shall be able to understand, the nature of the obligation which

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you this day have assumed for him, and to teach him the principles of our holy religion, and to believe all the articles of the Christian faith, and cheerfully keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of his life.

(The minister shall then take the child into his arms or let him remain in the arms of his parents or stand before the altar, and repeating the name of the child after the parents who shall be asked to repeat the full christian name of the child, shall say:)

"I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Here may be offered an extemporaneous prayer, or the minister may add a brief invocation at his discretion.

THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.

FORM FOUR.

(At the time appointed the persons to be married standing together, the man on the right and the woman on the left, the Minister shall say:)

"Dearly Beloved, we are here assembled in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony: into which holy estate these two persons now come to be joined, therefore, if any can show

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any just cause why they may not be united together, let him now speak or hereafter, forever, hold his peace."

(Addressing the couple the minister shall say to the man:)

M-- wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy bonds of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

The man shall answer - "I will."

(Then shall the minister say unto the woman;)

N-- wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou reverence him, love him, honor him and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him so long as you both shall live?"

The woman shall answer, "I will."

(Then shall the minister join their right hands and say:)

"Those whom God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Forasmuch as M and N have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same, before God and this company, and have pledg-

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ed their faith either to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'

(While they stand in this position the minister may offer a short extemporaneous prayer.)

FORM FIVE.

BURIAL OF THE DEAD.

(The corpse being brought into the church and placed in position, or if in a private house, when the company has gathered or wherever it may take place, the services may he opened with a suitable song and prayer and by the reading of a Scripture lesson at the discretion of the minister. If the scripture should he read, we suggest I Cor., 15th chapter, 20th to 58th verses, or I Thess., 4:13-18, or any other suitable scripture, after which a song may be sung and a short talk or sermon appropriate to the occasion may be made. When the corpse is let down in the grave, the minister shall say:)

"Inasmueh as we are called upon to perform this sad duty, for the deceased, we commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking to Him who is the resurrection and the life at whose second coming in glorious majesty to reign over the earth he will bring those who sleep in Him, and change their corruptible bodies and make them like unto His

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own glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself."

(The following prayer may here be Made:)

PRAYER.

"Oh Merciful God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him, shall not die eternally: We pray thee to grant that when we shall depart this life, we may rest in Him; that at His coming to reign with His saints, we may be raised from among the dead and being found acceptable to Thy sight may receive that blessing which Thy well beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear Thee, saying, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, Our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

(When the grave is filled up the Benediction shall be pronounced:)

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."

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FORM SIX.

LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF A TABERNACLE.

(At the time and place of laying the Corner Stone let the minister cause a suitable hymn to be sung, then shall be offered the following prayer or an extemporaneous prayer at the discretion of the minister):

PRAYER.

0, Lord, Thou art marvellous in all of thv works and ways, Thou didst make the world and all things therein, every good and perfect gift is from thy blessed hand. We know, blessed Lord, that Thou art present everywhere and therefore cannot he confined within temples made with hands: Thou art a spirit, and must he worshipped in spirit and in truth, in all places of Thy dominion; yet we praise Thy holy name that Thou dost allow us to build houses for Thy service, in which Thy people may worship Thee in the beauty of Holiness. We bless Thy great name for putting it into the hearts of Thy people to build at this place a house for Thy worship. 0, Lord, inspire us with zeal, and give us a mind to work, that we may successfully carry out the purposes that Thou hast put into our hearts. Let nothing hinder the work, but may Thy

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good hand be upon us that we may bring forth the headstone with joy and gladness. Grant, 0 Lord, that this Tabernacle when completed may ever remain a house of prayer for all people who know and love the truth, and where incense shall be offered unto Thy Name, and where Thy word and ordinances shall be administered under the power and direction of the blessed Holy Ghost, till the Bride-groom comes. May multitudes be saved and sanctified within its walls, and prepared by Thy grace to reign with Jesus in His glorious Kingdom. May the sick and sorrowing ones meet the Great Physician about its altars and find comfort and health in the blessed Son of God. And we will ascribe all the praise and all the honor and all the glory to Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen."

(The minister may here read the following sentences:)

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands estab-

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lish thou it. His foundation is in the Holy mountains, the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob, For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. Thi₅ is my rest forever: There will I dwell; for I have desired it, I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread, I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. The stone which the builders refused is become the headstone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing: it is marvelous in our eyes, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(Then shall the minister standing by the stone announce the articles to he deposited therein. These may be a Bible, Hymn Book, Discipline. Documents setting forth the name of the Church, with the names of the Pastor, Official Board, Building Committee, Church Paper and such other articles as may be desired. The stone shall then he laid by the minister or some one appointed by Him, and the minister placing his hand upon the stone, shall say:)

We lay this corner stone of a house to be built and set apart from all worldly uses, for Divine Worship, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(Then may follow the collection, (if any) the doxology and the benediction.)

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DEDICATION OF A TABERNACLE.

(The services may he conducted as on other occasions. The lessons may be Genesis 28:10-22 and Heb. 10:19-25, or any other at the discretion of the minister. A collection (if any) may follow the sermon. The officers of the church shall then address the minister through one of their number as follows:)

God has been gracious to us and through His goodness we have been enabled to build this Tabernacle as a house in which to worship Him. We thank Him for it. It is His house, not ours; therefore we present it to you to be set apart from all unholy or common uses, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Congregation respond: So may it be.

(Then shall the minister request the congregation to stand and shall say:)

We heartily thank God for having put it into the hearts of His people here to build this Tabernacle for His worship. He has graciously blessed them in the work and enabled them to complete it in His name and for His glory. Therefore we solemnly dedicate it to His service for the reading and preaching of His blessed word; the administration of His ordinances, and for all other acts of religious worship: And now that He may accept this house as the work of our hands and add His approval and blessings to the same, let us devoutly pray.

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(Then all kneeling, the minister shall offer the following prayer or any other at his discretion:)

0, Lord, our Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts we bow in Thy presence at this hour, to thank Thee for all of Thy goodness to us, especially that Thou didst put it into the hearts of these, Thy people, to build this place for Thy worship; And that Thou didst give them the means, with which to complete it; and that Thou didst incline the hearts of people, who were not even Christians, to contribute to this blessed work. You gave us friends that we knew not of; for all of this we thank Thee, and pray Thy richest blessings upon all who have helped in any way, with money, or labor, or even good will, in erecting this house. May they be richly rewarded for what they have done. And now we ask Thee that Thou wilt accept this house as an humble expression of our love to Thee, for the gift of Thy Precious Son; and as Thou didst fill the temple with your presence and glory, so we pray Thee, that Thou wilt fill this house continually, with Thy presence and with Thy glory. Preserve this house which we set apart to Thy service from injury and desecration Let Thy Holy Spirit accompany Thy Word and ordinances that shall be here administered from time to time.

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May sinners be convicted here and many sons and daughters be born to the Lord God Almighty. May believers be sanctified wholly and the suffering bodies of Thy children be healed of all their diseases. Let thy people be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house, and make them to drink of the river of Thy pleasures. May their children here be safely sheltered in the fold of Christ, and brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. May living waters go forth from this sanctuary carrying joy and gladness to many hearts and homes. Let thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory unto Their children, let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: And establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands establish Thou it. Let those who shall minister here be clothed with salvation, and let Thy saints ever shout for joy. Make this house, 0 Lord, Thy dwelling place through the Holy Spirit. Now blessed Father, it is in Thy hands. The house is thine; We are Thine, and the Kingdom, and the glory, and the power are all Thine; bless us and this house and use us for Thy glory, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(Services may then be concluded with the doxology and the benediction, or in any other way at the discretion of the minister:)

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SECTION 4.

QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.

ARTICLE. I.

All the officers of the Holiness Church shall be in the experience of entire sanctification at the time of their election, and their term of office shall expire when they cease to profess and possess the experience of full salvation.

THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF ELDERS.

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (or elder, for they both mean the same) he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?) Not a novice, lest he being lifted up with pride fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are

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without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I Tim. 3:1-5.

DUTY.

It shall be the duty of the Elder or Elders to look after the Spiritual welfare of the Church. He shall provide the elements of the Lord's Supper; see that the church is warmed and lighted, that proper persons are appointed to conduct services, that services are begun and closed at the proper times and that proper literature is circulated among the people and that no unscriptural doctrine is preached that may prove injurious to the cause, and also that order is maintained in the Church.

The elders shall he nominated by the minister or evangelist, or worker who may be authorized to organize a church under the rules of our discipline. After he has taken the names of those who propose to join the Holiness Church the elder shall be elected by a majority vote of the same, and shall hold office as long as he continues to meet the qualifications required for his election unless he resigns for reasons sufficient to himself. And after his election he shall be ordained in the following manner.

(At the proper time and place after a sermon or exhortation on the qualifications and duties of elders

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and their relations to the Church they shall kneel before the altar and the person organizing the church, (or if a church already organized) the pastor and the elders and deacons present, if any, shall lay hands upon those elected to be elders; and the one officiating shall offer the following prayer, or an extemporaneous one at his discretion.)

0, Lord, our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for Thy Church, and for all of its appointed officers, through whom it is to be governed for Thy glory and for the peace and harmony of the membership, which is the body of Christ. We read in Thy blessed word that Paul and Barnabas visited the Churches, founded under their ministry "and when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on Whom they believed." (Acts 1:23). We read also in Thy Blessed Word that Thy servant Paul commanded the Elders of the Ephesian Church, concerning the welfare of the same, saying: "Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28). We thank Thee, our Father, we have here the same Bible, the same church, the same blessed Holy Ghost, and the same office to be filled. And we believe, 0 Lord,

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that the blessed Holy Ghost is here and now, making these Thy servants, upon whom our hands rest, through His appointed means, overseers of the Church of Christ. We pray Thee that they may make worthy servants of the Church; that they may faithfully, fearlessly, tenderly, and in the fear of God discharge every duty incumbent upon them. May they have the prayers, cooperation, and love of all the members of the body. Keep them free from selfishness, partiality, and unspotted from the world. Now, we pray Thee, that Thy blessings may rest upon them, and all of their loved ones, and bring them home to glory at last, where they shall sit among the elders that surround the throne in Heaven, and to Thy blessed name shall be all the praise forever. Amen.

(Here may follow a suitable hymn and the church may come forward and recognize its elder or elders by giving them the right hand of recognition, and the service be closed at the discretion of the minister.)

THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF DEACONS.

Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use

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the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderous, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. I Tim. 3:8-13. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables, Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word, and the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them, And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient unto the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders

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and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:1-8).

DUTY OF DEACONS.

It shall be the duty of the deacon or deacons to have the oversight of the temporal interests of the Church, such as providing financial remuneration for those engaged in the work of the Church. Such as the pastor, the janitor and any others who may have claims upon the Church. Also to have charge of moneys collected for any other purpose not otherwise provided for.

The deacons shall be nominated and elected in the same manner as the elders. Their ordination shall also he similar.

(The ordination prayer for the deacons shall be as follows or it may be extemporaneous at the discretion of the persons officiating:)

Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the great goodness and mercy shown to us in the gift of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. We thank Thee, that through Thy mercy, these upon whom our hands now rest were called from a life of sin, into the glorious liberty of Thy children. We thank Thee for saving and sanctifying them, and filling them with the blessed Holy Ghost and calling them into the office of deacons in Thy Church. Make them, we pray thee, 0

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Lord, humble and constant in their ministration. May they have a mind to observe all spiritual discipline, May no interests of the Church committed to their hands suffer under their administration. Help them with Thy grace that they may provide things honest in the sight of all men. Bless them abundantly with the riches of Thy grace, and ever use them for Thy glory in administering to the needs of the Church, and to suffering humanity, and finally save them in the Kingdom of Thy glory, for Jesus sake Amen.

(Here may follow a song and the church may be invited to give them the right hand of recognition, as deacons of the same. When there are deacons and elders to be ordained in the same service, both services, may be blended into one.)

TRUSTEES AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.

There shall be at least three trustees nominated and elected in the same manner as the elders and deacons, ordination excepted. They shall be male members, and may be elected from among the elders and deacons or the other members of the church. They shall not allow the church to be used for any purpose that does not meet the approval of a majority of the Official Board, unless they have the approval of a majority of the

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church, expressed by a vote of the same in any regular meeting or any called meeting for that purpose. In case of vacancy for any cause see provisions made elsewhere.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

Sunday School Superintendents shall be nominated and elected in the same manner as the elders and deacons, ordination excepted, and may be elected from among the members of the Official Board or from among the general body of the church and may be a female.

DUTY OF SECRETARY.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Official Board to keep or cause to be kept a faithful record of all its proceedings with the names of all who shall join the church or leave the church, and an account of all monies received or paid out. He shall also keep a register in which shall be recorded the names of all who shall join the church with the manner and date of their reception and disposal.

HOW TO LICENSE PREACHERS.

When any member of the church shall professes to be called to the ministry, and desires license from the church, he shall make application to the Official Board at any reg-

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ular or called session and if, after any examination it may subject him or her to, the Board is satisfied, that he or she is a proper person to preach the gospel, under the rules and regulations of the Holiness Church, it may grant the license by a majority vote, subject to the approval of the whole church. If a number equal to the majority vote of the Board, shall express themselves, in writing, as being dissatisfied with the Board's decision, it shall be carried before the whole church, whose majority vote shall be final.

THE FORM OF LICENSE.

This Certifies that A. B., a member of the ---------- Holiness Church of ----------, of ----------. Was on ----- day of ----------, 190--, granted license to preach the gospel under the rules and regulations of said church; and is hereby authorized and empowered to hold meetings, organize churches, and administer the sacraments of the Lord's Supper, and baptism according to the discipline of the Holiness Church.

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