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Rules of Decorum for Churches
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- A Moderator and Clerk shall be chosen by the church.
- The church shall appoint one day in each month a day to regulate her concerns, at which time the Moderator shall proceed to keep order and take the voice of the church when necessary.
- At which time he shall have the privilege of speech by calling on someone to fill his place: but in no case to vote except the church be tied.
- The Clerk shall keep a just record of all the business transacted by the church.
- When the church is convened, conference shall be opened by prayer and the decorum read.
- Visiting brothers and sisters shall be invited to a seat with us.
- The peace of the church shall be called for.
- A door shall be opened for the reception of members; all shall be received by unanimous vote; dismissed the same way.
- Reference called for attended to in the following manner:
- No private trespass shall be taken up by the church until the aggrieved have taken steps prescribed by the Gospel -referred, Matt. xviii, and other Scriptures.
- But in case of public sin there shall be a public acknowledgement.
- Public reports that are abroad in the world injurious to the standing of a member shall be taken notice of-that is, he shall be caused to acknowledge or deny the same.
- All other business by majority of the members present.
- All business shall be taken by a motion. No motion shall be taken up but by second. Every motion seconded shall be attended to except withdrawn by the person who made it.
- Every member offering a motion shall rise to his feet and address the Moderator by the title of Brother.
- No one shall reflect on the speech of the one who, preceded him, but shall strictly adhere to the subject of debate.
- No member shall absent himself or herself from the conference without the liberty of the church.
- Male members missing more than three meetings shall tell the reasons why. The third meeting the church may send for them if they think proper.
- Females may fill their seats as often as convenient.
- Minutes of the day may be read, amended by the church. if necessary, at the close of each day's business.
- Amendments may be made to the decorum at any time it may be thought proper by the church.
- The church shall convene itself from the rest of the house on each church meeting day.
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