90 CHURCH Decorum, Rules of, Sylvester Hassell PREAMBLE. From a long series of experiences we (who hope we are the Church of Christ at ______________, are convinced of the necessity of coming together as often as may be in order to hold Conference, and to discharge our duty in watching over each other as Christ hath commanded.
Ordered therefore that the following Decorum be a rule for the church to conduct herself by in her future Conferences. We will not forsake the house of God, or the assembling of ourselves together. Neh. 10:39; Heb. 10:25.
ARTICLE I. The Conference shall be composed of the members of this church, together with any members of sister churches, that are present in fellowship, of the same faith and order, who have liberty to seats with us. Acts 4:23; 15:6.
ARTICLE II. Conference shall be shall be opened and closed with prayer to Almighty God. 1 Tim. 2:1; 1 Thess. 5:17,18.
ARTICLE III. One shall be chosen to preside, who shall be addressed under the appellation of Brother Moderator; and to whom every speech shall be particularly directed. 1 Cor. 14:26-40.
ARTICLE IV. The members’ names, being regularly enrolled, shall by the Clerk be distinctly called over, and a significant mark put to the names of all absent members. Acts 1:15; Neh. 2:18; 4:20; 5:16.
ARTICLE V. A door shall be opened (when thought necessary) for the admission of new members into this church; but none shall be admitted but by unanimous consent, and who shall first verbally relate their experience, give an account of the work of God on their souls; and secondly, of their faith and principles (if the church shall require it); and thirdly, the church shall make diligent inquiry respecting their moral conduct, and when full satisfaction shall be obtained, the Pastor, Deacon or Moderator shall manifest the same by giving them the right hand of fellowship, thereby receiving them in form. 1 Peter 3:15; Gal. 2:19.
ARTICLE VI. No complaint shall be brought into Conference against transgressing brethren respecting crimes of a private nature, until the aggrieved party has complied with the directions given by our Lord in Matthew 18:15-17.
ARTICLE VII. Every motion made and seconded shall come under the consideration of the Conference unless withdrawn by the member who made it. 1 Cor. 14:40.
ARTICLE VIII. Every query presented shall be thrice read; and, before it is received, the Moderator shall take a vote, and accordingly as there is a majority for or against debating it, it shall be answered or not. But the querist may withdraw it at any time—provided also that no intricate query shall be imposed or asked.
ARTICLE IX. If the minority shall be grieved, at any time, at the determination of the majority, they are hereby directed to make the same known immediately to the church; and, if satisfaction cannot be obtained, it may be necessary in that case to call for helps from sister churches.
ARTICLE X. All the business of Conference shall be recorded by the Clerk, and, before Conference rises, the same shall be distinctly read and corrected, if need be.
SECTION 1. Any member refusing to attend Conference, the same is Disorder.
SECTION 2. Any member absenting him or herself from Conference, without leave, the same is Disorder.
SECTION 3. Any member whispering or laughing in time of public speech, the same is Disorder.
SECTION 4. If two or more shall speak at one time, or any member speak without rising up and addressing the Moderator, the same is Disorder.
SECTION 5. Any member speaking more than three times to one subject, without leave obtained, the same is Disorder.
SECTION 6. Any member being grieved at anything done in Conference, and shall hold his or her peace, and shall not let the same be known until Conference rises, and shall afterward speak of the same, as it manifestly tends to confusion, it is hereby deemed Disorder.
SECTION 7. Any member speaking or acting in wrath or anger, or in a threatening, degrading manner, as it shames religion, wounds the cause of Christ, and grieves true Christians, it is hereby deemed Disorder.
SECTION 8. If the Moderator shall neglect to plainly and timely reprove any member transgressing any of these rules, or in behaving in any manner irreverently in time of Conference, the same is Disorder in him, and himself is for the same liable to be reproved.
SECTION 9. The woman hath not a right by the laws of Christ to usurp authority over the man, and therefore ought not to speak in the church, only in cases of conscience, or in such particular circumstances that the nature of the thing may require it.
SECTION 10. Amendments to these rules may be made at any time when Conference shall deem it necessary.
(Hassells’s History ppg 696,697)