contradicting the same by our public preaching or writ- ings." If difficulties, or doubts, or change of views oc- cur respecting doctrine, they engage that they -will
neither publicly nor privately propose, teach, or defend the same, either by preaching or writing, until they have first revealed such sentiments to tie consistory, olas>is. or synod, that the same may be there exaroitK d : being always ready cheerfully to submit to the judg- ment ofthe consistory, classis, or synod, under the pen- altj oi being, in case of refusal, ipso facto suspended from office." < Mher provisions, however, guard the rights of conscience and of individual judgment against any harsh or unjust treatment.
Ministers an- regarded as bound t.. the service oi the sanctuary tor life, and are not at liberty to secularize themselves -except for i_rn at and important reasons, concerning which the classis shall inquire and deter- mine." Superannuated and disabled ministers may be ••declared emeriti, and be excused from all further s< r- \ ice in the Church during such infirmity." In the case of pa-t..rs thus incapacitated and retired, coi tions are required to provide a reasonable support, with the approval of the classis.
Tin' parity of the mini-try is effectually secured by the following article of the constitution: ■•-Ml ministers ofthe Gospel are equal in rank and authority. All are bishops or overseers in tie Church, and all are equal
stewards ofthe mysteries ol God. No superiority shall therefore be ever claimed or acknowledge d by .me min- ister over another, nor shall there be any lor.!- over God's heritage in the Reformed churches" i art. ii. ^ 16). Licentiates and ministers of churches with which the Reformed Church holds correspondence are received upon the usual certificates of dismission from those bodies: unless there be grounds of presumption against their doctrines and morals; and then inquiries are to
be proposed to satisfy the classis as to the propriety of
proceeding freely in each case. Foreign ministers must
present their credentials before the classis prior to invi- tation by any consistory to preach in its church : and no classis can receive any smh minister without strict ob- servance ofthe rules ofthe Church provided for these cases. Ministers coming from non-corresponding bod- ies must always be examined respecting their theolog- ical views before they can be received.
2. Teachers of theology, or professors in the theologi- cal seminary, .are to be appointed only by the General S\ nod the office is for life, or during good behavior — "and to that synod a professor of theology shall always be amenable for his doctrine, mode . . t tea. bine:, and moral conduct." He is also required to sign a constitu- tional formula expressing fidelity to the Church and her theological standards, etc. And. to complete the independence and personal responsibility of the pro- fessor to the General Synod, it i- provided i art. iii. ;j 1 1, that ■• no professor, w bile in office, shall have the pasto- ral charge of any congregation, or be a member of any ecclesiastical assembly or judicatory; but. a- a minister of the Gospel, may preach and administer, or assist in administering, the sacraments in any congregation, w ith the consent of the minister or consistory." Six months' notice ..f intention to resign his office must be sent to
the president ofthe General Synod before it can be ac- cepted by I hat body. .Most of these provisions respt cl- ue tea. hers of theology are peculiar to the Reformed Church. Their practical effect has been excellent.
3. I. Elders and deacons. See " Consistory," below. VI. Judicatories.— Thi ■
1. The Consistory.
2. The Classis.
:;. 'iii.- Particnlar Synod.
4. The General Synod.
i. /'■ Consistory is the primary ecclesiastical body, corresponding t.> the session ofthe Presbj terian < Ihurch. It is composed of the minister, elders, <im/ </../■ ( Ihurch. To the ,11, rs, with the minister, are committt d i he chief spiritual functions of the Church, especially in admitting persons to the communion, in maintaining dis- cipline, and in choosing delegates to the classis. To the is confided tin- care of the poor. " When joined
REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH 1001 REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH
together in one board, the elders and deacons have an equal voice in whatever relates to the temporalities of the Church, to the calling of a minister, or the choice of their own successors, in all which they are consid- ered the general and joint representatives of the peo- ple" (art. vi, § 2). In New York and New Jersey the minister, elders, and deacons constituting the consistory are the legal trustees of the corporate rights and prop- erty and temporal interests of the churches which they represent. It is believed that this plan possesses supe- rior advantages to that which prevails in the Presby- terian churches, which have a separate board of trustees, chosen from the congregation, and are often composed of men who are not professors of religion.
In another important respect the consistory of the Reformed Church differs from the session of the Pres- byterian Church. In the latter the elders are chosen for life, and thus make a permanent body of officers. In the Reformed Church elders and deacons are elected by the male communicants for two years. The term of one half of the consistory expires each year; they are eligible for immediate re-election if it is deemed de- sirable to retain their services, and this often occurs. This principle of rotation in office has its obvbus and great advantages, harmonizing with our republican sys- tem of government in Church and State, bringing grad- ually into active service all the best available talent of each congregation, and permitting such changes as may be demanded for the welfare of the Church and congre- gation without giving needless offence to any who may pass out of office.