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EXPENSE ACCOUNT.-1863, 474-6. See Contingent Expenses; Income and Expense Account.

EXPENSES.

of Direction of.

1818, 57-59; 1819, 68-77; 1820, 42. See Corporation, Bd.

EXPIATION. Belg. Conf., Arts. 20-23; Heid. Cat., Quests. 12-59.

EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792. As these, in conjunction with the Rules of Church Government of the Synod of Dort, 1619, constituted the first American Church Constitution, the action, leading up to their adoption is given in full. The Explanatory Articles themselves are printed in the Introduction to this Digest.

CHURCH ORDER.

Since the circumstances of our churches, especially in relation to the general protection of the civil authorities in freedom of worship, necessarily demand that not only the Confession of Faith, but also the Order of our Church and its Form of Church Government, should be made known to our countrymen in the English language by the press, as has already been done by all the chief persuasions in our American States; and since the English language is our national tongue, and is making progress, and has already been adopted wholly or in part in worship in the most of our congregations, and the rising generation seem to be little acquainted with the Dutch tongue: the Synod therefore feel themselves bound, both as regards our fellow-citizens and the civil government in general, and also for the preservation of our Dutch Church and the instruction of its adherents, and of the children in particular, to attend to this subject. Whereupon, it is resolved to appoint a committee to translate into the English language the Articles of Church Government of the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, 1618 and 1619, which, being accompanied by such articles taken from the proceedings of this Rev. Body as have particular reference to the circumstances of the Church in this country, will exhibit the true nature and form of government of our Dutch churches in America. And it is further resolved, that the Rev. Committee endeaver to have this collection and translation in readiness to lay before this Rev. Synod at its next ordinary convening, in order that the same, with our standards, may as speedily as practicable, consistently with all prudence, be given to the public by the press. Messrs. John H. Livingston, Eil. Westerlo, Will. Linn, Herm. Meyer, D. Romeyn, Jac. R. Hardenbergh, Is. Rysdyk, and Peter Low, were appointed the committee. 1788, 184-5

CHURCH ORDER.

From what was brought to the table on this subject, this work seems to have had a favorable commencement, and is further intrusted to the Rev. Committee. 1789, 201.

CHURCH ORDER.

The report of the Rev. Committee upon this subject was presented: 1. That the distinct translations of the articles of Church Order of the Rev. Synod of Dordrecht in the years 1618 and 1619, and of the Plan of Union adopted 1772, both made in English by Drs. Dirck Romeyn and Eil. Westerlo, be referred to a committee, who shall carefully compare the same with the original Dutch, and alter and amend all such English words and phrases as either are not pure, or do not actually and appropriately express the true and literal meaning.

2. That the same committee likewise prepare some observations upon the articles of Church Order, to be incorporated among them, in which the proper sense and meaning of them, if necessary, shall be briefly declared, or sufficient reasons be assigned why some articles are not inserted, or cannot be carried out in our American churches.

3. That the Rev. Ministers of the congregation of New York, as residing in close proximity to each other, and most conveniently situated readily to confer together, be appointed a committee on the subject by this Synod.

4. That in the coming spring, an extra Synod be convoked in order to revise said Plan of Union, and with common consent enlarge it, by inserting or adding some further rules, made in subsequent General Convenings or Synods, and thus, upon previous investigation, approving Synodaliter the foresaid translation and observations.

5. That if necessary, the following autumn, a General Ecclesiastical Meeting be solicited, calmly to weigh the whole subject, and determine finaliter, whether the same shall be issued in full or in part, and in what language, or whether both in Dutch and English, for the special benefit of our congregations. 1790, 210, 211.

The gentleman appointed a committee to specify the subjects to be included in the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch churches of America, to be issued in accordance with the intentions of Synod, report, that after mature deliberation, it appears to them that such publication should be entirely restricted to what constituted the Doctrine, Liturgy, and Government of said churches, that it may not only not form an unnecessarily large volume, but also not perplex the English reader, by the introduction of anything that does not essentially pertain to our ecclesiastical regulations; that therefore, all that relates to the Church in the Netherlands, and especially to the agency of the magistrate in ecclesiastical matters in that country, is not properly included in the regulations which are the basis of the government of our churches in America. The committee further remark, that the PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL SYNOD, HELD AT DORDRECHT, are the basis of the government of all Reformed Dutch churches throughout the world, and that all charters which have been given to the Dutch churches in the States of New York and New Jersey are also founded thereon; that yet, since in these proceedings many things occur which have particular reference to the Netherlands, the Dutch churches in other portions of the world have been necessitated to adapt them to their particular circumstances, as was also done by our churches in America in the general meetings held in New York in the years 1771 and 1772, when a Plan of Church Government was formed and adopted, which was also approved by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, as appointed for that purpose, by the Supreme Synod of North Holland, and this plan has been enlarged and amended by subsequent Synodical Acts. The committee, therefore, judge it advisable that the Rev. Synod further direct and authorize their committee upon this subject to frame out of said proceedings a suitable plan which shall constitute the whole ecclesiastical discipline and government of the Dutch Reformed churches in America, as now situated, and which shall be the only rule by which said churches are directed to abide, and by which they shall be known and distinguished as Dutch churches. This, in our estimation, will answer the expectations of the public, satisfy the desires of civil government, and serve for the direction of all the members of our Church; since it will likewise appear from this plan, that the proceedings of the National Synod of Dordrecht are the basis of the government of the Dutch churches in America, cordally received and carefully adapted to its particular circumstances in this country; and that thus, the different charters may be ratified, and the attachment of the members of said churches to the Reformed Dutch churches in the Netherlands may be fully confirmed.

The Rev. Synod, having deliberated upon this report, resolved, that the commitee be requested to frame a draft of Church Government and Discipline, agreeably to the principles stated in the report,

and lay an accurate copy, if practicable, before the Rev. Synod, at their next meeting. In order, however, also to secure the counsel and assistance of all their members in this weighty matter, it is likewise ordained, that the President of this Synod communicate to each of the respective Classes the request of this Synod, that each and every minister, with an elder, (besides those who are appointed by the Rev. Classes as delegates to Synod,) please to appear at the meeting in New York, on the first Wednesday in the ensuing October, so that the Synod may be able to avail themselves of the presence and counsel of the whole body of ministers and elders in issuing their Ecclesiastical Constitution, as also in relation to the Professorship and other weighty matters. May, 1791, 217-219.

CHURCH ORDER.

Professor Livingston, as one of the committee on the subject, reported to this Rev. Body that he had adapted, as was deemed necessary, the English translation of the rules for the regulation of Dutch churches ordained in the Synod of Dort, to local and other circumstances, and now presented it for approval at the table of the Rev. Body; whereupon the Rev. Body proceeded to revise the same, article by article, which being done, it seemed fit to them to appoint a committee to revise them anew, and present them at the Extra Meeting of Synod in the next spring. The Rev. Professor Livingston, and Drs. Linn and Kuypers, each with one of their Elders, were appointed the committee. 1791, 226.

CHURCH ORDER.

Professor Livingston reports, in the name of the committee, that upon mature consideration of this subject, it appears to them that, besides a translation of the articles Syn. Dord., it will be necessary to add some articles in explanation of the way and manner in which said Church Order of Dord. is put into practice, agreeably to the Articles of Union ordained 1771, to the end that thus from one or the other the people in general may be able to form a correct conception of our mode of Church Government. He further informed the Rev. Body, that not only was the translation of the articles Syn. Nationalis completed, but in part, also, the draft of the Explanatory Articles; and Deo volente, they would be ready to be presented for approval at the next Synod in October. Resolved, That the Rev. Body in the highest manner approve of such mode of exhibiting their form of Church Government, and will expect that all papers pertaining thereto will be carefully presented at the Synod which is to be held at New York the coming October. May, 1792, 239.

CHURCH ORDER.

Professor Livingston reported, that he had completed the work intrusted to him at the last Extra Synod on Church Order, and brought to the table a draft of Explanatory Articles for Synodical approval; whereupon, Synod were pleased to appoint a committee carefully to examine said draft, and report thereon, stante Synodo. Professor Livingston, Drs. William Linn, D. Romeyn, Solomon Fröligh, Jno. Basset, Peter Studiford, and Samuel Smith, with Abraham Duryee, Philip Schuyler, Cornelius Van Veghten, Edward Bunn, and John Woertman, Elders, were appointed as this committee.

The Rev. Committee brought in the following report, which was made a Synodical decree.

The Rev. Body, taking up this Lemma, find that it originated in the year 1788, (Art. XXVII.) since which time it has been continued and has been made a subject of action from time to time, until the present session, when we have the happiness of seeing all the branches pertaining to this weighty subject completed and brought to the table.

The Rev. Body having inspected the same, and read it article by article, and approved both the translation of the ecclesiastical regulations of the Synod of Dord., in the years 1618 and 1619, and the Explanatory Articles relative to the same, showing how they are applied to the Reformed Church in this country, agreeably to the Articles of Union, of the years 1771 and 1772, all the Rev. Brethren formally and solemnly recognized said articles as a just exposition of the nature and mode of the government and discipline received and established in said churches; and the same are to that end in the most earnest manner commended to all the members of their widely extended congregations, as the ecclesiastical rule of the Dutch Reformed Church in North America; and Professor Livingston and Dr. William Linn, and the Elder, Mr. Peter Wilson, are appointed a committee to issue said work, who shall exercise care over its phraseology, without assuming to attempt the least change in its sense and meaning. 1792, 235-6.

CHURCH ORDER.

The issuing of the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch churches in America having been regarded as a matter of great importance, and measures having been taken by many successive Synods to carry the same into execution; and the proposal of Professor Livingston, made in the Extra Synod of May, 1792, to embrace, in certain Explanatory Articles, a general account of the government and discipline of the Dutch churches, as well as the particular manner in which the regulations adopted in the last National Synod held in Dordrecht, are to be followed and applied to local circumstances in America, having been likewise received, and said Explanatory Articles placed upon the table of the General Synod, held in New York, in October, 1792; the translation also of the Ecclesiastical Rules of said Synod of Dordrecht having been unanimously approved, and orders given that the whole should be committed to the press: Professor Livingston, in the name of the committee, reported to this Body, that the same had been happily completed, and exhibited the book containing the Liturgy and Government of the Church, embraced in the Ecclesiastical Rules, and Explanatory Articles of the Reformed Dutch Churches in America. Agreeably to the foregoing resolutions of the Synod, Synod received the same with full approbation, and with thanksgivings to the Lord Jesus Christ, on whose shoulders is the government of the Church, and who has hitherto preserved and blessed the Reformed Church, and enabled its members to present their Constitution in a manner which they regarded acceptable to Him; and not without expectation that the same will be contemplated with satisfaction by other persuasions, being convinced that it will subserve the promotion of piety and good order in the respective congregations. The Rev. Synod, therefore, with all earnestness, recommend this publication to all their congregations, and cannot, at the same time, refrain from testifying their thankfulness to the members of the committee appointed to carry forward this work. 1793, 245-6.

A Special Preface was written to these Explanatory Articles, pp. 301-2, of edition of the Constitution of 1793. besides the General Preface to the whole volume, pp. iii.-viii., which are also printed in this Digest.

Art. 20, relating to Professors also holding a pastoral charge, was modified in 1819, p. 39, by declaring that Professors thereafter appointed should not hold any pastoral charge.

Art. 40 was regularly amended in 1820, 14, 70. See said Article. Art. 53, about the organization of General Synod, was changed, in 1800, and 1812, according to provisions in that Article, in reference to the mode of representation in the Synod. See said Article. Article

54 was regularly amended, making the Synod's meetings annual, instead of triennial. See said Article. No other changes were made in these Articles until 1833, when the original Articles of the Synod of Dort, 1619, and the Explanatory Articles of 1792 were fused together, making a new Constitution.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to revise and amend the Explantory Articles of Church Government, the Appendix [of 1815] together with the resolutions in relation to the government of the Church, passed by the General Synod, [from 1792-1831.] 1831, 365. Much of the material relating to the above was incorporated in the Constitution. 1832, 58; Oct., 1832, 108-134. See Constitution.

EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT. Belg. Conf., Arts. 21-24, 26, 28; Heid. Cat., Quests. 37, 55; "The death of the Son of God is the only and most perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for sin; is of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world." Canons ii. 3.-"This death derives its infinite value and dignity from these considerations-because the person who submitted to it, was not only really man and perfectly holy, but also the Only Begotten Son of God, of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and Holy Spirit, which qualifications were necessary to constitute Him a Saviour for us." Canons, ii. 4, 5, 6, 7.

In connection with certain doctrinal trials, the Synod in 1820 passed the following resolutions:

"WHEREAS, It has been repeatedly alleged on the floor of this Synod, that some of its members have denied the infinite value and sufficiency of the death of Jesus Christ, to expiate the sins of the whole world; and WHEREAS, The expression of the sense of Synod on this subject, at this time, is deemed important. Therefore,"

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this house, that the death of Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice and satisfaction, is of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world; but that this infinite value and dignity of the death of Jesus Christ is solely derived from the considerations mentioned in the Fourth Article, under the Second Head of Doctrine, in the Canons, and from none other." Oct., 1820, 31.

EXTRACTS. Only "extracts" were published of the Minutes of General Synod, from 1794 to 1809, and the Index of the Minutes, (from 1794-1826), only refers to the pages of these extracts, for those years. From 1812-26, the Minutes were published in full, but each year's Minutes, paged separately.

EXTRA MEETINGS. Constit. of 1874, Art. 75. In the Articles of Union, see 1771, 17. The President authorized to call an extra meeting at the place to which the Synod now adjourns; 1794, 266; thus authorized on the application of six or more ministers; 1800,312; (same in Digest, 1814, 69;) Providence having prevented an adjourned meeting from convening, on account of a pestilence, an extra meeting, called according to the rule, declared itself competent to transact all the business of an ordinary session, 1804, 325; extra session, if called, to be held in New York, altho' the place of next regular meeting is Albany, 1809, 398; President authorized in a certain contingency, to call an extra meeting, 1815, 49; Constitution of 1874, Art. 75, amended, so as to allow an extra session of Synod to be held elsewhere than where the next regular session is to be held; amendment proposed, 1894, 129; adopted, 1895, 132. See Adjourned Sessions.

EXTRAORDINARY CLERK. Besides the temporary clerk, the Cœtus appointed an Extraordinary Clerk, to record its Acts and letters, and who was to be compensated for his toil; 1748, xx. Rev. Gualterus Du Bois was appointed. He resigned, 1751, LXI., and Rev. John Ritzema

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