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that through the Classes and Particular Synods, the General Synod may receive correct information relating to the Churches under their care.

Resolved, That the Synod consider this to be the most proper mode for obtaining a regular, full, and true account of whatever relates to the Churches composing this Body.

[Passed in the session of General Synod, June, 1815.

FUNERALS.

The Synod approve of speaking a word in season, either at the grave, or in the house or church, and to close the solemnity with prayer and benediction.

[Adopted in the session of General Synod, 1812.)

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PSALMS AND HYMNS.

The General Synod having received the report of the Committee appointed upon the subject of the Psalms and Hymns, and having inspected the selection made by the Rev. Professor Livingston, agreeably to the request of the General Synod in their last session, do express their high satisfaction and decided approbation of the same: 'It is therefore resolved, That this selection be forthwith published and introduced into public worship in all our Churches: And the General Synod recommend the same to all families and individuals within their communion, to be adopted instead of the book which has hitherto been in use.

[Passed in the session of General Synod, 1813.]

CORRESPONDENCE.

Resolved, That this Synod cheerfully agree to the plan, proposed by the German Synod, on which the

correspondence between the two Churches shall hereafter be conducted, viz.

"1. Each Synod shall receive the Delegates from the sister Church in a brotherly and affectionate manner, and provide them suitable accommodations during the session of Synod.

"2. The Delegates shall produce their credentials at an early part of the session, and shall then be invited to take their seats as advisory members: that is, they shall have the right to express their opinions on all subjects which relate to the general interest of the Churches, or to the promotion of religion, but shall not vote on any question before the Synod."

[Adopted in the session of General Synod, 1814.)

CUSTOMS AND USAGES.

Synod adopted the following report:

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Agreeably to the resolutions of the Particular Sy nod of New-York, in May last, Art. 11th, under the Lemma, Customs and Usages; and also Art. 27th, under the Lemma, Instructions to Delegates: The first resolution requiring that the President inquire of the Delegates of the different Classes present, whether such customs and usages as are tested by long experience to be for edification, and whether the injunction of watching against innovations, are attended to in the respective churches under their care.-' -The second resolution, requiring, that our Delegates to General Synod, be directed to inquire of that body, to what particular objects the inquiries respecting customs and usages are to be directed by the different Classes.-Your Committee beg leave to report-That those customs and usages, which were deemed necessary to be continued in the Church, are expressed in the Explanatory Articles of the Constitution; such as singing the Psalms and Hymns, approv

ed of, and recommended by General Synod; preaching from the Heidelbergh Catechism; observing the Forms in the Administration of Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, &c. as contained in our Liturgy, &c. That other customs and usages prevail in the Church, which are deemed non-essential, and in many instances are either wholly dispensed with, or partially retained. in our congregations, according to the taste or circumstances of pastors or people; such as the arrangements observed in the performance of public worship; the number of times singing Psalms and Hymns; reading sermons, and preaching them from memory or extemporaneously; sprinkling in Baptism, one or three times; sitting or standing in receiving the Lord's Supper; preaching on Ascension Day, Good Friday, and other days which have long been observed, both in Holland and America, &c. Your committee observe, that those customs, and usages, which are deemed essential and constitutional, are preserved pure and entire by the different Classes and we observe likewise, that those which are considered non-essential, are dispensed with, or retained, and altered, according to the taste or circumstances of different Ministers and congregations.'

[Adopted in the session of General Synod, 1814.]

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PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY.

Whereas it is necessary that the ecclesiastical relation of the Professor of Theology should be clearly ascertained and settled by General Synod, as well for the information and guidance of the Professor, as of the several Judicatories of the Church: Therefore, Resolved, That by the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church, the Professor of Theology, as such, has no relation to, or connection with any particular

Classis, and is amenable only to the General Synod, whose officer he is; and of course, must take a regular dismission from the Church and Classis to which he belonged but, whenever he shall sustain, or with the consent of the General Synod, assume the pastoral charge of a congregation, he will, as Pastor, stand on the same footing respecting the Classis with which such congregation is connected, as any other Minister of a congregation.

[Passed in the session of General Synod, 1814.]

DELEGATES SECUNDI.

Resolved, That it be enjoined on all the inferior Judicatories of this Church, in their appointment or recommendation of Delegates, to appoint or recommend Delegates secundi, as well as Delegates primarii, when their numbers render it practicable.

[Passed in the session of General Synod, June, 1815.]

ARTICLES OF UNION.

Synod Resolved, That as these articles were framed to answer a temporary, though at that time highly valuable purpose, they ought to be preserved, as an important link in the history of our Church, but contain no regulations, which make it necessary at this period for Ministers to subscribe the same.

[Passed in the session of General Synod, June, 1815.]

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