Page 2 Advertisements Column 3

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 776, 7 October 1878, Page 2

j LATE ADVERTISEMENTS. i CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH L FOR OAMARU. Sympathisers are requested to read the subjoined Correspondence, and ATTEND A MEETING, to be held in harmony therewith, at the Old Tees-street Hall, on the EVENING of WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9th, the Meeting to commence at 7 o'clock precisely, and close at 8 o'clock. Persons unable to attend will assist if they forward their names and addresses to the Chairman at the Meeting-, or to Mr. Ferrier, Bookseller, Itchen-street, before or after the Meeting. Oamaru, October sth, 1878. Rev. Edward Walker. Dear Sir—We, the undersigned, on behalf of ourselves and. others who believe that there is room and a growing need for a Church of the Congregational Order iu Oamaru, addsess you, as a Congregational Minister known to be making a short stay in our town, and request that, hefore' you leave, you will oblige us by presiding at a Meeting, which we desire should be called by advertisement, of such persons, being male or female, as would wish to promote the immediate or early formation of a Congregational Church here, either by becoming members, or adherents, or promoters unattached. Hopefully awaiting your pleasure, We are faithfully yours, HENKY J. MOTE, DAVID FERRIER, JAMES REID, E. PIPER. Oamaru, October sth, 1878. .'.". Messrs. D. Ferrier and others. Dear Sirs—l shall be happy to comply with your request; and as I leave here next Friday, shall be glad if your Meeting be called for an earjy date. I am yours very faithfully, EDWARD WALKER. ORDINARY CONSTITUTION OF A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Church is a Society of avowedly spiritually-minded persons, organised for the promotion of spiritual ends, and united by the ties of common sympathy, faith, and purpose. Anyone who presents credible evidence of " repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ," and professes a willingness to abide by the rules instituted and discipline enforced by the majority in meetings constitutionally convened, is received into the fellowship by the . vote of its members. The officers consist of the two orders of Elders designated in the New Testament " Bi.shops," or "Pastors," and "Deacons." The Pastor and the Deacons are alike chosen by and responsible to the members of the Church. The Church is subject to no control from without, and the members assembled at meetings properly convened, constitute the final Court of appeal within. No Head is recognised but Christ, and God's Word is accepted as the only authoritative guide. The doctrines commonly received as Scriptural by Congregitionslists are clearly set forth in the "Congregational Year Book," and include all those tenets which are ordinarily acknowledged as constituting ! the Protestant Evangelical Faith. But no personal subscription is required to this or any other merely human formulary, the Holy Scriptures themselves being deemed all-sufficient and preferable, as being of Divine authority. 992