Manual of the Universalist General Convention (1891)

Manual of the Universalist General Convention.New York: Universalist General Convention, 1891.

CHARTER.

An Act to Incorporate The Board of Trustees of the General Convention of Universalists in the United States of America: passed March 9, 1866.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section I. John T. Gilman, Henry E. Busch, D. C. Tomlinson, E. W. Crowell, Richard Eddy, G. L. Demarest, E. G. Brooks, James Cushing, Jr., and Quentin McAdam, their associates and successors, are hereby created a body corporate and politic by the name of the “Board of Trustees of the General Convention of Universalists in the United States of America,” with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the provisions and restrictions contained in the third title of the eighteenth chapter of the first part of the Revised Statutes, and chapter three hundred and nineteen of the laws of eighteen hundred and forty-eight, as amended, and said corporation may hold real and personal estate to the value of five hundred thousand dollars, to be devoted exclusively to the diffusion of Christian knowledge, by means of missionaries, publications, and other agencies.

An Act in Relation to The Board of Trustees of the General Convention of Universalists in the United States of America: passed May 7, 1872.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section I. The name of the corporation now known as and called “Board of Trustees of the General Convention of Universalists in the United States of America” (which corporation was created such by chapter one hundred and thirty-three (133) of the laws of eighteen hundred and sixty-six) is hereby changed to, and henceforth the said corporation shall be called, and known by, the name of “The Universalist General Convention.”

Sec. II. This act shall take effect immediately.

An Act in Relation to Universalist General Convention: passed May 4, 1881.

The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section I. The Universalist General Convention, a corporation of the State of New York, by virtue of chapter one hundred and thirty-three, laws of eighteen hundred and sixty-six, as amended by chapter five hundred and eighty-nine, laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-two, is hereby authorized to invest its funds in any securities approved by its Board of Trustees, or, in the intervals between sessions of the Board, by its Committee on Investments if unanimous. Such investments shall be reported from time to time by the Trustees to their principle Convention.

Sec. II. This act shall take effect immediately.

Laws of Organization

for the

Universalist Church.

I. - GENERAL PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.

The ecclesiastical organization of the Universalist Church in the United States and Canada shall be constituted as follows:

1. The General Convention, having jurisdiction over all Universalist Clergymen and denominational organizations.

2. State Conventions, exercising within State or Provincial limits a similar jurisdiction, subject to the General Convention.

3. Parishes, composed to persons organized for religious improvement and the support of Public Worship.

II. - STATE CONVENTIONS.

1. A State[^*^](#sdfootnote1sym){.sdfootnoteanc} Convention may be organized in any State, Territory, or Province, whenever at least four Parishes, in such proximity that they can conveniently and effectually coöperate, shall have established and fellowshipped for at least two years, and have given satisfactory evidence of their probable permanence.

2. Every State Convention, to be entitled to fellowship, shall be organized in conformity with the laws of the General Convention, and shall fully comply with the conditions it prescribes.

3. Every State Convention shall be constituted: 1st. Of all ordained Universalist Clergymen in fellowship, residing in the State, and unless disabled by years of sickness, actively engaged in the work of the ministry; 2d. Of the officers of the Convention; 3d. Of Lay Delegates to be chosen by the Parishes in its fellowship.

4. Every State Convention, subject to the laws of the General Convention, shall have jurisdiction as to Fellowship, Ordination and Discipline over the Universalist Clergymen and Parishes within its territorial limits, [^*^](#sdfootnote2sym){.sdfootnoteanc} and shall devote special attention to Christian work, and all matters of denominational concern.

5. Every State Convention shall be incorporated under the laws of its State.

III. - PARISHES.

1. Any number of persons of good moral character, acknowledging the authority of the General Convention, and organizing for religious improvement and support of public worship on the basis of the Profession of Faith, and of the terms of fellowship prescribed by the General Convention, shall be recognized as a Parish in the Universalist Church, when admitted to fellowship by the State Convention having jurisdiction.

2. Every Parish, when practicable, shall be incorporated under the laws of the State in which it exists, conforming in its organization to the laws of the General Convention.

Constitution

of the

General Convention.

PREAMBLE.

To establish union, fellowship, and an efficient organization, and to secure a uniform system of government, and the various ends for which the Christian Church exists, we the Universalists of the United States and Canada, form ourselves into a General Convention, and ordain for it the following Constitution:

ARTICLE I.

This body shall be known as The Universalist General Convention.

ARTICLE II.

HOW CONSTITUTED.

1. This Convention shall be composed of the Presidents (or, in their absence, the Vice-Presidents) and Secretaries of the several State Conventions in its fellowship, and of delegates as hereinafter provided.

2. Each State Convention shall be entitled to one clerical and two lay delegates; or, having an aggregate of fifty Parishes and Clergymen, to two clerical and four lay delegates; and for every additional twenty-five Parishes and Clergymen, to one clerical and two lay delegates.[^*^](#sdfootnote3sym){.sdfootnoteanc} If there be organized Universalist Parishes in any State or Territory which has no Convention, they may unite to choose one delegate, and if there be but one such Parish, it shall likewise be entitled to one delegate.

3. To be counted in this basis of representation, every Parish must maintain its legal existence and support public worship regularly;[^†^](#sdfootnote4sym){.sdfootnoteanc} and every Clergyman must be engaged in the work of the ministry, unless disabled by years or sickness.

4. This Convention shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its members.

5. Members from seven States (not less in the aggregate than twenty-five persons) shall be a quorum to do business, but a less number may adjourn and demand the attendance of absentees.

ARTICLE III.

POWERS.

1. This Convention shall have jurisdiction over the State Conventions in its fellowship.

2. Assent to the Profession of Faith, adopted by this body at its session at Winchester, N. H., A. D. 1803, shall be essential to fellowship with this Convention, to wit:

Art. I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

Art. II. We believe that there is one God, whose nature is Love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness.

Art. III. We believe that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to be careful to maintain order and practice good works; for these things are good and profitable unto men.

3. It shall determine the rules of its proceedings, and ordain such laws and adopt such measures as may be necessary to secure the objects set forth in the Preamble of this Constitution.

4. It shall be the ultimate tribunal by which shall be adjudicated all cases of dispute and difficulty between State Conventions, and a Court of Final Appeal before which may be brought cases of discipline and questions of government not provided for and settled by subordinate bodies.

5. It shall have power to adopt such By-Laws as may be necessary for the efficiency of this Constitution.

6. In those States and Territories where no Conventions are organized, and in the District of Columbia, it shall exercise the same jurisdiction as is exercised by State Conventions where they exist.

7. It shall have power to raise funds, and to hold and disburse whatever funds may be entrusted to its care: It being provided, that all moneys and other property given to constitute its Permanent Funds shall be carefully invested or held, and the proceeds be sacredly devoted to the purposes designated by the donors.

8. It shall have the power to require all organizations and clergymen subject to its jurisdiction to furnish such statistical or other reports as its By-Laws or special action may prescribe.

ARTICLE IV.

OFFICERS.

1. The officers of this Convention shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Board of Trustees, all of whom shall be elected by ballot.

2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected at each regular Session; and the Secretary and Treasurer shall be subject to removal for cause by the Board of Trustees.

3. The Board of Trustees shall consist of eleven members, the Secretary of the Convention being a member ex officio. Five members shall be chosen biennially, to hold office for four years.

4. In all elections, a majority of votes shall be required to elect; and all officers shall continue in office until their successors shall be chosen and qualified.

5. The Board of Trustees shall have power to fill all vacancies in the offices of the Convention, however occasioned, until its next regular Session.

6. No moneys shall be paid by the Board of Trustees, or by their agents, expect under the authority of an appropriation by the Convention.

ARTICLE V.

SESSIONS.

1. This Convention shall meet biennially on the Wednesday preceding the fourth Sunday in October, at 10 o’clock, A. M., at such place as shall have been duly appointed. If no place has been thus appointed, the Board of Trustees shall designate the place; and they may also change the time, or place, whenever, in their judgment, a change is necessary.

2. Special sessions may be called by the Board of Trustees as provided in the By-Laws

ARTICLE VI.

AMENDMENTS.

This Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-third of the members of the Convention,[^*^](#sdfootnote5sym){.sdfootnoteanc} at any regular session: Provided, that the amendment shall be ratified at the next regular session by a similar vote.

By-Laws.

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS.

1. Of the President. - He shall preside at all meetings of the Convention, and appoint all Committees unless the Convention shall order otherwise.

2. Of the Vice-President. - He shall perform the duties of the President, whenever the latter may be absent.

3. Of the Secretary. - He shall keep full minutes of the proceedings of the Convention, and of the Board of Trustees, and a Register of the Clergy and Parishes of the Church.

He shall have the custody of the Books, Minutes, Papers, Reports, and all other documents belonging to the Convention, the custody of which is not otherwise provided for, holding them under such regulations as the Board of Trustees shall prescribe.

He shall give due notice of all meetings of the Convention and of the Board of Trustees.

Whenever any amendment of the Constitution has been approved, or any other subject requires consideration and action of the State Conventions, he shall give notice thereof to the Secretaries of the several State Conventions.

He shall duly enroll the names of the delegates to the General Convention.

Immediately after every Session of the Convention, he shall give written notice of their appointment to members of the Committees, and to all others elected or appointed to any duty, stating the duty to be performed, and requesting an immediate answer, accepting or declining the appointment; and he shall promptly report to the Board of Trustees the result of such correspondence.

He shall prepare the Report of the proceedings of the Convention for publication, under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

He shall conduct the correspondence of the Convention, and attest its public acts, and all orders drawn upon the Treasurer.

On or before the fifteenth of December preceding each regular session of the Convention, he shall send to the Secretary of each State Convention whatever statistical blanks or questions the Convention or the Board of Trustees may have prescribed.

He shall perform such other duties as the Convention or Board of Trustees may prescribe; and for the performance of his duties he shall receive such compensation as the Board of Trustees may determine.

3. Of the Treasurer. - He shall receive all moneys [sic] belonging to the Convention, and shall pay all orders which may be drawn on him, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and attested by the Secretary.

He shall hold the title-papers or evidence of stock and other property belonging to the Convention.

He shall keep faithful accounts of his transactions in the books of the Convention, which shall be annually examined and certified by the Auditing Committee; and an abstract of said accounts shall be laid before the Convention at each regular session, certified by the Auditing Committee.

The Board of Trustees shall require him to give security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such sum as may be deemed proper.

4. Of the Board of Trustees. - They shall have the general management of the affairs of the Convention during the recess; and shall, on its behalf, under Art. III., Sect. 6. of the Constitution, act in all matters of Fellowship, Ordination, and Discipline; and shall have power to adopt all needful measures for fostering its interest and promoting the growth and welfare of the Universalist Church.

They shall have in special charge the care and investment of the funds given to the Convention, shall execute all measures for raising moneys, and shall authorize disbursements for the purposes of the Convention.

They shall make due preparatory arrangements for the order of proceedings, and for the religious meetings, at the Sessions of the Convention, subject to its approval.

They shall appoint such officers and agents of the Convention’s work may require.

They shall annually appoint an Auditing Committee, who shall examine the accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer, and certify their correctness, or otherwise.

In the case of complaints, or appeals, they shall immediately appoint a Board of Appeal, to consist of three persons (one at least of whom shall be a Clergyman, and none of whom shall be residents of the State or States interested), all of whom shall hear the case as soon as practicable, and at farthest within ninety days of the date of the appeal, and whose unanimous decision, after due notice to the parties concerned (viz., the original parties to the case), and such a hearing in the case as in their judgment equity demands, shall be final. A decision having been reached, it shall be immediately reported to the Board of Trustees,[^*^](#sdfootnote6sym){.sdfootnoteanc} and the Secretary shall see that the parties interested, together with the Committee of Fellowship which had original jurisdiction of the case, are at once notified, and that such promulgation be made as the case may demand. Should no decision be reached, the Board of Appeal shall report the case to the next session of the Convention for final action thereon.

Petitions, Memorials and Complaints, relating to matters of Discipline, which shall be referred by the Convention to the Board of Trustees, or be brought directly to them, shall be considered by them, and if, in their judgment, equity and the good of the Church demand, they shall appoint a Board of three persons to adjudicate thereon; and in such cases, as well as in cases over which the General Convention has original jurisdiction, the foregoing rules, so far as the same are applicable, shall be observed.

The Board of Trustees shall provide for a Universalist Church Conference or Conferences, to be held at some central location or locations, in the years intervening between the regular sessions of the Convention, not for ecclesiastical, legislative, or financial work, but for the purpose of considering important questions of religion, morals, and education.

The Board of Trustees shall submit a report of their proceedings at each regular Session of the Convention; and they shall also present a general statement as to the condition and wants of the Church with respect to Education, Sunday-schools, and whatever else concerns its interests, with such suggestions as they may deem proper.

In the years intervening between the sessions of the Convention, the The Board of Trustees shall, during the month of October, prepare and publish a financial statement for the year ending on the first of that month; and the same shall be presented and published as part of the Biennial Report.

A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the travelling expenses of the members to and from business meetings shall be paid.

II.

SESSIONS.

1. Special Sessions of this Convention shall be ordered by the Board of Trustees, at such time and place as they may appoint, whenever a written request, setting forth the reasons, and signed by the Presidents of at least five State Conventions, shall be presented to the Secretary.

Public notice of any Special Session, stating its purpose, shall be given by the Secretary, at least one month before the time fixed therefor.

The delegates to the preceding regular Session shall be delegates to any Special Session, if no others have been chosen. If others have been chosen they shall represent their State, or States, in the Special Session: It being provided, that the names shall be certified to the Secretary on or before the day fixed for the Session.

2. During the Sessions of the Convention, all meetings for public religious services shall be under its control, and the aim shall be to foster an interest in its proceedings and in Church work, and to permit nothing that will divert attention from them: It being provided, that nothing shall be allowed to exclude or remove the Convention from the most commodious and desirable portion of the edifice wherein the Session has been called.

III.

SPECIAL PRIVILEGES.

1. All officers of the Convention, not delegates, shall be entitled to its privileges, without the right to vote; and also members of the Committees, making reports, whenever their reports are under consideration.

2. Representatives of Universalists not within the jurisdiction of this body, and those of other religious denominations duly accredited to this Convention, shall be reported by the Committee on Elections, received by the President, and assigned to seats with the members of the Convention. Such representatives may address the Convention upon invitation of the President.

IV.

OFFICE OF THE CONVENTION.

The office of the Convention shall be in the State of New York, though neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer shall be required to be a resident thereof.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CONVENTION.

1. Each State Convention shall certify to the Secretary, previous to each regular Session, the names of its President, Secretary, and Delegates; and whenever such a certificate shall fail to reach the Secretary before the hour for calling the Convention to order, no member or delegate from that Convention shall be admitted to a seat until the Convention has been fully organized.

2. At the hour appointed for the meeting of the Convention, in the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary, (or in his absence, the senior delegate) shall call the Convention to order, and cause the Session to be opened with prayer.

The Roll of Members and Delegates, as prepared by the Secretary, shall then be called; and those who answer to their names shall take their seats as members of the Convention. And as for determining all questions requiring more than a majority vote, this Convention shall be defined to consist of all delegates who have at any meeting of the Convention held during the Session, answered to their names, and been duly admitted.

One or more Assistant Secretaries shall then be appointed by the President, on the nomination of the Secretary.

3. The President shall forthwith appoint the Committees on Elections and on Religious Services.

4. The Lord’s Supper shall then be administered, and shall be followed by the Occasional Sermon. At this service a collection shall be taken, the proceeds of which shall be added to the J. G. Gunn Ministerial Relief Fund.

VI.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. A quorum being present, the Convention shall be called to order, and the Session opened with prayer.

2. Calling the Roll of Members.

3. Reading the Minutes of the preceding day.

4. Claims to seats, and their reference.

5. Appointment of the other Committees for the Session.

6. Reports of Committees for the Session:

i. On Elections.

ii. On Religious Services.

7. Report of the Board of Trustees.

8. Report of the Treasurer.

9. Unfinished Business.

10. Reports of other Committees.

11. New Business.

12. Just before the final adjournment, such portion of the Minutes as have not been read and approved, shall be read for correction and adoption.

VII.

COMMITTEES.

The following Committees for the Session shall be appointed, each, except for the fourth and fifth, to consist of three members, viz: -

i. - On Elections, to whom shall be referred the credentials not previously reported to the Secretary; also questions of contested seats, and all other matters pertaining to the organization of the Convention.

ii. - On Religious Services, who shall superintend the arrangements made by the Board of Trustees, and make such others as may be necessary, subject to the approval of the Convention.

iii. - On Nominations, who shall report, on the morning of the third day of the regular Session, the names of persons for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustees, and for Preacher of the next Occasional Sermon; also, the place for the next regular Session of the Convention.

iv. - On Official Reports, consisting of nine members, to whom shall be referred the Reports of the Board of Trustees and of the Treasurer, and who shall report upon the same.

v. - On Resolutions, consisting of five members, to whom shall be referred all Resolutions presented to the Convention, without debate, and who shall report upon the same.

VIII.

FUNDS.

1. Every Parish in the fellowship of this Convention shall make at least one contribution to its funds every year.

2. All contributions or gifts bestowed for specific uses within the purposes of the Convention, shall be expended as thus directed. The income of the Murray Centenary Fund shall be applied to the aid of theological students, the distribution of Universalist literature, Church Extension, and the missionary cause; that of the Theological Scholarship Fund to the aid of students for the ministry; [that of the Church Extension Fund, one-quarter to the increase of the Fund, and three-fourths in aid of the erection of church edifices for new parishes; that of the Wm. H. Ryder Fund to the aid of students for the ministry, or otherwise as specified in the bequest;] and that of the John G. Gunn Ministerial Relief Fund to the aid of aged and infirm Clergymen, or the widows and children of deceased Clergymen, according to the terms and limitations of the gift.

3. All other gifts or moneys may be devoted to the general work of the Convention, at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, in accordance with the appropriations of the Convention.

STATISTICS.

1. Immediately after the first of January in each Convention year, the Pastor or Secretary of every Parish, and every Clergyman not wholly engaged in pastoral duties, shall make returns for the calendar year ending the 31st of December preceding, to their respective Secretaries, giving answers to such questions as this Convention, or its Board of Trustees, may prescribe: It being provided, -

i. That the questions thus prescribed shall be as simple as possible, due regard being had to the purposes in view.

ii. That where no State Convention exists, the Secretary of this Convention shall issue the questions directly to those from whom returns must come, and put them into suitable form.

2. From the returns thus obtained, the Secretary of each State Convention shall prepare a consolidated report for his State, and transmit it, on or before April 1st to the Secretary of this Convention, and adding any other information which might seem to him to bear upon the condition and prospects of the Church in his State.

From the reports forwarded to him, the Secretary of this Convention shall prepare a summary, which, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, shall be made a part of their Report.

AMENDMENTS.

These By-Laws, and the Laws of Fellowship, Government, and Discipline, may be amended at any regular Session, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at each Session.[^*^](#sdfootnote7sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

Rules of Order.

LAWS

Fellowship, Government, and Discipline.

I. - CONDITIONS OF FELLOWSHIP.

1. Compliance with the following conditions shall be essential to fellowship with the Universalist General Convention.

i. Assent to the Profession of Faith, to wit:

Art. I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

ii. Assent to the laws of the Convention pertaining to organization and fellowship.

2. Every Clergyman, Parish, or State Convention applying for the fellowship of this Convention shall be understood as thereby agreeing to the Profession of Faith, and pledging due observance to all the laws of the Convention.

II. - ADMISSION TO FELLOWSHIP.

1. Any State Convention organized in accordance with the laws of the General Convention, and applying at any Session, may be admitted to fellowship.[^*^](#sdfootnote8sym){.sdfootnoteanc} Any Parish so organized, applying at any Session of the State Convention having jurisdiction, may be admitted to the fellowship, upon the recommendation of the Committee of Fellowship.[^†^](#sdfootnote9sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

2. All denominational bodies existing in any State, and all Clergymen resident therein, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Convention of that State; and the act of any State Convention exercising its powers, with respect to fellowship,[^‡^](#sdfootnote10sym){.sdfootnoteanc} shall be considered as granting, refusing, or withdrawing the fellowship of the General Convention, as the case may be; and, unless such act be reversed on appeal to the General Convention, it shall be considered final.

3. Upon the removal of any Clergyman in fellowship from one State to another, the Committee of Fellowship of the former State shall forward to that of the latter State a Letter of Transfer of such Clergyman from the one to the other jurisdiction: of which action advice shall be given him. If the Committee[^*^](#sdfootnote11sym){.sdfootnoteanc} shall be satisfied of the worthiness of the applicant, they shall grant him a Letter of Fellowship; but final action thereon, unless charges are pending, shall not be delayed beyond one year. And such Letter shall not affect a Clergyman’s relations until Fellowship shall have been granted to him by the Committee to whose jurisdiction he has thus been transferred. And the Committee receiving shall notify both Clergyman interested and the Committee transferring of their action.

4. No Letter of Transfer shall be issue if charges have been preferred, or are pending, against such Clergyman, or if the Committee having jurisdiction, or either of them, shall know anything to affect his standing at the time, which to them seems sufficient ground for charges against him. But such Letter of Transfer shall not be withheld for more than one year from the time of removal, unless charges have been preferred in due form.[^*^](#sdfootnote12sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

5. Any ordained Clergyman, never before in Universalist fellowship, desiring admission thereto, shall present his written application, setting forth the above facts, to the Committee of Fellowship of the State in which he resides, who shall take action upon the case as provided in the preceding section. It being provided, that if everything shall prove satisfactory, the candidate may be allowed to enter upon the immediate exercise of his ministerial functions: but shall be admitted unto full fellowship only after a probation of one year.

III. - WITHDRAWAL OF FELLOWSHIP.

1. Fellowship shall be withdrawn or suspended,[^*^](#sdfootnote13sym){.sdfootnoteanc} as the case may require, for violation of, or non-compliance with, the conditions on which it is given, or for the causes following, viz:

i. From a Parish -

a. For settling as Pastor a Clergyman not in fellowship, or who has been refused fellowship, or who has been disfellowshipped.

b. For neglecting for the period of two consecutive years to support regular public worship.

ii. From a Clergyman -

a. For becoming engrossed in secular business unconnected with denominational interests, unless because of ill health or advanced years; or engaged in any occupation incompatible with the profession of a Christian Minister.

b.For entering upon ministerial labor under the auspices of, or into fellowship with, any other denomination.

c. For settling as pastor over a Parish which has been refused fellowship, or from which fellowship has been withdrawn: It being provided, that if, in the judgment of the Committee of Fellowship, the circumstances, in any case, are sufficient to justify such a settlement, they have the power to suspend this rule.

d.For unministerial conduct, of which he shall confess himself guilt, or be duly convicted.[^*^](#sdfootnote14sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

2. Any Clergyman desiring to withdraw from fellowship, and giving written notice thereof to the Committee on Fellowship of the proper State Convention, or of the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be,[^†^](#sdfootnote15sym){.sdfootnoteanc} shall, if no charges be pending or preferred against him, be entitled to a certificate of good standing: provided, that no reason be known by said Committee why such a Letter should be withheld; and notice of such action shall be duly published by the Committee.

IV. - RESTORATION TO FELLOWSHIP.

1. If any Clergyman, after having withdrawn from fellowship, or having been disfellowshipped for any other than reasons affecting his moral character, should desire restoration, he shall make written application to the Committee of Fellowship of the State Convention from which he withdrew, or by which he was disfellowshipped, or to the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be, [^*^](#sdfootnote16sym){.sdfootnoteanc} stating his place of residence, and all the facts of the case, and promising compliance with the conditions of fellowship hereinbefore set forth; whereupon the Committee shall proceed, as in hereinbefore provided, Art. II., Sect. 3.

2. Any Clergyman who is out of fellowship for reasons affecting his moral character, may be restored by the following steps: Provided, that not less than three years have elapsed since his fellowship ceased, and that during that whole time he has conformed to the Laws of this Convention, and has maintained a good moral character. He shall make written application to the Committee of Fellowship of the State Convention from which he withdrew, or by which he was disfellowshipped, or the Committee of Fellowship or the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be,[^*^](#sdfootnote17sym){.sdfootnoteanc} stating his residence, and the facts of the case. If, upon due inquiry, the Committee shall recommend his restoration, they shall so report to the Board of Trustees of the General Convention; and, if two-thirds of the Board concur, he shall be fully restored to fellowship.

V. - LETTERS OF LICENSE.

1. Letters of License, for the term of one year, subject to revocation, authorizing the holders to preach, but not to administer any Christian ordinance, may be granted by Committees of Fellowship authorized to act in such cases to such candidates as, on due examination, may be deemed worthy and fitly prepared for the ministry, provided they file with the committee their assent to the Profession of Faith.

2. Such Letters of License,[^†^](#sdfootnote18sym){.sdfootnoteanc} granting the authority specified for three years, subject to revocation, may be issued as above to any layman who may apply therefor as a Lay Preacher: Provided, that the Church of which he is a Member, with its Pastor, if it have a Pastor, or, if it have no Pastor, with the nearest Pastor in good standing, shall unite in a Letter of Request, certifying to his character and qualifications; and provided also, that the Committee shall, by examination, be satisfied of his fitness for the Preacher’s office, and that he shall file as above the required assent to the Profession of Faith.

Licentiates shall be subject to the same rules of discipline as other preachers, and shall be understood equally to pledge a due observance of all the Laws of the General Convention.

3. Licenses under this article shall be issued only to residents of the jurisdiction granting them, and shall cease upon removal therefrom, unless approved by the Committee of Fellowship of the new jurisdiction; and all Licentiates shall, for purposes of representation, be regarded as laymen, and therefore not eligible as clerical delegates.

VI. - ORDINATION.

1. On application, in writing, by any Parish, for the ordination of a Pastor, the Committee of Fellowship of the State Convention, or of the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be, shall consider the request; and if they judge the candidate worthy, and he has been a licentiate for at least one year, they shall call an Ordaining Council, at such time and place as shall be most convenient for the requisite examination of the candidate, notice of which shall be given in a Universalist paper, at least one week before the proposed Council.

2. Said Council shall consist of not less than three ordained Clergymen, in fellowship within the jurisdiction of the Convention by whose Committee the Council has been called, and of one lay delegate each from not less than four Parishes in the like fellowship.[^*^](#sdfootnote19sym){.sdfootnoteanc} A majority of the persons called to the Council must concur in order to make a valid decision.

3. The Council shall be organized by the choice of a Moderator and Clerk. After prayer, the call for the Council shall be read, together with the request for ordination. If these steps appear to have been properly taken, the Council shall satisfy itself, by due examination, of the fitness of the candidate for ordination, and express the same definitely by vote. If such decision is affirmative, they shall authorize ordination; but such ordination shall not take place on the same day that the examination is held or the decision reached.[^*^](#sdfootnote20sym){.sdfootnoteanc} The Committee of Fellowship shall appoint some Clergyman to give the Fellowship of the Convention to the candidate at this ordination.

4. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of every Ordaining Council to make immediate report of its doings to the Secretary of the Committee of Fellowship having jurisdiction, who shall notify the candidate of the recommendation, and of the name of the Clergyman appointed to confer the Fellowship of the Convention. The Clergyman so conferring the fellowship shall report the ordination to the Committee, who shall issue to the Clergyman so ordained a certificate of his ordination and fellowship.

5. Committees of Fellowship having jurisdiction may call Ordaining Councils, subject to all the provisions above set forth, to act upon personal applications for ordination. But, in no case, shall ordination be conferred on one who has not been a Licentiate for the full term of one year.

6. In cases where the circumstances do not permit the action of State Committees of Fellowship, the Committee of Fellowship of the General Convention shall have the power to act.

VII. - DISCIPLINE.

1. The discipline of the Ministry shall be vested exclusively in the State Conventions, expect in the cases specially provided for in the Constitution, Article III, Sect. 6, subject to the right of appeal from the decision thereof.[^*^](#sdfootnote21sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

2. Every Clergyman shall be amenable to the ecclesiastical body whose fellowship he bears, and his removal shall not affect its authority over him until he has been formally admitted to fellowship in the jurisdiction of the Convention to which he has removed.

3. No Clergyman shall be installed, or formally recognized, as Pastor of a Parish, except as hereinafter provided, unless he shall have been granted the fellowship of the Convention in which the Parish exists.

4. A Clergyman may be the Pastor of several Parishes in the same State, or in different States; but he must have the fellowship of the Convention within whose jurisdiction he resides.

5. Any Clergyman in fellowship in the State in which he resides, and desiring to take charge of a Parish in an adjoining State, shall be at liberty to do so, provided he shall file with the Secretary of the Committee of Fellowship of the later State a certification of his fellowship and good standing from the Secretary of the Committee of Fellowship with which he is in fellowship.

6. Complaints against a State Convention, and cases of dispute and difficulty between State Conventions, in accordance with the method prescribed by the By-Laws, Article I., Sect. 5.

7. The several Committees of Fellowship are hereby respectively constituted tribunals for the adjudication of all complaints made to them against any Clergyman or Parish within their jurisdiction. After an impartial hearing of the cause, conducted in accordance with the mode of procedure hereinafter provided, it shall be the duty of said Committee to acquit, admonish, suspend, or withdraw fellowship, as in their judgment the merits of the case may demand. Their action shall be final, except as provided in cases of appeal; and they shall make a full report[^*^](#sdfootnote22sym){.sdfootnoteanc} thereupon to the ecclesiastical body under whose authority they act, at its next Session.

8. Bill of Complaint. - All complaints or charges preferred against a Clergyman or Parish shall be made in writing, and entitled the Bill of Complaint. Said Bill shall be divided into distinct paragraphs, consecutively numbered, each paragraph embracing, as far as practicable, a single charge or cause of complaint. The Complainant shall file the Bill of Complaint with the Chairman of the Committee of Fellowship, and shall also serve a copy thereof upon the party defendant.

9. Answer. - The Defendant shall, within thirty days after the date of service upon him of the Bill of Complaint, file with the Chairman of the Committee his Answer thereto in writing, and shall also serve a copy thereof upon the Complainant. Said Answer shall also be divided into distinct paragraphs, and reply to each paragraph of the Bill of Complaint.

10. Hearing. - If the parties do not desire to offer testimony, the cause may be heard upon the Bill and Answer. The Committee shall fix a convenient time and place for the hearing, of which due notice shall be given to the parties Complainant and Defendant, and whereat the said parties, with counsel, if desired, shall appear, and the cause be duly heard. If, however, either or both parties desire to offer testimony, either may give notice thereof to the Committee. Said Committee shall, with as little delay as possible, appoint a competent Examiner to take the testimony, and shall notify the parties of such appointment.

11. Conduct of Hearing by the Examiner. - The Examiner, having arranged with the parties as to a convenient time and place therefor, shall proceed to take the testimony of all the witnesses produced before him, and such examination shall be private. The Complainant shall first produce all his testimony, and when he has closed, the Defendant shall in like manner produce his testimony. After which, the Complainant may, if he desires it, offer testimony in rebuttal; and the Defendant may also offer testimony in surrebuttal. The witnesses shall be examined by the parties or their counsel. All the testimony shall be taken in writing. The depositions shall be signed by the respective witnesses, and be attested by the Examiner. Every document or paper offered in evidence shall be noted by the Examiner, and marked by him for identification , as Exhibit 1, 2, etc. If any evidence offered shall be objected to, the Examiner shall note the objection and the grounds thereof, and rule upon its admissibility. Either party may appeal from his decision to the Committee of Fellowship, and in case of such appeal from the exclusion of evidence, the nature of the proposed evidence and grounds of objection thereto and of the decision of the Examiner, shall be entered by him briefly on the Record.

12. Hearing on Appeal. - Upon the termination of the hearing before the Examiner, he shall fasten together all the depositions and exhibits,a nd forthwith certify and transmit the same to the Secretary of the Committee. The Committee shall fix a time and place for a hearing upon questions raised by appeal from the decision of the Examiner, and if necessary shall remit the case to him for the purpose of taking such testimony excluded by him as the Committee shall deem competent to the issue.

13. Final Hearing. - Upon the completion of the testimony the same shall be transmitted by the Examiner to the Secretary of the Committee, as provided in the previous section. The Committee shall fix a convenient time and place for the final hearing, of which due notice shall be given to the parties, and whereat the said parties, with counsel, if they desire it, shall appear, and the cause be duly heard.

14. Decision. - After the final hearing, the Committee shall proceed to certify in writing what facts they find to be proved, and their decision in the case; a copy of which finding and decision shall be at once transmitted to both the Complainant and Defendant. In case the fellowship of the Defendant be suspended or withdrawn, and no appeal to the General Convention be taken within the time prescribed by the laws regulating Appeals, the Committee shall cause such sentence to be published in at least one denominational paper.

15. In case an appeal be taken to the General Convention, which must be within thirty days after the decision is rendered, the Appellant shall certify the grounds of his appeal to the Secretary of that Convention, at the time of taking his appeal. The said Secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Committee having jurisdiction that such appeal has been taken, and require them to send up the whole record of the case, comprising the Bill of Complaint, the Answer, the testimony, and the finding and decision of the Committee, to be placed before the Board of Appeal.

16. If disputes or difficulties should arise between Parishes or between a Parish and its Pastor, or between Parishes and Clergymen, or between Clergymen, which the parties themselves shall be unable to arrange, the Committee on Fellowship, or a special Committee to be appointed upon request of the parties by the Executive Committee of the Convention, shall have power to inquire into the facts, and endeavor amicably to settle the case. If an amicable adjustment cannot be effected, or the case involves the necessity for censure, or withdrawal or suspension of fellowship, either party may file a Bill of Complaint, or Cross Bills may be filed by both parties, and the cause be proceeded with as hereinbefore provided.

17. In case of rumors unfavorably affecting the reputation of a Clergyman, the Executive Committee of the Convention having jurisdiction, or the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be, shall consider their nature, and, if they deem them injurious to the Church, and the proceeding expedient, shall appoint some suitable person or persons to prefer charges and prosecute the same before the Committee of Fellowship in the name of the Convention.

VIII. - APPEALS.

1. Parties aggrieved by any decision, whether in granting, refusing, or withdrawing fellowship, or otherwise, shall be entitled to appeal to the General Convention, according to the provisions of the By-Laws, Art. 1., Sect., 5, touching on the duties of the Board of Trustees, in cases of complaints or appeals.

2. An appeal from the decision of a lower court, to be allowed, must be taken within thirty days of the time at which such decision was rendered, and must be accompanied by a bond, with sufficient sureties, for the payment of the costs of the court, if the appeal be not sustained.[^*^](#sdfootnote23sym){.sdfootnoteanc} Notice of the appeal shall be sent at once by the Secretary to the Secretary of the Committee of Fellowship from whose decision the appeal is taken, which shall have the effect to suspend the sentence pronounced by its court, until reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal.

IX. - OF CLERICAL AND LAY DELEGATES.

1. No Clergyman shall be a delegate to or from any denominational body, or hold any office or appointment in such body, unless he be in fellowship in the jurisdiction in which he resides.

2. No layman shall be a delegate, or hold any office or appointment as above, unless he be a regular contributor to, or a worshipper in, some Parish duly in fellowship.

3. Neither a layman nor a Clergyman shall represent any other denominational body than that within whose jurisdiction he resides. No Clergyman shall serve as a lay delegate, and no layman as a clerical delegate.

4. Any delegate to a State Convention who cannot attend, shall have power to appoint a substitute, subject to the approval of the Standing Committee or Trustees of the Parish of which he is a Member. Vacancies in delegations to the General Convention shall, if possible, be reported to the Secretary of the Convention in whose representation they occur, to be filled by the Executive Committee, but any vacancy not thus reported and filled shall be filled by vote of the delegates present at the Session.

X. - RECORDS.

1. Every Parish shall provide a book or register, to be known as the Church Register, which shall be in the custody of the Pastor, Secretary, or other office as may be found convenient, in which shall be recorded with particularity all Dedications of Children, Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, and Funerals performed or attended in the Parish by the Pastor, or other minister; also, a list of Church Members, with the date of admission, transfer, withdrawal, or decease.

2. Every Clergyman not in pastoral charge shall also keep a similar record of like services performed by him.

3. If a Clergyman be engaged in pastoral duties only a part of his time, or be the Pastor of more than one Parish, he shall be careful to see that all services above-named, which may be performed by him as Pastor, are entered upon the Proper records, and that those which he performs outside of such pastoral charge are entered upon his own register, as provided in the preceding section, in order that all such services may be duly reported, and yet not reported twice.

4. Every Parish hall also provide a book or register, to be known as the Parish Register, in which shall be recorded the names of the qualified voters of the Parish, with their residences and the dates of their reception, withdrawal or decease, and also the names of all the families and persons regularly attending upon public worship. And it shall be the duty of every Pastor carefully to continue such record from time to time, for the use of himself and his successors.

XI. - MISCELLANEOUS.

1. Every State Convention shall furnish to the Secretary of the General Convention a copy of its Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws, and thereafter a copy of all amendments thereto.

2. Committees of Fellowship shall notify the Secretary of the General Convention, and shall cause public notice to be given in a Universalist paper of all Letters and Transfers of Fellowship, of Licenses and of withdrawals of Fellowship, granted by them, and of Licenses expired or terminated; and whenever fellowship by virtue of Letter of Transfer is granted by them, they shall certify that fact to the Committee granting the Letter.[^*^](#sdfootnote24sym){.sdfootnoteanc}

3. If in any proceedings instituted under these rules, it should be manifestly improper for any member or members of the Committee of Fellowship to act therein, by reason of relationship to any of the parties concerned, or from any other cause whatsoever, then the remaining members, if a majority, shall have and exercise the powers and duties of the Committee; or the Executive Committee of the State Convention, or the Trustees of the General Convention, as the case may be, shall appoint in place of the person or persons thus ineligible, one or more disinterested persons, as the case may require, who shall, for the purposes of the particular case, act with the remaining members thereof, or in lieu of the regular Committee, if all the members are disqualified as above.

4. In case of the removal of a member or members from one Parish to other territory, it shall be the duty of the Pastor or Parish Clerk to give notice of such removal to the Pastor or Clerk of the Parish into whose territory such removal is made.

5. It shall be the duty of all Clergymen and Parishes to institute and foster Churches, and to establish and maintain Sunday Schools in all practicable cases. And wherever Sunday Schools exist, it shall be the duty of all concerned in their control to seek to make them efficient as Schools of Christian Doctrine, in order that the children baptized into the faith of the Universalist Church, may be educated in the principles and doctrines thereof, and thus be trained and prepared for confirmation and Church membership.

6. In every Church, the Communion of the Lord’s Supper shall be statedly observed at such times as the laws thereof prescribe; and at every such service, all persons present, whether members or not, who may feel it to be a duty or a privilege to do so, shall be invited to participate.

7. Baptism may be administered to adults in such form as they may wish.

Recommendations.

1. It is recommended to every Parish, or other denominational body, to pass a By-Law, providing that, in case of its dissolution, all its estate shall be vested in the Convention of the State wherein it is situated, of the laws of such State will permit, to be held by it in trust for the benefit of a future Universalist Parish in the same neighborhood, or for furthering the cause of Universalism in some other way and to each State Convention to make provision, in the case of its dissolution, for the transfer of its property and funds held in trust or otherwise, to the Universalist General Convention, to be held by it in trust for the purposes for which they were originally set apart or appropriated.

2. It is recommended, as preferable to the preceding, wherever practicable, that every Parish shall deed its property to the State Convention having jurisdiction, if qualified by law to hold and convey real estate, or to the General Convention, receiving back a conveyance with such conditions that the property can never be alienated from the purpose to which it was originally dedicated. [See Appendix.]

3. It is recommended that Christmas Sunday be observed with appropriate services.

4. It is recommended that on Easter Sunday a service of Recognition be held, at which time persons baptized in childhood, and other, may be welcomed by suitable rites to membership of the Church.

5. It is recommended that one Sunday be set apart in each year, to be denominated Children’s Sunday -in all cases where practicable, the second Sunday in June, or as near thereto as possible; as parents and guardians shall be encouraged and invited to bring their children to the altar on that day for baptism or dedication to the service of the Lord.

6. It is recommended that the first Sunday of October in each year be set apart as Memorial Sunday, for commemorating those friends who, during the year, have been taken away by death.

7. It is recommended that the first Sunday of November of each year be set apart as All Souls Sunday, for a special celebration of our distinguishing doctrine, the Scriptural truth that all souls are God’s children, and that finally, by His grace attending them, they will all be saved from the power of sin, and will live and reign with Him forever in holiness and happiness.

8. It is recommended that the third Sunday of May in each year be set apart as Educational Sunday, for the presentation to the people of the educational interests of our Church.

[It must be understood that in religious organizations of whatever kind, reference must be had to the requirements of statute law. The following Drafts are submitted for adoption in their present form, only where the statutes will permit. In other cases they should be carefully modified to meet the requirements of state law.]

[The General Convention recommends the following for adoption by State Conventions. Every State Convention should be incorporated, and should obtain power to hold real and personal property to a sufficient amount, and free to transfer the same for its purpose; also to acquire unused property of Universalist parishes in the State.]

STATE CONVENTION.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I.

TITLE.

This body shall be known as The [ ] Universalist Convention.

ARTICLE II.

HOW CONSTITUTED.

1. This Convention shall be composed, -

i. Of all ordained Universalist Clergymen residing in the State of [ ], duly admitted to its fellowship, and actively engaged unless disabled by years of sickness, in the work of the ministry.

ii. Of the Officers of the Convention.

iii. Of Lay Delegates, to be chosen by the Parishes in its fellowship as shall be prescribed in the By-Laws.

2. This Convention shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members, and [ ] shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but a less number may adjourn from time to time, and demand the attendance of absentees.

ARTICLE III.

POWERS.

1. This Convention is a part of the Universalist Church; acknowledges the ecclesiastical authority of the Universalist General Convention; accedes to and will comply with the Laws established by the said General Convention; and recognizes its obligation to enlist and coöperate in such measures for raising funds, and for fostering and encouraging all the interests of the Church, as the General Convention may adopt or prescribe.

2. Within the limits of the State of [ ], in accordance with, and subject to the laws of the Universalist Church, this Convention shall have jurisdiction over all Universalist Clergymen and denominational bodies; and shall devote special attention to all matters of denominational concern.

ARTICLE IV.

OFFICERS.

1. The officers of this Convention shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and [ ] Trustees, who shall together constitute the Executive Committee: - It being provided, That after the first election of Trustees under this Constitution, they shall be divided by lot into three classes - the first, to hold office for one year; the second, two years; the third, three years; and thereafter, [ ] shall be elected annually, to hold office for three years.

There shall also be a Committee of Fellowship, of whom [ ] shall be clergymen, and [ ] laymen.

With the exception of the Trustees as above provided, all these Officers shall be elected annually, and all Officers shall continue in office until their successors are chosen and qualified.

2. Elections shall be by ballot; and in all elections, a majority of votes shall be required to elect.

3. The Executive Committee shall have power to fill all vacancies in their Board, however occasioned, until the next annual Session of the Convention.

ARTICLE V.

SESSIONS.

1. This Convention shall meet annually on the [ ] day of [ ] at [ ] o’clock. The place may be fixed by the Convention, or if not so fixed, by the Executive Committee, who shall have power to change the place and time of the meeting when in their judgment a change shall become expedient.

ARTICLE VI.

REPRESENTATION IN THE GENERAL CONVENTION.

The Convention shall choose delegates to the Universalist General Convention as prescribed by the laws of the Church.

ARTICLE VII.

DISSOLUTION.

In case of dissolution, all the property of this Convention, including funds held in trust or otherwise, shall be transferred to the Universalist General Convention, to be held in trust for the purposes for which they were originally set apart or appropriated.

ARTICLE VIII.

AMENDMENTS.

Amendments to this Constitution may be made at any annual Session of the Convention, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. Provided, that public notice of such proposed amendment shall have been given at least one month previous to such annual session.

BY-LAWS.

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS.

1. Of the President. - He shall preside at all meetings of the Convention and of the Executive Committee, and appoint all Committees unless otherwise ordered.

In his absence the Vice-President shall perform his duties.

2. Of the Secretary. - He shall record the proceedings of the Convention, and of the Executive Committee, and have custody of all the books and papers belonging to the Convention, the case of which is not otherwise provided for, under such regulations as the Convention may prescribe.

He shall give due notice of all Sessions of the Convention and of the Executive Committee, and of all proposed amendments to the Constitution as therein set forth.

He shall give written notice of their appointment to all persons elected, or appointed, to any duty, stating the duty to be preformed.

He shall conduct the correspondence of the Convention, and attest its public acts and all orders drawn upon the Treasurer.

He shall transmit annually to the Secretary of the General Convention the reports in manner and form required by that body; and shall also certify by him the same of the Delegates appointed to the General Convention.

3. Of the Treasurer. - He shall receive all monies belonging to the Convention, pay all orders which may be duly drawn on him, and invest the funds of the Convention as the Executive Committee may direct.

He shall hold the evidences of stock and other property belonging to the Convention.

He shall keep accounts of his transactions in the books of the Convention, and an abstract of said accounts shall be annually laid before the Convention, certified by the Auditing Committee.

The Executive Committee may require of him to give security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such sum as may be deemed proper.

4. Of the Executive Committee. - They shall have the general management of the affairs of the Convention during the recess; and shall have power to adopt all needful measures for promoting its interests.

They shall execute all measures for raising funds which may be authorized by the Convention; direct all investments by the Treasurer; and authorize disbursements.

They shall make due arrangements for the order of proceedings and for the religious meetings at the Sessions of the Convention, subject to its approval.

They shall annually appoint an Auditing Committee, who shall examine the accounts of the Treasurer.

They shall keep a record of their proceedings, and annually report them with such suggestions as to the condition and wants of the Church, as they may deem expedient.

A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

II.

SESSIONS.

1. Special Sessions of this Convention may be ordered by the Executive Committee, as such time and place as they may appoint; and they shall call such sessions at the written request of at least one-fifth of the persons who were entitled to seats at the preceding Annual Session.

Public notice of any Special Session, stating its purpose, shall be given by the Secretary, at least three weeks before the time fixed therefor.

The Delegates elected to the preceding Annual Session shall be delegates to any Special Session, unless others have been chosen in their places. The names of such new Delegates shall be certified to the Secretary on or before the day fixed for the Session.

2. During the Sessions of the Convention, all meetings for public religious services shall be under its control, and the aim shall be to foster an interest in its proceedings and in Church work, and to permit nothing that will divert attention from them. At each regular Session the Lord’s Supper shall be administered. Nothing shall be allowed to exclude or remove the Convention from the most commodious and desirable portion of the edifice wherein the Session has been called.

III.

LAY DELEGATES.

Each Parish shall be entitled to one lay delegate at the Sessions of this Convention; and for each [ ] families contributing to the Parish expenses to an additional lay delegate. The names of such Delegates shall be reported to the Secretary of this Convention prior to the Session for which they shall have been chosen.

IV.

RIGHTS OF COMMITTEES.

Members of Committees, making reports, shall be entitled to the privileges of the floor (except the right vote), whenever their reports are under consideration.

ORGANIZATION.

1. At the hour designated for the meeting of the Convention, in the absence of the President and Vice-President, the Secretary, (or in his absence, any member) shall call the meeting to order, and cause the Session to be opened with prayer.

2. The business of the Convention shall thenceforth proceed according to the General Order.

VI.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. The Convention having been called to order, the Session shall be opened with prayer.

2. Calling the Roll of Members.

3. Reading the Minutes of the preceding day.

4. Appointment of Committees for the Session.

5. Report of the Treasurer.

6. Report of the Executive Committee.

7. Report of the Committee of Fellowship.

8. Reports of the Committees of the Session.

9. Unfinished Business.

10. Reports of Special Committees.

11. New Business.

12. Before the final adjournment, the records, or such portion thereof as have not been read, shall be read and approved.

VII.

COMMITTEES.

1. The following Committees for the Session shall be appointed, each to consist of three members, viz: -

i. On Election, to whom shall be referred the credentials of Delegates, and questions of contested seats.

ii. On Religious Services, who shall superintend the arrangements made by the Executive Committee, and make such others as may be necessary, subject to the approval of the Convention.

iii. On Nomination, who shall report the names of persons for Officers, and for Delegates to the General Convention.

2. The Committee of Fellowship, shall exercise the powers conferred by the laws of the Universalist Church upon such Committees.

VIII.

FUNDS.

Every Parish in the fellowship of this Convention shall contribute each year, according to its ability, in aid of the funds of the Convention and of the General Convention, according to the laws of the said Convention touching this subject.

IX.

AMENDMENTS.

These By-Laws may be altered or amended at any Session of the Convention, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at each Session.

[The General Convention recommends the following Plans for the organization of a Universalist Parish and Church.

[Every Parish should be incorporated. Its church property should be deeded to the State Convention

….

CHURCH.

Believing that the Church is a means of promoting Christian culture and consecration and the development of spiritual life, we hereby associate ourselves as a Christian Church in connection with the Universalist Parish in [ ] and adopt for our government the following

BY-LAWS

OFFICERS.

1. The officers of this Church shall be a Moderator, a Clerk, a Treasurer and [ ] Deacons. The Minister to the Parish with which this Church is connected shall be the Pastor of the Church.

2. The Moderator and the Treasurer shall be elected annually. The Deacons shall hold office during good behavior.

II.

MEMBERS.

1. Expressed assent to the Profession of Faith adopted by the Universalist General Convention, [sic] shall be essential to membership in this Church.

2. Any person desiring to become a member must apply to the Pastor and Deacons, who shall, if they approve, lay the same before the Church, at its next meeting, when the applicant may be admitted by the vote of the Church. He shall subsequently be publicly recognized by the Pastor, upon his assent to the Profession of Faith and Covenant of the Church. In case of the illness of the candidate the recognition may be private.

3. Any member may withdraw from the Church by written notice to the Clerk, who shall communicate the fact to the Church at its next meeting. If a letter of commendation is desired, it may be given in such a form as the Church may approve; or in case of reasonable objection such letter may be withheld.

III.

MEETINGS.

1. The Annual Meeting of this Church shall be on the [ ] day of [ ].

2. Regular meeting shall be held on the [ ] preceding each Communion Sunday.

3. Special meetings may be appointed at any time, at the request of three members.

4. Due announcement of all meetings shall be made from the pulpit, or by personal or written notice to the members.

IV.

THE COMMUNION.

1. The Communion of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the [ ] Sunday of [ ].

2. At every such service, all lovers of the Saviour who may feel it to be either a duty or a privilege to do so shall be invited to participate.

DISCIPLINE.

1. All complaints against members shall be made to the Deacons, who shall be guided in the performance of their duty by the Gospel rule as recorded in Matthew xviii. 15-17.

2. The Deacons shall inquire into all charges, hearing both parties, and having power to acquit or condemn the accused. In the case of condemnation the judgment may be temporary or final suspension.

3. If any member feels aggrieved by either the acquittal or condemnation of an accused party, he may appeal to the Church; who shall choose by ballot, and by a majority of the whole number voting, without open nomination, a Committee of Appeal. Such Committee shall retry the case, and its decision shall be final.

4. If it should be manifestly improper for either Deacon to act in any investigation, the Church may appoint a substitute for such case.

VI.

CHILDREN AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

1. This Church regards it as the duty of all Christians to present their children for baptism or dedication, and to train them up in a consciousness of their Christian obligations; and expects that at a suitable age, those thus baptized or dedicated in connection with it, will become candidates for confirmation in their Church relations.

2. The second Sunday in June shall be observed as Children’s Sunday, as recommended by the General Convention.

3. The members of this Church shall foster the Sunday School of the Parish by personal membership or by labor on its behalf.

VI.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

1. Of the Moderator. - He shall preside at all meetings of the Church; appoint all Committees, unless otherwise ordered, and perform all other duties belonging to his office. In his absence, a Moderator pro tem. shall be appointed.

2. Of the Clerk. - He shall keep a record of all the meetings and proceedings of the Church, subject to its control, and a list of the names and residences of the members; notify all officers and members of their election; take charge of all books and papers belonging to the Church; in connection with the Clerk of the Parish, see that reports concerning the Church and Parish required by the laws of the General Convention are annually and seasonably made; notify all meetings of the Church; report at the annual meeting the addition, decease, withdrawal or dismission of members, and perform any other duties pertaining to his office.

3. Of the Treasurer. - He shall have charge of all the funds of the Church, paying them out only on an order from the Pastor and one of the Deacons, or from two of the Deacons, specifying the purpose to which the money is to be applied; and, at each annual meeting, he shall make a full statement of his accounts.

4. Of the Deacons. - They shall assist the Pastor in the administration of the ordinances and in the general supervision of the affairs of the Church; act as a Committee of Inquiry on all propositions for membership; serve as a Committee of Discipline of the Church, visit and administer to the wants of necessitous members of the Church and Congregation; and have authority, with the Pastor, to draw on the Treasurer for means to relieve the distressed, and for incidental expenses.

VIII.

STATISTICS.

A Book or Registrar shall be provided, in which shall be recorded all baptisms, dedications, marriages, funerals, Church admissions, etc. performed or attended by the Pastor.

VI.

AMENDMENTS.

These By-Laws may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting of the Church, provided the said alteration or amendment shall have been proposed in writing one month previous.

PROFESSION OF FAITH.

Art. I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

COVENANT.

Cherishing these truths, we covenant and promise that we will, by the study of the Scriptures, by prayer, and other available helps to Christian culture, earnestly endeavor to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, walking with the Church in love and helpfulness.

CHURCH-PARISH.

[In some parts of the country it is the custom to secure the incorporation of Churches. The Church becomes the Parish, and is at once a financial corporation and an ecclesiastical body. For such Parishes as desire to accomplish both purposes by one organization, the following By-Laws will serve.

[Every such Church should be incorporated. Its property should be deeded to the State Convention, if that body is authorized to hold and convey real estate, and reconveyed to the Church with such conditions as will prevent its alienation or perversion from its original purpose. (See page 73.)

[These By-Laws embody what is usually contained in both Constitution and By-Laws, and are all that is needful when Churches are legally incorporated.]

ARTICLE I.

NAME.

This organization shall be known as the [ ] Universalist Church of [ ].

ARTICLE II.

ALLEGIANCE.

This Church acknowledges the ecclesiastical authority of the Universalist General Convention and the jurisdiction of the [ ] Universalist Convention; and regards itself as pledged to coöperate in such measures for raising funds and for fostering and extending all the interests of the Church as the General and State Conventions may prescribe.

ARTICLE III.

MEMBERSHIP.

1. Assent to the Profession of Faith adopted by the Universalist General Convention, [sic] shall be essential to membership in this Church, to wit:

Art. I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

4. No member who does not contribute to the support of the Church, or has failed to do so for the term of one year, shall have the right to vote upon financial questions, or for the Trustees of the Church.

5. Persons contributing to the support of the Church may become Associate Members by a majority vote of the Church, and by signing these By-Laws. They shall have the right to vote upon all financial questions, and for the Trustees of the Church, and upon no other questions. Associate membership shall be annulled without formal vote, on failure to contribute to the Treasury for the term of one year.

ARTICLE IV.

OFFICERS.

1. The officers of the Church shall be a Pastor, [ ] Deacons, and a Board of Trustees consisting of a Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, and a standing committee of [ ]. The Deacons shall hold office during good behavior; the Board of Trustees shall be elected annually. All elections shall be by ballot.

ARTICLE V.

MEETINGS.

1. The annual meeting shall be held on the [ ] of [ ] of each year. At such meeting the Trustees for the ensuing year shall be chosen, and such other legal business transacted as may be deemed expedient.

2. Regular meetings shall be held on the [ ] preceding each Communion Sunday.

3. Special meetings may be called by the Trustees or the Deacons, upon written application of three members.

4. Due announcements of all meetings shall be made from the pulpit, or by personal or written notice to the members; and [ ] members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

ARTICLE VI.

THE PASTOR.

No Clergyman shall be called to, or continue in, the pastoral charge of this Church, unless he has the fellowship of the Universalist General Convention. In case of vacancy, the Trustees shall have the power to supply the pulpit.

ARTICLE VII.

THE COMMUNION.

The Communion of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed on the [ ] Sunday of [ ]. At every such service, all lovers of the Saviour who may feel it either a duty or a privilege to do so shall be invite to participate.

ARTICLE VIII.

DISCIPLINE.

1. All complaints against members shall be made to the Deacons, who shall be guided in the performance of their duty by the Gospel rule as recorded in Matthew xviii. 15-17.

2. The Deacons shall inquire into all charges, hearing both parties, and having power to acquit or condemn the accused. In case of condemnation the judgment may be temporary or final suspension.

4. If it should be manifestly improper for either [sic] Deacon to act in any investigation, the Church may appoint a substitute for such case.

ARTICLE IX.

CONVENTION FUNDS.

This Church shall contribute each year, according to its ability, to the funds of the General and State Conventions, in conformity with their laws.

ARTICLE X.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

2. Of the Clerk. - He shall keep a record of all the meetings and proceedings of the Church and Trustees, subject to their control, with a list of the names and residences of the members; notify all officers and members of their election; give due notice of all meetings of the Church or its Trustees; prepare the reports which the Church is required by the General Convention to make, properly and seasonably; have the custody of all books and papers belonging to the Church, the care of which is not otherwise provided for, and perform any other duties pertaining to his office.

3. Of the Treasurer. - He shall have charge of all the funds of the Church, and pay all bills duly audited by the Trustees. He shall also pay all orders drawn by the Pastor and one of the Deacons for Communion or charitable purposes upon funds in his hands for such purposes. He shall keep accounts of his transactions in the books of the Church, which shall be annually examined by a Committee of the Trustees, and shall report to the annual meeting. He shall have the custody of all evidence of property belonging to the Church.

4. Of the Trustees. - It shall be their duty to provide for the collection of all the revenues of the Church; foster the interests of the Church an Sunday-school; make suitable provision for the comfort and convenience of the congregation, and attend generally to the temporal concerns of the church; but they shall have no authority to transfer real estate, or to contract for any repairs or alteration of the property of the Church, the expense of which shall exceed the sum of [ ] dollars, without express power given for that purpose by a Church meeting.

They shall meeting on [ ] next succeeding their election, to enter upon the duties of their office; and shall hold regular monthly meetings (and may also hold special meetings_ at such time as to them shall seem expedient.

At their first meeting, a Committee of three shall be appointed, to be called the House Committee, who shall, under the direction of the Trustees, have the immediate supervision and care of the Church building; they shall also let the pews and sittings in the Church, or secure such subscriptions as may be necessary for Church expenses.

5. Of the Deacons. - They shall assist the Pastor in the administration of the ordinances and in the general supervision of the affairs of the Church; act as a Committee of Inquiry on all propositions for membership; serve as a Committee of Discipline of the Church, visit and administer to the wants of necessitous members of the Church and Congregation; and have authority, with the Pastor, to draw on the Treasurer for means to relieve the distressed, and for Communion expenses.

ARTICLE XI.

CHILDREN AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

1. This Church regards it as the duty of all Christians to present their children for baptism or dedication, and to train them in a consciousness of their Christian obligations; and expects that, at a suitable age, those thus baptized or dedicated in connection with it, will become candidates for confirmation in their Church relations.

2. The second Sunday in June shall be observed as Children’s Sunday, as recommended by the General Convention.

3. The members of this Church shall foster the Sunday School by personal membership or by labor on its behalf.

ARTICLE XII.

STATISTICS.

A Register shall be provided, in which shall be recorded the names of the members and associate members of the Church, with their residences and dates of their reception, withdrawal, or decease; the names of all the families and persons regularly attending upon public worship, as well as those contributing to its support; and all baptisms, dedications, marriages, funerals, etc., performed or attended by the Pastor.

ARTICLE XIII.

DISSOLUTION.

In case of the dissolution of this Parish for any cause, all its property, real or personal, subject to all just and legal claims upon it, shall vest in the [ ] Universalist Convention, to be held in trust for the benefit of a future Universalist Parish in this neighborhood, or for furthering the cause of Universalism in some other way.

ARTICLE XIV.

AMENDMENTS.

These By-Laws may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that due notice has been given of the change provided.

PROFESSION OF FAITH.

Art. I. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind.

COVENANT.

UNIVERSALIST GENERAL CONVENTION.

TRANSFER OF CHURCH PROPERTY.

1. It is essential that the property intended for transfer shall be free from incumbrance, and the Church, Society, or Parish itselt [sic] be out of debt, so that at the time there shall be no question of the legal or moral right of the Corporation to convey its estate. The mode of transfer is not intended to be a means whereby the Church, Society, or Parish may evade the payment of its just debts.

2. Even if the Trustees have by law full power to convey, it is well not to exercise it, unless with the free consent of a decisive majority of the corporation, expressed at a meeting duly called for the purpose. It is desirable that there shall be no complaint of snap-judgment or of conspiracy. The transfer can be justified to all unprejudiced minds as right and beneficent, and it is best to wait until such minds are convinced of its propriety.

3. In case the Church, Society, or Parish shall authorize the conveyance, it will be in the usual form of a warranty deed, running from the owner, by its proper corporate title, to “The Universalist General Convention; corporation existing under the laws of the State of New York.” If made to a State Convention, substitute its corporate title, and that of the proper State. Several of the State Conventions have peculiar forms of conveyance in trust, for which address their Secretaries or Treasurers. In the State of New York, and perhaps in others, the law requires the sanction of the courts to conveyances of Church property, which is not likely to be refused in such cases.

4. The Universalist General Convention, by its Board of Trustees, will reconvey the property thus deeded to it, by quit-claim, with this condition expressed: “This deed is executed upon the Condition that in case the said Society [Church, or Parish] shall not maintain preaching in the Church building now standing, or which may be hereafter erected, on the premises, by a Clergyman in fellowship with said Convention, for the period of any two consecutive years, or shall not itself continue in such fellowship for a like period of time, the premises with all improvements thereon shall revert to said Convention, to be held in trust for the following purposes: First, To manage, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of said property in the discretion of the Board of Trustees of said Convention; Second, To apply any income from said property, or from the proceeds of sale thereof, to general missionary purposes, under the direction of the Board of Trustees of said Convention; and, Third, To apply the principle sum obtained from any sale of said property to the building of a Universalist Church in said Town [or City] of [ ], or in some place in the vicinity thereof, in the judgment of the said Board of Trustees it shall be deemed advisable so to do.”

5. The effect of such transfers will be to leave the property entirely in the hands of the Church, Society, or Parish, to manage, control, and improve, according to its own judgment, so long as it remains in fact a Universalist Church; but it will prevent its sale under mortgage or otherwise, without the consent of the Convention, and in case of sale will secure the proceeds to the advancement of the principles for which the cost was originally contributed. It is to be remembered that the Convention would be a friendly Trustee. There could be no desire for the infraction of the conditions. The Convention would prefer the continuance of Parish work, and would aid in preventing the violation of conditions, where it would possibly secure the permanence of that work. Such transfers would also promote the unity of the Parishes, by removing one of the most frequent causes of division, the strife of parties for the possession of the property.

PERMANENT FUNDS.

Eleven Permanent Funds are under the control of the Convention, through its Board of Trustees;

1. At the session of 1869, provision was made for a Fund as a Memorial of John Murray, the Centenary of whose landing in America was to be celebrated in 1870, to be known as the Murray Centenary Fund, and to be vested in the Board of Trustees of the General Convention; the income to be used under their direction, in the aid of theological students, the distribution of Universalist literature, church extension, and the missionary cause. The Fund now (1891) amounts to $126,250.

2. In 1873, the Board of Trustees received from the Executors of the Estate of John G. Gunn, of New York, the sum of $8,000, “to create a Fund for the relief, support, and maintenance of needy clergymen, their widows and families, of the Universalist denomination,” except those in fellowship throught the New York State Convention, which has an endowment for the purpose. The Gunn Memorial Relief Fund now (1891) amounts to $12,160.

3. At the session of 1877, provision was made that all loans to students thereafter repaid, should be set apart as the Theological Scholarship Fund, the income of which alone with such other moneys as should be appropriated for that purpose, should be used in further loans on Scholarship account. The fund now (1891) amounts to $35,760.

4. At the session of 1883, the establishment of a Church Extension Fund was approved, one-quarter of the income to be applied to the increase of the Fund, and the remaining three-fourths to be used exclusively in aid of the erection of Church edifices for new Parishes. The fund now (1891) amounts to $7,970.

5. The William H. Ryder Fund was founded upon the bequest of the Rev. Dr. Ryder, who died in 1886. The income is to be used in aid of theological students, except in a certain contingency. The fund now (1891) amounts to $25,000.

6. Other Funds are the Waverly (Iowa) Fund, $800, and the Draper Fund, founded by the will of Mr. Eben D. Draper, of Boston, now (1891) $1,600, the income having special application; the Ada Tibbets Memorial Fund, $9,260; the “T” Fund, founded by a lady who desires that her name be not made public, $5,775; and the Henry P. Porter Fund, $1,000 - the income of which is not yet, but will finally, be available for the purposes of the Convention.

All bequests, devises, or special donations will be added to either Fund, or be made special Funds, as desired by the donors.

ANNUAL RESOURCES.

The Board of Trustees rely, for the annual income necessary for their work, -

1. Upon the income of the Murray Centenary Fund, the Theological Scholarship Fund, the Church Extension Fund, and the William H. Ryder Fund.

2. Upon one-half of the proceeds of the Missionary Boxes (the other half being by agreement appropriated to State Convention Missionary work), lodged with Universalist families. These Boxes are intended to be opened twice a year, at Easter and Thanksgiving, and the contents forwarded directly or through local agents to the State Agent. Though the sums gathered from the several Boxes may be small, they aggregate largely, and might produce vastly more, if their value was realized. Every willing family should be provided with a Box, which may be obtained from the State Agent, or from the Secretary of the General Convention.

3. Upon the annual contribution of Parishes, according to the law of the Church requiring them.

4. Upon such donations as may be made toward the annual expenditure, personally, or through Young People’s Societies, or otherwise.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

The Board of Trustees are required to have oversight of the affairs of the Universalist Church during the recess of the General Convention; act in matters of Fellowship in cases not under the jurisdiction of the State Conventions; adopts all needful measures for fostering the interests, and promoting the growth and welfare, of the Church; have in charge the care and investment of the Funds of the Convention; execute all measures for raising moneys; authorize disbursements for the purposes of the Convention; entertain complaints and appeals, as authorized by the laws, and provide for their adjudication. A wide correspondence is maintained by them, through their Secretary, whose counsel is often sought in regard to State and Parish work. The Trustees report biennially to the General Convention, and in the intervening years through the Press.

The Board has adopted the following Rules:

1. Until otherwise ordered, three regular meetings shall be held, one during the biennial session of the Convention, and others on the Tuesday following the second Sunday in January and May, and the Wednesday following the first Sunday in October, at 9:30 a.m.; special meetings to be called by the Secretary at the instance of five members of the Board.

2. At the first regular meeting of the Board after the biennial session of the Convention, a Chairman shall be elected, and the following Standing Committees shall be appointed by him: 1. On Scholarships; 2. Of Fellowship; 3. On Investments; 4. On Missions; 5. Auditing Committee.

3. The Committee on Scholarships, to consist of five members, shall have the general oversight of the beneficiaries, in their relations to the Convention, including power to reject insufficient guaranties, to secure repayment of loans, and in cases of urgency to make such settlements as in their judgment may serve the interests of the Convention.

4. The Committee of Fellowship, to consist of three members, shall have charge of all matters relating to License, Fellowship, Ordination, and Discipline, including appeals and memorials; also, it shall be the Committee on Relations with Other Organizations, and direct the conference and correspondence with such bodies, under the instruction of the Board.

5. The Committee on Investments, to consist of three members, shall have charge of permanent funds and their investment, the oversight of the current obligations of the Convention, and of ways and means, with the power to authorize deeds of real estate, and releases and transfers of securities; and shall consider applications for aid from the income of the Gunn Ministerial Relief Fund, and report on the same, with power to act in cases of emergency.

6. The Committee on Missions, to consist of five members, shall have oversight of the Home and Foreign Mission work of the Convention, and shall consider and report to the Board upon all questions relating thereto; it also shall have charge of the Missionary Boxes.

7. The Auditing Committee, to consist of three members, shall be the Auditors of the books and accounts of the financial officers of the Convention, and shall examine its securities and personal property, at least once in each year.

8. In the intervals between the sessions of the Board, each Standing Committee shall have the authority, in regard to subjects assigned to it by the Board, and in cases upon which all the members of the Committee are agreed, to exercise all the decisive and administrative powers of the Board itself. But in cases upon which any Committee is not agreed, the matter shall be referred to the Board at its next session.

9. The Chairman shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies upon all committees.

10. The several Standing Committees shall report their action in writing at each session of the Board.

11. Should important matters seem to require a special meeting of the Standing Committee during the intervals between sessions of the Board, upon the written request of a majority of its members, the Chairman of said Committee shall duly call and notify its members of the meeting, and the expenses of said meeting shall be paid upon the certificate of a majority of the Committee.

THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Persons presenting unexecptionable recommendations as to moral and religious character, and belonging to some Universalist Church, who desire to enter the ministry of our Church after a course of study in one of our Theological Schools, receive aid from the Convention, through the Trustees, if such aid is needed, on the terms and conditions below:

I. He must well sustain an examination in the ordinary branches of an English education. It is desirable, also, that be be acquainted with the Greek of th New Testament and with Logic. He shall make declaration of his desire and purpose to devote his life to the ministry of the Universalist Church, and affirm his belief in its Profession of Faith. It is only in view of such a desire and purpose that he is aided.

II. Each beneficiary shall give his obligation to repay the sums received by him in five annual installments, without interest, dating from his graduation, said installments to be subject to interest at the rate of six per cent., if not paid at maturity. In case only a small amount is loaned the Trustees may fix a time of payment otherwise. He shall agree to repay, with interest, all moneys received from the Board in case he fails to enter or continue in the Universalist ministry, or withdraws from study before the completion of the course.

III. The Board of Trustees may discontinue aid to any student when, for any reason, it may appear probable that he will not be useful in the ministry.

IV. The appropriation for each beneficiary shall not exceed $150 per year, dependent upon the sums voted for scholarships by the General Convention, and also upon the conditions and needs of the beneficiary. But such appropriation may be increased to $180 in any year, upon recommendation of the Faculties, approved by the Committee on Scholarships. The total sum, however, loaned to any student, shall not exceed $600.

V. The Faculty of the school shall, at the end of the year, report to the Board of Trustees the standing of each student receiving aid, as to piety, talents, diligence, scholarship, prudence, health, and general influence.

Additional information respecting Convention aid to students will be furnished upon application to the Committee on Scholarships, or to the Secretary of the General Convention.

[\*](#sdfootnote1anc){.sdfootnotesym}Wherever in these laws the word State is used, it is understood that is may apply to province or territory. </div>

[\*](#sdfootnote2anc){.sdfootnotesym}This jurisdiction, under the Laws, is exercised through the several Committees of Fellowship, and not through the legislative bodies.

[\*](#sdfootnote3anc){.sdfootnotesym}Add to the number of ministers in fellowship the number of parishes in fellowship, having the qualifications set forth in § 3; if the sum is 50, the State Convention will be entitled to two clerical and four lay delegates to the General Convention; if 75, to three clerical and six lay delegates; if 100, to four clerical and eight lay; if 125, to five clerical and ten lay; if 150, to six clerical and twelve lay; if 175, to seven clerical and fourteen lay; if 200, to eight clerical and sixteen lay; if 225, to nine clerical and eighteen lay; if 250, to ten clerical and twenty lay.

[†](#sdfootnote4anc){.sdfootnotesym}Not necessarily every Sunday; but at stated periods.

[\*](#sdfootnote5anc){.sdfootnotesym}See By-Laws, Article V. § 2.

[\*](#sdfootnote6anc){.sdfootnotesym}As in other communications to the Board, through the Secretary of the Convention.

[\*](#sdfootnote7anc){.sdfootnotesym}See By-Laws, Article v. § 2.

[\*](#sdfootnote8anc){.sdfootnotesym}The application of a State Convention for fellowship should be in accordance with a vote of the Convention, duly recorded, a cop of which should accompany the application, certified by the Secretary. It should be forwarded to the Secretary of the General Convention, with the names of the officers and delegates chosen to represent the State Convention.

[†](#sdfootnote9anc){.sdfootnotesym}The application of a Parish for fellowship should be by the vote of a meeting regularly called, a copy of which should accompany the application, certified by the Clerk. It should be forwarded before the Annual Session of the State Convention to the Secretary of the Committee of Fellowship. The names of delegates should be forwarded to the Secretary of the State Convention.

[‡](#sdfootnote10anc){.sdfootnotesym}This applies to the action of Committees of Fellowship, who are authorized by the Laws to exercise these powers in behalf of their respective State Conventions. The legislative bodies have no discretion in matters of fellowship or discipline under the Laws, save to choose the persons whose these important matters are entrusted; and they should be careful to select "good men and true," of judicial minds, of known integrity and fairness. Under our polity, the Committees of Fellowship are the most important of our officers, and they ought not to be selected for compliment, either personal or local.

[\*](#sdfootnote11anc){.sdfootnotesym}The powers of the Committees of Fellowship: No action is valid unless concurred in by a major part of the Committee. 1\. To receive applications for License of Lay Preachers, and grant or reject the, (Laws, v. 1). 2\. To receive applications for Ministerial License, and grant or reject them (Laws, v. 1). 3\. To receive applications for Ordination and consider them: if the applicant is deemed worthy to call an Ordaining Council (Laws, vi. 1): if the Council authorizes Ordination to appoint the Clergyman who shall give Fellowship (vi. 3): to issue the certificate in case of Ordination (vi. 4). 4\. To grant Letters of Transfer to Clergymen removing to another jurisdiction (Laws, ii. 3, 4). 5\. To grant Fellowship upon Letters of Transfer to Clergymen removing into their jurisdiction. (Laws, ii 3, 4). 6\. To grant License and final Fellowship to Clergymen coming from other Churches (Laws, ii. 5). 7\. To withdraw Fellowship from Parishes or Clergymen under certain specified circumstances, admitted or proved (Laws, iii. 1) 8\. To grant Letters of Dismission and Recommendation to Clergymen desiring them (Laws, iii. 2). 9\. To readmit to Fellowship Clergymen out of Fellowship for causes not affecting moral character (Laws, iv. 1). 10\. To recommend to the Trustees of the General Convention for readmission Clergymen out of Fellowship for reasons affecting moral character. (Laws, iv. 2). 11\. To act as a court for the trial of charges of unministerial conduct against clergymen (Laws, vii.1, 7-14). The following blanks, prepared by the Board of Trustees, shave been provided for the use of Clergymen, Parishes, Councils, and Committees of Fellowship, each Committee being supplied by, and additional copies being obtainable from, the Secretary of the General Convention: Form No. 1. Application for a Letter of License. 2\. Letter of License. 3\. Application for License as a Lay Preacher. 4\. Letter of License as a Lay Preacher. 6\. \[*sic*\] Letter of Transfer. 7\. Notice of Transfer. 8\. Notice of Acceptance of Transfer and Grant of Fellowship. 9\. Notice to Committee granting Letter of Transfer. 10\. Application of Parish for Ordination of Pastor Elect. 11\. Application of a Licentiate for Ordination. 12\. Call of Clergymen to Ordaining Council. 13\. Call of Delegates to Ordaining Council. 14\. Notice of Call of Ordaining Council for Publication. 15\. Report of Clerk of Ordaining Council. 16\. Appointment to confer Fellowship at Ordination. 17\. Report of Ordination. 18\. Certificate of Ordination. 19\. Letter of Dismission. 21\. \[*sic*\] Certificate of Fellowship for such as are admitted from other Churches.

[\*](#sdfootnote12anc){.sdfootnotesym}If these Letters of Transfer are not properly obtained and fellowship secured, the clergyman is legally under several disadvantages (Laws vii. 3, 4).

[\*](#sdfootnote13anc){.sdfootnotesym}This can only properly be done by Committees of Fellowship, when the Parish or Clergyman has had due notice and opportunity to answer the allegations; but the same formalities are not needful as in case of charges of unministerial conduct.

[\*](#sdfootnote14anc){.sdfootnotesym}For proceedings under this subsection, see Laws vii, 6-14

[†](#sdfootnote15anc){.sdfootnotesym}This refers to cases outside the jurisdiction of the State Conventions.

[\*](#sdfootnote16anc){.sdfootnotesym}This refers to cases outside the jurisdiction of the State Conventions.

[\*](#sdfootnote17anc){.sdfootnotesym}This refers to cases outside the jurisdiction of the State Conventions.

[†](#sdfootnote18anc){.sdfootnotesym}Licenses under the first section are intended to be preliminary to Ordination; under the second are for such as do not mean to enter ministerial fellowship.

[\*](#sdfootnote19anc){.sdfootnotesym}A greater number may be called, at the discretion of Committees of Fellowship. Observe, that the lay members of the Council must be delegates from parishes.

[\*](#sdfootnote20anc){.sdfootnotesym}Committees of Fellowship may require longer lapses of time, at their discretion.

[\*](#sdfootnote21anc){.sdfootnotesym}This discipline is exercised, not by the legislative bodies, but by the Committee of Fellowship as ecclesiastical courts. (Section 6 of this Chapter).

[\*](#sdfootnote22anc){.sdfootnotesym}This report is for filing and record, and not for review.

[\*](#sdfootnote23anc){.sdfootnotesym}Other particulars relating to such appeals, will be found in Chapter vii. § 15.

[\*](#sdfootnote24anc){.sdfootnotesym}This Law does not require the publication of negative action; but Committees are left to their discretion whether such publication is demanded by the interests of the Church.