the investigation may be proceeded with as if both parties were present.

5. Should the Elders fail of procuring a reconciliation of the parties, they shall proceed to an investigation of the facts, giving each party ample opportunity to be heard; and shall report the facts, together with their decision, to the Church, at the earliest possible date, giving each party due notice of the time when such report shall be made.

6. When a report of the Elders, in a case of discipline, shall have been made, the question shall be stated thus: "Shall the decision of the elders stand as the judgment of the Church?" Upon that question each party shall be entitled to be heard; but no new evidence shall be introduced, and the decision of the question, by a vote of two thirds, shall be final and conclusive, and any party refusing to abide by such decision shall be disfellowshipped.

7. If any officer shall refuse or neglect to attend to the duties of his office, for

three consecutive meetings of the Church, without rendering a satisfactory excuse, said office may be declared vacant, and filled by another.

8. If any member of this Church shall be guilty of profanity, intemperance, or a criminal offence against the laws of the land, or other unchristian conduct, such member, on conviction thereof, may be reprimanded, suspended, or disfellowshipped, at the option of the Church.

9. In case of difficulty between this Church and its Pastor, or between this and any sister Church, the matter shall be referred to a mutual council, to be chosen, one by each party, and the third by the two thus chosen, and their decision in the premises shall be final and conclusive; provided, nevertheless, that when this Church shall have united with sister Churches in an association or union, either party may have the privilege of an appeal to such union or association, subject to such regulations as may be provided.

10. No officer of this Church shall be deposed from office, while he attends to its duties, without specific charges made and sustained by a vote of two thirds of the members present, at any regular meeting.

ARTICLE V.

OF CHURCH MEETINGS.

1. The regular meetings of this Church shall be held on the

day of every month, at such hour and place as may have been appointed at a previous meeting; and the meeting for the month of

shall be called the annual meeting.

2. The meetings of this Church shall be opened and closed, and the business performed, as provided in the Book of Forms, and members shall be

necessary to constitute a quorum.

3. The Lord's Supper shall be administered at such times as the Church may appoint.

4. The dedication, or baptism of children, and reception of members, shall be

performed as laid down in the Book of Forms, and at the regular meetings of the Church, unless otherwise ordered.

5. In case of the absence of the Pastor, the senior Elder present, or, in his absence, the senior Deacon, shall preside in the meetings of the Church; and in their absence, the Steward or Clerk may preside.

6. At each annual meeting the officers of this Church shall make full report of their doings for the year.

7. Should the funds of this Church, at any time, be exhausted, a contribution shall be taken up, or an assessment made upon each member, on such basis as the Church may direct, for the purpose of meeting the deficiency; and no funds shall be expended except for the necessary current expenses of the Church, the support of the Gospel, and the relief of the poor, the sick and distressed, or the burial of the dead.

ARTICLE VI.

OF RELATIONS TO OTHER CHURCHES.

This Church will unite with other Churches in the formation of an union or association, for the interchange of benefits, and the promotion of a uniformity of discipline, and concentration of effort: and when such compact shall have been entered into, its provisions shall have the same binding effect, as if they were here inserted, as a part and parcel of this Constitution.

ARTICLE VII.

OF OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.

1. The officers of this Church shall

be a Pastor,

Elders,

a Clerk, and Steward.

Deacons,

2. The Pastor shall be elected permanently, and by a vote of at least two thirds of all the members of the Church; and the connection between this Church and its Pastor, regularly installed, shall not be dissolved, without the consent of a mutual council; or of the Association,