pofe; the Synod may appoint the profeffors of Theology, or any number of their members as a special committee for revifing fuch book or writing, and approving and recommending the fame, if it fhall be deemed proper. The 55 Art. of the Church orders is to be no further extended, nor is it in any other mode practifed upon by the reformed Dutch Church in America.

ART. LXV.

No Pfalms or Hymns may be publickly fung in the reformed Dutch Churches, but fuch as are approved and recommended by the general Synod. (Church ord. art. 69) In the reformed Dutch Church in America, the following are approved and recommended, viz.

In the Dutch language, the verfion of Dathenus, and the new verfion of Pfalms and Hymns compiled and adopted in the Netherlands, in the year 1773. In the English language the Pfalms and Hymns compiled by profeffor Livingston, and published with the exprefs approbation and recommendation of the General Synod, in the year 1789. In the French language, the Pfalms and Hymns compiled by Theodore De Beza and La Moret. And in the German language the Pfalms and Hymns published at Marburgh and Amfterdam, and now used in the reformed Churches in Germany, in the Netherlands, and in Penfylvania.

ART. LXVI.

The Church of Chrift is the best difcerner of the times, and of the duties, to which the providence of

God may call his people. The Church ought therefore, when it is judged proper, not only to request the civil rulers to fet a part, days of fafting and prayer or thanksgiving; but it may in its refpective judicatories, call the people to thofe duties, either within the limits of a congregation, a claffis, or a Synod,

ART. LXVII.

That the reformed Church does not believe the the days ufually called holydays are of divine inftitution, or by preaching on those days (fee art. 67 of Church Orders) intends any thing more than to prevent evil, and promote the edification of the people, is evident from the contents of the 53 art. of the Synod of Dordrecht held in the year 1574. "With regard to feasts days, upon which befides the Lord's day, it has been customary to abstain from labour, and to affemble in the Church, it is refolved that we must be contented with the Lord's day alone. The ufual fubjects however of the birth of Chrift, of his 5 refurrection, and fending of the holy spirit may be handled and the people be admonished, that these feafts days are abolished." In the national Synod held at Middleburgh, in Zealand, in the year,

1581, Art. 50. it is faid, "In places where the feast days are celebrated, the ministers shall endea vour, by preaching at fuch times, to change the unneceffary and hurtful idleness of the people into holy and edifying exercise.

ART. LXVIII.

In confequence of abufes which have frequently arifen from the practice of preaching funeral fermons, the 65th art. of the Church Order is ftrictly adhered to; but as it is often found to answer a good purpose, to speak a word of exhortation at the time of funerals, the right of addreffing the people upon fuch occafions, is left to be exercised by every minifter at his own discretion.

IV.

DISCIPLIN E.

N°

ARTICLE LXIX.

O accufation or process is admiffible before an ecclefiaftical judicatory but when offences are alledged which, agreeably to the word of God, deserve the cenfure of the church. Nor fhall any complaint of a private nature be noticed, unless the rules prefcribed by the Lord Jefus, Mat. xviii, have been ftrictly followed. Neither fhall complaint in cafes of fcandal be admitted, unless fuch complaints are brought forward within the fpace of one year and four months, after the crime fhall be alledged to have been committed; excepting, when it fhall appear that unavoidable impediments prevented the bringing an accusation sooner.

ART. LXX.

To establish an accufation against any member of the church, the teftimony of more than one witness

G g

is required. Their teftimony fhall be given under a folemn declaration upon the faith and credibility of a Christian, or of an oath taken before a magiftrate, at the difcretion of the judicature. Every trial, in all judicatories, from the highest to the loweft, fhall be deliberate and impartial. The fum of the evidence fhall be faithfully minuted. The fentence fhall always be entered at large on the records. And all the parties fhall immediately be allowed copies of the teftimony and fentence, and of the whole proceedings, if they demand the fame.

ART. LXXI.

Minifters of the gospel must be an example to believers, and much of their fuccefs will ufually depend upon their good character, and their holy walk and conversation. Their conduct must therefore be watched over with great attention, and their crimes punished with impartiality and feverity. In admitting accufations against a minister, the rule prefcribed by the Apostle, 1 Tim. v. 19, fhall always be ob. ferved; and accufers must come forward openly to fupport the charge, unlefs where common fame has rendered a fcandal fo notorious, that the honour of religion fhall require an investigation.