HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MEDFORD, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, IN 1630, TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1855.
Charles Brooks, Ed.

[276] God in his word enjoins; that you will watch over your brethren in love, faithfully reproving them when they go astray; and that you will submit to the discipline of Christ in his house, and to the regular administration of it in this church,--seeking its peace and welfare in all things, so long as God shall continue you here.

Thus you covenant and engage. (Here the church rise.)

I, then, in the presence of God and these witnesses, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, pronounce you a member of this branch of his visible church; and we covenant and engage to treat you as such, and, in the connection we now sustain with you, to watch over you in the spirit of meekness and love, as your brethren and sisters in the Lord.

And now, beloved in Christ, remember that the vows of God are upon you, and will remain through life, in death, at the judgment-seat, and for ever. The Lord preserve and guide you in the path of righteousness and peace, give you triumph through faith in the hour of death, and at last receive you and us to that blessed world where our communion and joy shall be for ever perfect. Amen.

Bible principles.

1. This church is independent, so far as relates to its internal organization and the regulation of its affairs; it controls the admission, discipline, and removal of its members, according to its own understanding of the word of God.

2. This church will extend to other evangelical Congregational churches, and receive from them, that fellowship, advice, and assistance which the law of Christ requires. It will extend the usual rights of communion, and practise the usual transfer of members, according to its own convictions of duty.

3. This church will grant dismissions and recommendations to those members who are in good standing, and who conscientiously prefer uniting with other churches of any evangelical denomination, when they apply in a regular manner, and with a Christian spirit.

4. This church deems it irregular, if any members withdraw from them, and unite in communion and worship with other churches, either on account of any offence, or on the plea of better edification, without giving notice to the church, and requesting a dismission.

5. Any member having cause of complaint against another, in cases of personal offence, should immediately seek to have it removed in a Christian manner, the directions given in Matt. XVIII. 15-17 being his guide.

6. In cases of offence against the church, it is the duty of any member cognizant of it to seek at once to have it removed, by personal labor, before making it a matter of public complaint.

7. It is a recognized principle in civil society, that every man shall bear his proportion to the support of its institutions. This