ARTICLES OF DORT, 1619.

ARTICLE XIX. The congregations shall endeavour to raise public funds for the support of Students in Theology.

ARTICLE XX.

In churches where a number of able Ministers are settled, the practice of discussing Theological theses shall be instituted, that by such exercises some may be prepared for the ministry; pursuing, however, therein, the special appointment and order of the General Synod.

EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792. not only all the errors which militate against this doctrine, and particularly those which are condemned in the above mentioned Synod; but that we are disposed to refute the same; openly to oppose them, and to exert ourselves in keeping the church pure from such errors. Should it nevertheless, hereafter happen, that any objections against the doctrine might arise in our minds, or we entertain different sentiments, we promise that we will not, either publicly or privately propose, teach, or defend the same, by preaching or writing, until we have first fully revealed such sentiments to the General Synod, to whom we are responsible; that our opinions may in the said General Synod receive a thorough examination, being ready always cheerfully to submit to the judgment of the General Synod, under the penalty, in case of refusal, to be censured by the said Synod. And whenever the General Synod, upon sufficient grounds of suspicion, and to preserve the uniformity and purity of doctrines, may deem it proper to demand from us a more particular explanation of our sentiments any article of the aforesaid confession, catechism or explanation of the national Synod, we promise hereby to be always will. ing and ready to comply with such demand, under the penalty before mentioned; reserving, to ourselves, the right of rehearing, or a new trial, if we shall conceive ourselves aggrieved in the sentence of the General Synod: during the dependance of which new trial, we promise to acquiesce in the judgment already passed, as well as finally to submit, without disturbing the peace of the churches, to the ultimate decision of the said General Synod."

ARTICLE XXIII.

a

As no student can be admitted to a public examination before any Classis or Synod, unless he shall produce document under the hand and seal of a Professor of Theology, appointed by the General Synod; (See expl. art. 3.) so it shall be the duty of every Professor, after repeated private examinations, faithfully, and impartially, to certify the progress and attainments of every student, who has attended the lectures of the said Professor for two years, or may have studied the same term, under some person for that purpose expressly named by the General Synod, and who shall apply to such Professor for a certificate, and recommendation. All regulations respecting any further term for study, or any particular dispensation, which peculiar circumstances may render necessary in the case of any students in Theology shall be formed by the General Synod alone; to which, as well the Professors, as the Classes or Particular Synods shall submit, and always conform themselves. [1619, 8; 1792, 2; 1874, 8.]

1833

tate against this doctrine, and particularly those which are condemned in the abovementioned Synod; but that we are disposed to refute the same, openly to oppose them, and to exert ourselves in keeping the church pure from such errors. Should it nevertheless hereafter happen, that any objections against the doctrine might arise in our minds, or we entertain different sentiments, we promise that we will not, either publicly or privately, propose, teach, or defend the same, by preaching or writing, until we have first fully revealed such sentiments to the General Synod, to whom we are responsible; that our opinions may in the said General Synod receive a thorough examination, being ready always cheerfully to submit to the judgment of the General Synod, under the penalty, in case of refusal, to be censured by the said Synod. And whenever the General Synod, upon sufficient grounds of suspicion, and to preserve the uniformity and purity of doctrines, may deem it proper to demand from us a more particular explanation of our sentiments respecting any article of the aforesaid Confession, Catechism, ог Explanation of the National Synod, we promise hereby to be always willing and ready to comply with such demand, under the penalty beforementioned; reserving to ourselves the right of rehearing, or a new trial, if we shall conceive ourselves aggrieved in the sentence of the General Synod; during the dependence of which new trial, we promise to acquiesce in the judgment already passed, as well as finally to submit, without disturbing the peace of the churches, to the ultimate decision of the said General Synod."

1874

jections against the doctrine might arise in our minds, or we entertain different sentiments, we promise that we will not, either publicly or privately, propose, teach, or defend the same, by preaching or writing, until we have first fully revealed such sentiments to the General Synod, to whom we are responsible; that our opinions may, in the said General Synod, receive a thorough examination, being ready always cheerfully to submit to the judgment of the General Synod, under the penalty, in case of refusal, to be censured by the said Synod. And whenever the General Synod, upon sufficient grounds of suspicion, and to preserve the uniformity and purity of doctrines, may deem it proper to demand from us a more particular explanation of our sentiments respecting any article of the aforesaid Confession, Catechism, or Explanation of the National Synod, we promise hereby to be always willing and ready to comply with such demand, under the penalty before mentioned; reserving to ourselves the right of rehearing, or a new trial, if we shall conceive ourselves aggrieved in the sentence of the General Synod; during the dependence of such new trial, we promise to acquiesce in the judgment already passed, as well as finally to submit, without disturbing the peace of the churches, to the ultimate decision of the said General Synod."

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SEC. 4. No Professor, while in office, shall have the pastoral charge of any congregation, or sit as a member of any ecclesiastical assembly or judicatory; but, as a Minister of the Gospel, may preach, and administer, or assist in administering, the Sacraments in any congregation, with the consent of the Minister or Consistory. [1792, 20.]

[Proposed amendment to allow Professors to be members of General Synod: 1892, 508, 568; 1893, 710, 771-3; 1894, 78; rejected, 1895, 132, 136.]

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SEC. 5. A Professor shall not be at liberty to resign his office without the consent of the General Synod, except upon giving three months' previous notice to the President of that body, of his intention so to do.

27

SEC. 6. A Professor of Theology, being amenable only to the General Synod, shall, when entering on the discharge of his duties, take a dismissal from the Judicatory with which he is connected; and on retiring from office shall be dismissed to such Ecclesiastical judicatory as he may elect; or in case of his failure so to elect, to the Judicatory from which he was dismissed to the care of the General Synod.*

*Amendment: 1900, 836; 1901, 1124.

ARTICLES OF Dort, 1619.

ARTICLE XXI.

The Consistories in every congregation shall be careful to provide good Schoolmasters, who are able, not only to instruct children in reading, writing, grammar, and the liberal sciences; but also to teach them the catechism, and the first principles of religion. [1619, 54.]

EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792.

ARTICLE XXIV.

Every Professor of Theology shall continue in his office during life, unless in case of such misbehaviour as shall be deemed a violation of the obligations entered into at his appointment; or unless he voluntarily deserts or resigns his profession; or from age or infirmities becomes incapable of fulfilling the duties thereof; of all which the General Synod alone shall judge; and to that Synod a Professor of Theology shall always be amenable for his doctrine, mode of teaching, and moral conduct. [1874, 23.]

ARTICLE XXV.

The General Synod will endeavour to procure and preserve a proper fund for the support of the Professorship of Theology; that the persons set apart for that office, may not be dependant upon any particular congregation, while they are employed for the common benefit of all the churches.

ARTICLE XXII.

The Elders shall be chosen by the suffrages of the Consistory, and of the Deacons: in making this choice it shall be lawful, as shall best suit the situation of each church, either to nominate as many Elders, as shall be judged necessary, for the approbation of the members in full communion, and upon their being approved, and found acceptable, to confirm them with public prayers and engagements; or, to propose a double number, that the one half of those nominated may be chosen by the members, and in the same manner confirmed in their office. In either mode of election, the confirmation is to be agreeable to the form instituted for that purpose. [1833, 32-35, 50; 1874, 30-34.]

ARTICLE XXIII.

The office of Elders (besides what is common to them with the Ministers of the word, expressed in Art. XVI) is, to take heed that the Ministers, together with their fellow-Elders and Deacons, faithfully discharge their respective duties; and also, before, or after the Lord's supper, as time and circumstances permit, and as shall be most for the edification of the congregation, to assist in performing visitations, in order particularly to instruct and comfort the members in full communion, as well as to exhort others to the regular profession of the Christian religion. [1619, 16; 1792, 63; 1874. 68.]

ARTICLE XXIV.

The Deacons shall be chosen, approved, and confirmed, in the same manner as the Elders. [1792, 26; 1833, 32, 33: 1874, 30, 32.]

III. ELDERS AND DEACONS. ARTICLE XXVI.

The manner of choosing Elders and Deacons, is not rigidly defined: A double number may be nominated by the Consistory, out of which the members of the Church may choose those who shall serve. Or, all the members may unite in nominating and choosing the whole number without the interference of the Consistory. Or, the Consistory, for the time being, as representing all the members, may choose the whole, and refer the persons thus chosen, by publishing them in the church, for the approbation of the people. This last method has been found most convenient, especially in large churches, and has long been generally adopted. But where that, or either of the other modes has for many years been followed in any church, there shall be no variation or change, but by previous application to the Classis, and express leave first obtained for altering such custom. [1619, 22. 24; 1874, 32.]

ARTICLE XXVII.

The Elders, with the Ministers of the word, constitute what the Reformed Dutch Church properly calls, the Consistory. But as the Deacons have always in America, where the congregations were at first very small, (See Synod Dord. Art. 38.) been joined with the Elders; and wherever charters have been obtained, are particularly named, as forming with them one Consistory, it is necessary to define their joint as well as respective powers. From the form of their ordination it is evident, that to the Elders, together with

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SECTION 1. The office of Elders (besides what is common to them with the Ministers of the Word, expressed in Chapter I., Article I., Section 13,) is, to take heed that the Ministers, together with their fellow-Elders and Deacons, faithfully discharge their respective duties; and also, especially before or after the Lord's supper, as time and circumstances permit, and as shall be most for the edification of the congregation, to assist in performing visitations, in order particularly to instruct and comfort the members in full communion, as well as to exhort others to the regular profession of the Christian religion.

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SEC. 1. The office of Elders is, in conjunction with Ministers of the Word, to exercise Christian discipline, and to be careful that all things be done decently and in order; to take heed that the Ministers, together with their fellow Elders and Deacons, faithfuly discharge their respective duties; and also, especially before or after the Lord's Supper, as time and circumstances permit, and as shall be most for the edification of the congregation, to assist in performing visitations, in order particularly to instruct and comfort the members in full communion, as well as to exhort others to the regular profession of the Christian religion. [1619, 23; 1792, 27.]

ARTICLES OF Dort, 1619.

ARTICLE XXV.

The office peculiar to the Deacons is, diligently to collect the alms and other monies appropriated for the use of the poor, and with the advice of the Consistory, cheerfully and faithfully to distribute the same to strangers, as well as to those of their own household, according to the measure of their respective necessities; to visit and comfort the distressed, and to be careful that the alms be not misused; of the distribution of which, they shall render an account in Consistory, at such time as the said Consistory shall determine, and in the presence of so many of the congregation as may choose to attend. [1874, 29.]

EXPLANATORY ARTICLES, 1792.

the Ministers of the word, is committed the spiritual government of each church; while to the Deacons belong the obtaining charitable assistance and the distribution of the same in the most effectual manner for the relief and comfort of the poor. When joined together in one board, the Elders and Deacons have all an equal voice in whatever relates to the temporalities of the church, to the calling of a Minister, or the choice of their own successors; in all which, they are considered as the general and joint repre. sentative of the people: but in admitting members to full communion; in exercising discipline upon those who have erred from the faith, or offended in morals; and in choosing delegates to attend the Classis, the Elders, with the Ministers, have alone a voice. [1833, 50; 1874, 43.]

Notwithstanding, as most of the Consistories still remain small, it is resolved that the respective powers may remain blended; and the Elders and Deacons continue to unite in executing the joint rights of a Consistory respecting all the objects of the respective offices as hitherto they have done; and no change in any congregation shall in this matter be introduced, without first making application for that purpose to the Classis, and obtaining an express regulation for the distinct and separate administration of the respective powers of the Elders and Deacons.

As many difficulties are known to have arisen in the minds of Deacons, respecting the application of monies collected by them in the churches, to any other purposes than those of immediate charity; it becomes necessary to explain this subject, and remove the difficulties, by declaring that the design and object of the collection are not only the relief of the poor, but also the necessities of the congregation. Charity extends to the souls of men as well as their bodies; and procuring the gospel for the poor is the highest benefit. If the abilities of the congregation therefore, are not adequate to the building of a church, or maintaining a Minister, by means of subscription, or any other fund, there is no doubt, but the Deacons may, in good conscience assist from their collections, and bestow as much as can be spared from the immediate wants of the suffering poor. Finally, as the Deacons in every church are to be considered as serving the church, SO they are in that service, subordinate to the rule and government of the church which is vested in the Consistory, (See Art. 25, of Syn. Dord.) and they ought to submit to the advice and direction of the same. But where no particular directions interfere, the Deacons must proceed agreeably to their own discretion. [1619, 25.1