The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-01

kiss, which they claim was observed by
the apostles and the Christian churches
following them. In this ordinance the
brethren salute each other, and the sis
ters the same. The sexes do not utter
change salutations.
In the observance Of the communion,
which is the ordinance next in order, the
sisters all have their heads covered with
plain caps, and the brethren with heads
uncovered Thanks are given both for
the bread and wine. The minister breaks
the bread to the brethren, and they to each
other The minister breaks to the sisters
also, but they do not break TO each other;
and the same is the case in passing the
wine. The communion and its attendant
ordinances are always observed at night,
as this was the hour Of their institution by
Christ. 1t is observed usually once or
twice year in every church.
AMOUNTING THE SICK.
In addition to these ordinances is that
Of the laying on of hands and amounting
the sick with oil, founded on james 5: IA,
10. 1t is done only at the request Of the
sick person, and always by an elder If one
is within reach, but If ii is not possible to
secure the attendance Of an elder, the or
dinance Is then administered by a minis
ter. To perform this ceremony two are
always required.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT.
The Church government is republican
/ in farm Eaob nbu.ob boa .to oz....H A..
which all matters of differences and ques-
tions Of difficulty must first be submitted.
If not settled here they are carried TO the
council Of the district. These districts
generally include about twenty churches,
sometimes less, and the council is com
posed Of delegates from each church. II
not settled here, and is matter Of general
interest, it is taken to the National Coun-
cl or Conference, but no local matter is
allowed TO come up before that body. In
some cases the National Council appoints
persons to confer with the local councils,
and in this way assists in the settlement
of difficult cases.
The National Conference is composed Of
two delegates from each district. One Of
the two serves on the standing committee
al ,ha - "..-S ooee " PSiivim
the matters before the conference.
But while these delegates constitute the
official conference, opportunity is given t
all members present to speak and partici
pate in the proceedings.
In the lower councils all matters ar,
decided by vote, and sisters are allowe,
the same privileges as the brethren in thi,
respect, but in the National Conferenc
the decisions are by common consent, anS
the sisters do not participate in the ofIicia
J deliberations.
, The special object Of this National Con
: ference is to decide matters for which NJ
"Thus saith the Lord" can be found
Questions naturally arise which cannot B
/ decided by reference to the Bible teach
ings, and the object of this Annual Con
ference is to take all such questions int
{ consideration and decided upon them.
/ clerk keeps careful record of all the pro
ceedings, and at the close the record 4
/, printed and sent to each church, and be
t comes the final authority, so far as adyic,
! is concerned, on all the subjects consid
cred
THEIR MODE OF WORSHIP
does not differ materially from that O
, other people, save in the use Of the Lord
prayer, which they repeat at the end o
) each prayer. In case two ministers ar,
together, one offers up prayer and thu
other repeats the Lord'sprayef. Meetinl
generally opens with singing and prayer
! after Which chapter is read. Then fol
lows preaching by one or more of tn
ministers present If no minister is pres
ent the meeting is generally conducted bl
one OF the deaeons. The services are
closed IN the same way they are opened
oy singing aud prayer. They do not use
the benediction. The minister usually
says I'VE are dismissed in the name of th'
Lord, or some similar phrase.
, During the services the sisters are re-
quired to have their heads covered with |
plain covering, in compliance with Pau
who says, ut is a shame for woman I,
pray or prophesy with her head uncoy
. ~~SP "NSaA hSaNo uhco'
cred at all times during services.
MINISTERS AND ELDERS.
Ministers are selected bv Tho vote =
the whole church bretbyen and Ia s;s,or. :
regardless Of ACE In tb;s wav tbe cbnrol
labors 10 secure a minister NJ nyons, ,,;ct,
to preach the word. After he has lahore,
sufficiently long in his calling to give full
I proof of his ministry, he is then advance,
to what they call the second degree and i
given privilege to make and fiI appoint
ments, baptize, solemnize marriages. &c
Their Elders, who hold the highest posi
tions among them, are chosen from tb,
ministers in the second degree. They ar
set apart by the laying on Of hands. II
addition to ministers and elders they hav,
dcacons, whose duty it is to wait on table
during communion, visit the sick, see tha
they are cared for, and help the eide,
/ keep the church in order generally. N
s.Iar;as 40 n r,,lA a.. ,.;,,... a. .L: -.