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النشر الإلكتروني

SECTION III.

Of the Band Societies.

Two, three, or four true believers, who have confidence in each other, form a band.-Only it is to be observed, that in one of these bands all must be men, or all women; and all married, or all unmarried.

[Rules of the Band Societies, drawn up
Dec. 25, 1738.]

The design of our meeting is to obey that command of God, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: James v, 16.

To this end we agree,

1. To meet once a week, at least.

2. To come punctually at the hour ap pointed; without some extraordinary reason prevents.

3. To begin exactly at the hour with singing or prayer.

4. To speak, each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in tempers, words, or actions, and the temptations we have felt since our last meeting.

5. To end every meeting with prayer suited to the state of each person present.

6. To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest in order, as many and as searching

questions as may be, concerning their state sins, and temptations.

Some of the questions proposed to one befor he is admitted among us, may be to this effect 1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins 2. Have you peace with GOD, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST?

3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of GOD? 4. Is the love of GoD shed abroad in your heart?

5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you ?

6. Do you desire to be told of your faults? 7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?

8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in our heart concerning you?

9. Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear concerning you?

10. Do you desire that in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your hear to the bottom?

11. Is it your desire and design to be o this and all other occasions entirely open, s as to speak without disguise, and witho reserve?

Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion requires: the four following at every meeting.

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?

2. What particular temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. What have you thought, said, or done of which you doubt whether it be sin or not? Directions given to the Band Societies, December 25th, 1744.

You are supposed to have the Faith that overcometh the world.-To you, therefore, it is not grievous:

I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil; in particular,

1. Neither to buy nor sell any thing at all on the Lord's day.

2. To taste no spirituous liquor, no dram of any kind, unless prescribed by a physician. 3. To be at a word both in buying and selling.

4. Not to mention the faults of any behind his back, and to stop those short that do. 5. To wear no needless ornaments, such as rings, ear rings, necklaces, lace, or ruffles. 6. To use no needless self indulgence. II. Zealously to maintain good works: in particular,

1. To give alms of such things as you possess, and that according to your ability.

2. To reprove those who sin in your sight, and that in love and meekness of wisdom. 3. To be patterns of diligence and frugality, of self denial, and taking up the cross daily. III. Constantly to attend on all the ordinances of God: in particular,

1. To be at church, and at the LORD'S table, and at every public meeting of the bands, at every opportunity...

2. To use private prayer every day; and family prayer, if you are the head of a family. 3. Frequently to read the Scriptures, and meditate thereon. And,

4. To observe, as days of fasting or abstinence, all Fridays in the year.

SECTION IV.

Of the privileges granted to serious persons who are not of our church.

Quest. 1. How often shall we permit those who are not of our church to meet in class? Answ. At every other meeting of the class in every place, let no stranger be admitted. At other times they may; but the same person not above twice or thrice.

Quest. 2. How often shall we permit strangers to be present at our love feasts?

Answ. Let them be admitted with the utmost caution; and the same person on no account above twice or thrice, unless he be come a member.

SECTION V.

Of Marriage.

Quest. 1. Do we observe any evil which has prevailed in our church with respect to marriage?

Answ. Many of our members have married with unawakened persons. This has produced bad effects; they have been either hindered for life, or have turned back to perdition.

Quest. 2. What can be done to discourage this?

Answ. 1. Let every preacher publicly enforce the apostle's caution, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers," 2 Cor. vi, 14.

2. Let him declare, whoever does this will be put back on trial for six months.

3. When any such is put back on trial, let a suitable exhortation be subjoined.

4. Let all be exhorted to take no step in so weighty a matter, without advising with the most serious of their brethren.

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