CHAP. we believe that the order and covenant which we XIII. ' have solemnly entered into, is a greater privilege, ' and enables us to be more useful to ourselves and 'others, than any other state within our knowledge; and is that which was required, and is accepted of 'God; and that which we feel in duty bound, ac'cording to our faith and understanding, in the most ' conscientious manner to support and keep." 16. The foregoing are the most essential particuJars of the Covenant in form, which wa verbally entered into by the members of the Church, in the year 1788; and committed to writing, and signed by the members at large, in the year 1795; and renewed, on account of further provision in the order of deacons, in the year 1801, and is closed in the following words. 17. "And we do, by these presents, solemnly covenant with each other, for ourselves, and as'signs, never hereafter, to bring debt or demand 'against the said Deacons, nor their successors, nor ' against any member of the Church, or community, 'jointly or severally on account of any of our ser'vices, or property, thus devoted and consecrated to the aforesaid sacred and charitable uses." 18. "And we also covenant with each other, to ' subject ourselves in union, as Brethren and Sisters, ' who are called to follow Christ in Regeneration, in 'obedience to the order, rules and government of the Church:-And this covenant shall be a sufficient ' witness for us before all men, and in all cases relat'ing to the possession, order, and use, of the joint 'interest of the Church. In testimony whereof, 'we have, both Brethren and Sisters, hereunto subscribed our names, in the presence of each other, This twenty-fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and one." 19. It may here be understood, that this covenant which was entered into in the year 1788, immediately respects the Church at New-Lebanon, as the first in gospel order, in this day of Christ's second appearing. And after the example and order of the first, the Church was shortly after established in sev XIII. eral of the principal places where the word and tes- CHAP. timony of the gospel had been planted, and such of the Believers as were scattered in different parts, gathered at those places. 20. Particularly at Water-Vliet, near Albany, in the state of Niw-York; at Hancock, Tyringham, Harvard, and Shirley, in the state of Massachusetts ; at Enfield, in the state of Connecticut; at Canterbury and New-Enfield, in the state of New Hampshire; and at Alfred, and Sabbath-day-pond, near Portland, in the District of Maine. 21. Hence the whole body of Believers was placed in distinct societies or communities, and those again into large families, situated according to circumstances, for convenience in life; each family, in their own order, having their own government in their temporal economy; and in spiritual matters, having their immediate head of influence in their own order and community; and each particular community having their corresponding relation to the Church at Lebanon, which is the centre of union to all who believe. 22. All the Believers, who came together in the full order and covenant of a Church relation, possessed all things jointly; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but every thing was possessed in a perfect law of justice and equity, by all the members. 23. However, there were some, who gathered together into large families, and stood in a family relation, whose circumstances did not immediately admit of a joint union and interest in all things; and who devoted their services, and the use and improvement only, of their temporal substance, for the joint support and up-building of each other; while their real and personal estates remained in substance, as they were at the time of their coming together. 24. Such were not considered as standing in perfect gospel order, but held a certain relation to the Church according to the order in which they stood. It may, therefore, be proper to make a few remarks on the nature of the Church Covenant, in which alone the perfectorder and equality of the gospel can be enjoyed. CHAP. 25. First. As one of the most essential principles of the Church, was to maintain a perfect law of justice and equity, both in retation to themselves and others; therefore parents, who had estates, and children under age, could not bring their substance into the joint interest of the Church, after it was established. 26. And provided the parents or children were gathered, with their substance, into any family, in the like capacity, the inheritance of the children was secured until they became of age. And it was an established principle in the Church, that children who were faithful and obedient to their parents until they became of age, were then entitied to their natural and just portion. 27. Second. As the Church was established upon the principles of gospel liberty and freedom, and as no one could be bound contrary to their own faith and desire, having a perfect understanding of the nature of their undertaking; therefore, children in minority, could not be fully considered as members of the Church, until they became of mature age to judge and act for themselves. 28. Nevertheless, children who had faith, and who were wrought upon by the Spirit of light from God, (of whom there were many that received faith with their parents,) enjoyed equal rights and privileges of all things in the Church, according to their needs, and the measure of their faith and understanding. 29. Third. As the gathering together of the Believers, into the order and liberty of the gospel, immediately respected their separation from the perplexed cares and entanglements of the world; therefore such as were under obligations to creditors or heirs, were not considered in full membership in the Church, until they were perfectly free from all just demands of those who were without. Yet, all such as were faithful and diligent in paying their just debts, and faithful in all matters according to their light and understanding, were as much owned and accepted in their relation to the Church as any others. 30. Fourth. As the gathering of the Church, was not from any worldly motives, to lay up in store of this world's goods, but solely as a religious duty and CHAP privilege, for mutual benefit; therefore, all had an equal right as members, jointly, in the use of all things in the Church, and according to their several XIII. needs, whether they brought in any temporal substance or not. And in those who brought in sub- Exo.xvi. stance, more or less, was that scripture fulfilled, He c that gathered muchhad nothing over, and he that gath- vii. 15. ered little had no lack. 2 Cor. 31. Fifth. As all the members of the Church are equally holden, according to their abilities, to maintain and support one joint interest, in union and conformity to the order and government of the Church; therefore, all labour with their hands, to maintain the mutual comfort and benefit of one another by honest industry and acts of kindness, not by compulsion, but of choice, from a principle of faith, justice, and equity. 32. Ministers, Elders and Deacons, all without exception, labour with their hands; excepting at such times as are taken up by each in their particular gifts and callings, which all tend to the mutual increase and benefit of the whole. And no member or members, from the eldest to the youngest, are constrained or compelled, by any law, rule or custom in the Church, to go beyond their abilities, or in any matter to act contrary to their own faith and voluntary choice. 33. Sixth. As the gospel is perfectly free, and the free exercise of conscience can in no wise be retarded; so the conduct of no one can be compelled, in any matter, contrary to their own faith; therefore, all who believe in the gospel of Christ's present appearing, ever remain in perfect liberty, without any breach of order, to use and improve their own temporal interest as a separate possession, or to unite with others of the same faith, in one joint union and interest; either of which must be according to their own faith and discretion. 34. All are owned, accepted, and justified of God and the Church, according to their perfect obedience to the light and understanding which they receive.. Nevertheless, the centre of union and protection to Yy XIII. CHAP. all who believe, is in the Church, established in the perfect order of the gospel, in a perfect law of liberty and equality, for the equal benefit of every member, in all things, spiritual and temporal. 35. Seventh. The order and regulation of the Church, in all spiritual matters, is intrusted, by the gift of God, to the Ministry and Elders, or elder Brethren of each community and family. To them also is committed the charge of sending out ministers to preach the gospel to the world of mankind.* 36. None of the Ministry hold any title to lands or property, as individuals, more than any other members; nor have they any pensions or salaries: but whatever they need for their support at home, or expenditure abroad, they receive at such times as they need it. 37. The concern and regulation of the temporal matters of the Church, is intrusted to the Deacons, appointed to that office by the joint union of the body. To them, their assigns and successors in the gospel, appointed to the like office, is intrusted the whole of the joint interest of the Church, to support and maintain the same in behalf of the Church, and their heirs in the gospel forever. 38. And their office and care it is, to have the principal concern in dealing with those who are without; and to provide all things necessary for the comfortable support of the Church, jointly and equally, according to the number and need of each family in the Church. 39. Besides the first order of Deacons, there are also Deacons in each family, whose care is to see that every member in the family, from the eldest to the youngest, enjoy their just and equal rights, ac-cording to their several needs, of all temporal things possessed in the family. 40. In the order and government or regulation of the Church, no compulsion or violence is either used, approved, or found necessary. So that, according to our faith, in the full and perfect establishment of • The general manner of sending out ministers to preach the gospel, is by two and two, sometimes more, according to circumstances, but not less than two; and sisters are not sent to travel less than two together, and that not without the company of their own brethren. |