or of a committee of the Association, to which the Church may belong. 3. The Elders and Deacons shall be elected indefinitely, and by a majority of votes. 4. The Clerk and Steward shall be elected for one year; and all elections shall be by ballot. 5. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to preside in all meetings of the Church; to preserve order therein; to put and declare the decision of all questions, except such as may affect him personally; officiate at the communion, reception of members, and baptism or dedication of children, and to have a general oversight of all the affairs of the Church, recommending, from time to time, such measures as he may deem important or conducive to its interests, and to perform all other duties connected with his office. He shall be the confidential counsellor and adviser of the Elders and Deacons, and shall assist them in their duties; and, in the meetings of the Church, shall have a casting vote, in case of a tie. He shall report to the Clerk all deaths, marriages, and dedications or baptisms of children, at which he may officiate; and labor assiduously to instruct the Church in the principles and practice of the religion of Christ. 6. It shall be the duty of the Elders to have a general superintendence of the affairs of the Church, and to take charge of its orphans, if any shall be left to its care; and to assist the Pastor in his duties, by their counsel and advice. They shall be a committee to investigate and report on all applications for membership, and all cases of difficulty between members; and perform such other duties as are connected with their office. 7. The Deacons shall have charge of the finances of the Church. They shall investigate all applications for relief, and administer the same according to their judgments. They shall attend to the sick, and see that they are properly cared for; and also to the burial of the dead, when requested. They shall audit all bills and accounts, and no money can be drawn from the treasury without their order. They shall provide for the table, and assist at communion, and make provision also for the comfort and convenience of the Church at its meetings, and have the general management of all its financial affairs, and report their doings as required in this Constitution. 8. The Clerk shall keep a fair and impartial record of the proceedings of the Church, and exhibit the same when called for. He shall keep an account of all admissions of members, dedications or baptisms of children, marriages and deaths of members, to be furnished him by the Pastor. He shall keep the accounts between this Church and its members, and shall collect and receive all moneys due the Church, pay it over to the Steward, and take his receipt therefor. He shall make out and sign all certificates and documents, notify all meetings, conduct the correspondence of the Church, and perform such other duties as may be required of him; and shall make report as required in this Constitution. 9. The Steward shall have the custody of the effects and funds of the Church, and shall be its Treasurer. He shall receive all moneys from the Clerk, giving his receipt therefor, and shall pay them out on the order of the Deacons. He shall keep a regular account of his receipts and disbursements, and shall report the amount of money in the Treasury, at each meeting of the Church; and make such other reports as may be called for. His books shall at all times be open to the inspection of the members of the Church; and he shall not, at any time, use the funds of the Church in his business, or pay them out of his hands, except for purposes duly authorized; but shall be ready, at any moment, to meet all drafts made upon him, to the extent of the financial ability of the Church. 1. No alteration or amendment shall be made to this Constitution, except by a proposition in writing, which shall be presented and read at three consecutive meetings of the Church; nor then, without the vote of two thirds of the members present. 2. So soon as this Church shall have united in an association with sister Churches, the consent of the said union, or association, shall be necessary to render any alteration or amendment valid. FORM OF A CERTIFICATE OF DISMISSION. This certifies to all whom it may concern, That admitted to membership in the was |