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MARRIAGE, TEMPERANCE, ETC.

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ing or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity."

The Discipline, ¶ 248 (1896), prohibits "the buying, selling, or using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, signing petitions in favor of granting license for the sale of intoxicating liquors, becoming bondsmen for persons engaged in such traffic, renting property as the place in or on which to manufacture or sell intoxicating liquors."

TOBACCO.

Resolved, The General Conference advises all our ministers and members to abstain from the use of tobacco, as injurious to both soul and body (1884).

AMUSEMENTS.

The Discipline requires us to avoid "such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus, the singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God."

CHAPTER XII.

ORDER OF BAPTISM.

THEN THE MINISTER SHALL SPEAK TO THE PERSONS TO BE BAPTIZED ON THIS WISE:

WE

ELL BELOVED, who have come hither desiring to receive holy baptism, you have heard how the congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouchsafe to receive you, to bless you, and to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy word to grant all those things that we have prayed for: which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform.

Wherefore after this promise made by Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, promise in the presence of this whole congregation, that you will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently keep his commandments.

THEN SHALL THE MINISTER DEMAND OF EACH OF THE PERSONS TO BE BAPTIZED:

1. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them?

Answer. I renounce them all. 2. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his onlybegotten Son our Lord; and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suf

tered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; that he rose again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church,* the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and everlasting tife after death?

Answer. All this I steadfastly believe.

3. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? Answer. Such is my desire.

4. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy

life?

Answer. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.

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CHAPTER XIII.

RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.

Form for Receiving Persons into the Church as Probationers. THOSE WHO ARE TO BE RECEIVED INTO THE CHURCH AS PROBATIONERS SHALL BE CALLED FORWARD BY

D

NAME, AND THE MINISTER, ADDRESSING

THE CONGREGATION, SHALL SAY:

EARLY BELOVED BRETHREN, that none may be admitted hastily into the Church, we receive all persons seeking fellowship with us on profession of faith into a preparatory membership on trial; in which proof may be made, both to themselves and to the Church, of the sincerity and depth of their convictions and of the strength of their purpose to lead a new life.

The persons here present desire to be so admitted. You will hear their answers to the questions put to them, and if you make no objection they will be received.

It is needful, however, that you be reminded of your responsibility, as having previously entered this holy fellowship, and as now representing the Church into which they seek admission. Remembering their inexperience, and how much they must learn in order to become good soldiers of Jesus Christ, see to it that they find in you holy examples of life, and loving help in the true serving of their Lord and ours. I beseech you so to order your own lives that these new disciples may take no detriment from you, but that it may ever be cause for thanksgiving to God that they were led into this fellowship.

THEN ADDRESSING THE PERSONS SEEKING ADMISSION ON

PROBATION, THE MINISTER SHALL SAY:

Dearly Beloved, you have, by the grace of God, made your decision to follow Christ and to serve him. Your confidence in so doing is not to be based on any notion of fitness or worthiness in yourselves, but solely on the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and on his death and intercession for us.

That the Church may know, your purpose, you will answer the questions I am now to ask you.

Have you an earnest desire to be saved from your sins? Answer. I have.

Will you guard yourselves against all things contrary to the teaching of God's word, and endeavor to lead a holy life, following the commandments of God?

Answer. I will endeavor so to do.

Are you purposed to give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of grace in the ministry of the word, and in the private and public worship of God?

Answer. I am so determined, with the help of God.

NO OBJECTION BEING OFFERED, THE MINISTER SHALL THEN ANNOUNCE THAT THE CANDIDATES ARE ADMITTED AS PROBATIONERS AND SHALL ASSIGN THEM TO CLASSES.

THEN SHALL THE MINISTER OFFER EXTEMPORARY PRAYER.

Form for Receiving after Probation.

THEN ADDRESSING THE APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION, THE MINISTER SHALL SAY:

Dearly Beloved, you are come hither seeking the great privilege of union with the Church our Saviour has purchased with his own blood. We rejoice in the

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