protection of
Almighty God, and acting in the name and by the authority of our
constituents, do ordain and establish, and agree to be governed
by, the following elementary principles and constitution:--

"1. A Christian church is a society of believers in Jesus Christ,
and is a divine institution.

"2. Christ is the only Head of the church, and the word of God the
only rule of faith and conduct.

"3. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the
gospel of God our Savior, ought to be deprived of church
membership.

"4. Every man has an inalienable right to private judgment in
matters of religion, and an equal right to express his opinion in
any way which will not violate the laws of God, or the rights of
his fellow-men.

"5. Church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only;
and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for
immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for the
neglect of duties enjoined by the word of God.

"6. The pastoral or ministerial office and duties are of divine
appointment, and all elders in the church of God are equal; but
ministers are forbidden to be lords over God's heritage, or to
have dominion over the faith of the saints.

"7. The church has a right to form and enforce such rules and
regulations only as are in accordance with the holy Scriptures,
and may be necessary or have a tendency to carry into effect the
great system of practical Christianity.

"8. Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rules and
regulations, is inherent in the ministers and members of the
church; but so much of that power may be delegated, from time to
time, upon a plan of representation, as they may judge necessary
and proper.

"9. It is the duty of all ministers and members of the church, to
maintain godliness, and to oppose all moral evil.

"10. It is obligatory on ministers of the gospel to be faithful in
the discharge of their pastoral and ministerial duties, and it is
also obligatory on the members to esteem ministers highly for
their works' sake, and to render them a righteous compensation for
their labors.

"11. The church ought to secure to all her official bodies the
necessary authority for the purposes of good government; but she
has no right to create any distinct or ind