fore Palm Sunday, and extending to the following Saturday, is observed in a peculiarly solemn manner. In the evening of the first Saturday, a series of services commence, which are continued throughout the week, and have for their object the commemoration of the events in the history of the last days of the Son of Man, from the time when Jesus was anointed "for his burial," by Mary, at Bethany, to the day on which his body was laid in the tomb. In order to this commemoration, the history is read from a harmony of the four Gospels, published by the Church. At appropriate passages the reading is varied by hymns relating to what has been read, or by chants. and anthems of the choir; at other passages prayer is offered up. On Palm Sunday the rite of Confirmation is administered, and on Maundy Thursday evening the Holy Communion celebrated. Good Friday is distinguished by several services, conducted in the manner stated above; and on the afternoon of the Saturday before Easter, a Love-Feast is celebrated. At sunrise on Easter Sunday, the resurrection of the Lord from the grave is commemorated by a solemn worship, on which occasion the Easter Morning Litany (see chapter on Doctrine) is used. This service, wherever it is practicable, takes place on the church burying-ground, to which the congregation moves in procession, preceded by a corps of trombonists and singers.

The manner of observing the Passion Week is the same in all the Provinces and mission fields of the Unity.

CHAPTER VII.

DISCIPLINE.

The Brethren of the Renewed Church, in accordance with the example of the apostolical churches, and of the Ancient Unitas Fratrum, established a Church Discipline at an early day of their history. This Discipline they considered of very great importance. When the Saxon government sent commissioners to Herrnhut, in order to examine the doctrines and constitution of the congregation there, the Brethren declared their readiness to forsake all they had, and go into other lands, if the free exercise of their Discipline were not conceded. Since that time the Discipline has continued unchanged in its fundamental principles. These are committed to the safe keeping of the General Synod, whose duty it is, through its Executive Board, to care for their observance in all parts of the Unity. At the same time, however, each Province, and each church in the same, as well as the Foreign Mission Provinces, all have respectively a Discipline of their own, based upon these fundamental principles.

In this chapter the principles are given, as set forth in the "Synodal Results;" and then the more particular rules for the American Province.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

By the term Church Discipline, taken in its widest sense, the church understands a training of its members for their calling of grace. To effect this, one of the most important means is a faithful care of souls, on the part of pastors; whose duty it is to visit the members of their congregations, encourage friendly intercourse with themselves, and minister to the spiritual necessities of every soul. In a more limited sense of the word, Church Discipline denotes the various degrees of brotherly correction which are employed, when affectionate admonitions prove fruitless; according to the directions given in Matt. xviii. 15, 17; 1 Cor. v. 11, 13; 1 Tim. vi. 3, 5; 2 John verse 10.

The purpose of Church Discipline is a two-fold one. By it, in the first place, the Christian character of an entire congregation is to be strictly maintained; and, in the second place, individual members are to be guarded from giving offence and falling into sin; to be kept in the way of righteous, sober and holy living; and to be restored in the spirit of meekness, when any have departed from this way.

EXERCISE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

1. In its widest signification, Church Discipline is exercised by means of the public proclamation of the Divine Word; as well as by the mutual fraternal

admonitions and warnings of the members of a congregation. Brotherly love precedes all discipline. and constitutes its very source. The first object of this love must be the spiritual welfare of the members of a congregation. "If a man be overtaken in a fault, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness." (Gal. vi. 1.) Words spoken in kindness, even though they convey a reproof, may find, by the grace of God, access to the heart;-then "thou hast gained thy brother." When transgressions occur, in a congregation, of such a nature that they ought to be reported to the Pastor, or his advisory Board or Committee, it becomes the duty of every member, who is acquainted with the circumstances, to render a timely exercise of discipline possible, by a candid and truthful communication. At the same time, every thing like tale-bearing or calumny, which are ranked in Scripture with heinous sins, is to be carefully guarded against. In order to prove the truth of a charge, and especially when the individual accused denies it, the name of the informant must be given, and an opportunity afforded for both parties to meet in the presence of the Pastor. With such cases, the exercise of Church Discipline in the restricted sense begins.

2. There are three degrees of Church Discipline understood in this sense.

The first consists in reproof administered by the Pastor to those who have erred, in accordance with the duty which his office imposes upon him before the

Lord. At such times he must admonish and rebuke with earnestness and fidelity, with humility and true affection.

In the event of graver transgressions, especially when they have become open and manifest, the second degree of Church Discipline must be put in force. It consists in summoning the delinquent before the Board of Elders or the Standing Committee of a congregation, (see below,) in accordance with the injunction of the Lord: "If thy brother will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the presence of two or three witnesses, every word may be established." (Mat xviii. 16.) After having examined the delinquent, this Board, in connection with the Pastor, is to decide whether he shall be suspended from the Lord's Supper, or not. Such suspension may be resorted to in particular cases, instead of excommunication, even where open offence has been given by sinful practices; but only if unfeigned repentance is manifested, and a real change of heart may be hoped for.

The third and last degree of Church Discipline is excommunication. This is to be resorted to in case no change takes place after milder measures have been used, but the erring member continues in his evil ways, obstinately resisting the rules of the church, and proving a stumbling block to others; and in the case of such as fall into gross sins, whereby the name of Christ is evil spoken of, according to the rule of the apostle: "put away from among you