Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835,

by NATHAN WHITING,

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Connecticut District.

Importance of the subject. The First Church. Ser-

tlement of New England. State of society. First

Ministers of New England. Discusssion of Church

Polity. Platforms. Present character of the New

England Churches

13

CHAPTER II.

PRINCIPLES OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ORDER.

Constitution of Churches. Members. Officers. Creeds.

Self-government of the Churches. Practical results

of the system

CHAPTER III.

CHURCH COVENANT AND WATCH.

Nature of the Covenant. Mutual Watch of Members.

Object-Spirit and Manner-and Importance, of the

Ends of Discipline. Means, Private Offences. Public

Offences. Manner of Proceeding. Forsaking Com-

31

59

PAGE

munion. Miscellaneous and General Remarks on the

subject of Discipline. Treatment of Excommunicated

Persons

67

CHAPTER V.

CHURCH MEETINGS and CHURCH BUSINESS.

Importance of Church Meetings. Duty of Attending.

Order to be observed in them.

Articles of Practice

107

-Temperance. Standing Committees

CHAPTER VI.

RELATIONS OF PASTOR AND PEOPLE.

The Pastoral Office. Settled Ministers, and Itinerant

Preachers. Pastoral Prerogatives and Rights. Rights

of the People

117

Public Worship. The Evening Lecture. The Social

Prayer-Meeting. Preparatory Lecture. Concert

CHAPTER IX.

MEASURES FOR THE PROMOTION OF RELIGION.

"New Measures." Importance of Stated Ordinances

and Means of Grace. Lay Preaching. Female

Speaking in Promiscuous Assemblies. Hasty Ad-

131

135

PAGE

missions to the Church. General Observance of Or-

der

143

CHAPTER X.

RELATIONS OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY-PARISH AFFAIRS.

Settlement of a Pastor. Support of the Pastor. Vari-

ous Modes of Providing for Parish Expenses-Taxes-

Rent of Pews-Subscription-Funds-Sabbath Col-

lections. Meeting Houses. Free Seats. Secular

Use of Churches. Parsonages. The Young Men.

Schools

CHAPTER XI.

173

INTERCOURSE OF CHURCHES.

Dismission of Members from one Church to another.---

Exchanges. Councils. Associations.

Ministers from one Church to another

CHAPTER XII.

Transfer of

211

RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE WITH OTHER DENOMINATIONS.

Relations with Presbyterians. Deportment towards

Churches not in Communion with us. Proselyting,

and its Unworthy Arts. Joint-stock Meeting Houses. Union

Meetings. Catholicism

CHAPTER XIII.

CONCLUSION.

Things requisite to the Practical Christian-Holiness-

Prayer-Knowledge-A sound Faith-Concern for

the Purity of the Church—Judgment-Candor-Pru-

dence-Liberality-Constancy and Perseverance

221

239

ERRATUM.-At page 144, 3rd line from bottom, for "settled tendencies," read subtle tendencies.

Correction. The number of Congregational Churches in England and Wales is larger by several hundreds than I have stated, page 15. The number there given (1600 or 1700,) is only the number associated in the "Congregational Union of England and Wales." This, upon the authority of one of the Baptist Delegates from England, now in this country.

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